Zunzi's journey began in Savannah, Georgia in 2005.  Founders Johnny and Gaby DeBeer created its eclectic menu by fusing the flavors of their cultural backgrounds, South African, Swiss, Italian, and Dutch.

Years earlier, the two met while working at Olympia Cafe, a Greek spot on the Savannah River.  With the leadership of Olympia's owners, they set out to start their own venture.  Johnny would have preferred a disco, but Gaby had other plans.  To compromise, she let Johnny name their restaurant… He landed on the name Zunzi's, after his favorite place to vacation, Zanzibar.

They quickly fell in love with filling the tummies of SCAD students and local businesspeople craving a saucy sandwich and a South African Sweet Tea.