Food

Tanzanian cuisine is typical for East Africa, however meat is not widely consumed. The Tanzanian diet is largely based on starches. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage.

Most hotels serve local Tanzanian food while the major hotels offer Western and other international food.

Things to know: Table service is normal in restaurants. Bars generally have counter service. Tanzania is a secular state and alcohol is not prohibited. Zanzibar's population is predominantly Muslim. Alcohol is available in some tourist hotels and restaurants, but should not be drunk in public.

National specialties:

• Seafood such as prawns and lobsters.

• Tropical fruit such as coconuts, pawpaws, mangoes, pineapples and bananas.

National drinks:

• A good lager, Safari, is produced locally.

• Konyagi is a popular gin.

• A chocolate and coconut liqueur called Afrikoko.

• A wine called Dodoma, which comes in red or rosé.

Tipping: Not generally encouraged, though waiters and porters in tourist hotels and restaurants may expect to be tipped.

Nightlife
In Dar es Salaam, there are several nightclubs, cabarets and cinemas. Generally, the nightlife centers are in the top tourist hotels and restaurants.

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Health Tips

It’s inadvisable to eat food cooked by the side of the road, especially chips that have been fried and left standing (if in doubt ask: ‘utapika chipsi sasa hivi?’, ‘will you cook the chips right now?’). Other than that follow the standard advice: don’t touch ice, peeled fruit or watermelons.

If you’re desperate tap water is ok in Dar, but best avoided. In the bush be careful what you drink. There is water available in every village, drinking water is ‘Maji Safi’. It’s best to bring water-purifying tablets on a long journey. Villages serve food in Magahawas, although they may stop during the afternoon. Again on a long journey bring some tins of food for emergencies.