Tanga is a Swahili coastal town, and the food reflects that — grilled fish, coconut rice (wali wa nazi), pilau, octopus, samosas, sweet sticky cassava chips with fiery chilli relish. The market stalls and small chai shops around the centre have the cheapest and often best food; the Tanga Yacht Club and a few small hotel restaurants on Independence Avenue do the more formal sit-down meals.