Cooking Classes in Zanzibar City

The food of Africa may well be one of the world’s least-known cuisines. While Italian, Chinese and Indian restaurants flourish on every continent, finding an African eatery requires some serious searching. Add a side of culture to your beach vacation with cooking classes in Zanzibar City, a fun way to get familiar with African foods.

Located on the southeastern coast of Tanzania lies Zanzibar Island. Its tropical locale and sea access makes it a cornucopia of typical African ingredients. Savor fresh fish, roasted meats, fruits and vegetables with rice and chapati, all enhanced with the island's famous spices.

Here's all you need to know about cooking classes, one of the most captivating gastronomic experiences in Zanzibar City.

What are the best cooking classes in Zanzibar City?

Small-group cooking classes

Make a meal you’ll never forget and impress your friends back home with new recipes and techniques. Join your guide-instructor and group for a shopping trip at Darajani Market for fresh ingredients. Learn about the ingredients, choose the produce and customize the meal to your tastes and needs.

With your shopping list checked off, you will head to the kitchen to craft a traditional Zanzibari meal. Chop vegetables, crack coconuts and sprinkle spices in a traditional Tanzanian kitchen. Boil up curries on a charcoal brazier and sizzle chapati bread on griddles. Then take a seat at the table to reap the rewards of your hard work.

Cooking classes plus spice farm visit

Combine a cooking class in Zanzibar City with a visit to one of the island's many spice farms, which are a short drive from Stone Town. Spend a fragrant hour among the plants and you'll quickly discover why Zanzibar is often referred to as “Spice Island”.

Next, your culinary excursion will take you to the Darajani Market in town, where you will pick the ingredients, including vegetables, grains and meats. Under the supervision of your expert local cook, you will then prepare a number of traditional Zanzibari dishes for an unforgettable meal.

What will you do and see?

Darajani Market

Join your guide and instructor for an outing to Darajani Market. As you wander the market’s warren of lanes, your guide will help you select the best ingredients for the day’s dishes. Since most classes offer a selection of recipes to choose from, your guide will help meet your dietary needs and tastes as you select your foods.

The market is a favorite with the locals' and a popular stop on Zanzibar food tours. Learn the layout of the stalls and the shopping process. The more tourist-oriented stalls are great places to pick up souvenirs like spices and crafts.

Spice farm visit

Let a driver whisk you out of Stone Town to one of the island’s many spice farms. Sit back in a car or tuk tuk and take in your verdant surroundings on the half-hour ride. Spend an hour among flowers, leaves and trees, seeing the origin of familiar flavors. Learn to identify the plants that give us cardamom, cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and more.

Most spice farms on Zanzibar also grow fruits. Sample fresh soursops, papayas, jackfruit and mangosteens. Watch fearless farmers shinny up coconut palms to cut you a fruit to drink. Your skilled guides will also make wearable art for you from palm fronds and flowers. Purchase some spices on-site, knowing that the money goes directly back to the farm.

Authentic dishes

Get ready for grilled fish, deep-fried delights, flavorful vegetable stews and fresh fruit juices. Take part in the cooking process, from purchasing the ingredients to taking your last bite.

Zanzibar's rich array of spices attracted many foreign influences over the centuries. While it's essential to acknowledge the painful chapter of the slave trade, these historical interactions have resulted in a diverse and vibrant culinary landscape on the island. Typical Zanzibari dishes contain hints of Indian, Arab and European influences. Taste samosas, rice pilaf, curry stews and spiced fruity desserts.

Common starters may include “kachumbari” salad, “vitumbua” rice cakes and “ugali”, a typical eastern African cornmeal dish. For your main dish, it may be grilled or fried fish with rice, meat and vegetable stews or Zanzibar pizza. Save room for desserts like cardamom dumplings, cassava crêpes or coconut candy paired with spice tea.

While many local specialties are meat-heavy, vegetarians can experience their share of Zanzibari cuisine by joining a cooking class. Let your tour provider know ahead of time and you will whip up an unforgettable feast.

How much do cooking classes in Zanzibar City cost?

Cooking classes in Zanzibar City cost from US$50 per person to US$70 per person, depending on the duration of the tour, group size and the amount of food you prepare.

What is included?

Your cooking class includes fresh ingredients, a tour of Darajani Market, live instruction to prepare a 3-to 4-course meal and drinks to enjoy with your creations. You will also enjoy plenty of tales and insights into local culture from your guide and instructor.

On many cooking classes, you will also visit a spice and fruit farm near town, with transportation included. Some tours also offer a pickup service from hotels outside of Stone Town for an additional cost.

Where does it start?

Cooking classes start near Stone Town, either from your nearby hotel or at a central meeting point. Common meeting places are the Old Fort or near Darajani Market.

How long does it last?

Most cooking experiences last around 5 hours. If your class includes a stop at a spice farm, there is a 20- to 30-minute ride each way from Stone Town to the farm. Some tour packages offer the choice of morning or afternoon classes.

Is it wheelchair friendly?

Most cooking classes in Zanzibar City are not wheelchair-friendly. Some classes advertise accessibility for people with disabilities, but do verify with the tour provider to make sure your needs will be met.

When is the best time for a cooking class in Zanzibar City?

The best time for a cooking class in Zanzibar City largely depends on your personal schedule and preferences, as cooking classes are typically offered year-round. However, many cooking classes start in the morning, as this allows participants to visit local markets for fresh ingredients before they get too crowded.

A morning start also provides ample time to prepare and cook the dishes, usually followed by a lunch where participants can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Additionally, temperatures are more manageable during the morning hours, making the overall experience more comfortable.

Are children allowed?

Yes, children are generally allowed to participate in cooking classes in Zanzibar City, provided they are accompanied by an adult.

Travel tips

• Inform the cooking class of any dietary restrictions or allergies ahead of time. They're usually accommodating and will adjust the menu as needed.
• You'll likely be standing for a good portion of your cooking class, so dress comfortably and be prepared to get a bit dirty.
• Bring along a notepad and don't be afraid to ask questions during the class. It's a great opportunity to learn about Zanzibari cuisine, cooking techniques and the cultural significance of the dishes.
• Some cooking classes include a walking tour of a local market where you can purchase fresh ingredients for your class. This is a great way to understand local food culture and get your bearings around Zanzibar City.