Tunisia Food and Drink

Food

The cuisine of Tunisia is a mixture of Mediterranean, Berber, Arab, Turkish and Italian influences. There is a strong emphasis on using fresh and locally produced ingredients. Tunisian cuisine is characterized by olive oil, spices, tomatoes, seafood and meat (usual lamb). It is considered much spicier than other foods in North Africa. This is because of the use of harissa in many dishes. Harissa is a hot red pepper sauce made from red chilli peppers and garlic and is flavoured with spices like coriander, cumin, olive oil and tomatoes. Coastal towns incorporate seafood into many dishes and popular fishes include bass, red mullet and grouper, as well as octopus, prawns, calamari and lobster.

Popular dishes include:

Brik à l’oeuf: This is a starter that consists of a lightly cooked egg inside a filo pastry. There are different variations that include prawns or tuna fish.

Chorba: This is another starter common in Tunisia. It is a creamy soup made from tomatoes, onions and pasta grains.

Couscous: This is the national dish of Tunisia and is eaten throughout the country. It is a dish of semolina that is served with vegetables, lamb, poultry or fish. Couscous differs in taste depending on the unique ingredients used.

Agneau à la gargoulette: Another popular meal in Tunisia, it is a lamb stew that has been cooked over a charcoal fire in an earthenware vessel.

Tunisian Tajine: This is very different from the Moroccan tajine and is more like an Italian frittata. It is an egg-based appetizer that is made with meat and cheese. Some regions incorporate seafood while others enjoy making the dish vegetarian.

Makroudh: This is a fried semolina cake that is stuffed with date paste.

Baklava: A very popular dessert in Tunisia, Baklava is a flaky pastry flavoured with almonds and honey.

Drink

Mint tea is the traditional drink of the Tunisian people, some regions serve it with pine nuts. Coffee is also a very popular option. Although being a Muslim country, alcohol is available and there is an old winemaking tradition in Tunisia. Both red and white wines are produced locally. The locally brewed beer is Celtia. Other locally produced alcohol includes Bouka, a clear spirit made from figs, Thibarine, a liqueur made from dates and Cedratine, a liqueur made from lemons. Other international brands are available at more upmarket restaurants.

Things to Know:

Tipping is not required, however, waiters in tourist areas usually expect around 10%. (It is also common to give taxi drivers, porters etc a few coins).

Drinking age:

21

Tunisia Travel Information

At Goway we believe that a well-informed traveller is a safer traveller. With this in mind, we have compiled an easy-to-navigate travel information section dedicated to Tunisia.

Learn about the history and culture of Tunisia, the must-try food and drink, and what to pack in your suitcase. Read about Tunisia's nature and wildlife, weather and geography, along with 'Country Quickfacts' compiled by our travel experts. Our globetrotting tips, as well as our visa and health information, will help ensure you're properly prepared for a safe and enjoyable trip. The only way you could possibly learn more is by embarking on your journey and discovering Tunisia for yourself. Start exploring… book one of our Tunisia tours today!

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