Marlin local restaurant — Restaurant in Unguja

As a tourist who felt like the hotels we were staying at charged an exorbitant price for food, finding this place per the good reviews was a blessing, the prices are more than resonable, and the owner and staffs commitment to helping the local orphans with meals fills me with joy that my money is going to a good place! The place itself may not be a beachfront (oh the horror I say sarcastically) and maybe for some westerners the place does not look like a 5 star place, but trust me, do not judge a book by its cover applies here, the place is nice and quaint, you can even smell before even getting the food while it is being prepared that you are getting a very good meal, and oh when you get the meal v

The Marlin Local Restaurant is an absolute treasure in Matemwe, Zanzibar. This family-run place offers an authentic dining experience where every meal is freshly prepared with local ingredients and cooked to perfection. The chef himself takes pride in not only creating each dish but also personally serving it, adding a truly personal touch to every visit.

From incredibly fresh seafood to tender chicken and flavorful beef, every plate bursts with rich, authentic flavors that capture the essence of Zanzibari cuisine. The setting is just as remarkable — no overdone touristy décor, just a warm, authentic space that reflects the local charm and culture.

If you come to Zanzibar and don’t eat here, you’re truly missing out on one of the island’s best culinary experiences. Highly, highly...

When looking for restaurants near our hotel I came across Marlin and when i saw the reviews and I had to try it.

We were not disappointed, the food was absolutely amazing, full of flavour and so fresh! The seafood is caught fresh daily and meals are cooked to order.

We ended up eating at marlin on three different occasions when we were in matemwe. Could have eaten there every night for dinner is weren’t doing activities.

After getting chatting to the owner (Suleman) one night he offered cooking lessons which I took him up on. The following day he taught me how to prepare and cook two of the meals from the menu. It was an amazing experience.

When we return to Zanizbar we will definitely be making the trip back to marlin!

Big thank you to both Suleman and Jessica for...