What a gem of a place. I know Africa has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine so I decided to explore Tanzanian food. The flavors are like symphony in my mouth. I had the chicken curry bowl and chicken sambusa and accompanied it with the hibiscus juice. I was in heaven. The lady behind the counter who was preparing my food was also charming and generous enough to have me try their coconut rice cake which is called Vitumbua. It was delicious. I live about 45 minutes away but will definitely return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anthony Lee
We had a catered lunch from Swahili Spot, and overall, it was a good experience. The Bongo Beef had nice flavor, but there was a bit too much fat for my liking. The Zanzibar Chicken also had good seasoning, though it came out a bit dry. I really enjoyed the fresh and tasty green salad, and the coconut rice was wonderfully aromatic. The Makande Stew was an interesting dish with firm and chewy ingredients—a unique first-time experience for me. The sautéed greens, however, were cooked down a little too much. All in all, it was a solid meal, though a few improvements would have made it even better.
Food: 3
Alyssa “Pearl” Johnson
This place is soo good! Everything I’ve had from here is cooked perfectly. The meat is tender, slow cooked and flavorful. I hadn’t had this type of cooking before coming here but I’m so glad I tried it! I really hope this restaurant stays around. It’s kind of hidden/a whole in the wall but a true gem. Stop in and try it out, you won’t be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexander Boulgakov
I just now realized my photo is blurry :((((
Anyways, I believe this is my first time eating Tanzanian food. It was flavorful, with good ingredients, and cooked right there.
The owner is a very kind and interesting person. She also runs a food truck. In fact, her most popular dish sold out yesterday when she took her truck to Oakland First Fridays.
We had a great conversation about the food and Oakland.
It is not super cheap. I ate the beef curry special (pictured) and a dessert (not pictured) for $25. But it's worth it. There aren't many Tanzanian restaurants around. If you want to try something different and have a real warm experience with the host, this is the place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bongo Beef Rice Bowl
jose Castillo
The food was amazing! Priscilla is a lovely woman with a beautiful heart and kind attitude. I had the chicken curry, sambusa, and mandazi. It tasted as if I was back in Tanzania. Great vibes, amazing food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sambusa
Abel Misha Gille Esbenshade
Delicious food, really nice people. Just a bit pricey
Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Curry Rice Bowl
Christine Spang
Great food and upbeat vibes! You've got to try the whole fried fish. Will def be making this a regular spot.
First time eating here. I got the Chicken Curry rice bowl with the sides and hot sauce. It was so delicious!!! Amazing. And? Next time I’ll ask for less rice and more food on top. It was pretty rice heavy and wished I’d gotten twice as many greens. And weird - I only got one piece plantain, and? regardless- the my meal was amazing. Service was kind and friendly.Love this place!!!Welcome to West Oakland!! ??
What a gem of a place. I know Africa has a lot to offer in terms of cuisine so I decided to explore Tanzanian food. The flavors are like symphony in my mouth. I had the chicken curry bowl and chicken sambusa and accompanied it with the hibiscus juice. I was in heaven. The lady behind the counter who was preparing my food was also charming and generous enough to have me try their coconut rice cake which is called Vitumbua. It was delicious. I live about 45 minutes away but will definitely return!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We had a catered lunch from Swahili Spot, and overall, it was a good experience. The Bongo Beef had nice flavor, but there was a bit too much fat for my liking. The Zanzibar Chicken also had good seasoning, though it came out a bit dry. I really enjoyed the fresh and tasty green salad, and the coconut rice was wonderfully aromatic. The Makande Stew was an interesting dish with firm and chewy ingredients—a unique first-time experience for me. The sautéed greens, however, were cooked down a little too much. All in all, it was a solid meal, though a few improvements would have made it even better.
Food: 3
This place is soo good! Everything I’ve had from here is cooked perfectly. The meat is tender, slow cooked and flavorful. I hadn’t had this type of cooking before coming here but I’m so glad I tried it! I really hope this restaurant stays around. It’s kind of hidden/a whole in the wall but a true gem. Stop in and try it out, you won’t be disappointed.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I just now realized my photo is blurry :((((
Anyways, I believe this is my first time eating Tanzanian food. It was flavorful, with good ingredients, and cooked right there.
The owner is a very kind and interesting person. She also runs a food truck. In fact, her most popular dish sold out yesterday when she took her truck to Oakland First Fridays.
We had a great conversation about the food and Oakland.
It is not super cheap. I ate the beef curry special (pictured) and a dessert (not pictured) for $25. But it's worth it. There aren't many Tanzanian restaurants around. If you want to try something different and have a real warm experience with the host, this is the place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bongo Beef Rice Bowl
The food was amazing! Priscilla is a lovely woman with a beautiful heart and kind attitude. I had the chicken curry, sambusa, and mandazi. It tasted as if I was back in Tanzania. Great vibes, amazing food!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sambusa
Delicious food, really nice people. Just a bit pricey
Wheelchair accessibility: No stairs
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Curry Rice Bowl
Great food and upbeat vibes! You've got to try the whole fried fish. Will def be making this a regular spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Whole Fried Fish, Bongo Beef Rice Bowl
First time eating here. I got the Chicken Curry rice bowl with the sides and hot sauce. It was so delicious!!! Amazing. And? Next time I’ll ask for less rice and more food on top. It was pretty rice heavy and wished I’d gotten twice as many greens. And weird - I only got one piece plantain, and? regardless- the my meal was amazing. Service was kind and friendly.Love this place!!!Welcome to West Oakland!! ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Curry Rice Bowl, Chapaci
Good food, sweet lady that owns the place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So exited to find a Swahili restaurant in the Bay Area! Food is authentic and fabulous!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Is this food from Tanzania or West Demopolis... the cultural links of this East African spot are unreal...Love the food, love the spot...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Curry Rice Bowl, Whole Fried Fish, Chips Kuku, Sambusa
Great food. Great place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was so tasty and the service was top notch. I felt so welcomed and the background music truly reminded me of Tanzania. Will definitely go
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Curry Rice Bowl, Vegetarian Rice Bowl, Whole Fried Fish, Chips Kuku, Chapaci, Bongo Beef Rice Bowl, Sambusa
authentic taste of Tanzanian and East African
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Whole Fried Fish, Chapaci, Sambusa
This food takes me back to Tanzania. Starting to become a weekly ritual for
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Loading...