Emerson on Hurumzi Rooftop Tea House

The Rooftop Tea House sits on top of Emerson on Hurumzi, a 19th-century building in the Hurumzi area of Stone Town, and it has been one of the old town's best-known places for a special dinner for many years. The appeal is the setting: an open-sided rooftop above the lanes, with views across the town's rooftops to the Indian Ocean, at its best around sunset. The Michelin Guide's hotel listing calls the rooftop restaurant the Towertop, and highlights the views over the old town and the sea.

The food is a set menu rather than à la carte. Altezza Travel's 2026 restaurant guide describes a three-course dinner of Persian, Omani and East African dishes, with drinks charged separately, and other writers describe a menu that changes daily. Seating is traditionally on floor cushions under a canopy, with diners removing their shoes, and tables can be arranged for those who find low seating uncomfortable. Evenings are often accompanied by live music, including taarab, Zanzibar's sung poetry tradition.

Booking is essential. Altezza Travel reports that reservations and a deposit are required, that lunch runs from about 12:00 to 16:00 with last orders at 15:30, and that the dinner seating opens from 18:00 with the meal served at 19:00. Older guides have noted a weekly closing day, so confirm when you book. Arrive early for dinner to watch the sun go down with a drink before the first course.

This is a place for couples, celebrations and anyone who wants one memorable evening in Stone Town rather than a quick meal. It is not ideal for very young children, given the fixed timings and low seating. The climb to the top is several flights of stairs, which may be a problem for visitors with limited mobility, and there is no lift mentioned by the hotel's listings.

The hotel is on Hurumzi Street in the middle of the old town. Stone Town's lanes are narrow and cars often cannot reach the door, so allow a few minutes' walk from the nearest drop-off point and carry a torch or phone light for the walk back after dark. After dinner, the waterfront and Forodhani Gardens are a short walk away, and the rooftop bar at The 5th, also on Hurumzi Street, is close by for a nightcap.