The Rock, Zanzibar: One of the World's Most Unusual Restaurants

Often listed as one of the world’s most unusual restaurants, I’d seen so many pictures of The Rock in Zanzibar, but I just had to try the place myself.
With the appearance of a little shack precariously placed on a rock in the middle of the Indian Ocean, The Rock is totally unique!
I have to admit that I was a little disappointed as in the pictures, The Rock appears to float on the sea without any foundation. But Zanzibar is very tidal and during lunch time when the tide is low, you can simply walk across the seaweed-cover beach to the restaurant.
Climb up the narrow wooden staircase and you’re in the restaurant’s small but inviting dining room and led out on to the terrace.
Despite the low tide, The Rock still had plenty of wow-factor and we admired the glorious view whilst sipping on our drinks. Mine a glass of wine and Mr Silver a cocktail called The Rock. A rather ominous blue colour, the drink of white rum, pineapple juice and blue curacao was supposed to mimic the sea but it kind of reminded me of the kind of drinks I chose at university!

Inside, the wooden tables, thatched roof and white wall provide the perfect beach-chic, rustic charm and it’s the ideal place for a casual lunch but I can also imagine it working well for a romantic dinner. If you finished your meal and the tide is high, there’s boat waiting to take you back to Michanwi Pingwe Beach. With only twelve tables it’s pretty intimate so booking is advisable and you can email them or ask your hotel to do it for you.

I honestly wasn’t expecting to think much of the food as the restaurant is quite gimmicky but actually the food we tried from the pre-dominantly seafood menu was rather good. I had to choose this dish of Tambi otherwise known as local Swahili spaghetti, mixed with seafood, vegetable and a light cream sauce.
Our other choice was jackfish with vegetables and mashed potatoes; both were cooked very well and were really enjoyable dishes. I had been a little tempted by the Rock Grill and I saw other diner enjoying a huge seafood platter of lobster, prawns and calamari but we held ourselves back as we wanted to keep our lunch fairly light.
We ended lunch with a refreshing fruit platter and ice cream having had a really fun time at The Rock. I’d definitely recommend going a little out of your way to visit The Rock whilst in Zanzibar. It may seem gimmicky but actually the restaurant is gorgeous and the views are very picturesque…the food is good too!