Restaurant
Menu
Our menu is inspired by the traditional Zanzibar cuisine, which is influenced by a blend of African, Arab and Hindu cultures. They make a varied and aromatic mosaic of flavours. The most precious culinary treasures of Zanzibar undoubtedly include fish and seafood (tuna, doradas, marlins, octopuses and squids); tropical fruits that mature in the sun of the South (mangoes, pineapples, coconuts, papaya); vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, okra) and herbs (lemon grass, coriander). And, obviously, we enjoy the spices that the island is so famous for. It is incredible how every dish, even the simplest one, grows more sophisticated when improved with a pinch of freshly ground nutmeg, black pepper or chili, or else with cinnamon, cardamom or cloves.
Everything is fresh and local, with no added preservatives. Freshly picked or fished. And so it goes with our menu that includes seasonal, natural, healthy and varied dishes smelling of spices.
Always in Season.
Our philosophy
Marafiki is a place created with passion and out of the love of travel and new encounters with incredible people. With respect to the local community we choose to live in harmony with local traditions and habits. Food is an important part of our culture and taste is one of the senses enabling perception. That is why we do our best to make our restaurant and our food an invitation to a sensual journey deep into the richness of the island.
Fusion cuisine
When the richness of the Zanzibar cuisine, in which the taste of curry subtly combines with the nutty aroma of grilled manioc and the coconut milk makes chilis taste milder, is combined with the specialties of Western cuisine, (e.g. pastas, oils, pizza dough, different sauces, jams, mousse and spreads) it really stimulates the imagination. It also encourages us to experiment and opens the way to new, surprising combinations of flavours and variations on the same dishes. We also do our best to use high-quality, local products and to present our dishes with style, following European aesthetics. As a result, you end up in a culinary paradise where eating is a pleasure for all of the senses.
Swahili buffet
Each country has its soup: for the French it is bouillabaisse, gazpacho for the Spanish, and żurek for the Polish. The Zanzibar people have their urojo, a sour soup made from tamarind or green mango, thickened with flour and spiced with cumin, curcuma and fresh chili. The essence of urojo is in its side dishes. The basic ones include: cooked potatoes cut in chunks, fried and dessicated manioc, kaczori – spicy potato balls. The rest are a matter of family tradition, the cook's imagination and the client's appetite. Thus, urojo can also contain: katlesi – meat and potato fries, mini beef skewers, coconut chutney, hard-boiled eggs, chopped white cabbage with carrots, figili – chopped white turnip leaves. The soup is nutritious and refreshing at the same time. Once a week, at our buffet supper, Marafiki guests can taste urojo, as well as stewed octopus, rice with spices, red beans in coconut milk, spinach with tomatoes and chili, manioc fries and other local specialties.
Barbeque
Grilled dorade or tuna? Perhaps some squid or grilled shrimp? Or would you like to try the chicken skewers? Or perhaps the homemade beef burger? But what sauce would we recommend? Hmmm... a difficult choice. These are Marafiki guests' common Wednesday dilemmas when the restaurant organises our evening barbecue under the stars. Our cooks take the barbecue out of the kitchen and unto the sand and prepare meat, fish and seafood in front of the guests. Everybody can choose what they want, and then pick up the ready dish. The guests are also offered extras: various sauces, rice cooked in coconut milk, baked potatoes and salads. And of course we'll have something sweet for you for dessert!
Special requirements
Our guests’ joy and satisfaction are so important to us. Thus, we are open to satisfy your special requirements and culinary preferences. The menu always includes vegetarian and vegan dishes and, if needed, we will be happy to prepare dishes to accommodate any of your food allergies.
We also take your young ones into consideration. Children can expect to see their favourite dishes on the menu, among them: spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce, pancakes with bananas, fruit cocktails, crispy French fries and homemade chicken nuggets and burgers.
In accordance with the rhythm of the day
To start a nice holiday day we suggest a lazy breakfast in the morning sun rays. Tropical fruit, fresh juices (e.g. our wonderful mango and passion fruit mix), fruit milk cocktails smelling of spices and homemade bread and jams will give you an energy boost. Pancakes and egg-dishes take the edge off of your morning hunger and our wonderful, African coffee will gently wake you up.
At noon, when the sun climbs high in the sky, you may feel tired and worn out by the heat. We invite you to a light lunch based on fish, seafood, salads and simple pasta. In the cool shade of the restaurant at the seaside you can rest and relax with a glass of white wine or a cold, Tanzanian beer.
In the evening, when the hot day turns into night we indulge you with fried or grilled fish, shrimp, squid and octopus from our menu.
The atmosphere
The hotel and its atmosphere is created primarily by the people, but the atmosphere of the place is also influenced by its location, decor and the attention to detail. We know this, and so we took care of everything.
Our restaurant is located on the rock on the seashore with a view on the swimming pool and the ocean. During the day you can hide away from the sunshine on the entresol to contemplate the wide expanse of the ocean water while stretched out in your soft seats. In the evening, sitting with a drink at the bar made of the local ngalawa boat, you can talk about life, exchange your impressions from the day or admire the moonrise. On the other hand, those who prefer to meditate or to read in solitude have a comfortable sofa at their disposal. You won’t want to leave this place. And when needed, our attentive waiters and waitresses will take care of everything.
