Zanzibar is a value for money (=rough and ready) Indian-African restaurant in Ras Al Khor with a hint of hidden gem about it. I’m told it’s owned by a Tanzanian, hence the name and the African twist. So I was a little disappointed when I was told none of the fiery curries I have come to love from my Indo-African friends (Capt Fantastic, I mean you) were available on the day we visited. Fried fish and rice it would be then.
The rice was amazing. What it lacked in appearance and quality, the biryani rice as it’s called, made up for with fragrance and flavour. I think there must have been a whole spice for every ten grains of rice – homely, rustic, earthy. It was served with what I consider the star of the show, a Peri-Peri sauce not far in taste from the chilli sauce which comes with Singaporean Chicken Rice. Oh man, I could have made a meal of just the rice and sauce and still walked out happy. As it happens the fried fish took things straight to ‘Happy Buddha’ level – awesome.
If these boys had fried shrimps I’d easily compare them to Bu Qtair and Al Fannah. Their fried fish, rice and sauce are definitely on par, and their service is infinitely better. Capt Fantastic recommended we try their samosas, pronounced sambusa – delicious on their own, fantastic with the sauce. If their curries are as good as I’m told, Sheikh @mansoor will have struck gold again. Even as is, Zanzibar is worth a visit; just ‘manage your expectations’.