The Box by Ashley: A Naru Guide to Stone Town’s Most Creative Restaurant
NARU GUIDE · STONE TOWN · RESTAURANTS & LOCAL SPACES
Inside one of Stone Town’s most unique restaurants — part dining room, part art gallery, part garden, and one of Naru Zanzibar’s favourite local spaces.
By Naru Zanzibar · Naru Guide · Stone Town, Zanzibar
A Creative Restaurant in the Heart of Stone Town
The Box by Ashley is not just another restaurant in Stone Town. It is a restaurant, art gallery, garden space, and developing apothecary — all inside one of the city’s most interesting buildings.
Run by Ashley, an American chef who first came to Zanzibar in 2021 and later moved here permanently, The Box feels personal from the moment you walk in. The rooms are filled with art, the food is full of character, and the whole space has the feeling of someone building something with real love and intention.
That is why we wanted to feature it in the Naru Guide. It is the kind of place we send guests when they want to experience the creative side of Stone Town, not just the usual tourist route.
The Box by Ashley — Stone Town, Zanzibar
Ashley’s Zanzibar Story
Ashley first came to Zanzibar while she was on a chef residency in Morocco. She only planned to visit for a short time, but the island stayed with her.
“I just kept dreaming of the place,” she told us.
After finishing her residency, she moved to Zanzibar permanently in November 2021. The restaurant was not originally her plan. She first imagined creating culinary experiences with resorts, bringing in chefs and building food-led travel moments for guests.
The Box happened later, almost by accident. But once the opportunity appeared, Ashley committed to it.
“My stepfather always said: figure out how you want to live first, then build a business around that. That’s where this all came from.” — Ashley
Inside The Box, the restaurant also feels like a gallery.
Inside The Box by Ashley
Walk into The Box and the first thing you notice is the art. It covers the walls and moves through the restaurant, giving the space the feeling of a gallery as much as a dining room.
There are six gallery spaces inside The Box, featuring work from local and visiting artists. The restaurant does not take commission from artwork sales. If a guest is interested in a piece, Ashley’s team simply connects them directly with the artist.
On weekends, the space also hosts painting workshops, giving visitors a chance to sit, create, and experience Stone Town in a different way.
One of the most striking features inside is the chandelier above the main dining room. It was already there when Ashley arrived, and she kept it as part of the soul of the space.
“I can’t even imagine this place without it,” she says. “It just brings the whole room together.”
The open-air garden at The Box by Ashley.
The Garden and Apothecary
At the back of The Box is one of its most beautiful surprises: an open-air garden filled with indigenous Tanzanian plants.
Above the garden is a fishing net that was rescued after a whale became entangled off the Tanzanian coast. The net was brought back to Stone Town and installed above the garden, where plants now grow through it like a living canopy.
“At night, it’s just beautiful. The lights come up through the net. People sit out here, open to the sky — shisha, good company, and stars overhead.” — Ashley
The Box is also slowly becoming an apothecary. What was once a wine cellar is being transformed into a space for tonics, bitters, tinctures, natural remedies, and an expanded mocktail menu.
Elevated comfort food inspired by Zanzibar, the Caribbean, and African American cooking traditions.
The Food
Ashley describes the food at The Box as elevated comfort food. It brings together African American cooking traditions, Caribbean flavour, and local Zanzibari ingredients.
She has cooked across Morocco, the Caribbean, and the United States, but says Zanzibar’s ingredients make cooking here feel special.
“Tomatoes are naturally sweet here. Red onions are super pungent. The seafood is exceptional. Even the simplest dishes come out amazing.” — Ashley
The result is food that feels creative, personal, and rooted in place — the kind of meal that makes sense in Stone Town, a city shaped by centuries of culture, trade, movement, and flavour.
A different side of Stone Town — creative, local, and full of character.
Why Naru Zanzibar Recommends It
Naru Zanzibar recommends The Box by Ashley because it offers more than a meal. It gives guests a look at the modern creative side of Stone Town — the art, the food, the people, and the spaces still being shaped today.
It is a great stop for couples, friends, food lovers, art lovers, and travellers who want something more unique than a standard restaurant experience.
When you join one of our Stone Town tours, we can help you work The Box into your day — whether for a calm visit, dinner, or an evening in the garden.
Visit Details
Location: Stone Town, Zanzibar City
Cuisine: Elevated Afro-fusion comfort food inspired by African American, Caribbean, and local Zanzibari flavours
Best for: Dinner, creative dining, art lovers, couples, friends, and guests looking for something different in Stone Town
Highlights: Art gallery spaces, weekend painting workshops, open-air garden, evening shisha, and a developing apothecary
Best time to visit: Morning for calm, evening for the garden and atmosphere
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Box by Ashley in Stone Town?
The Box by Ashley is a restaurant, art gallery, garden space, and developing apothecary in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
What kind of food does The Box by Ashley serve?
The Box serves elevated Afro-fusion comfort food inspired by African American cooking, Caribbean flavours, and local Zanzibari ingredients.
Is The Box by Ashley good for tourists visiting Stone Town?
Yes. The Box is a great place for visitors who want a more creative and local Stone Town experience beyond the usual sightseeing route.
Why does Naru Zanzibar recommend The Box by Ashley?
Naru Zanzibar recommends The Box because it combines food, art, design, local creativity, and a unique garden setting in the heart of Stone Town.
Explore Stone Town with Naru Zanzibar.
Explore Stone Town with Naru
Our Stone Town Tuk-Tuk Cultural Tour is a guided journey through carved doors, hidden alleyways, local history, street food, and the real rhythm of the city.
