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The Best Coffee Restaurant in Zanzibar
In the labyrinthine alleyways of Stone Town, where the scent of cloves and cardamom drifts on the Indian Ocean breeze, Zanzibar's coffee culture is a story told in brass pots and tiny cups. From the legendary kahawa chungu brewed over charcoal at Jaws Corner to single‑origin Arabica sipped on a rooftop terrace, this is where the Spice Island's soul is poured — hot, black, and unforgettable.
Zanzibar is famous for its spices — cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vanilla have perfumed its air for centuries. But the island's coffee culture, though less celebrated internationally, is no less deeply rooted. Coffee has been grown on the islands of Unguja and Pemba for generations, and the traditional Swahili method of brewing kahawa chungu — strong, spiced coffee simmered in a brass pot over charcoal — is one of the most authentic and atmospheric ways to drink a cup anywhere on Earth. Stone Town, Zanzibar's UNESCO‑listed historic heart, is the epicentre of this coffee culture: a place where you can sip single‑origin Arabica in a beautifully restored Swahili townhouse, or sit on a wooden bench in a dusty square, cardamom‑infused coffee in hand, watching the world go by. This guide draws on local knowledge, traveller reviews, and the testimony of coffee lovers to answer the single most aromatic question in Zanzibar: where do you go for the best cup of coffee?
I. The Coffee Heritage of Zanzibar: Spice, Trade, and the Birth of Kahawa Chungu
The story of coffee in Zanzibar is inseparable from the island's history as a crossroads of the Indian Ocean. Arab traders from Yemen brought coffee beans across the sea centuries ago, and the Swahili coast became one of the first regions in Africa to cultivate a coffee‑drinking culture. Zanzibar's own coffee production, though modest compared to mainland Tanzania, has a long tradition: smallholder farmers on the island of Pemba and in the highland areas of Unguja grow shade‑grown Arabica beans, often intercropped with banana and spice trees. These local beans are distinct — mild, slightly spicy, and perfectly suited to the traditional brewing method that has defined Zanzibar's coffee identity for generations.
That method is kahawa chungu — literally "bitter coffee" in Swahili, though the bitterness is softened by the generous addition of cardamom. The ritual is unmistakably Zanzibari: the coffee is brewed in a tall, slender brass pot called a dallah over a charcoal stove, poured from a height to create a frothy head, and served in tiny handleless cups. It is strong, aromatic, and intensely social. To drink kahawa chungu is to participate in a ritual that predates the colonial era, and to understand something essential about the pace and rhythm of life on this island.
II. Our Pick for the Best Overall: Zanzibar Coffee House — The Roastery with a Rooftop
For the traveller seeking the finest, most carefully prepared coffee in Zanzibar — served in a setting that is itself a piece of the island's architectural heritage — there is no better place than the Zanzibar Coffee House. Occupying a beautifully restored 19th‑century Swahili townhouse in the heart of Stone Town, this establishment is part café, part roastery, and part boutique hotel. Its location on Tharia Street, just a short walk from the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens, makes it an ideal refuge from the midday heat — a cool, shaded sanctuary where the only sounds are the whir of the coffee grinder and the murmur of conversation.
The coffee is exceptional. Zanzibar Coffee House roasts its own beans in‑house, sourcing single‑origin Arabica from smallholder farms in Tanzania — predominantly Kilimanjaro and Arusha regions, but with seasonal offerings from Pemba. The espresso is pulled with precision, the cappuccinos are topped with silky microfoam, and the pour‑over coffee, made to order, showcases the bright, clean flavours of high‑altitude Tanzanian beans. The café also serves a range of fresh juices, smoothies, pastries, sandwiches, and light Swahili‑inspired dishes. The rooftop terrace — reached by a steep, narrow staircase — offers a charming view over Stone Town's rooftops, with the Indian Ocean glinting in the distance. It is the perfect place to spend a slow morning or a late afternoon, coffee in hand, as the call to prayer echoes across the old city. With free WiFi, warm service, and an atmosphere that feels both historic and alive, the Zanzibar Coffee House is the undisputed champion of the island's coffee scene.
III. Jaws Corner: The Soul of Zanzibar's Coffee Culture
If the Zanzibar Coffee House represents the polished, contemporary face of the island's coffee scene, Jaws Corner is its raw, beating heart. This is not a café in the conventional sense. It is a small, dusty square in the middle of Stone Town, shaded by a worn tarpaulin, where men gather on wooden benches and plastic chairs to drink kahawa chungu, argue about politics, play bao (a traditional Swahili board game), and watch the world pass by. There is no menu, no WiFi, and certainly no almond milk. What there is, is an experience of Zanzibar that has remained essentially unchanged for decades — perhaps centuries.
The coffee here is brewed by a rotating cast of local men who tend the charcoal stove and brass dallah with quiet expertise. It costs a few hundred shillings — less than a dollar — and is served in a small cup, often accompanied by a piece of kashata (a traditional Swahili sweet made from coconut and sugar). The coffee is strong, thick, and intensely aromatic, the cardamom cutting through the bitterness. For the visitor, sitting at Jaws Corner is a rite of passage. It can feel intimidating at first — this is a predominantly male, local space — but a smile and a polite "Jambo" are almost always met with warmth. You will not find a more authentic coffee experience in all of East Africa.
IV. Mrembo Spa Cafe: A Hidden Garden of Coffee and Calm
Hidden behind a carved wooden door on Gizenga Street in Stone Town, Mrembo Spa Cafe is one of Zanzibar's best‑kept secrets. The entrance is unassuming — step through the doorway and you find yourself in a lush, tranquil garden courtyard, shaded by banana trees and bougainvillea, where the only sounds are birdsong and the gentle trickle of a fountain. Mrembo is primarily a spa, but its café is a destination in its own right — a place where coffee is served alongside a menu of organic, vegetarian, and vegan dishes that would not feel out of place in a trendy London or New York neighbourhood.
The coffee here is sourced from local Tanzanian farms and prepared with care. The iced latte, served on a hot afternoon in the garden, is one of the most refreshing drinks in Stone Town. The food menu includes fresh salads, wraps, smoothie bowls, and Swahili‑inspired vegetarian dishes, all prepared with organic, locally sourced ingredients. The spa itself offers a range of traditional Zanzibari treatments — massages, henna, and natural beauty therapies — making Mrembo the perfect place for a restorative afternoon of coffee, food, and relaxation. It is a world away from the bustle of the streets outside, and one of the most serene coffee experiences Zanzibar has to offer.
V. Other Notable Coffee Spots in Zanzibar
Beyond Stone Town, Zanzibar's coffee scene extends to its beaches and resorts. Lazuli Cafe in Jambiani, on the southeast coast, serves excellent coffee alongside fresh smoothie bowls, sourdough bread, and a full vegetarian menu — all in a bright, airy space just steps from the white sands of Jambiani Beach. It is a favourite among digital nomads and long‑term travellers, with reliable WiFi and a relaxed, community‑focused atmosphere. Paje Coffee House, near the kitesurfing capital of Paje, is another beach‑facing gem, offering cold brew, espresso, and a rotating selection of single‑origin beans from across Tanzania.
For a more upscale coffee experience, the Emerson Spice Tea House Restaurant — housed in a magnificently restored 19th‑century merchant's palace — offers coffee (and tea) on its rooftop, with panoramic views over Stone Town's rooftops and the Indian Ocean beyond. The setting is unmatched, particularly at sunset, and while the restaurant is better known for its degustation dinners, its afternoon coffee service is a hidden gem. The Park Hyatt Zanzibar, located on the seafront in a building that incorporates a historic palace, also offers an elegant coffee service — a reminder that Zanzibar's coffee culture can scale from a dusty square to a five‑star hotel with equal authenticity.
VI. Zanzibar's Coffee Shops at a Glance
| Café | Specialty | Atmosphere | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zanzibar Coffee House | In‑house roasted single‑origin Arabica | Restored 19th‑century townhouse, rooftop | Best overall; quality coffee, peaceful retreat | Moderate |
| Jaws Corner | Kahawa chungu — spiced coffee over charcoal | Open‑air square, local social hub | Most authentic local experience | Very cheap |
| Mrembo Spa Cafe | Iced coffee, organic vegetarian cuisine | Hidden garden courtyard, serene | Relaxation, healthy food, spa | Moderate |
| Lazuli Cafe (Jambiani) | Smoothie bowls, sourdough, local coffee | Beach‑facing, bright, digital nomad hub | Remote work, casual beachside dining | Moderate |
| Paje Coffee House | Cold brew, single‑origin beans | Beachside, relaxed, kitesurf community | Chilled beach coffee, post‑kitesurfing | Moderate |
| Emerson Spice Rooftop | Afternoon coffee with Stone Town views | Palace rooftop, panoramic, historic | Sunset coffee, special occasions | Upscale |
What Coffee Lovers Often Ask About Zanzibar
What is the single best coffee experience in Zanzibar?
For quality and atmosphere, the Zanzibar Coffee House. For authenticity, Jaws Corner. The two together define Zanzibar's coffee culture — polished and raw, past and present, both essential.
What is kahawa chungu and where do I find it?
Kahawa chungu is Zanzibar's traditional spiced coffee, brewed with cardamom in a brass pot over charcoal. The most famous place to drink it is Jaws Corner in Stone Town. It costs just a few hundred shillings and is a must‑try cultural experience.
Where can I buy Zanzibari coffee beans?
The Zanzibar Coffee House sells freshly roasted beans directly from its café. You can also find locally grown beans at the Darajani Market or from smallholder farms on Pemba. Most beans sold in Stone Town are from mainland Tanzania, but Zanzibar's own beans are increasingly available.
Are there good vegetarian and vegan options?
Yes. Mrembo Spa Cafe offers an extensive organic vegetarian and vegan menu. Lazuli Cafe in Jambiani serves smoothie bowls, salads, and sourdough. Most cafés in Stone Town have at least a few plant‑based options.
Can I find good coffee on Zanzibar's beaches?
Yes. Lazuli Cafe in Jambiani and Paje Coffee House offer excellent coffee right by the beach. Many beachfront hotels and resorts also serve good coffee, but these independent cafés are the standouts.
When is the best time to drink coffee in Stone Town?
Early morning, before the heat sets in, is magical — the city is quiet, the light is golden, and the coffee tastes best. Late afternoon, particularly on a rooftop like Emerson Spice, is another perfect moment, as the call to prayer echoes across the rooftops.
VII. Final Verdict: Two Coffees, One Island
Zanzibar does not have a single best coffee shop — it has two essential experiences, and the traveller who misses either has missed something fundamental about the island. The Zanzibar Coffee House is where you go for the finest quality coffee, a beautiful setting, and the pleasure of a perfectly pulled espresso in a 19th‑century Swahili townhouse. Jaws Corner is where you go to taste the soul of Zanzibar — a cup of kahawa chungu that costs almost nothing, drunk on a wooden bench in a dusty square, surrounded by the noise and life of the old city. One is polished; one is raw. Both are unforgettable.
For those who want to explore further, Zanzibar rewards the curious: a hidden garden café at Mrembo, a beach‑facing cold brew at Lazuli in Jambiani, a rooftop sunset coffee at Emerson Spice. The Spice Island's coffee culture is not as famous as its beaches or its history, but it is every bit as rich. Do not leave without drinking from a tiny cup on a Stone Town corner. That is where Zanzibar really lives.