Cuisine

Wimbe Beach

JPS: Local restaurant a few hundred metres beyond the end of Wimbe beach, specialising in grilled chicken and seafood, best to order in advance or be prepared to wait.

Mar e Sol: Restaurant on Wimbe beach, with a limited menu of fresh seafood and meat dishes, but good for drinks and snacks.

Pemba Dolphin: Most popular bar on Wimbe beach, serving drinks, cocktails and fresh juices, good value meals (seafood, meat and pizzas) and snacks (take-away and home delivery also advertised). You can rent out changing rooms for secure storage whilst swimming.

Wimbe Restaurant and Disco: At the southern end of Wimbe beach, offering a range of Mozambican and Portuguese food, including freshly grilled seafood. Popular disco on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The following hotels also have restaurants: Nautilus Beach Resort (international cuisine), Pemba Beach Hotel (international cuisine with buffet and a-la-carte options) and exceptionally good breakfast buffet served daily until 10am.

Canaia's Place

Canaia's place (Nipuro na Canaia) is set in the most authentic surroundings in Nanhimbe Village, close to Wimbe beach. She prepares delicious traditional Macua meals such as cassava, cooked fish, curries, chicken grilled the Zambezian way, mattapa etc. Prices are fair whilst patrons enjoy singing and drumming by local kids under the stars. You need to pre-book with Kaskazini as it is necessary to pre-order. $25 per person includes return transfers from you hotel. Donations to the children are welcomed.

Pemba town

556: South African restaurant and bar at the top of the hill leading down to the old part of town and the port. Beautiful view and very good selection of South African meat cuts. Satellite TV.

Pastelaria Flor D'Avenida: Portuguese-style bakery with tables outside, on the main avenue in town, serving cakes, coffee, cold drinks and light meals all day and evenings.

Red Cross Building: the café in the Red Cross Building at the top of the main avenue serves drinks and snacks and sometimes has live music and other events at night.

Samar: Portuguese-style restaurant in town, close to the Cabo Delgado Hotel, with a good range of traditional dishes, seafood and daily specials. Good value for money.

Chinese Restaurant: New edition to town's eateries and very popular with residents. Next to Samar, opposite MCel. Large menu, affordable and they do take-aways.

Starfish: Enjoy coffee and a tasty home-made pastry or cake with a great view over Pemba Bay. The on-site deli sells a good selection of fresh produce, wine and gifts.

Outside Pemba

Il Pirata: Owned and managed by Carlo and Susi, this Italian restaurant and bar is situated right on the spectacular Murrébuè beach. 20 minutes from Pemba, drive yourself or ask us for a transfer, $20 per person return or minimum of $40. Restaurant is only open during the day.

Upeponi: Local beach bar and restaurant also on Murrébuè, some 20km south of Pemba off the Mecufi road, serving freshly-caught fish and chicken grills on an unspoilt beach. Open over weekends only. A good get-away from the Sunday crowds on Wimbe.

Mecufi: A newly-opened bar/restaurant, but order in advance.