Restaurants in Arusha: It is said that the fastest way to understand a culture is to eat its food, and Tanzania is no different. Featuring a blend of European, Indian, and African flavors, Tanzanian cuisine is a fascinating cultural blend.For those wanting a taste of home, Arusha has an ever-growing variety of restaurants serving international cuisine. While your hotel is likely to have an in-house restaurants, we can recommend a few good options if you’re feeling adventurous.

• George’s Tavern: A personal favorite of the Shadows of Africa team, George’s Tavern is run by a locally based Greek family and offers great European food with terrific service. Dinners and lunches at George’s can feel like you’re at one big family meal, and the cocktails aren’t half bad either!Many Shadows of Africa clients visit George’s Tavern on their way to a late flight out of Kilimanjaro.

• Le Patio: With fairy lights draped over the trees and a bonfire roaring, Le Patio is not only one of Arusha’s favorite places to dance, but also serves up a good variety of international cuisine including burgers, fish & chips, pasta, and pizzas.If you’re feeling like a night out on the town, Le Patio is one of the city’s most happening night spots

• Picasso Cafe: It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but Picasso is a fast-rising player on the local dining scene with everything from sushi to amazing burgers to decadent salads. A great place for brunch, lunch, or dinner.

• Fig and Olive: Whether you’re there for Thursday’s cocktail night or you’re in the mood for some delicious Mediterranean cuisine, you’re going to love this place. In addition to kebabs and other Middle Eastern & Mediterranean cuisine, they also do wood-fired pizzas.Located at the popular TGT complex, where local expats go to work out, play rugby, or swim laps, Fig & Olive is another popular local nightspot.

• Chinese Whispers: The #1 rated restaurant in Arusha on TripAdvisor, Chinese Whispers is a European take on traditional Chinese cuisine. If you fancy a beef and black bean or a Mongolian lamb, this is the place to go. If you’re looking for more authentic Chinese cuisine, the much more unassuming try:  Chinese Dragonis a Chinese owned and operated business.