Arusha is Tanzania's northern safari capital and a vibrant gateway city perched on the lower slopes of Mount Meru. Sitting at roughly 1,400 metres above sea level, the region blends bustling urban energy with dramatic highland scenery and world-class wildlife destinations on its doorstep.
Summary Arusha's food scene reflects its role as an international crossroads. Traditional Tanzanian dishes — ugali, nyama choma, pilau, and coastal Swahili cuisine — sit alongside Indian curries, Italian restaurants, French bakeries, and continental expat dining. Safari lodges and high-end restaurants have elevated local produce to gourmet status., Local staples Ugali (maize porridge), Nyama choma (grilled meat), Pilau rice, Wali na maharagwe (rice and beans), Sukuma wiki (collard greens), Mandazi (doughnuts), Chapati, Biryani, International presence Indian, Chinese, Italian, French, American-style
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Arusha.
Nyama Choma
Charcoal-grilled meat (beef, goat, or chicken), the quintessential Tanzanian social meal
Where to try: Khan's BBQ, local restaurants
Ugali na Sukuma Wiki
Stiff maize porridge with braised collard greens — Tanzania's national staple
Where to try: Any local restaurant
Pilau
Fragrant spiced rice with meat, a Swahili coast classic popular across Tanzania
Where to try: Swahili Pot, local eateries
Mishkaki
Marinated beef skewers grilled over charcoal — the street snack of Arusha evenings
Where to try: Khan's BBQ, street stalls from 17:00
Tanzanian Coffee
Single-origin Arabica from Kilimanjaro and Arusha slopes — among Africa's finest
Where to try: Tazama Cafe, Africafe, Arusha Coffee Lodge
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Arusha Coffee Lodge Restaurant (The Coffee House)
Set on a working coffee plantation, The Coffee House at Arusha Coffee Lodge offers one of Tanzania's finest dining experiences. A seasonally changing menu showcases local produce — from Kilimanjaro trout to Maasai beef — with impeccable presentation and service. Coffee from the estate features prominently.
Known for: Estate coffee dining experience
Burka Coffee Estate, Arusha-Moshi Road, Arusha
Shanga Restaurant
The restaurant at Shanga social enterprise in Usa River is consistently rated among the best in the Arusha region. Set in beautiful gardens with the sounds of the Usa River, the menu changes daily and features produce from the kitchen garden alongside local meats and fish. The setting is magical in the evening.
Known for: Garden-to-table dining in a social enterprise setting
Shanga, Usa River, Arusha
Onsea House Restaurant
The intimate restaurant at Onsea House boutique hotel offers superb European-African fusion cuisine in elegant surroundings. The fixed-price dinner menu changes nightly and is paired with curated wine selections. Reservations essential for non-guests.
Known for: Intimate fine dining with Belgian influence
Njiro, Arusha
Rivertrees Restaurant
Rivertrees Country Inn's riverside restaurant offers a farm-to-table experience with herbs, salads, and vegetables from the kitchen garden. The atmosphere is romantic and unhurried; the menu changes seasonally and frequently features organically raised meats and seasonal fish.
Known for: Country house dining with organic garden produce
Usa River, Arusha
Via Via Restaurant
Via Via is one of Arusha's most popular gathering spots for travellers and expats alike. Part of a Belgian social enterprise network, Via Via serves a broad menu including wood-fired pizzas, hearty pastas, local ugali dishes, and excellent coffee. Live music on weekends and a lively garden bar make it a great evening spot.
Known for: Social hub for travellers; live music weekends
Boma Road, near Arusha Cultural Centre
Africafe
Africafe is a beloved Arusha institution — a bright, contemporary cafe-restaurant on the ground floor of a city centre building serving excellent breakfasts, fresh juices, healthy lunches, and strong Kilimanjaro coffee. It doubles as a popular meeting point for safari operators and their clients.
Known for: Best breakfast in the city centre
Sokoine Road, Arusha City Centre
Jambo's Bar & Restaurant
Jambo's is a cheerful, laid-back restaurant and bar popular with local professionals and travellers. Known for its generous portions of nyama choma, grilled chicken, and Indian-influenced dishes, plus ice-cold Safari lager. The outdoor terrace is lively most evenings.
Known for: Relaxed local favourite for grilled meats
Colonel Middleton Road, Arusha City Centre
McMonkey's
McMonkey's is a popular expat and traveller hangout in the Njiro area of Arusha, offering a comfortable atmosphere with reliably good food. The menu spans burgers, wraps, pasta, grilled meats, and vegetarian options. The garden terrace is pleasant for sundowners and the cocktail list is well-curated.
Known for: Popular expat hangout with garden terrace
Njiro, Arusha
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
French
Patisserie French Bakery
Run by a French expat couple, Patisserie is Arusha's finest bakery producing authentic French croissants, pain au chocolat, quiches, and tarts daily. The small cafe space fills quickly on weekend mornings. Pre-order custom cakes for special occasions.
Known for: Authentic French pastries; the best croissant in Tanzania
Kijenge, Arusha
L'Endroit
L'Endroit is an upscale restaurant in the Njiro area that punches above its weight with a carefully crafted menu of French-inspired dishes featuring local Tanzanian ingredients. The wine list is the most extensive in Arusha. An intimate setting makes it ideal for romantic dinners or special occasions.
Known for: Best wine selection in Arusha
Njiro, Arusha
Chez Pascal
Chez Pascal is a cosy French-Tanzanian bistro in Arusha run by a Franco-Tanzanian family. The menu blends Breton-style galettes and crepes with local ingredients, alongside fresh salads, quiches, and house-made desserts. Very popular for weekend brunch.
Known for: Weekend brunch with galettes and crepes
Old Moshi Road, Arusha
Indian
Everest Inn
Everest Inn is Arusha's best-known Indian restaurant, serving authentic subcontinental dishes in a warm and welcoming setting. The menu features extensive vegetarian options, excellent dal, biryani, and tandoori meats. Popular with the sizeable Indian business community and travellers craving a change from African cuisine.
Known for: Best Indian food in Arusha
Colonel Middleton Road, Arusha City Centre
Aangan Indian Restaurant
Aangan is a well-regarded Indian restaurant in central Arusha offering a wide selection of North Indian curries, tandoori dishes, biryanis, and an excellent vegetarian menu. The decor is colourful and the service attentive. Good value set lunch menus available on weekdays.
Known for: Extensive vegetarian menu
Sokoine Road, Arusha City Centre
Spice Garden
Spice Garden blends Indian subcontinental flavours with Tanzanian coastal influences, offering aromatic curries, biryani, and grilled seafood alongside traditional Zanzibari dishes. The garden setting with fairy lights creates a lovely romantic atmosphere for evening dining.
Known for: Indian-Zanzibari fusion
Kijenge, Arusha
International & Tanzanian
Arusha Hotel Restaurant
The dining room at the historic Arusha Hotel serves a broad international menu in a colonial-era building that has hosted generations of safari-goers. The atmosphere is unhurried and old-fashioned in a charming way; breakfast is particularly popular with hotel guests and visitors.
Known for: Colonial-era breakfast setting
Boma Road, Arusha City Centre
Barlastone Park Restaurant
Located in Barlastone Park, a recreation area popular with local families, this open-air restaurant-bar serves cold beers, brochettes, chips, and casual Tanzanian dishes. The park setting with shaded tables under trees creates a relaxing afternoon atmosphere, especially on weekends when families picnic and live music occasionally plays.
Known for: Open-air park setting; popular with local families
Barlastone Park, Stadium Road, Arusha
Hakuna Matata Bar & Restaurant
A cheerful, unpretentious bar and restaurant that captures the laid-back spirit of its famous name. Pool tables, live football, cold beer, and a basic food menu of chips, grilled chicken, and nyama choma make this a favourite watering hole for backpackers and locals alike.
Known for: Backpacker-friendly bar; pool table and live sport
Boma Road, Arusha City Centre
African
Cultural Heritage Centre Restaurant
The in-house restaurant at Arusha's famous Cultural Heritage Centre serves hearty Tanzanian and East African dishes in a pleasant setting surrounded by art and crafts. Buffet lunches featuring ugali, beans, rice, and grilled meats are popular with tour groups and individual visitors.
Known for: Convenient lunch stop combined with craft shopping
Dodoma Road (A104), 3 km from City Centre
Serengeti Grill House
A popular mid-range grill restaurant near the Njiro shopping area offering a wide selection of grilled meats, fish, and Tanzanian stews. The open kitchen allows diners to watch their food being prepared over wood and charcoal. Good selection of South African wines alongside local beers.
Known for: Open charcoal grill kitchen; good wine selection
Njiro, Arusha
Chinese
The Dragon Pearl
The Dragon Pearl is Arusha's premier Chinese restaurant, serving authentic Cantonese and Sichuan dishes to the city's Chinese community and curious visitors. Dim sum on Sunday mornings draws a loyal crowd. The seafood is particularly fresh and the portions are generous.
Known for: Sunday dim sum
India Street, Arusha City Centre
Bamboo Garden Chinese Restaurant
A long-established Chinese restaurant in the Njiro area offering a broad menu of Cantonese-style dishes alongside some Sichuan specialties. Popular for family gatherings and business lunches; the dim sum brunch on Sunday is well-regarded.
Known for: Sunday dim sum
Njiro Shopping Centre area, Arusha
Local Tanzanian
Saba Saba Restaurant
Saba Saba is a no-frills local eatery serving Tanzanian working-class food at rock-bottom prices. Huge portions of ugali, beans, greens, and daily meat specials draw a loyal crowd of office workers and market traders. Extremely authentic and excellent value.
Known for: Cheapest authentic Tanzanian meal in town
Market Street, Arusha City Centre
Green Hut Restaurant
Green Hut is a popular neighbourhood eatery in Sakina serving hearty Tanzanian home cooking to local families and working-class diners. The menu is basic but the quality and quantity make up for any lack of frills. An authentic experience for travellers willing to venture off the tourist trail.
Known for: Authentic neighbourhood Tanzanian dining
Sakina, Arusha
Tanzanian & International
Fifi's Restaurant
Fifi's is a welcoming Arusha restaurant with a loyal local following and a broad menu of Tanzanian home-style cooking alongside international favourites. The ugali with beef stew, grilled fish, and fresh vegetable dishes are highlights. Excellent value lunch specials available.
Known for: Authentic Tanzanian home cooking
Sakina area, Arusha
Old Farmhouse Restaurant
Housed in a converted colonial-era farmhouse near Usa River, the Old Farmhouse Restaurant has a garden terrace, an open fireplace for cool evenings, and a menu that focuses on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Excellent Sunday roast draws guests from across the region.
Known for: Famous Sunday roast
Usa River, Arusha
Bakery & Cafe
Boulangerie des Alpes
A small artisan bakery near the Cultural Heritage Centre producing fresh bread, pastries, and light lunches. The sourdough bread and almond tarts are outstanding. A popular stop for self-caterers and lodge kitchens buying quality baked goods.
Known for: Best sourdough bread in Arusha
Dodoma Road, Arusha
Bbq & Grill
Khan's BBQ
Khan's BBQ is a legendary Arusha institution — an open-air roadside barbecue that has been grilling Maasai beef, chicken, and goat over charcoal since the 1990s. It is one of the most authentic and beloved eating experiences in the city. Arrive by 19:00 as popular cuts sell out early.
Known for: Open-air BBQ institution — Arusha's most atmospheric dinner
Mosque Street, Arusha City Centre
Cafe & International
Cafe Bamboo
Cafe Bamboo is a pleasant, relaxed cafe in central Arusha offering freshly brewed coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and light meals in a comfortable indoor-outdoor setting. Good Wi-Fi makes it a favourite working spot for digital nomads. Excellent fruit juices and freshly baked pastries.
Known for: Digital nomad cafe with good Wi-Fi
Boma Road, Arusha City Centre
Cafe & Juices
Baobab Cafe
Baobab Cafe is a relaxed, colourful cafe near the Arusha bus stand offering excellent fresh juices, smoothies, sandwiches, and light meals. The owner sources tropical fruits directly from local farmers and the juice menu is outstanding. Popular with travellers passing through between bus connections.
Known for: Best fresh juices in the city centre
Bus Stand Road, Arusha City Centre
Coffee & Light Bites
Tazama Cafe
Tazama ('look' in Swahili) is a small, carefully designed specialty coffee cafe sourcing single-origin Tanzanian coffee from Kilimanjaro and Arusha farms. Pour-over, Aeropress, and espresso methods available. A serious coffee destination for enthusiasts.
Known for: Specialty Tanzanian single-origin coffee bar
Serengeti Road, Arusha
Deli & International
Corner Store Cafe & Deli
A bright, well-stocked deli-cafe near the Arusha city centre offering freshly made sandwiches, wraps, salads, imported cheeses, and cold cuts. A favourite with the business community for quick working lunches. Good coffee and a small but thoughtful menu of daily specials.
Known for: Best deli sandwiches and imported cheeses in Arusha
Colonel Middleton Road, Arusha City Centre
International & Grills
Rooftop Bar & Grill (Impala Hotel)
The rooftop restaurant and bar at the Impala Hotel offers the best panoramic views of Arusha city, with Mount Meru and sometimes Kilimanjaro visible on clear days. The menu features steaks, grills, and international favourites; sundowner cocktails with the mountain views are spectacular.
Known for: Best panoramic city and mountain views
Impala Hotel, Levolosi Road, Arusha
International & Pub Food
Stiggy's Bar & Restaurant
Stiggy's is one of Arusha's most popular bars and a great place to meet fellow travellers and expats. The menu leans towards pub favourites — burgers, wings, fish and chips — complemented by cold beers, cocktails, and a pool table. Sports on TV and a lively atmosphere make weekend evenings memorable.
Known for: Social bar scene; sports TV and pool table
Serengeti Road, Arusha
Italian
Meza Luna
Meza Luna is a charming Italian restaurant offering authentic wood-fired pizzas, handmade pasta, and classic Italian desserts in a warm, rustic setting. Operated by an Italian family, the restaurant uses imported Italian ingredients alongside local produce. Beloved by Arusha's expat community.
Known for: Authentic Italian with wood-fired oven
Njiro, Arusha
Nyama Choma & Grills
Carnivore Restaurant
Inspired by Nairobi's famous Carnivore, Arusha's version offers a theatrical all-you-can-eat grilled meat experience with a vast selection of game meats, domestic meats, and accompaniments. A popular choice for groups celebrating safari completions or birthdays.
Known for: All-you-can-eat game and domestic meat grill
Dodoma Road, Arusha
Swahili Coastal
Swahili Pot Restaurant
Swahili Pot brings the coastal flavours of Zanzibar and Dar es Salaam to inland Arusha, with a menu of aromatic coconut curries, grilled seafood, biryanis, and pilau rice. The setting evokes a Zanzibar rooftop cafe with blue and white decor and gentle dhow-inspired design.
Known for: Zanzibar and Swahili coastal cuisine in Arusha
Kijenge Road, Arusha
Tanzanian & Fast Food
Hot Plate Restaurant
Hot Plate is a popular budget restaurant in central Arusha known for its generously portioned Tanzanian dishes, quick service, and very affordable prices. Ideal for travellers on a budget wanting an authentic local meal — the daily changing menu features whatever is fresh in the market.
Known for: Best value budget meal in the city centre
Sokoine Road, Arusha City Centre
Tanzanian Cafe
Nakupenda Cafe
Nakupenda ('I love you' in Swahili) is a sweet community cafe run by a women's cooperative, serving freshly brewed Tanzanian coffee, local teas, mandazi, and home-baked cakes. Proceeds support local women's empowerment programmes. A lovely spot to support grassroots Tanzanian enterprise.
Known for: Women's cooperative cafe; great Tanzanian coffee
Boma Road, Arusha City Centre
Tanzanian Grills
Safari Jiko Restaurant
Safari Jiko is a local favourite for nyama choma and grilled offal, operating from a simple but clean setting near the stadium. The charcoal grill produces excellent results; pair with a cold beer and ugali for the full local experience. Lively atmosphere on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Known for: Authentic local nyama choma joint
Stadium Road, Arusha
Vegetarian
Jungle Kitchen
Jungle Kitchen is Arusha's leading vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant, offering vibrant plant-based salads, wraps, smoothie bowls, and daily specials. The outdoor garden setting is charming; all produce is locally sourced and organic where possible. Popular with health-conscious travellers and the yoga community.
Known for: Best vegan and vegetarian food in Arusha
Njiro Road, Arusha
Food tours & tastings in Arusha
Eat your way through Arusha with a guide.
Browse food experiences in ArushaWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Mishkaki
Beef skewers; found at evening street stalls, from TZS 500 per skewer
Mandazi
Deep-fried doughnuts; common breakfast item, TZS 200–500 each
Samosa
Vegetable or meat-filled pastry; common at market stalls, TZS 500–1,000
Ugali with stew
Market canteens serve complete ugali meals from TZS 2,000
Sugarcane juice
Fresh-pressed at market stalls, TZS 500–1,000 per cup
Roasted corn (mahindi)
Charcoal-roasted maize cobs, TZS 500–1,000
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Arusha Central Market
Tengeru Market
Shoprite Supermarket
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Ask for the daily special (chakula cha leo) at local restaurants for the best value and freshest food
Service charge is sometimes added (10%); tipping additionally is appreciated
Lunch is the main meal of the day for locals — best variety and value
Vegetarian options are available everywhere but tell staff clearly (mimi si mkula nyama)
USD and TZS are both accepted at most restaurants; change is given in TZS
- Vegetarian
- Increasingly available, especially at international restaurants and cafes
- Vegan
- Jungle Kitchen is the top vegan option; most markets have excellent plant-based ingredients
- Halal
- Widely available; Tanzania has a significant Muslim population
- Gluten free
- Limited; best to self-cater for strict requirements
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |