The Rock Restaurant
The Rock, Michamvi Pingwe
A small restaurant built on a coral outcrop by the sea at Michamvi. It looks like an island when the tide is high, and it is Zanzibar's most famous photo spot.
The Rock Restaurant sits just off the beach at Michamvi Pingwe on the southeast coast. It is a thatched-roof hut built on a small coral outcrop, with only about 12 tables. At low tide, you can walk over from the sand. At high tide, it is surrounded by water and guests are ferried over by the restaurant's small boat, creating a distinctive image of an island restaurant in the sea. The menu focuses on seafood and Italian dishes, such as lobster, octopus, fish steaks, and seafood pasta. Main courses cost about USD 30 to 60, above the island average, so guests come more for the setting and the experience. Opening hours are about 10:00 to 22:00, with separate lunch and dinner seatings. In high season, reservations must be made on the official website several days to several weeks in advance, and guests must arrive on time, as each table has a time limit. Lunch is recommended, when the water is most beautifully colored. You can take photos on the sand before and after your meal. Check the tide table and choose a high-tide slot to arrive by boat. Getting there: about 20 minutes by car from Paje and about 1 hour from Stone Town. Note: the stairs on the rocks are narrow and steep, so those with mobility issues should take care.
Opening hours
Approx. 10:00–22:00 (advance booking required)
Nearby sights
- Blue Lagoon (Michamvi Pingwe)
- Michamvi Kae Beach
- Bwejuu Beach
- Paje Seaweed Farms & Seaweed Center
- Paje Beach
- Kuza Cave
- Jozani Chwaka Bay National Park
- Jambiani Beach