It's just impossible to miss the Café des Nattes' flight of stairs, beautiful arched door, and terrace that overlooks the main street. The columns and ceiling inside the coffee house are red and green, and the mats welcome the guests taking tea or smoking a water pipe around the green coffee tables. The Café des Nattes is a genuine institution where artists and intellectuals gather alongside Tunis youth and tourists. It can consequently be overcrowded on weekends and holidays. There is a little shop two steps away from the Café where the famous Sidi Bou Saïd "bambalounis," delicious sugar donuts served hot, are prepared.
The restaurant Au Bon Vieux Temps ("in the good old days") absolutely deserves its name. It is located in an old building in the heart of the village and its well-groomed setting immerses the customer in a quiet and luxurious atmosphere that defines Sidi Bou Saïd's charm in the past century. This restaurant is known, not only for its French and Tunisian cuisine, but also for its terrace and its great sea-view. The fish dishes are served in generous quantities and the meat or fish couscous are delicious. -N.L.
On holidays and weekends this outdoor café is pretty crowded- and there is a reason why! The stepping terraces overlook one of the most outstanding views of the village; namely the Tunis Gulf facing the Bou Kornine Mount, the marina at the bottom of the cliff, and the coastal Tunis Bay stretching out to Tunis. Enjoying a delicious pine nut tea and smoking a water pipe in front of this sumptuous panorama is a pleasure you cannot get tired of!
The bar of the Villa Didon hotel attracts a posh and trendy clientele that comes for the modernist design along with the panoramic view of Tunis Bay. Each day from 3p to 7p, the bar turns into a tea room. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights there is a DJ who mixes lounge music. N.L.
The Dar El Jeld restaurant took up the challenge of combining a sumptuous historical setting with the delicacy of the Tunisian cuisine and the result is just amazing! It is located in the Medina, close to the Kasbah, and actually occupies an ancient building which housed the former Ottoman beys' administration. This building was successfully renovated and turned into a restaurant in 1987. Guests enjoy ambient Arabic music and sumptuous Ottoman décor of chandeliers, painted ceilings, oriental carpets, ancient furniture and walls adorned with colored tiles and carved stucco. The Dar El Jeld serves different kind of menus, based on meat or fish dishes, all cooked by the book of the traditional Tunisian gastronomy. Try the Couscous aux Fruits Secs or the Loup Farçi en Feuilleté, both quite delicious. Moreover, the service is impeccable. Tunisian Wine Menu. Air-conditioning. Hours vary as per seasons and festivals, please check the website.
Don't miss the Saf Saf while visiting La Marsa! This big, partly-outdoor, shaded coffeehouse is a veritable institution in La Marsa! It was established more than a century ago, near the Noria Well. Its popularity is steady from year to year, and a joyful crowd gathers here all day long. People play cards, chess or backgammon while smoking a hookah (shisha) and drinking tea or coffee. The cafe is also famous for the tuna and egg briqs it serves, which are especially crispy. N.L.
Set in a sleek space with oriental decor on the walls, fancy lamps and wooden furnishings, Opium Club Restaurant Chinois is the place to be for those who are in the mood to dig into some decadent Asian eats. Szechuan Chilli Chicken, Wok Tossed Veggies in Honey and Black Bean Glaze and Shitake Fried Rice with Water Chestnuts are just some of the dishes you can call here. If you are in the mood for a tasty Asian meal, then Opium Club Restaurant Chinois.
Set in a cozy space with a red brick wall, a self-serve counter and a display of pastries and other treats, Le Chat Noir Espresso Bar is a great place to enjoy a refreshing beverage. Known for specializing in coffees, the restaurant is popular with both the office-goers and the youngsters. Snacks like pastries and homemade cakes are also on offer for those who are in the mood to complement their beverage. If you are in the mood for a refreshing drink or a sweet treat, then heading to Le Chat Noir Espresso Bar can be a good idea.
Boasting of a warm decor with wooden furnishings, bright lights and floor-to-ceiling windows, Le Dictateur is a great place to be for those who are in the mood to feast on decadent Italian fare. Burrata Italienne, Beef Tagliata and Chicken Spinach Roll are just some of the dishes that are popular among the locals here. Food can also be complemented with the variety of wines on offer here or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. If you are in the mood for a memorable Italian meal, then certainly consider heading to the cozy Le Dictateur.
Set in a cozy space with dim fancy lights and a few tables, Bistro Nippon is a great place to be for those who are in the mood to enjoy a delicious Japanese meal in pleasant surroundings. Run by husband-wife duo, the restaurant’s specialities include dishes such as Diabolo Handmade Noodles, Sesame Noodle Soup and Okonomiyaki, which is essentially Japanese omelette. If you are in the mood for a tasty Asian meal in memorable surroundings, then an evening at Bistro Nippon might be just what you need.
In operation since 2016 and boasting of a warm decor with wooden floors and furnishings in an open breezy space, L’Ardoise is a great place to be, especially for those who are in the mood to feast on decadent Italian fare. Spaghetti Frutti di Mare, Ravioli with Porcini Mushrooms and Pasta al Pollo are just some of the dishes that are popular among the locals here. For desserts, it’s the Oreo Cheesecake that is quite popular. If you are in the mood for a memorable meal, then certainly consider heading to the cozy L’Ardoise.
In operation since 2012, El Ali is a great place to be for those who are in the mood to relax over a refreshing cup of coffee. Set in a cozy space with suede sofas, carpeted floors, well-lit paintings on the walls, El Ali is also known for its range of French seafood dishes and Tunisian Fare besides specializing in coffees. Lamb Couscous, Meatballs Marmite and Poulet Grand Mere are just some of the dishes one can call for here. If you are in the mood for a refreshing drink or a tasty meal, then heading to El Ali can be a good idea.