by Conor Walsh & Sofeeyah Lloyd
Zanzibar is quickly becoming a sought-after destination for conferences and international events, not just romantic getaways. With its rich history, breathtaking beaches, and vibrant culture, this tropical paradise offers a variety of exceptional outdoor venues to cater to every event planner’s needs.
From the enchanting Lulu’s Rooftop Lounge in the heart of StoneTown to the uber-chic Jetty Lounge perched above the waves of Kiwengwa Beach, these open-air settings provide a unique backdrop for any event.
So, whether you’re planning a casual networking event, a lavish gala, or a beachside team-building retreat – Zanzibar’s best outdoor venues promise an unforgettable experience.
Explore our top picks for Zanzibar’s best outdoor venues, and prepare to make your next event a true island affair.
And if you’re planning a big event or conference in Zanzibar, get in touch. We’ve helped over 100 businesses and organizations successfully execute 1000s of conferences across Africa for over 10 years. There’s nothing we haven’t handled before!
Stone Town
In Zanzibar’s UNESCO World Heritage capital, vibrant gardens, charming courtyards, and sophisticated beachfront venues provide an enchanting backdrop for any outdoor event. Meanwhile, outside the venues, Stone Town’s rich cultural tapestry, architectural delights, and labyrinthine streets full of life ensure an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
Beach House
Just on the edge of Stone Town, looking out over the beach and across the ocean, Beach House is an extension of the Park Hyatt just down the road. It perfectly fuses contemporary dining and spectacular views with splashes of Zanzibari charm and old school elegance. You can host up to 150pax between the outdoor terrace dining and indoor areas.
Park Hyatt Dining Room
Dining Room is a stunning Arabic-inspired restaurant at Park Hyatt Zanzibar with a picturesque outdoor terrace set amidst the hotel’s charming gardens.With enough space for up to 68pax, your guests can enjoy gorgeous ocean views, a charming atmosphere, and Al fresco dining made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
The Library and Verdana
Nestled inside the Park Hyatt Zanzibar, The Library and Veranda is a tucked away part of the hotel that can be booked for small groups of up to 15pax. It boasts a serene location with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean on one side and Stone Town’s charming streets on the other. Effortlessly blending international and authentic Zanzibari flavors, this sophisticated venue showcases a harmonious mix of elegance and local charm.
You can choose between outdoor dining on the veranda or opt for the cozy interiors of the library.
Living Room
The Living Room, also located in the Park Hyatt, presents a warm, inviting setting with both indoor and outdoor seating. The outdoor venue artfully combines international cuisine infused with Zanzibari flavors, alongside maybe the best drinks menu in Stone Town. With its sophisticated ambiance, The Living Room is an ideal choice for intimate gatherings of up to 15pax.
Curry House
Curry House is a delightful rooftop terrace restaurant close to Zanzibar’s bustling port. Aside from fantastic ocean views in a beautiful setting, you’ll enjoy authentic Indian cuisine (including many vegetarian-friendly options), attentive, friendly staff, and very reasonable prices.
Maru Maru Hotel
Maru Maru Hotel’s rooftop terrace restaurant is one of the most picturesque outdoor event venues in Zanzibar, perfect for both small group events and gatherings. It features live music on weekends, breathtaking sunsets, comfortable seating arrangements, and delicious fusion cuisine, blending Indian, Arabic, and Swahili flavors.
Terrace Seafood Restaurant
The Terrace Seafood Restaurant, inside the Zanzibar Serena Hotel but right on the beachfront, offers a stunning alfresco dining experience with breathtaking ocean views. It’s ideal for special occasions and smaller events, where your guests can savor fresh seafood and Swahili cuisine and enjoy the warm service, live traditional Taarab music, and relaxing ambiance.
Baharia Restaurant
Baharia Restaurant is tucked away in a lower corner of the Zanzibar Serena Hotel, but still gets those captivating Indian Ocean views. You can choose from a blend of international and Swahili cuisine from buffet-style or à la carte menu options, and sit inside or outdoors.
Lulu’s Rooftop Lounge
Perched atop The Seyyida Hotel & Spa, Lulu’s is a remarkable outdoor venue featuring a charming blend of Stone Town’s historic architecture, contemporary flair, and mesmerizing ocean views. As guests savor the delightful fusion of international and Zanzibari flavors, they can also indulge in exquisite sunset cocktails, creating an unforgettable experience for intimate gatherings and special events.
Bahari Restaurant
With its home in the delightfully colorful, grand old Tembo Hotel, Bahari Restaurant offers an outdoor beachfront dining oasis on Stone Town’s liveliest stretch of beach. The veranda lies beneath a canopy of beautiful almond trees, while Zanzibar’s unique character infuses every piece of decor and item on the menu.
Secret Garden
Secret Garden is Zanzibar Stone Town’s newest and most charismatic outdoor events venue – which is saying something. This beautiful restaurant, live music venue, and event space has been carved out of some ruins in the center of Stone Town, and molded into an oasis of lush tropical gardens illuminated by twinkling fairy lights. It’s perfect for a long slow lunch, or an intimate evening event.
Close to Stone Town
You can also choose between some excellent outdoor venues within 20 minute’s drive of Stone Town. Your attendees will enjoy the best of both worlds: soaking up Zanzibar’s natural beauty while remaining close to the historic charm (and amenities) of the capital.
Roystonea Restaurant
Roystonea Restaurant at Hotel Verde Zanzibar presents a poolside haven where sustainability meets elegance in a lush tropical garden setting. At this eco-conscious venue, your guests and attendees can savor incredible cuisine made from fresh, locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, while enjoying the serene atmosphere and attentive service with a sustainable twist.
Baobab Restaurant
Just 10 minutes from Stone Town, experience the captivating charm of Baobab Restaurant at Zanzibar Beach Resort: Wellworth Collection – where an ancient baobab tree serves as the stunning centerpiece for a unique outdoor event experience. Comfortably hosting over 250 guests, Baobab Restaurant offers mouthwatering continental dishes in a spacious, serene beachside setting no one will forget.
Mangapwani
Mangapwani is a small stretch of beautiful white sand beach and lush garden resorts just 40 minutes north of Stone Town.
Mangapwani Restaurant
Mangapwani Restaurant, situated within the picturesque Sea Cliff Resort & Spa, offers a beautiful terrace with stunning ocean views, perfect for hosting outdoor events. With its delicious cuisine and attentive service, Mangapwani Restaurant is an ideal choice for creating memorable experiences in an enchanting setting.
SeaCliff Boma Venue
Sea Cliff Resort also one of the has a largest, outdoor event venue spaces in Zanzibar: for over 200pax styled like a traditional East African boma cottage that can host over 200pax. But a cottage that can fit 200 people. That looks out over the ocean, with a delightful breeze to keep your attendee cool and having a good time.
Kendwa
Kendwa is Zanzibar’s most popular beach destination – but that doesn’t mean it feels crowded or cramped. Kendwa’s outdoor venues offer a perfect blend of soft white sands, crystal-clear waters, pristine beauty, spectacular sunsets, and easygoing beach vibes.
Sultan Bar
Sultan Bar is a luxurious lounge, part of Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa, that celebrates Zanzibar’s Arabic heritage. The atmosphere is perfect for small outdoor events with refreshing drinks or a light meal. The ocean views help, too, of course.
Ocean Dhow
Situated at Gold Zanzibar Beach House & Spa, Ocean Dhow Bar is an open-air, beachfront venue where you can enjoy a wide variety of drinks and snacks while appreciating the beauty of the coastal pace of life.
The bar is ideally positioned for ocean views and stunning sunsets, creating a picture-perfect backdrop for your event, while the friendly and attentive staff ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Paje
Paje is a vibrant beach village on Zanzibar’s eastern coast, renowned for its pristine white sand beaches and world-class kite surfing.
Kisiwa On The Beach
Kisiwa On The Beach offers a picturesque beachfront setting for intimate events, with 22 villas onsite, a pool, a conference room (up to 50pax), and plenty of outdoor dining.
The sun-soaked, breezy space boutique hotel is perfect for small weddings, team retreats, or corporate events, complete with essential amenities and dedicated event staff to ensure a memorable experience.
Pingwe
Pinge is an even smaller beach village north of Bwejuu with one of the most beautiful outdoor event venues in Zanzibar.
Rooftop BBQ
Le Mersenne is a close contender for the most spectacular hotel in Zanzibar – a sumptuous mix of rustic decor and luxury finishings with an iconic private jetty sticking out into the Indian Ocean. The hotel’s Rooftop BBQ restaurant is the perfect place to take a world-class view, while enjoying a mouth-watering selection of BBQ and seafood.
Kiwengwa
Situated on Zanzibar’s northeast coast, Kiwengwa distinguishes itself in a crowded list of beautiful beach towns for its ridiculously long stretch of sparsely populated beach and off-shore coral reefs. Your attendees can indulge in unforgettable experiences, both above and below the turquoise waves.
Jetty Lounge
As the name suggests, Jetty Lounge is an idyllic, easy-going, outdoor restaurant and venue perched at the end of a long promenade way out in the Indian Ocean – day away from the world and all its noise and stress.
Jetty Lounge offers unparalleled ocean vistas, delightful culinary creations, exotic cocktails, and vibrant live music. The laid-back ambiance and awe-inspiring scenery make it an extraordinary choice for hosting memorable outdoor events with a distinct touch of elegance and charm.
Spices Restaurant
Spices Restaurant is part of Hotel Melia Zanzibar, set in lush, green gardens surrounded by palm trees and tropical vegetation.
With a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, and skilled chefs preparing dishes from Asian, African, Mediterranean, Indian, and Arab cuisines across three open kitchens areas – Spices is a truly unique restaurant in Zanzibar.
Gabi Beach
Gabi Beach offers a stunning beachfront setting with a relaxed vibe – perfect for hosting an intimate, informal outdoor event. Guests can indulge in a variety of grilled meats, seafood, salads, and wood-fired pizzas while enjoying the beautiful scenery and chilled out soundtrack. Gabi Beach also provides various activities and amenities, including beach volleyball, canoe trips, and romantic Bali beds, ensuring a memorable experience for your attendees.
Palms Pool Bar
The Palms Pool Bar at BlueBay Beach Resort and Spa is a delightful poolside outdoor event venue with a relaxed atmosphere. With a variety of light meals, snacks, and an extensive beverage menu, guests can unwind in the shaded seating area, take a dip in the pool, or a walk on the pristine white sands beach that’s only meters away.
Bahari Grill
Bahari Grill is BlueBay Beach Resort and Spa’s beachfront gem, serving fresh seafood and succulent barbecue dishes right on the Indian Ocean. It’s a hugely popular outdoor venue for amazing cuisine, impeccable service, breathtaking beach views, and light ocean breeze keeping everything nice and cool.
Blue Marlin Beach Restaurant
The Blue Marlin Beach Restaurant, also located at BlueBay Beach Resort & Spa, offers yet another option for a stunning beachfront outdoor event space with spectacular ocean views. Don’t miss the occasional themed nights for a unique and memorable post-event wind down.
Blue Deli Terrace Bar
The Blu Deli Terrace Café, located at BlueBay Beach Resort & Spa (last one, I promise!), offers an exceptional outdoor event space serving a variety of light meals and snacks. Set on a stunning terrace with breathtaking views of the resort and the surrounding landscape, this café is the perfect spot to meet, connect, and gather while enjoying the fresh air and tranquil atmosphere.
Book your next outdoor event in Zanzibar, Tanzania
Questions?
Are you looking to host an international event in Zanzibar? Let us help you! Hallpax has destination experts dedicated to making your event planning process enjoyable and stress-free. We’re passionate about the cities we work with, and with our in-person presence in Africa, we help our clients navigate their cities of choice with ease.
