Livingstone Beach Restaurant
Livingstone Beach Restaurant occupies a waterfront position south of the Old Fort on Mizingani Road, with a stretch of beach that serves as both terrace and seating area. Tables sit directly on the sand, shaded by thatched umbrellas, with the Indian Ocean lapping a few meters away. The venue operates as a restaurant and bar through the day, transitioning to a more bar-focused atmosphere in the evenings. Capacity is around 80-100 people across the beach and a small raised platform. The seafood is the kitchen's strength: grilled octopus, prawn skewers, and catch-of-the-day fish plates dominate the menu. The bar stocks local and imported beers, basic cocktails, and Tanzanian wines. Live music plays on select evenings, typically acoustic sets or small bands playing taarab and Swahili pop. The crowd is tourists mixed with Stone Town residents, creating a more balanced atmosphere than many waterfront spots.
What to Expect
You step off Mizingani Road onto sand, passing under thatched shade structures to find a table. The ocean is right there. Waves lap gently on calm days. The waitstaff bring menus and drinks to your table on the beach. The smell of grilling seafood carries from the kitchen. The vibe is more beach bar than restaurant, despite the full kitchen operation. In the evening, if live music is scheduled, a small stage near the back comes alive with acoustic instruments.
Beach-casual and genuinely relaxed. The sand, the ocean, and the thatched shade create a setting that's more tropical beach bar than Stone Town heritage venue.
Live taarab, acoustic Swahili pop, and reggae on scheduled evenings. Background recorded music otherwise.
Completely casual. Beach attire is normal. Sandals or barefoot on the sand.
Beach-side seafood dinner, casual evening drinks with sand between your toes, live music evenings, travelers wanting a relaxed alternative to rooftop bars
Cash (TZS) preferred. Cards sometimes accepted; ask first. Mobile money works.
Price Range
Beer TZS 4,000-6,000, cocktails TZS 12,000-18,000, grilled fish TZS 15,000-30,000, seafood platter TZS 30,000-50,000
Beer ~$1.60-2.40 / EUR 1.45-2.20, cocktails ~$4.80-7.20 / EUR 4.40-6.60
Hours
Daily 10 AM to 11 PM, live music evenings typically 7-10 PM
Insider Tip
The grilled octopus is the standout dish; order it if available. Sunset from the beach tables is beautiful but gets crowded. Check at the entrance for live music schedules, which aren't posted online consistently. The sand floor means closed shoes are unnecessary. Go for fresh juice during the day; it's made on site.
Full Review
Livingstone sits in a category of its own within Stone Town's nightlife options. While the rooftop bars look down at the ocean, Livingstone puts you next to it. Your feet are in sand. The water is right there. And on a warm evening with the grilled octopus arriving and an acoustic taarab set starting up, the place achieves something that the more photographed venues don't: it feels unpretentious.
The food carries the operation. The seafood is fresh and simply prepared, which is the correct approach when your supply chain is measured in hours rather than days. The grilled octopus, tender and charred at the edges, is the menu's best item. The fish of the day varies but is consistently good. Prawn skewers are generous. Side dishes are basic (rice, chips, salad) and don't try to compete with the protein.
The bar is functional without ambition. Beer is cold. Cocktails use the right ingredients in approximate proportions. The fresh juices are better than the cocktails and worth ordering. Wine exists on the menu but isn't the move.
Live music nights improve the experience significantly. Taarab, Zanzibar's traditional music form, blending Arabic melodic structures with Indian rhythms and Swahili lyrics, sounds right on this beach in a way that recorded music can't replicate. Not every night has live music, and the schedule is irregular. Check when you arrive.
The location south of the Old Fort puts Livingstone slightly away from Stone Town's densest tourist corridor, which works in its favor. The crowd includes more Zanzibaris than the bars closer to Forodhani Gardens, creating a more balanced atmosphere.
Livingstone won't appear on many best-of lists, but travelers who stumble on it during a live music evening tend to return.
The Neighborhood
Livingstone is on Mizingani Road south of the Old Fort and Forodhani Gardens. The Old Fort occasionally hosts cultural events and is a 2-minute walk. Africa House Hotel is about 5 minutes on foot inland. The Shangani area with its hotels and restaurants is the nearest cluster. The waterfront path connects most Stone Town venues.
Getting There
On Mizingani Road near the Old Fort. Walkable from anywhere in Stone Town in under 10 minutes. From the ferry terminal, walk south along the waterfront for about 12-15 minutes. No vehicle access needed. The entrance is directly off the main waterfront road.
Address
Near Old Fort, Mizingani Road, Stone Town, Zanzibar
Other Venues in Stone Town
Mercury's
Named after Freddie Mercury, who was born in Stone Town. Waterfront bar and restaurant facing the ocean. Live music some evenings, cold beer, and a reliable tourist atmosphere. Beer TZS 4,000-6,000.
Tatu
Stone Town's primary late-night venue. A small nightclub below the Emerson on Hurumzi hotel with DJs, dancing, and a mixed crowd of tourists and locals. Entry TZS 10,000-15,000.
Africa House Hotel
Colonial-era hotel with a famous sunset terrace overlooking the Indian Ocean. The rooftop bar is Stone Town's most popular sundowner spot. Cocktails TZS 15,000-25,000.
Emerson Spice Rooftop
Rooftop dining and drinks atop a restored merchant house. Fixed-menu dinner with ocean views and cushioned seating. Reservations required. Dinner TZS 60,000-80,000 per person.
Zanzibar Coffee House
Boutique hotel with a rooftop terrace serving coffee by day and cocktails by night. Intimate setting with no more than 20 seats. Cocktails TZS 12,000-20,000.