NO MARMITE IN TUNISIA

Life In Tunisia For British Expats

Recommended Restaurants

With discussions already in the Guestbook about your favourite restaurants, please email me some recommendations/reviews/photos and I can add them to this page for the benefit of us all living out here in Tunisia!   nomarmiteintunisia@yahoo.fr

Favourite Eating Places

TUNIS - LES BERGES DU LAC

Service With A Smile!

If you are feeling a bit peckish, next time you visit the British Embassy, call in at the Bayrouth Cafe!

3 Good reasons to eat there

  • You will be impressed immediately with the decor.  Eat inside or outside on the bamboo covered terrace, with stone walls, plants and greenery, plasma screen television, and decorative waterfall. 
  • Service is fast, polite and courteous and 'with a smile!'  Congratulations to Waiter number 15 who served me today, September 7th, 2007.  Watching him work, he seemed absolutely dedicated to his work, and making sure that all of his customers had the correct food, as quickly and efficiently as possible!
  • The food is delicious!  Being a Lebanese cafe, the menu has many different choices for their cold or hot Mezzes, grilled meats or sandwiches.  My choice included a Kafta sandwich (grilled meat, with salad in a creamy, garlic sauce), citronade with fresh almonds, 2 Maamoul cakes made with dates and pistachios and a Lebanese coffee, all for the very reasonable price of 10 dinars 500 millimes (around £4.08 British pounds!)

Find them at :
6 - 7 Rue du Lac Windermer, Les Berges du Lac,   Telephone : 71 960 244


HAMMAMET

Using the French saying 'pieds dans l'eau,' meaning 'feet in the water,' this is a perfect description of this lovely little eaterie situated right on the beach, next to the Cote D'Azur apartments, about 2 minutes drive from Hammamet.  Restaurant Club Del Mar is worth visiting just for the fabulous location itself, the food and menu choices aint half bad either!

Prices are about a dinar or a couple of dinars more per meal than some restaurants, which is to be expected right in the heart of the tourist zone, but definitely not over expensive.  There are plenty of choices for children, including the most fussy of eaters, for example pizza and chip type meals and with Tunisian choices also.  I think the management may have used slightly less hot, chilli powder, or harissa, as the food was definitely not as fiery as most Tunisian housewives would present you with, but very tasty. 

Eat inside in the attractive stone building, or on the large, outdoor terrace on the sands itself.

Club Del Mar


LA PETITE TERRASSE  HAMMAMET NORTH

A special mention for La Petite Terrasse, a pavement cafe near to the Aqua park in Hammamet.  This is just across the road from the beach, with satellite television, snacks and drinks. 

 
 
Click on any photo to enlarge

If you have a sweet tooth, a must to try is their Cappuccino Creme.  For 2 dinars, your drink comes in a long, tall glass and consists of cappuccino coffee, condensed milk, and chocolate syrup and is topped with lashings of chantilly cream, chocolate shavings and a chocolate finger biscuit.  A spoon is provided to help you plough your way through the piled-high cream, before reaching the coffee!


THE VIEW   HAMMAMET YASMINE

Ten out of ten, for Kate's bar, The View, in Hammamet Yasmine!  Music, a big screen, friendly staff (still smiling after mopping up drinks and spilt chips from my two year old!), comfy seating and chic surroundings with great attention to detail, including everything, even down to the salt and pepper pots, all matching and a lovely outdoor terrace with views of the esplanade and the beach!

Offering HUGE sized portions of delicious food, extremely good value for money, serving all day and every day!  At The View, if you have asked for a salad on your plate, you receive just that!  Not just a handful of lettuce leaves!  If you have asked for chips, you get more than enough for two! 

I enjoyed a monster-sized jacket potato, oozing with my choice of filling, grated cheeze and egg mayonnaise, whilst my kids tucked into their tasty, hot dogs with fried onions.  Kate offers a varied menu, with other choices including crepes and paninis, pizzas and a good, old fashioned, British cup of tea!

 


 
 
SHAKESPEARE BAR
 
 
A friendly, warm welcome, guaranteed from Dawn, originating from Yorkshire, her Tunisian husband Ramzi and British manager Felix! 
 
A special, huge thank you to all the staff at Shakespeare for the birthday bash to celebrate their first anniversary, last Saturday night,  11th August 2007!  Guests were treated to a free bar and allowed to choose any meal from Dawn's extensive menu, as well as being entertained by their resident DJ!
 
Shakespeare is a family friendly, fun bar.  Children are free to mingle and dance on the dance floor, with no raised eyebrow, a definite plus for a mother with 5 of her children in tow!   A special hello also, to Dawn and Ramzi's beautiful little daughter, Yasmine!  My children all enjoyed playing with you!
 
Dawn's menu caters for many tastes!  If you are after Bacon and Eggs, Yorkshire Puddings (how I miss those after living here for two years!), or Shepherd's Pie.....it is there!  If you need Couscous, Seafood Spaghetti, or Brik for your Tunisian relatives.....you will also find these here!
 
Shakespeare Bar is situated in the heart of the main tourist zone, in Hammamet South, near to many of the other popular bars and the outdoor nightclubs.  Call in for the football on the big screens, karaoke competitions, or simply a meal or drink on their large, outdoor terrace. 
 
Congratulations to you all at Shakespeare and here's to many more, successful, years to come!
 

 
Have fun at one of Shakespeare's many themed nights, from Drag shows to Karaoke
 
 
Click on any of the following
photographs to enlarge
 
 
 
 
 
 
NABEUL
 
TWINS
 
Sells food, both snacks and a small selection of traditional Tunisian food, but this delightful little cafe bar excels with its imaginative drinks selection, its teas, coffees, milkshakes, (recommended - the pistachio milkshake, with a big blob of pistachio icecream mixed into the drink!) iced coffees and teas, fresh fruit drinks and fruit cocktails.  Located on Rue Habib Bourguiba, near to Monoprix, with two outdoor terraces, flat screen television and large upstairs lounge area.
 
Melanie and kids living in Beni Khiar
 

 
MAHDIA
 
NINO'S RESTAURANT
 
Anyone wanting a casual meal in Mahdia cannot do better than going to Nino's Restaurant. Their pizzas are excellent, as are their salads, pasta, omelettes and fresh fish dishes. I took a party of 12.
 
Eventual bill was for 2 coke, 2 fanta, 20 fresh orange drinks. 4 small plates of chips, 4 of salad, 3 of olives, harissa and French bread, 1 of prawns in batter. Then, 9 large pizza, 2 omelettes, 1 seafood pasta.  Excellent quality and the cost with generous tip was £25. 
 
One word of advice, if your going to fancy a dessert, take it from Saffr Patisserie next door, because they never have any of those stated on the menu!
 
 
LE LIDO
 
Anyone wanting a little more upmarket meal should consider a meal at any of the fish restaurants situated at the side of the port - we usually decide on Le Lido. The fish served there is literally a couple of hours old and superbly prepared.  Not cheap for Tunisia, it cost us £23 for two, but an excellent choice for a birthday treat. (Mine!)
 
SIDI SALAM
 
If you want to eat whilst watching the fishing boats arrive back to port, then choose Sidi Salam near the indoor market hall situated in the cliff edge.  Pizza, fish, excellent sandwiches etc and very cheap, but be prepared for somewhat casual service! 
Bon appetite!
 
 
 
SOUSSE
 
ENFIDHA GP1 ROADSIDE BARBEQUES
 
 
 
Take three hungry and bored children and mix with a long, hot car journey, with important business clients!
 
Result - Never had I been so glad to stumble across a roadside barbeque on the old main road between Sousse and Hammamet! 
 
This must have been the most deliciously cooked piece of lamb I had ever tasted!  Accompanied by freshly baked, traditional bread, salad mechouia (charcoaled pimientos in olive oil, fresh, crushed garlic and fennel seeds) and coke and chips to keep the children happy, the continuous, embarrassing comments of "When are we there?" and "Open the window, I feel sick....!" were soon forgotten!
 
Peckish and driving on the GP1?  Don't miss it!
 
Melanie and the kids

 
Thumbs up also from Sandra from Sousse
 
There are about 6 BBQ's in a row on the main GP1 at Enfidha. 

 
 
The fresh meat was carefully selected, cut and BBQ'd in minutes and served with freshly made salad mechouia and hot tabouna bread - had wee bits of clay around the edges!!
 
Delicious!
 
THE ENGLISH PUB
 
Ask an expat what they do when they spot a place named something like 'British Bar,' 'English Pub,' or 'London Pub?'  Naturally, curiosity gets the better of you, and you stop to eat or drink, just to find out which part of the UK the owners are from and to ask them a million other questions that come into your head!  Imagine my disappointment today to find out that 'The English Pub,' attached to Hotel Riadh Palms in Sousse, has neither management, owners or staff even the remotest bit connected with our country!
 
The waiters will speak English to you, there are flags up and Arsenal shirts, and British football games showing on their big screen and even a good, old fashioned, English breakfast available, but the only English in there are the tourists at the tables!
 
Still the food was nice enough, a bit pricey and very salty but I had the best omelette I have ever tasted in Tunisia.  I even had a plate of 'SHIPS' thrown in for good measure!
 
 
 
THE SALOON

".....There is a fantastic restaurant in Sousse called The Saloon, it's a real cowboy style restaurant, great food steak, Kentucky fried chicken all served on a board that looks like a painting board, but has a selection of different sauces inserted into it, the entertainment is brilliant we went there at Xmas, and Tuesday night, took my parents again and it was a wicked night, there is also a disco downstairs but for a truly great meal this is the place....!"

Kelly living in Port El Kantaoui describes one of her favourite eating places in Sousse 
 

THUMBS UP FOR.......
 
L'ESCARGOT
 
Situated on Route de la Corniche, opposite El Hana Beach Hotel.  Phone Number 73224779
 
".....I have eaten there many times over the years!  The service is excellent, the food is great and it is not that expensive either....! 
 
Andrew from Sousse
 

LE DAURADE - PORT EL KANTAOUI
 
".....Have often been to Le Daurade in PEK - excellent, especially sitting outside on a pleasant, warm lunchtime watching life pass by.....!" 
 
Jenny living in Mahdia and Nottingham
 
 
SEVILLE INDIAN RESTAURANT
 
".....For anyone wanting to try the best Indian in Tunisia, in my opinion it is called the Seville Indian Restaurant just behind the Seville Shopping Centre along Boulevard 7 Novembre and he is just the nicest man, he also owns a restaurant in Brighton and so knows his stuff, although I only eat the Korma it is just as nice as in England.....!"
 
Kelly living in  Port El Kantaoui - Go There For A Great Curry!
 
 
 
EVEN MORE INDIAN FOOD IN SOUSSE.......
(my mouth is beginning to water already!!)
 
THE CHEF

There is a very famous restaurant in Leicester called the Sakoni which serves pure Gujarati vegetarian food. Now, the sister of the owner has opened a restaurant in Sousse called THE CHEF. It serves traditional Indian food - including meat dishes - and not the adulterated so called "Indian " food which can be experienced over in the UK.

It can be quite busy during lunch times, so I suggest that you book if you want to be sure of a table. If you walk down the main road from the Souk and turn left at the bottom onto the sea front, you will see The Chef on your left. Superb food!!

Jenny living in Mahdia and Nottingham



ESPLANADE 7 ELEVEN - HERGLA
 "..... Open air restaurant with views to die for. Food has always been delicious there and reasonably priced and the service, faultless. Has a small indoor section for winter months or bad weather. Really busy in the evenings....."



SOUSSE CAFES - FAVOURITES WITH THE LADIES
 
L'ARCOBALENA in Port El Kantaoui behind Houria Palace Hotel
".....Downstairs in the bakery they do the best REAL doughnuts I have tasted.....!"
".....It's really modern and many Tunisian women go there too.....!"
 

L'EMERAUDE BLEU at the Dreams Beach Roundabout
".....L'Emeraude Bleu is nice - a good option.....!"

CASA DE GELATO near to Galleria Bowling, Khezema
".....recently extended out front. Really clean with a tremendous selection of ice creams, celebration cakes and they do light snacks and wonderful coffee also. You can sit inside or out....."

Sandra living in Sousse


 


SOUSSE CAFES - FAVOURITES TO TAKE THE KIDS

SARRA BEACH, near to Hergla
"..... On the way to and just before Hergla right on the beach front is Sarra Beach. It was there last year but they are extending it as I write. It has BBQ's, drinks etc - didn't get to see a menu as it's being worked on but ample parking, parasols and even a waterslide right into the sea. Great for the big kids amongst us....."

Sandra living in Sousse

 

MONASTIR
 
LE PIRATE
 
".....I think our favourite is Le Pirate in Monastir.  If you like fish and seafood, it's for you!  Set menu - probably about 5 courses; no alcohol.  It's at the fishing port, in the most unusual of places.  From the marina take the coast road south and head for the old fishing harbour.  Le Pirate is on the left hand side as you go in the main gate.  The address is Porte de Peche, and the telephone number is 73468126....."
 
 
Sandra living in Sousse describes one of her favourite eating places in Monastir

 

 

Pat Debates The 'Gold Bracelets,' 'A Night Spent Doing The Washing-Up,' Or 'Leaving Jenny And Frank As Security' At Le Pirate In Monastir!

Last Wednesday we went for a meal at Le Pirate, a recommended fish restaurant in Monastir.
 
Now the first thing to know is that there are two restaurants with the same name in Monastir so, naturally, the taxi took us to the wrong one first, which was closed.  We finally found the right one, went in and were given a table. Before we'd had a chance to comment on the absence of a menu the waiter plonked down bread and harrissa in front of us, quickly followed by three bowls of fish soup.  Almost before we'd finished he whisked the bowls away and deposited various plates of calamari, shrimps, salads etc. on the table.
 
By this time we were becoming slightly worried as it was obviously a set menu but we had no idea of the price!!  We quickly started working out how much money we had between us and whether they would accept my Visa card or Jenny's gold bracelets if we were short of a dinar or two.  Our concern heightened when this was followed by another large plate of various fish, mussels, etc. then in turn by a large bowl of fruit, lemon sorbet, mint tea, biscuits, sweets.
 
Then A WOODEN PIRATE CHEST OBVIOUSLY CONTAINING THE BILL!  As you can imagine Frank opened it with a degree of trepidation.  Our fears were unfounded however, as it only worked out at 28 dinars a head and the food was delicious, even if the service left a lot to be desired, as at no time were we wished 'bon appetite', asked if we had enjoyed our meal or in fact spoken to, apart from when Jenny asked if all this food was for us and the waiter simply said "Yes!"
 
Most of the people in the restaurant appeared to be businessmen and apparently in the summer you have to make a booking at least a month in advance to get a table and there is no alcohol served.
 
Remember folks, you read it here first and at least I've given you fair warning of what to expect if you venture out that way, but the food was certainly good and you will be able to relax knowing you won't have to take out a second mortgage or leave your wife as security!

 

Where Not To Go!

Those of you eating in Tunis need to beware of some snack bars offering meals for a price per 100g.  Caution is needed as they will not serve you 100g, they will pile on your plate a lot more.  However the following pavement cafe, Paparonne, situated near to the popular souk in the centre of Tunis, went even further than this. 

Sunday is a bad day to visit Tunis, as almost everywhere is closed.  Capitalising on this, the staff in the following cafe literally grabbed myself and daughter Gabrielle off the street and sat us down at the table so quickly, that I was put on guard immediately, right from moment one!

Those of us living out here in Tunisia know that you can buy pastries, sweet or savoury for about 600 - 800 millimes from a patisserie.  Those great fresh, fruit drinks, citron, fraise or orange (fresh lemon, strawberry or orange) can be ordered from between 1 dinar 500m to 3 dinars, depending upon how fancy the restaurant.  It therefore does not take a mathematician to be able to realise that 2 pastries, and 2 fruit drinks do not come to 25 dinars!!

The cafe's argument was that the pastries we had been served weighed 400g each.  The price of this, plus the drinks that they tried to charge me double for, when the sign over the drinks was advertising the correct price right under my nose, still did not add up to 25 dinars, nowhere near!

Please when you are confronted by swindlers and thieves such as these people, shout as loud as you can, refuse to pay and make sure everybody in the restaurant hears you!  Below is a picture of the empty tables outside the restaurant after I followed this course of action!  The management eventually asked me 'what I wanted to pay!'

Paparonne - The cafe that charges you what they like and serves it to you with a metal knife and a plastic fork!