Best Cafes in Unguja, Tanzania 2025 - Stone Town’s New Wave of Hidden Coffee Gems

Why Unguja’s cafe scene is trending now

Unguja, especially Stone Town, is in the middle of a quiet cafe boom. Young owners, returning diaspora, and creative locals are opening small, characterful spaces that blend Swahili charm with global coffee culture.

What makes this moment special:

• New openings with perfect 5-star ratings are popping up in historic lanes.
• Travelers are seeking slower, cafe-based experiences between safaris and beach days.
• Specialty coffee from the mainland and East Africa is easier to find than ever.

Below are the most talked-about cafes right now, ranked by how quickly they are trending, not just by age or fame.

HANOI HOUSE CAFE STONE TOWN - Vietnamese twist in a Swahili maze

Why it is trending: Brand new, already 5 stars from early visitors, and a big spike in recent reviews. Travelers are calling it a hidden gem that feels both familiar and surprising.

Vibe: Tucked into Stone Town’s narrow alleys, HANOI HOUSE CAFE STONE TOWN mixes Zanzibar’s carved doors and coral stone walls with subtle Vietnamese touches. Expect a cozy, boho interior, plants, and a calm soundtrack that makes it ideal for reading, journaling, or catching up on messages.

What to try:

• Strong iced coffee or Vietnamese-style brews if available
• Simple brunch plates and light bites that work well in the midday heat
• Fresh juices or smoothies when you need a caffeine break

Best for:

• Digital nomads looking for a quiet, aesthetic workspace
• Couples exploring Stone Town who want a coffee stop that feels off the typical tourist trail
• Coffee lovers curious about a nonstandard cafe concept on the island

Pro tip: Come in the late morning before Stone Town’s walking tours peak. The streets are calmer, and you can grab a seat without feeling rushed.

maru cafe - Minimalist hideout with serious coffee

Why it is trending: Very new with a flawless 5-star rating and strong review momentum in the last month. Word of mouth among younger travelers and expats is building fast.

Vibe: maru cafe is all about clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. Think light interiors, a few well-placed plants, and an uncluttered counter that puts the focus on coffee. It feels like a small city cafe dropped into Unguja, which is exactly why so many visitors are excited about it.

What to try:

• Espresso-based drinks that highlight the barista’s skill
• Pour overs or filter coffee if you want to taste the beans more clearly
• A rotating selection of cakes or pastries if they are baking that day

Best for:

• Coffee geeks who care about extraction and flavor notes
• Quick caffeine stops between sightseeing in Stone Town
• Solo travelers who like intimate, design-led spaces

Pro tip: Ask the barista about the beans. Many new Unguja cafes are starting to feature Tanzanian coffee from Kilimanjaro and the mainland, and maru cafe is a good place to learn what you are drinking.

Leyla Cafe Lounge - Zanzibar - Rooftop style with a loungey feel

Why it is trending: A very new arrival with a perfect rating and a lounge concept that stands out from classic Stone Town cafes. It is building a reputation as a relaxed hangout spot rather than just a caffeine stop.

Vibe: As the name hints, Leyla Cafe Lounge - Zanzibar leans into comfort. Expect soft seating, low tables, and a mix of locals and travelers lingering over long conversations. The decor tends toward modern island chic, with views or open-air seating that make it a natural choice for sunset or late afternoon.

What to try:

• Flavored coffees or iced drinks that suit the warm climate
• Light snacks and cafe bites that pair well with tea or coffee
• Shisha or mocktails if offered, for a more lounge-style evening

Best for:

• Small groups and friends who want to relax for a few hours
• Evening coffee or tea after a day exploring Stone Town
• Travelers who like a social, living room style cafe rather than a quiet study spot

Pro tip: Time your visit around golden hour. The combination of soft light, comfortable seating, and a slower pace makes it one of the more atmospheric new spots in Unguja.

JF Kili Coffee - Specialty beans with a Kilimanjaro story

Why it is trending: It is not as new as the first three, but it is still a relatively fresh player with a perfect 5-star score from a large base of reviews. People are drawn to its strong focus on high quality Tanzanian coffee.

Vibe: JF Kili Coffee feels like a mini shrine to the Kilimanjaro coffee region. Expect a warm, welcoming space where the beans and brewing methods are the stars. Staff are usually happy to chat about sourcing and roasting, which makes it feel more like a micro roastery experience than a standard cafe.

What to try:

• Single origin Kilimanjaro brews, either as espresso or filter
• Coffee tasting flights if they are available
• Simple snacks that let the coffee remain the highlight

Best for:

• Travelers who want to understand Tanzanian coffee beyond a quick cappuccino
• Souvenir hunters looking to buy beans to take home
• Anyone who missed a Kilimanjaro coffee tour up north and wants a taste in Unguja

Pro tip: Ask about whole beans or ground coffee for takeaway. JF Kili Coffee is one of the better places in Unguja to pick up serious coffee as a gift.

Habari House & Café - Homey courtyard with global comfort food

Why it is trending: A relatively new cafe with an excellent 4.8 rating and a solid base of loyal reviewers. It is becoming a go-to recommendation for travelers who want both food and coffee in a relaxed setting.

Vibe: True to its name, Habari House & Café feels like you have stepped into someone’s welcoming home. Think shaded outdoor seating, friendly staff, and a mix of locals, long-stay visitors, and remote workers. It is less about being ultra trendy and more about being reliably comfortable.

What to try:

• Breakfast plates and brunch style dishes that appeal to a wide range of tastes
• Fresh juices and smoothies alongside classic coffees
• Light lunches if you want to linger in the middle of the day

Best for:

• Families and mixed groups with different food preferences
• Longer, laptop friendly sessions in a calm courtyard
• First time visitors who want an easy, no stress cafe experience

Pro tip: If you are planning a work day in Stone Town, Habari House & Café is a smart base. Come early, grab a corner table, and cycle between coffee, juice, and lunch without needing to move.

How to plan a cafe day in Unguja

To get the most from Unguja’s trending cafe scene, try this simple route:

1. Morning: Start at HANOI HOUSE CAFE STONE TOWN for a slow breakfast and people watching.
2. Late morning: Walk over to maru cafe for a focused specialty coffee stop.
3. Afternoon: Settle into Habari House & Café if you need to catch up on work or trip planning.
4. Late afternoon or evening: Head to Leyla Cafe Lounge - Zanzibar for a relaxed, social wind down.
5. Anytime: Slot in JF Kili Coffee when you want to learn more about Tanzanian beans and grab a bag to take home.

Unguja’s cafe scene is still young, which is exactly why it feels so exciting. You are not just visiting popular spots. You are catching them in the moment they become part of the island’s new daily rhythm.

Stay ahead of the curve with MapsBuddy

Unguja’s best cafes are changing fast as new openings and local favorites gain traction. MapsBuddy tracks real review trends and growth scores so you can find the spots that are rising right now, not last season’s hits.

Use this guide as your starting point, then keep MapsBuddy open on your phone to discover the next wave of hidden cafes before they become mainstream.