Emerson on Hurumzi

Name: Emerson on Hurumzi
Address: 236 Hurumzi Street, Stone Town, P.O.BOX3417, TZ
Telephone: +255242232784
Price range: £££
Rating: 4.8

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Emerson on Hurumzi

Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel - Authentic Grande Dame of restored Zanzibar palaces. Room availability & restaurant bookings on our website.
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Tallest Rooftop Tea House Restaurant in Stone Town, breathtaking views with authentic cuisine & live local music daily. The building that today hosts “Emerson on Hurumzi” at 236-240 Hurumzi street, Hurumzi, Stonetown, Zanzibar was built in the 1870s by the powerful merchant Sir Tharia Thopan. He served as a principal financial adviser to Sultan Bargash and was the head of customs. The roof top Tea

House itself may have been designed as an observation point to control the activities of the port, which was located in the waters just in front of the nearby “House of Wonders”. Tharia Thopan stayed here only briefly before the building was sold. It was then used by the Archbishop of Zanzibar and the folklore says that during this time Arabian slave owners were paid by the British to free their slaves in this building. The street ‘Hurumzi’ got its name from this period: Hurumzi is the combination of HURU uhuru (freedom) MZI mzee (old man). After that it was owned and occupied by a series of Ismaili and Arabian families over the years. The building was nationalized in 1967 and occupied by poor Swahili families until the early 1990s when Emerson Skeens and Thomas Green started the restoration of the building. In 2014 Emerson on Hurumzi took over the premises and reopened under new management. We opened 10 rooms and two apartments and two studio's for longer stays. Lunches, dinners and sunset cocktails are served in the roof top restaurant, the highest "tea house" restaurant in town, with breathtaking views of the sea and Stone Town. In Roshani, the chambre separée on the third floor, the Emerson Zanzibar Tea Ceremony can be experienced. Reservations are required for the Tea Ceremony in Roshani and dining experience in the rooftop Tea House restaurant.

27/02/2026

Iftar menu available now…

19/12/2025

Come join us for CHRISTMAS EVE Carols with St Joseph School's Children's Choir who will be performing at Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel in our Rooftop Teahouse Restaurant.

See our Christmas Menu available from Christmas Eve to New Years Eve. To book online, look on on our website (see bio).

Reservations recommended, book via WhatsApp +255 774 483 483

Overnight stays can be arranged in one of the hotel rooms, enquire with [email protected] for the rates and availability at Emerson on Hurumzi

17/12/2025

Welcome to the opening 4pm on Thursday 18th of December 2025 here, in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.
Exhibition open till 29 January 2026 every Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00hrs

Welcome to the opening of this year’s Visual Art Award exhibition at 4pm on Thursday 18th of December 2025 in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery.

Come to see the artworks and meet the different participating artists during the opening of this exhibition.

Exhibition open till 29 January 2026
Open Tue-Sun 10.00-18.00

19/04/2025

Emerson’s Art Collection 2025

15/04/2025

Emerson’s Art Collection

“Outside the Lines” - Damian Msagula

Exhibition: 17 April 2025 to 19 June 2025
Opening hours Tuesdays to Sundays 10am to 6pm

🎨We invite you to *Outside the Lines* exhibition from the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Art Collection.

⭐️ Experience something unforgettable. Explore the artworks, with ✍️written and 🎧 audio guides

🖼️ A rare glimpse into the bold, spirited, and vibrant expressions that define Emerson Skeen’s Zanzibar unique Art Collection.

⭐️ Join us for the opening event on Thursday, 17 April 2025 at 4:00 PM till 8 PM, at the Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Gallery, located in Stone Town.

👨🏾‍🎨This year’s edition is a special selection of works by the late Mzee Damian Msagula, who holds a special place within the Tanzanian art community.

🗓️ Exhibition: 17 April – 19 June 2025
🕙 Tuesdays to Sundays 10am to 6pm

📍Location: Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Gallery
240 Hurumzi Street, Stone Town

📧 Enquiries, please email us at
foundation@emersonzanzEmerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Instagram & Facebook:

🔗 More Veritas foods & drinks 🍴🍷logue on our website (see bio links).

🙏Thanks to Veritas Foods & Drinks for supporting this event - IG FB:

30/03/2025

Eid Mubarak!

10/12/2024

Introducing Umu Kulthum Abdullah Khamis (Umy), participant of the 2024 Emerson’s Zanzibar Foundation Visual Arts Award 2024. This year's awards celebrates the extraordinary contributions of women visual artists in Zanzibar.

Join us in celebrating their vision:
🌐 You can view Exhibition Catalogue online on our website (see link in our profile bio).

🎨 The exhibition is now open from 6th Dec 2024 to 16th January 2025

🕙 Opening hours are: Tues-Sun: 10am-6pm

📍: Emersons Zanzibar Foundation Gallery, 240 Hurumzi Street, Stone Town

📅 Thursday 19th Dec 2024 - Winner Announcement Event

From traditional henna painting and drawings to contemporary painting and mixed media, these talented women embody resilience, creativity, and cultural heritage.

This year’s award honors their pivotal role in shaping Zanzibar’s artistic and cultural identity—preserving traditions while pioneering new paths in the arts and creative industries.

Explore their inspiring works, which beautifully blend history, and heritage. Let’s come together to support and celebrate the women artists who enrich Zanzibar’s vibrant cultural landscape.

25/11/2024

Come and see the “Expressions of Zanzibar Women” exhibition.

The Exhibition is still open to view, don’t miss it!Open until 30 November Tuesday - Sunday 10.00-18.00 at the Emerson Art Gallery at Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel, Stone Town.

Robin Batista’s exhibition, “Expressions of Zanzibar Women”, showcases the resilience, power, determination, and strength of Zanzibari women through a visual journey of vibrant photographs.

Each image tells a story that reflects the rich culture and traditions of Zanzibar, highlighting the courage of women as they engage with their communities and nurture their families.

The exhibition celebrates their extraordinary contributions and honors their legacy, inviting viewers to experience the profound emotions and powerful narratives captured in Batista’s art.

Limited edition prints are available.

23/11/2024

At the Emerson's Zanzibar Foundation Art Gallery - one week to go!

17/11/2024

Our Rooftop Sunsets are stunning!

02/07/2023

Live music events in the Secret Garden in July 2023

Secret Garden

Come join the Magic...

Every Wednesday and Friday live music

Starting from 20.00 – 2 sets of live music

July programme:
Wednesday 5 July Culture Musical Club
Friday 7 July Chris Nova
Wednesday 12 July Richie Lumambo
Friday 14 July Uwaridi Female Band
Wednesday 19 July Sawahel Music
Friday 21 July Safari Trio
Wednesday 26 July Zenji Boy na wenzake
Friday 28 July Tara Jazz

Entrance Fee of Tsh 10,000
Reservations recommended, please book via WhatsApp +255 774 483 483
or [email protected]

Secret Garden is found in Emerson Spice Hotel, Stone Town

Overnight stays can be arranged in one of the hotel rooms, enquire with [email protected] for the rates and availability at Emerson Spice and Emerson on Hurumzi

Address

236 Hurumzi Street
Stone Town
P.O.BOX3417

Telephone

+255242232784

Website

https://www.emersonzanzibar.com/

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