Badolina Secret Garden Restaurant
876 reviews
#3 of 61 Restaurants in Nungwi$$ - $$$, International, Mediterranean, Vegetarian friendly+255 678 400 711+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Sun
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Mon
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Tue
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Wed
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Thu
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Fri
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Sat
11:00 am - 11:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
4.5
Travellers' Choice 2024
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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CUISINES
International, Mediterranean, Healthy, Middle Eastern
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
features
Details
About
Our restaurant is located 25m from the beach. badolina is more than just a restaurant, is it a place where fellow travellers can meet, chill and enjoy good music with a glass of wine in our lounge area. We serve a variety of meals, fresh vegetables, salads and growing the herbs in our garden. Badolina is the place to eat if you are looking for fresh, comfort food made with love. ITS ALL ABOUT FRESH!!
CUISINES
International, Mediterranean, Healthy, Middle Eastern
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Table Service, Live Music
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4.5
876 reviews
Excellent
744
Very good
67
Average
31
Poor
17
Terrible
17
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Jade & Marco
Berlin22 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
Badolina Secret Garden Restaurant is local gem within the touristy town of Nungwi.
We arrived at the restaurant on our first night in Zanzibar. After getting lost in the narrow streets of Nungwi and crossing a Makeshift-Football pitch built by local kids on a huge parking lot, we found the restaurant in small street just meters alway from the beach.
Honestly our first impression was a little underwhelming, naming the place “secret garden” we expected to be in a garden but it felt more like a big hut. The interior is simple, with out of the abnormally tall tables – sitting down, I felt like I sat at a giant’s table.
We quickly got seated. A super friendly waiter welcomed us with a huge smile. Being the first guests of the evening, we got all of the restaurant’s attention.
The menu was diverse with a mix of local and Mediterranean and Israeli inspired dishes. Beers came out in no time. For food we chose the waiters recommendation; Ceviche and falafel as a starter and the catch of the day and a tuna steak as mains.
We were pleasantly surprised, as the restaurant got more packed and kitchen still ran smoothly. The food come out on time and tasted just as it looked; simply great. The recipes weren’t overly crazy, but had enough edge to it, to not come across average.
Overall we had a great time at the Badolina secret garden restaurant, it was nice to see a restaurant staying true to its local cuisine in a touristy area like Nungwi, we would happily go again.
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffany Sheerin
7 contributions
Jan 2020 • family
You arrive at this restaurant to be greeted warmly and shown a table. Lunch was our 1st experience and we were suitably impressed! The hamburger was absolutely delicious (and I’m a huge burger fan) husband had stir fry and teens had schnitzel. They also were impressed with the quality of food BUT the best part.... it was out of the kitchen in about 10 mins!!!!😱 Unheard of so far during our Zanzibar restaurant experiences.
The owner greeted us, very nice guy who has a military background... and hence why this ship is running well.
Watched as a 35kg fresh tuna was delivered and seeing that we made the booking for dinner tonight. Again, super efficient, restaurant full with people waiting (we made a booking) and good quality food.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valentin Potor
Cluj-Napoca76 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Good food. Not only local, it’s more a international cuisine. Small portions so better order more if you are hungry. Price per portion is normal but given the size it’s more on the expensive side. Location is nice, very close to the beach, a lot of shade and pleasant to stay. Only tourists, not a place where locals eat. Food was served very fast compared to other restaurants.
Written 7 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HolidayKid
2 contributions
Feb 2021 • solo
This restaurant cannot be compared with other restaurants of this price performance.
The Mediterranean Food is just delicious and also inspired by the middle east.
The service team always tries to do its best to satisfy the guest.
And is always Smiling :)
Thats why the Atmosphere is very chill and relaxed.
Written 2 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brigida D
3 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
Ive been living here in Zanzibar for 3 months so far.
Badolina was the first restaurant I tried as soon as I arrived i Nungwi, and You know what? I've been coming back ever since, either if it is for lunch, for dinner or just for a coffee, because the atmosphere is something unique.
I can say that I have tried everything on the menu. The food is so delicious and always fresh. Honestly, as I have been eating in Badolina for months now, Ive never had any negative experience about the freshness of the food as I read in some reviews.
Another point in favor of the place for me is the team. The guys always know how to make you feel at home, welcoming you with a huge smile and always willing to meet your needs. Oori and Marissa are amazing!!!
For me this place has become a second home, a second family. This is the perfect place to relax, eat delicious food and meet lots of amazing people!
Highly recommended, thumbs up for Badolina!
Written 1 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sam D
6 contributions
Dec 2020 • solo
Great menu choices for all. Vegetarian options, the seared tuna is amazing and the salads are well rounded with an assortment of veggies. Always leave feeling your tongue satisfied by all the umami. The owner Oori takes the time to get to know his guests and ensures their satisfaction.
Written 16 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah C
14 contributions
Jan 2022 • friends
The evening we spent here was most definitely one of the highlights of our trip. The atmosphere was buzzing, the food was perfect, great wine list and the staff were amazing.
The menu was obviously made by someone who is incredibly passionate about food and really knows what they are doing.
Ceviche and sharing platters to start, followed by seared tuna cooked to perfection.
This is my ideal way to hangout with friends, sharing delicious food just off the beach.
Wish we had of found this place sooner.
Debs & Adam
Written 31 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Aricia Herrera
5 contributions
Dec 2020 • friends
Located just few meters from the beach,Badolina is charming and full of identity.The colors and the decor, with the swings close to the tables worked wonders for the ambiance.
I ordered the ceviche followed by the Tuna Samurai, both dishes were mind blowing,full of flavors and the Tuna was cooked to perfection.
The variety on the menu was what called my attention the most, as they offer different options than most of the restaurants around, from Arabic to Greek inspired Salads and Vegetarian Meals.
The staff was helpful and friendly.
The food was increbly fast prepared, another strong point, as in most of. the places in Zanzibar you need to wait a good hour to eat after ordering.
Tottally Recomend it.
Written 23 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa M
London195 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
Highly recommend Badolina's. Different dishes to many of the restaurants in the area who tend to offer the same mix of curries with rice, grilled seafood, or pizza and pasta. Highly recommend their seared tuna or tuna ceviche dishes. We came back a number of times during our stay as the food was so good. Would definitely come again to get a taste of even more!
Written 21 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Iulian I
14 contributions
Jan 2021 • solo
The Badolina restaurant it was like a second family for me while I visited Zanzibar. Every delicious breakfast and the staff made my entire stay awesome.Great service! The team is very kind and it’s makes you feel like home and the food was irreprochable! It was a very difficult ‘goodbye’ but for sure an easy ‘i will be back soon’ !
Written 2 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hunterbln
Berlin147 contributions
Jan 2020 • solo
Good Drinks, good Cocktails, good food and Special you have to try the Hummus. Served with warm bread, vegetable sticks and a herbal dip. So great!
On top a very nice stuff.
Thx for this experience.
Written 30 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kamalacitta
Copenhagen65 contributions
Sept 2022 • solo
It’s a really nice and tranquil place with an ambient atmosphere both day and night. The service is friendly and the food is really good and of high quality.
However it’s overpriced compared to other top quality restaurants nearby.
A plate of hummus with 3 small pita breads and 5 vegetable sticks and a soda is 25.000 equivalent to 11 £.
Luckily no other restaurants in the neighbourhood, as far as I know, serves the same type of food, so this could be the reason for the pricing structure.
Written 17 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deepgreen69
El Nido17 contributions
Jan 2021 • none
I was reading the reviews before and really looked forward for the recommended seared Tuna. I noticed already when I had the first bite, that it was not fresh since my tounge was burning imdediately. I normally prefer medium but I asked them to put it back in the pan. Unfortunately, I didn't help and ended up with a dirrehea.
Even if it had been good, the plating was rather under standard. The carrot puree was a few millimeters thick, where the tuna was placed on. Meaning, small portion and not value for money.
Written 31 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ooril
Sorry for your disappointment. We trying our best
Best regards
Written 1 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kate471
Hua Hin40 contributions
Dec 2020 • none
This restaurant is perceived as very good for one reason - it offers something else than all the restaurants in Nungwi (lots of choices for vegetarians). However, different does not necessarily constitute good. I had their tuna tartar two days in a row. The second time the tuna was not exactly fresh (they tried to mask it with chili peppers because I wanted the dish without coriander) and OMG, the night by the toilet was not much fun. But that is also Africa - you should never eat anything that is not grilled, fried or packaged and I forgot about that. But it is not such a rave notwithstanding. My vegetarian friend told me the hummus was very good. Another friend spent a night at the toilet after eating their schnitzel. All in all, not that good. The owner is a nice guy though....
Written 4 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ooril
Hello,
If you just read our 350+ excellent reviews you will learn that there is no problem at all to eat raw fish in our restaurant. Most of them are highly recommended that. I’m not sure how to react to what you said about trying to mask your tuna with chilis , only because it’s so ridiculous, they are in the recipe since day one. Our tuna are never old then 3 days - straight from the ocean. In any standard it’s very fresh.
Maybe you cached your poisoning from a place who served drinks with tap water ice (most of places around) check it out - this is number 1 reason while in Zanzibar.
I’m very happy you think I’m a nice guy- you just made my day..
Best regards
Written 19 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeffrey S
13 contributions
Aug 2023 • couples
The food was of mediocre quality and we did not like the online QR code for ordering. You go to a restaurant for the service and hospitality and because of this online menu a large part of the social contact disappears. Food was mediocre. Fish of the day was overcooked and lacking in flavor. Quite pricey for the quality of the food.
Written 11 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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