Tunis Restaurants

Our first night in Tunis we were treated to a wonderful meal at this quaint restaurant. After a series of appetizers that was shared amongst the six diners (and great bread), we al chose different entrees. I had the stuffed lamb and it was awesome. None of my colleagues were disappointed in their meals which ranged from couscous to seafood to other lamb dishes. I apologize that I was so engrossed in my meal that I didn’t take note of other meals. I do know that everyone walked away impressed and the cleanliness and service was impeccable. It is easy to see why this restaurant was chosen as to kick off a great week of great food.

Favorite Dish: The stuffed lamb was very very good.

My colleagues and I dined at this Indian restaurant one evening and were surprised to find out we were the only patrons. We made our way upstairs and settled for a table by a plasma TV that was showing some Bollywood movie and later music videos. After enjoying some appetizers, we all ordered something different (don’t ask me what – I only know mine was chicken something). I am not a big Indian cuisine kind of guy, but I did enjoy my meal as did the other three people dining with me. Service was good, but not great, and the restaurant was clean, but we did see a few bugs crawling. That said, everyone really enjoyed their meal and there were no complaints. Although not my first choice, I would go back and eat here again.

We ate at this restaurant for lunch twice during our week in Tunis. The restaurant and service was impeccable. Each dish was prepared and presented perfectly, from simple shwarma to delicious plats du jour. The restaurant has three levels. If you are looking for a quick sandwich, remain on the ground floor and order. If you would like a plate with salad and hummus, venture upstairs. I would recommend venturing upstairs…the hummus is amazing. And be sure to leave room for mint tea, a staple of Tunisian dining.

Favorite Dish: The hummus was amazing, but I rtuly loved my chicken shwarma the best.

This is a real traditional style restaurant, even though it is in a luxury hotel.
When you walk inside out of the hotel corridor you imagine you are somewhere in the Casbah.
All the decor is traditional and simple with a flagged floor and local arts and crafts.
The staff are friendly and helpful and are very good at explaining the dishes on the menu.

Favorite Dish: The lamb cooked in a traditional clay pot is really good and so different to anything I have had before. It is best if you share as the portion is huge. The lamb is baked in herbs and spices in a large clay pot that is sealed so all the juices and taste stay in. The waiter breaks the pot at your table. It is served with couscous and vegetables.
You need to be very hungry as the portions are big and it is very difficult to resist the lovely fresh local bread they bring before the meal!

1 more image

On our first day in Tunis we went for a very late lunch while exploring the medina. Ruth wasn't hungry as she had eaten on the plane a few hours before but I was ravenous so we stopped at this restaurant, which was near the Great Mosque, on rue Jemaa Zitouna.

Here I learned my first lessons about Tunisian restaurants.

1) No matter what drink you order, even if it's not on the menu or served in the restaurant, you'll get it. Ruth ordered a coke and we saw our waiter walk down the street with an empty coke bottle. He came back about 10 minutes later with a full bottle. No idea where he went!

2) If you order the fish, there's a good chance it will be served with head attached. This kind of put me off eating it but not quite as I was so hungry. If you're the squeamish type order something else.

Mahdoui is open from 11-4 but if you want a good choice of main courses I'd advise getting there early. The menu looked nice but at 3pm all that was left was the fish. It cost about 6D for a main course and two drinks. Very good value but the food was only adequate.

Twelve Dinars for an entire meal for two people! It does not get better than this.

By our last night in Tunisia we were well used to eating in the cheap, locals restaurants. Abid specialises in Sfaxian food. It's an extremely friendly place and even though we were the only non-locals there we were made very welcome.

We were brought a huge plate of olives, bread and harissa after we sat down. Abid didn't serve alcohol so we had bottles of cold mineral water to accompany our food. We both had Salade de Tomates for starters while for mains I had Merguez (spicy lamb sausages) and Ruth had couscous. This was the biggest couscous I've ever seen. I helped her eat it and even between us we didn't get through half of it.

We didn't have a dessert though we were brought complimentary mint teas by the owner which was a nice way to round of our meal and our trip to Tunisia.

1 more image

Carthage is a lovely restaurant on a quiet street near Avenue Bourguiba. From outside it didn't look like much. We peered in through the window and couldn't see anyone eating in the downstairs section so we assumed it was either closed or very quiet.

A guy sitting behind a desk downstairs beckoned us in and indicated that the restaurant was upstairs. So up we went, dressed like two backpackers only to be met by very well attired waiters. We felt very underdressed but no one seemed to mind. A TV blaring in the background made us feel a little more comfortable.

Carthage is more expensive than your average Tunisian restaurant. It also serves alcohol which you only find in touristy type places or more expensive local places. This was one of the latter. As it was Saturday night the restaurant was nearly full though we were the only non Tunisians. Most of the diners were youngish, affluent Tunisians.

We both went for the 12 Dinar set menu plus a bottle of red wine (Terrale - one of the famous names in Tunisian wines). The food was delicious and as it was our first night in Tunisia it was quiet a novelty to be brought our free appetizers of olives, harissa, tuna and bread. Little did I know you get this in practically every restaurant in the country. Among the dishes we had were Salade de Tomates, Salade Tunisien, Wiener Schnitzel and Tagine.

The service here was mostly excellent. I asked for a fruit salad as all the desserts were too sugary for a diabetic and they made up the nicest fruit salad I can remember. And they didn't charge anything extra. The wine waiter must still be learning the trade as he took ages to open the bottle then spilt it everywhere when he was pouring the first glass! Overall, we really enjoyed the night. The bill came to 38 Dinar which was excellent value for such a nice meal.

1 more image

After visiting a posh restaurant on our first night in Tunis we tried the other end of the scale at Noir & Blanc, a good value place near our hotel on rue de Yougoslavie. The average main course cost about 5 Dinar though I decided to splash out and try the 8D steak. We were brought the usual appetizer of olives, harissa and bread while for starter we both had Salade Tunisienne. The food was very nice and overall it was good value at 20 Dinar for everything.