A new Belgian-owned boutique hotel in Jambiani has quickly risen to a pilgrimage point for cocktail lovers.
Opened only two years ago (half of that during Corona times) the Kupaga Villas at the Mshangani stretch of southern Jambiani offer some of the finest cocktails on the island, in combination with an innovative coastal cuisine. The eight room establishment with pool is run by 29-year-old former lawyer Inès Gallala from Belgium, who opened the boutique hotel with her mother after falling in love with Zanzibar during a holiday. “I’ve never regretted it”, she says.
Not only resident guests but a good number of outside clients have come to frequent Kupaga for its food and drinks; during happy hour two cocktails are served for the price of one (TZS 14,000). Dinner serves mouth watering Sesame Tuna Tataki to Lobster Mushroom Risotto, or simply some homemade Falafel or a “Paris sandwich” with brie on sourdough bread.
In the cocktail section, it’s customer’s choice with “Botanical Gin & Tonics” with lemongrass, cardamom or hibiscus competing with classics such as Daiquiri and truly the best Moscow Mule outside St Petersburg. Bartender Noel Haule is happy to share the recipe: Wodka, Stoney, 2 lime (!), mint leaves, 3 slice of cucumber, 1 teaspoon sugar.
Kupaga Villas, https://www.kupagavillas.com/
