Best Restaurants for a Night Out in Dar es Salaam: 10 Places for Dinner, Drinks and Music

Friday, 7 pm. The sun has dropped behind the city, the sea breeze has finally arrived, and Dar es Salaam is changing gear. Office shirts are swapped for something nicer. Phones are buzzing in group chats: "Wapi leo?" Where are we going tonight?

For a night out in Dar es Salaam, our favourite picks are a rooftop drink at Level 8, sunset seafood at the Slipway, a long dinner at Mediterraneo or Karambezi Café, seafood at Samaki Samaki, Thai and sushi at Thai Kani, live music at Q Bar, and mishkaki at Coco Beach or Mamboz Corner for a simpler, very local evening. Below are ten places, what each is best for and tips to plan the night.

Restaurants open, close and change in Dar faster than guidebooks can keep up. We checked recent reviews and guides, but always confirm hours, prices and bookings before you go.

How did we choose these places?

We looked for places that make a whole evening out: good food, a setting worth dressing up for, drinks, and often music or a view. We mixed price levels, from street-side grills to hotel rooftops, and stuck to places that appear consistently in recent visitor guides and reviews.

1. Level 8, Hyatt Regency: best for a rooftop start

On top of the Hyatt Regency Dar es Salaam, The Kilimanjaro in the city centre, Level 8 is often named the city's best-known rooftop bar. The views stretch across the harbour and the city lights. Come for sunset drinks and small plates, then head on to dinner, or stay for the evening. Dress smart casual.

2. The Waterfront at the Slipway: best for sunset by the water

The Msasani Slipway is a classic Dar evening spot, with shops, restaurants and a view west over Msasani Bay, which makes it one of the few places in the city where you watch the sun set over the water. The Waterfront Sunset Restaurant and Beach Bar is popular for grilled fish, cold drinks and, on some nights, live music. Arrive by 6 pm for the best tables.

3. Thai Kani: best for Thai and sushi

Also at the Slipway, Thai Kani has served Thai and Japanese food since 2013, according to local listings. It is a good choice for groups who want something different from grilled meat and chips: curries, noodles, sushi and plenty to share.

4. Mediterraneo: best for a long Italian dinner by the sea

Mediterraneo in Kawe is a long-standing favourite for Italian food beside the ocean. Think pizza, pasta and seafood, a sea breeze and a relaxed pace. It works well for date nights and birthday dinners. Weekends get busy, so book.

5. Karambezi Café: best for ocean views in Masaki

Set on the edge of the Msasani Peninsula at the Sea Cliff Hotel, Karambezi Café is loved for its open-air terrace above the Indian Ocean. Come for dinner as the lights come on along the coast. It is a good place to impress visitors.

6. Samaki Samaki: best for seafood and a lively crowd

Samaki Samaki is a well-known seafood restaurant name in Dar, with branches in Masaki and Mlimani City. The menu is built around fish, prawns and calamari, grilled or in sauces, with chips or rice. The atmosphere is busy and social, and it is a popular place to start a weekend night.

7. Q Bar: best for live music and dancing

Q Bar is one of Dar's long-running nightlife spots, with food, a rooftop area and live music on many nights. It draws a mixed crowd of locals and expats. Have dinner, then stay for the band. Check their social media for the week's line-up.

8. Coco Beach: best for street food under the stars

For a simpler, very Dar night out, head to Coco Beach in Oyster Bay in the evening. Vendors grill mishkaki, roast maize and fry cassava and chips, and people gather along the sea wall to eat, talk and walk. It is cheap, social and a favourite with families and young people. Read more about the city's best street eats in our street food guide.

9. Mamboz Corner BBQ: best for late-night grilled chicken

Mamboz Corner BBQ has been feeding Dar es Salaam's night owls for years with charcoal-grilled chicken, mishkaki and chips. It is not fancy, and that is the point. Come hungry, after the club or before, and order more than you think you need.

10. Hotel restaurants in the city centre and Masaki: best for a quiet, special dinner

The city's international hotels have restaurants and bars that suit anniversaries and business dinners, with calm service and reliable food. Many also run themed buffet nights. See our guide to the best hotel buffets in Dar es Salaam for ideas.

Which place suits which kind of night?

How should you plan a night out in Dar?

• Plan for traffic. Getting between the city centre, Masaki and Mikocheni can take much longer at rush hour. Group your stops by area.
• Book on weekends. Popular places fill up on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Use a ride app or a trusted driver. Agree on the price first if you use a taxi or bajaji.
• Carry two ways to pay. Many places take cards and mobile money, but have some cash too.
• Dress smart casual for rooftops and hotel restaurants.
• Go late, eat late. Dar nights start slowly and run long, especially at weekends.

Why are chips on almost every menu?

From the hotel rooftop to the street grill, chips turn up everywhere in Dar es Salaam. Chipsi mayai, chips kuku and a side of fries with grilled fish are part of the city's food culture. If you want to recreate the feeling at home after a night out, our chipsi mayai recipe takes about 15 minutes.

For restaurants, bars and grills Supa Fries Premium Frozen Fries, bulk supply

Many busy kitchens serve Supa Fries because they cook from frozen in about 3 minutes and stay crisp on a busy night.

Ask for wholesale prices

Where else should you eat in Tanzania?

For a wider list that includes Arusha and Zanzibar, see our best restaurants in Tanzania. For seaside lunches and sunsets, see the best sea view restaurants in Dar es Salaam.

In short

For a night out in Dar es Salaam, start with rooftop drinks at Level 8, watch the sunset from the Msasani Slipway, have dinner at Mediterraneo, Karambezi Café, Samaki Samaki or Thai Kani, enjoy live music at Q Bar, or keep it local with mishkaki at Coco Beach or Mamboz Corner BBQ. Book at weekends, plan around traffic by grouping stops by area, and confirm hours before you go.

Frequently asked questions