Restaurant
Emerson on Hurumzi Rooftop Tea House
Set-menu dinners of Persian, Omani and East African dishes on one of Stone Town's highest rooftops, with cushion seating, sunset views and live music.
The Dining Room at Park Hyatt Zanzibar
Park Hyatt Zanzibar's main restaurant, styled like a traditional Omani colonial home and cooking seafood and local produce with clove, cinnamon and cardamom.
At a glance
- Type
- Spice-route fine dining
- Area
- Shangani, Stone Town, Zanzibar City, Tanzania
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- hyatt.com
Good to know
- Sea views
- Hotel restaurant
Why we recommend it
The Dining Room is the main restaurant of the Park Hyatt Zanzibar, the luxury hotel that occupies Mambo Msiige, a 19th-century mansion on the Shangani seafront, together with a newer wing. Hyatt describes the room as having the warm, opulent feel of a traditional Omani colonial home, and it makes the most of the hotel's beachfront position on the edge of the old town. Forbes Travel Guide notes that guests can request rooms in the historic Mambo Msiige section, which it describes as a UNESCO-listed 19th-century Zanzibari mansion joined to a contemporary wing, so dining here is also a chance to see one of Shangani's grand old houses from the inside.
The cooking draws on Zanzibar's history as a spice trading hub. Forbes Travel Guide, which has previewed the hotel, describes seafood and local produce seasoned with clove, cinnamon and cardamom, the spices that made the island's fortunes. Expect a menu that moves between Swahili flavours and international technique, with seafood at its centre.
The Dining Room is one of several outlets at the hotel. For a more casual meal, the Beach House is a waterfront venue serving fresh seafood and spiced cocktails, popular at sunset. Hotel guests can also use the ocean-view infinity pool and spa, so some visitors book a day of relaxation and finish with dinner here.
If you are not staying at the hotel, contact it through Hyatt's website to check availability and book ahead, particularly for dinner and during the high season. Opening times are set by the hotel and can vary by season, so confirm them when you reserve. Smart casual clothing is a safe choice. Expect luxury-hotel prices, so this suits special occasions, couples and travellers who value polished service more than a local atmosphere.
Park Hyatt Zanzibar stands on Shangani Street, with Forodhani Gardens about five minutes away on foot and the House of Wonders less than ten minutes' walk, according to Forbes Travel Guide. The Freddie Mercury Museum and the Zanzibar Serena Hotel are nearby in Shangani. Spice farms are about a 30-minute drive away, so a day trip inland can easily end with dinner here. Alternatively, spend the morning on a walk through the carved doors of Shangani, take a late lunch by the sea and come back to dress for the evening.
The Dining Room at Park Hyatt Zanzibar FAQs
Where is The Dining Room?
Inside Park Hyatt Zanzibar at 4255 Shangani Street, on the Stone Town seafront.
What style of food does it serve?
Seafood and local produce seasoned with Zanzibar spices such as clove, cinnamon and cardamom.
Can non-residents eat there?
Contact the hotel through Hyatt's website to check availability and book ahead.
Is there a more casual option at the hotel?
Yes. The Beach House serves fresh seafood and spiced cocktails by the water.
What is the dress code?
Smart casual.
How far is it from Forodhani Gardens?
About five minutes on foot, according to Forbes Travel Guide.
Is it expensive?
Yes. Expect luxury-hotel prices.