Forodhani Gardens is a civic park located on the water front of Stone Town in Zanzibar. The Forodhani gardens were built in 1936 as a tribute to the late Sultan Khalifa’s Silver Jubilee and has undergone numerous constructional restorations over the years including the recent one as a Trust for Culture of the Agha Khan. The gardens are now thriving with vegetation, millstone paths, and relieving sculpted territories as well as serving the local and tourist population which freely comes for a stroll or an elegant walk.
The Forodhani gardens are internationally known for their nightly enchanting culinary street food exhibitions. When the sun begins to set in the evenings, vendors come alive and set up stalls full of mouthwatering street foods sizzling on grills. There is plenty to choose from such as fresh seafood (Octopus, Calamari, Prawns, different species of fish) and local delicacies such as naughty chapatis, Zanzibari pizza (stuffed pancake like bread) and samosas. The night food market is a wonderful Zanzibar experience, surrounded by vibrant life and mouth watering smells.
Forodhani Gardens is also a cultural and social center where live music and other cultural activities that celebrate the rich heritage of Zanzibar are routinely held. It is a great place for families, young people, and even tourists to unwind, relax, and escape the heat while enjoying the fresh ocean breeze. Guests are treated to live music performances, such as taarab, and dances during the garden’s traditional celebrations at the central bandstand or open areas of the garden. This transforms Forodhani Gardens into a place not just to eat, but to fully appreciate Zanzibar’s community life and traditions.