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Tunis

Restaurants in Tunis

  1. A

    Dar Bel Hadj

    This is a grand traditional restaurant in a sumptuous 17th-century mansion, an extraordinary surprise after the medina's narrow streets. The food is delicious and recommended. Try the Tunisian mixed hors d'oeuvres and the brochettes de mérou (grouper kebabs). The restaurant's golf buggy will pick you up and drop you off from Place de Gouvernement in the evening.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Chez Nous

    This feels like an Italian-American mobsters' haunt. It's in a snug back room and is nothing fancy, but the food is good and there are faded black-and-white photos of faded stars on the walls.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Dar el-Jeld

    This is special from the moment you knock on the grand bee-yellow arched doorway, which opens onto an elaborate 18th-century mansion - it's like stepping into a lavishly decorated jewellery box. The magnificent dining room is in a covered central courtyard, with secluded alcove tables around the edge.

    A good way to start is with the mixed hors d'oeuvres, then try delicious traditional Tunisian dishes such as kabkabou (fish with tomatoes, capers and olives), all accompanied by the twanging tones of the resident elderly musician.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Tontonville

    This buzzing place has plain, no-nonsense décor, heavily curtained from the street, so punters can tuck into the alcohol on offer with impunity. It also has lots of good fish. The salade mechouia (grilled peppers and tomatoes with olive oil and garlic, served garnished with olives or tuna) that accompanies the dishes comes with a kick.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Al-Mazar

    As befits a bar cunningly disguised as a restaurant, this is buzzing and convivial; lone women might find it intimidating. With paintings on the walls and big globe lampshades, you might think yourself in Paris. The food is excellent, with special mention going to the harissa (spicy chilli paste) and to the chocolate mousse.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Restaurante Les 3 Étoiles

    This is a great little basic place with cheap-as-chips food - fill-you-up couscous or blow-your-top salade mechouia (grilled peppers and tomatoes with olive oil and garlic, served garnished with olives or tuna) - whirring fans, plastic tablecloths, and satisfied customers.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Le Malouf

    If you fancy some pasta, this Italian-owned place is where to head. It's smart, with big artworks decorating the interior and courtyard tables out the front - a charming find in central Tunis. A guitar duo cranks up the atmosphere on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Mahdaoui

    Central and cheap, here the tables fill a narrow alley by the Zaytouna Mosque. The simple daily menu offers couscous, fish, chicken, lamb (sometimes half a head - yikes) and so on - greasy but pretty good. If you get here late there won't be much choice left.

    reviewed

  9. La Croisette

    The burgeoning lakeside Berges du Lac development is trendy and prices reflect this, but this popular salon de thé-restaurant has a lovely waterside setting, sells anything from ice cream and cakes to pizzas, and is surrounded by fairy lights.

    reviewed

  10. I

    Bolero

    Tucked down a seedy alley, this cosy corner with red tablecloths and low lighting is favoured by Tunis businessmen, who retreat here for long lunches to peruse the long wine list. It specialises in grilled meats and seafood and prides itself on its paella.

    reviewed

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  12. J

    Café de Paris Brasserie

    A very handy little place (great for kids), with a nice, clean little interior and a few outside tables. Choose from pizzas, couscous and a good range of salads, such as Roquefort and walnut. Also serves alcohol.

    reviewed

  13. K

    Neptune

    With its curly wrought-iron chairs, Formica tabletops and wicker-framed mirrors that could have been plucked from 1970s suburbia, this chirpy place has simple Tunisian favourites, including fresh fish.

    reviewed

  14. L

    Café Chaoechin

    The oldest Medina café, where sheeshas (waterpipe used to smoke tobacco) gurgle among the ornate cubby-holes of the hat-makers' souq, with rickety painted tables under tiled arches.

    reviewed

  15. M

    Dar Hamouda Pacha

    Whitewashed alcoves around small, calm courtyards, and mute-coloured sofas - this is the chichi way to smoke your sheesha (waterpipe used to smoke tobacco); has good Turkish coffee.

    reviewed

  16. N

    L'Orient

    Cluttered and busy. Tall ceilings, brick arches, swords, shells, and yellow-and-green swirling tiling all supply a strong Andalusian flavour, matched by the seafood slant of the menu.

    reviewed

  17. O

    Andalous

    Dimly lit by ornate lanterns and decorated with carved wooden screens, this has a Moroccan feel, a discreet TV in the corner, affable waiters and tasty seafood and meat dishes.

    reviewed

  18. P

    M'Rabet

    Above the busy traditional café, this is a formal small restaurant with good views of the Zaytouna Mosque, specialising in Tunisian dishes and mainly catering to groups.

    reviewed

  19. Q

    Carcassonne

    Remarkable value is the name of the game at this small, popular, friendly place, with good-quality traditional food in pleasant, relaxed surroundings. Service is fast.

    reviewed

  20. R

    Capri

    A bit cramped, with lots of pinewood on two levels, this is a lively place popular with heavily smoking businessmen. It serves alcohol alongside good simple seafood.

    reviewed

  21. S

    Abid

    With a busily tiled interior, TV, flickering neon and simple Tunisian staples (specialising in spicy Sfaxian dishes), this is a good-value neighbourhood favourite.

    reviewed

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  23. T

    Margaritas

    You get good service, cooking and value at this business and tourist favourite: a small hotel restaurant decorated in dusky mauve and dark wood.

    reviewed

  24. U

    Capitole

    This long-standing place has tasty traditional food, served in a slightly flouncy function room, with views over the busy main drag below.

    reviewed

  25. V

    Le Carthage

    Heavy on the camp and kitsch statuary, but with prize-winning couscous and specialising in seafood, this is an intimate, popular choice.

    reviewed

  26. W

    Café Ez-Zitouna

    Beautifully tiled arched rooms, full of fragrant smoke, open to the street.

    reviewed

  27. X

    Fast Food

    This popular pocket-sized place does great cheap sandwiches.

    reviewed