The Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar – The Restaurant Built on a Rock in the Middle of the Ocean
Sometimes in life there are places that you dream to visit, that are so incredible that you almost don’t even believe that they are real. They stay in your mind like a fairytale dream. That place for me was The Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar. The whimsical restaurant built on a very large rock and thriving right in the middle of the ocean. I always saw pictures of it, but honestly never really knew if it was a real place or not!
The Rock Restaurant
What used to be an outpost for the fisherman of the village of Michamvi was turned into one of Zanzibar’s most famous sites. “The Floating Restaurant”, “The Restaurant in the Middle of the Ocean”, “The Place on the Rock” or however it may be known is certainly one of the coolest places in Zanzibar, and quite honestly, the world.
Built in 2010 by a group of resort owners in the area, this restaurant almost immediately became a household name. Although not too much is known about how they built it and how they have everything running so smoothly, Wi-Fi, waste disposal, and storage, somehow it all works together. All while maintaining and even adding to the beauty of the natural surroundings.
Check out our post on this handmade dress! (Made just for this awesome location in Zanzibar) : ZANZIBAR – THE 2 OUTFITS I MADE JUST FOR MY TRIP TO PARADISE | FASHION DESIGN
During the high tides a little water taxi will take you on a short journey to the entrance of this lovely place. The décor and the atmosphere is simply unmatched. Whether seated inside for the actual meal or on the outdoor terrace for after dinner drinks and to gaze at the stars, the architecture really is astounding.
How to Get to The Rock Restaurant
The Rock Restaurant is located on the south-eastern coast of Zanzibar on the beach of Michamvi. The entire area is spotted with resorts of all kinds and just a 20-minute drive from Paje and Bwenjuu. If you don’t have the opportunity to stay on the East Coast, it is still not that far of a drive from Stone Town, under 1.5 hours.
Best Time to Visit The Rock Restuarant
The Rock Restaurant is open all year round. The best time to visit depends on what you are looking for. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the tides on this side of the country vary GREATLY. During half the day (usually the morning) the tides will go very, very far back. This leaves The Rock looking a little bit like an abandoned fort whose moat has dried up. The plus of visiting during this time is that you can walk right out to the restaurant, no water taxi needed.
As the day progresses, the rides usually begin to come back up. We arrived around 5pm in December and the tides were very high. We took the little boat ride to the entrance, relaxed inside, and just a few hours later the tides has regressed so far that we could almost walk back to the beach without getting wet. However, it also depends on the season and honestly even the day!
If you want to make sure you are there for a specific time (high tide or low tide) I would suggest spending at least half a day in the area or asking the locals when the best time to visit would be, depending on the time of year.
Menu at The Rock Restaurant
The food at The Rock Restaurant is amazing. Honestly, it was probably the best meal that we had in all of Zanzibar. Their menu features a very large selection of fresh seafood, a few vegetarian options, and many cocktail and wine options. Be warned, however, that it is probably going to be the most expensive dinner you’ll have on the island. But, it is Zanzibar’s most memorable tourist attraction, so I guess you can’t blame them. Be prepared to spend at least $40 per person.
Things You Should Know Before Visiting The Rock
- Expensive – The Rock Restaurant is much more expensive than just about any other place we came across in Zanzibar. Although it is similar to normal food prices in nice US or Western European restaurants, it is far more expensive than the average Zanzibar restaurant.
- Book in Advance – When we went to visit, they only accepted people with reservations. Everyone else was turned away. So be sure to book your place in advance!! To make a reservation, click here.
- Lots of People – Remember, this is one of Zanzibar’s top (if not the #1) tourist attractions. There will definitely be lots of people there. The number of times we saw the little water taxi taking people back and forth was shocking. We really wondered if everyone would fit inside. The restaurant is surprisingly spacious but be prepared for it to be full.
- You Might Get Wet – Now this should go without saying since the restaurant is built in the middle of the ocean, but you will probably get at least a little wet on your way to the entrance. Unless you visit at the lowest tides, when the water is very far back, you will probably get at least a little wet. Wearing easy to remove sandals is very convenient!
Other Things to Do on the East Coast
The East Coast of Zanzibar offers countless other amazing activities, stunning beaches, and wonderful places to stay. If you are in the area, consider visiting these places before you leave.
Visit Jozani Forest
Do you want to see a breed of monkeys that can’t be found anywhere else in the world? Jozani Forest, the only national park in Zanzibar, is located on the eastern coast of the island. Not too far from Paje, it’s a wonderful place to explore. Home to the Zanzibar Skye’s Monkey which cannot be found anywhere else in the world, and also the very rare Red Colobos Monkey, this forest is certain to impress!
Go Partying
The East coast offers some of the best partying in the country. B4 and Jambo club near Paje will always provide wonderful Dj’s and a great time (rumor has it that the Dj’s there are from Radio Ibiza).
Where to Stay
The most important tip for where to stay on the East Coast…..Find a place with a pool. Realistically, you probably won’t be able to go swimming in the ocean until around 2pm, so a pool comes in very handy.
In general, the east coast is much less expensive than the northern coast (by about 1/3) and even stone town (about 1/2), but the same quality. We stayed at Sahari Hotel and absolutely loved it. The food was delicious, the pool was lovely, and the Wi-Fi was the best we had in all of Zanzibar (I was actually able to have full work meetings).
Looking for more amazing things to do in Zanzibar? Check out: 18 AMAZING THINGS YOU CAN’T MISS ON YOUR TRIP TO ZANZIBAR | THINGS TO DO
If you have any general questions about Zanzibar itself you have to read over: ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ZANZIBAR | EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOUR TRIP
Lots of Love and Safe Travels,
Danielle and Brooke, Colorful Sisters
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February 2, 2021 at 5:54 pm[…] View the full post here: THE ROCK RESTAURANT IN ZANZIBAR – THE RESTAURANT BUILT ON A ROCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE OCEAN […]
wrookieschu
February 2, 2021 at 8:15 pmLove this!
Colorful Sisters
February 2, 2021 at 8:44 pmThanks so much! It’s really such a cool place 🙂
wrookieschu
February 2, 2021 at 8:46 pmMaybe one day I will visit 🙏🏼
Colorful Sisters
February 2, 2021 at 8:47 pmI hope so!! It was one of my favorite travel destinations 🙂
Greg Dennison
February 2, 2021 at 9:07 pmThat place looks fun!
Colorful Sisters
February 2, 2021 at 10:38 pmIt really was!! Hope maybe you can visit someday 🙂
Greg Dennison
February 3, 2021 at 12:05 amI hope so too!
lulu
February 3, 2021 at 12:34 amThe experience of dining at The Rock would be worth the price.
Colorful Sisters
February 3, 2021 at 10:13 amIt definitely was! Such a unique place that it was certainly worth it 🙂
jbcowgill
February 3, 2021 at 2:10 amLooks like a great place to eat. Sadly, we would never see anything like this in America.
P.S. Nice colorful dress.
Colorful Sisters
February 3, 2021 at 10:14 amThanks!! That’s why you have to go to Africa to experience it hahaha! America certainly has lots of other amazing things to experience as well though 🙂
jbcowgill
February 3, 2021 at 10:30 amI would love to go to Africa. The closest I have been is Masada, Israel.
Colorful Sisters
February 3, 2021 at 8:21 pmAlmost there! Hahaha, hopefully one day you’ll make it there though 🙂
lisaonthebeach
February 3, 2021 at 3:37 amSo cool! I want to see inside of that little restaurant!
Colorful Sisters
February 3, 2021 at 10:15 amYess I forgot to take pictures when inside hahaha but it’s really cute and quaint
lisaonthebeach
February 3, 2021 at 3:42 amI checked out their website. Wow!
travelling_han
February 3, 2021 at 8:24 amWow! And your pictures are just amazing as well 🙂
Colorful Sisters
February 3, 2021 at 10:15 amThank you so very much!!!
The WheatandTares
February 4, 2021 at 3:10 amWhat a cool place! Thanks for the review!
Colorful Sisters
February 4, 2021 at 10:57 amHappy you enjoyed!! One of my favorite places to visit 🙂
Olympus Mountaineering
February 4, 2021 at 8:51 amamazing location and the photos as well! Thanks for sharing.
Colorful Sisters
February 4, 2021 at 10:57 amThank you!!! Happy that you enjoyed 🙂
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February 4, 2021 at 2:24 pm[…] to do. Whether its visiting the Jozani forest to see rare monkeys or eating at the world famous Rock Restaurant (its built on a rock in the middle of the ocean), it offers all the fun without the busy pressure […]
viewfromoverthehill
February 4, 2021 at 4:00 pmWow! Looks fabulous and interesting. Wish I could go. Home during the pandemic, but it is lovely.
Colorful Sisters
February 4, 2021 at 5:08 pmHopefully one day!! It’s really an amazing location! 🙂
Simon
February 4, 2021 at 5:21 pmOne look at that rock was all it needed to fall in love with it!
Colorful Sisters
February 4, 2021 at 8:58 pm😍😍😍😍 I felt the same!
Simon
February 8, 2021 at 4:16 pmI can imagine! 🙂
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February 5, 2021 at 10:26 am[…] This restaurant, THE dress! […]
Mike and Elfriede
February 7, 2021 at 4:01 amWhat an amazing place and so unique. Thank you for sharing your beautiful photos. Beautiful dress!
Colorful Sisters
February 7, 2021 at 9:15 amThank you so much!! It was such a lovely place I had to share 🙂
Leena T Pandey
February 7, 2021 at 3:10 pmBeautiful!
Colorful Sisters
February 7, 2021 at 9:46 pm😍😍😍😍😍
Lien VDB
February 7, 2021 at 10:34 pmWow I just wanna go there 😌
Colorful Sisters
February 8, 2021 at 10:53 amI hope you can one day! It’s amazing 🙂
kathyscottage
February 8, 2021 at 4:19 pmHi. Nice to meet you. Thanks for visiting my blog and thanks for the follow. 🙂
Colorful Sisters
February 8, 2021 at 4:47 pmHii Kathy! Nice to meet you as well 🙂 Look forward to reading your future posts!
kathyscottage
February 8, 2021 at 11:04 pmThank-you. 🙂
SisDr
February 9, 2021 at 1:43 amWhat did you eat? I was hoping to get an eyeful of some fresh catch or imagine the aromatherapy inspired by a photo of some special tea blend from the world home of spices!
Colorful Sisters
February 9, 2021 at 11:40 amWell since I’m a vegetarian I got one of the veggie options on the menu! Since it’s not really what the restaurant is famous for (much more for their seafood) I decided not to share it hahah. Also I was so hungry that day, I didn’t take any pictures!! I very rarely take pictures of my food haha.
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February 9, 2021 at 3:12 pm[…] fisherman’s town, has turned into one of Zanzibar’s most famous tourist attractions. The Rock Restaurant was built on a rock in the middle of the ocean on Michamvi Pingwe beach. It instantly became one of […]
Carter Ford
February 9, 2021 at 6:20 pmWow, looks so scenic and lovely.
Colorful Sisters
February 9, 2021 at 9:52 pmIt truly is!!! 🙂
Ene Ali Esther
February 10, 2021 at 6:27 pmI would love to visit someday
Colorful Sisters
February 11, 2021 at 10:29 amI hope you can! It’s such a special place 🙂
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February 11, 2021 at 12:21 pm[…] The Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar – The Restaurant Built on a Rock in the Middle of the Ocean […]
thorsaurus
February 16, 2021 at 3:29 amZanzibar was never on my list, but now I know it should have been. Thanks for introducing me.
Colorful Sisters
February 16, 2021 at 8:40 amI also never really thought too much of the place!! I was so happy to discover this amazing little island 🙂
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February 16, 2021 at 2:33 pm[…] was so incredibly excited to go visit the famous Rock Restaurant in Zanzibar. It was always a dream of mine. And what better to have as the inspiration for […]
Yogini
February 18, 2021 at 12:21 pmBeautiful place… and love that dress! 🙂
Colorful Sisters
February 18, 2021 at 2:13 pmThanks so much!!!
Kitty
February 18, 2021 at 6:27 pmExcellent article & luring me there. On my dream list
Colorful Sisters
February 18, 2021 at 7:18 pmYayyy I hope you get to visit someday!
janineswhitewriting
February 20, 2021 at 12:52 pmThis is somewhere that’s now on my travel list
Colorful Sisters
February 21, 2021 at 9:02 amYayy I hope you can make it there one day! It’s incredible 🙂
sefania2021
March 9, 2021 at 6:21 pmwow and wow is great fothos
Poetess Akosua
March 31, 2021 at 11:05 pmNever heard of this before
Colorful Sisters
April 5, 2021 at 7:14 amSuch a unique place!!
traveltrickortreat
April 27, 2021 at 12:04 amLovely