The Kitchen
At Paje Cave, the experience doesn't have to end when you leave the water.
Our Food
Our Bar
Our Classes
At the heart of Flavours of Zanzibar at Paje Cave is our chef, Joseph Mathew Herman, whose journey in the kitchen has been shaped by years of learning, hard work and a genuine love for food.
Born in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Joseph is 36 years old and now lives with his family in Jambiani. His culinary journey began with two years of professional culinary studies, followed by an internship and his first position as a commis chef. From those early days in the kitchen, Joseph steadily worked his way through the ranks, gaining experience in a variety of hotels and restaurants along the way.
Throughout his career, Joseph has developed a remarkably diverse culinary background. His experience ranges from Swahili and Zanzibari cuisine to Italian, Indian, Asian and Slavic cooking, allowing him to bring together local traditions and international influences in the Paje Cave kitchen. While he enjoys working across the kitchen, baking holds a special place in his heart, and he particularly loves the energy and creativity of working on the hot stations.
Joseph's story is also one of personal growth. He learned English through his years of working in the hospitality industry, developing his skills through everyday conversations with colleagues and guests from around the world.
Away from the kitchen, life becomes a little quieter. Joseph enjoys fishing and spending time caring for his family—two things that keep him closely connected to the island and the community he calls home.
Today, Joseph brings his experience, curiosity and passion for cooking to Paje Cave & Lake, where he leads the kitchen at Flavours of Zanzibar and shares his knowledge with guests through our dining experience and cooking classes.
We are very fortunate to have Joseph as part of the Paje Cave family, and we hope that when you visit us, you'll have the opportunity not only to taste his food, but also to meet the person behind it.
Karibu, and meet Chef Joseph.
Meet Our Chef - Joseph Mathew Herman
Flavours of Zanzibar Restaurant & Bar
Discover a different side of Zanzibar at Flavours of Zanzibar, the restaurant and bar at Paje Cave & Lake in Paje, Zanzibar. Surrounded by the natural beauty of Paje Cave, our restaurant is a relaxed place to enjoy good food, refreshing drinks and the warm hospitality of the island before or after exploring the cave.
Our menu celebrates the flavours of Zanzibar, bringing together traditional island recipes and familiar international favourites. Discover local dishes such as Zanzibari biryani, Urojo, Mishkaki, Samaki wa Kupaka and Mchuzi wa Pweza, alongside burgers, pasta, schnitzel, salads and other favourites.
Families are always welcome, with a dedicated kids' menu, while our homemade desserts include freshly prepared mango and lime gelato and vanilla bean ice cream. Whether you are stopping for lunch, relaxing after a swim in the cave, or simply looking for somewhere different to eat in Paje, Flavours of Zanzibar brings together food, nature and the character of the island in one unique setting.
Paje Cave Bar – Drinks, Cocktails & Island Vibes
After exploring the cave or enjoying a meal at Flavours of Zanzibar, settle in at the Paje Cave Bar for a refreshing drink in one of Paje's more unusual settings. Our bar brings together tropical flavours, fresh local fruit and classic favourites, creating a relaxed place to unwind and enjoy the atmosphere of Paje Cave.
Our drinks menu includes signature cocktails created especially for Paje Cave, alongside classic cocktails, wine, Tanzanian and imported beers, mocktails, fresh juices, soft drinks, coffee and tea. Our signature Paje Cave's Lagoon takes inspiration from the colours of the cave's water, while the Paje Cave's God Father offers something a little stronger.
Prefer something without alcohol? Try one of our tropical mocktails or a fresh juice made with seasonal fruit, including mango, papaya and passion fruit. And for coffee lovers, our menu includes everything from espresso and cappuccino to our Zanzibari Spiced Iced Coffee and traditional spiced tea.
Whether you're cooling down after a swim in Paje Cave, meeting friends for a drink, or simply looking for a relaxed bar in Paje, you're welcome to stay a little longer, enjoy the surroundings and experience another side of Paje Cave.
Zanzibar Cooking Classes at Paje Cave
Want to do more than simply taste Zanzibar?
At Flavours of Zanzibar, we offer hands-on cooking classes in Paje where you can step into the kitchen with our team and learn how to prepare the dishes you love. From traditional Zanzibari and Swahili recipes to breads, baking and international favourites, our classes are relaxed, practical and designed around what you would like to learn.
Our standard cooking class begins at 10:00 AM and costs USD 40 per person for two hours. To keep the experience enjoyable and hands-on, we normally recommend preparing two dishes during a two-hour class.
Small, Personal & Hands-On
We keep our cooking classes small, with a maximum of 12 guests per class. This gives everyone the opportunity to participate, ask questions and actually cook rather than simply watch.
Whether you're travelling alone, as a couple, with your family or as a group of friends, we'll do our best to shape the class around what interests you.
And, of course, when the cooking is finished, you get to enjoy what you've made.
You Choose What You Want to Learn..
There is no fixed menu that you have to follow. When booking, you can tell us what you would like to cook, or simply ask us for recommendations and we will suggest dishes that work well together and fit the available time.
You might choose to learn some of Zanzibar's classics, try your hand at chapati, make burgers or fresh bread from scratch, spend some time baking with our chef, or even discover how coconut oil is traditionally made from fresh coconuts.
Some dishes, however, cannot—and should not—be rushed. Traditional dishes such as pilau, Urojo and other Zanzibari classics may require more preparation and cooking time. Depending on what you choose to make, a class may therefore take four hours or, for certain dishes and combinations, even six hours.
For classes lasting longer than the standard two hours, we charge an additional USD 10 per person for each extra hour.
Booking Your Cooking Class
Because every class is prepared specifically for the guests attending, advance reservation is required with at least 24 hours' notice.
When booking online, you can either tell us which dishes you would like to learn, or leave the choice to us and we'll suggest a selection based on your interests and the length of your class.
Standard class: USD 40 per person
Duration: 2 hours
Starting time: 10:00 AM
Standard class: Approximately 2 dishes
Additional time: USD 10 per person, per additional hour
Maximum group size: 12 people
Advance booking: Minimum 24 hours
Come for the cave, stay for the food, and take a little taste of Zanzibar home with you.