Zanzibar's latest luxury destination is a culinary gem
The newly opened Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town beckons both foreign travellers and African weekenders with its culinary compositions. Launched in September this year, the boutique hotel with its fourteen thoughtfully designed rooms offers families a splendid backdrop for quality time together. The bonus is of course its beautiful surrounds – the natural beauty of Zanzibar – as well as delightfully fresh, seasonal cuisine.
The dynamic hotel developer duo, Steve and Raju Shaulis, together with the creative genius of Executive Chef Lance Louise, have curated an experience that encapsulates Zanzibar’s rich cultural heritage. Here, a gastronomic adventure unfolds in two distinct venues: the Breadfruit Restaurant & Café and the Views Rooftop Bar & Lounge.
Step into The Breadfruit Restaurant & Café
A brainchild of the renowned interior designer Nelly Levin, this eatery welcomes guests to a serene courtyard setting, surrounded by the city’s historic architecture. Here, you can indulge in exquisite dining and expertly roasted coffees, prepared by world-class baristas.
Focusing on quality, sustainability and authenticity, Breadfruit offers an unforgettable dining experience. Their signature dishes include the bound to be popular Zanzicuterie, a Zanzibar classic with cold-smoked marlin and tuna, kimchi, cashew nut tapenade, pickled sardines, pickled feta, labneh, mango confit, and fermented papaya. The Swahili Seafood Curry, which comes with songoro and squid with toasted local spices and coconut milk, is a prized large-plate item. In fact, it is especially popular among weekenders from Tanzania and Kenya. Also don’t miss out on the Pweza Please – local octopus served with braised chickpeas and white beans, lemon aioli and bok choi. Or, opt for the Bing Bing Baby – a mouthwatering serving of bing bread and truffled honey butter, sesame chili crunch, smoked eggplant and pine nut with whipped ricotta.
Zanzibar just got a whole lot cooler
Views Rooftop Bar and the Parlour Lounge have come to set the bar a little higher when it comes to cocktail hour in Zanzibar. These venues offer a distinct atmosphere for unwinding with delightful cocktails and access to the full Breadfruit menu while taking in the unique ambiance of Stone Town. The rooftop setting, characterised by contemporary décor, exceptional service and a romantic atmosphere, provides an escape from the bustling ancient city below. Here, live music and a gentle breeze create an atmosphere of pure relaxation.
You can also savour light, but extraordinary small-plate dishes like the Salt and Pepper Squid with its red chili teriyaki seasoning, the Prawn Bao Bun with togarashi mayo, pickled onion and furukake, and the Popcorn Pweza, featuring slivers of octopus with seaweed mayo and lemon at this unique rooftop bar.
Exclusive to hotel guests, The Parlour Lounge is tailored to those seeking a morning coffee, a light snack or an afternoon tipple while planning their next adventure around Stone Town, or winding down after exploring.
Who’s the chef?
Executive Chef Lance Louise brings a remarkable culinary background to The Neela Boutique Hotel Stone Town. He comes with a wealth of experience having worked with East Africa’s largest property management groups. In addition, he has also done catering for the Qatari Royal Family. Chef Lance’s culinary journey has been enriched by encounters with notable figures like Gordon Ramsay, Ferran Adria and Dave Chang. Ultimately, his philosophy revolves around sourcing local produce and ingredients to empower communities and to transform jobs into exciting careers.
That’s not all…
Steve and Raju, known for their substantial projects across Africa, Asia and the Middle East are in the process of developing another boutique hotel on Zanzibar’s coastline, set to open in 2024. This venture will further solidify The Neela Collection’s reputation as the luxury boutique hotel group of choice in the vibrant cultural heart of Zanzibar.
Each property within the collection, whether nestled in restored heritage buildings or architecturally designed structures crafted with local expertise and international vision, possesses a distinct personality deeply rooted in and authentic to its unique location.
