OK, so while Tunis is not exactly a tourist Mecca there is enough foot flow to necessitate people deciding to make touristy restaurants that drain your money! Restaurant Essaraya is one of these places.
This is something I could at least forgive if they served you a beer, but alas it is dry, with the nearest booze being about 25 minutes walk away. The food though is kinda OK and at least it looks pretty.
Table of Contents
What the Restaurant Essaraya?
Restaurant Essaraya is one of the better-known dining spots tucked inside the medina of Tunis (link), not far from the old souks and the Zitouna Mosque. Opened in the late 1980s, it was originally set up to cater to visiting diplomats and tourists looking for a “heritage” experience.
The current owner, Fethi Ben Ali, took over in the mid-2000s and focused on traditional Tunisian cuisine. It occupies an old Ottoman-era house with mosaic tiles, carved ceilings, and courtyard seating. You know “classic”.
The Menu
The menu is theoretically classic Tunisian, with there not really being any innovation as such.
Starters include:
- Brik à l’œuf – deep-fried pastry with egg and tuna, 18 TND (~5 USD)
- Mechouia salad – roasted peppers, tomatoes, onions, olive oil, 15 TND (~4.50 USD)
- Harissa shrimp skewers – 25 TND (~8 USD)
- Lablabi – Tunisian chickpea soup, 12 TND (~3.80 USD)
Main courses include:
- Couscous with lamb – 50 TND (~16 USD)
- Couscous with fish – 55 TND (~17.50 USD)
- Chicken tajine with preserved lemon – 48 TND (~15 USD)
- Grilled sea bream – 60 TND (~19 USD)
- Stuffed peppers with rice and minced meat – 45 TND (~14 USD)
Desserts include:
- Baklava – 12 TND (~3.80 USD)
- Makroud – date-filled semolina pastry, 15 TND (~4.50 USD)
- Orange blossom pudding – 10 TND (~3 USD)
Drinks include:
- Bottled water – 6 TND (~2 USD)
- Soft drinks – 8 TND (~2.50 USD)
- Mint tea – 10 TND (~3 USD)
- Coffee – 8 TND (~2.50 USD)
No alcohol is served – TIS IS NOT A DRILL oh and many dishes that I fancied, such as tongues were not available.
The Food and the Service
The food is at best decent and very indicative of Tunisian cuisine. It is a little bland and far from the highs that Tunisian fare can reach. This is the kind of place that no one is unhappy with, but equally no one is rushing back to.
The service is overbearing. Waiters try to push starters to share among your whole group and fill you up on bread that is charged for.
Photo: Lilou Loche/Mark Kim
Location location location
A truly difficult restaurant to find, with Google Maps offering limited help. It will necessitate a trip through the old town, which is pleasant at least.
Address: 6 Rue des Tamis, Medina, Tunis, Tunisia
Phone: +216 71 561 855
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/vWmZmFZAKqzFGQYg7
Conclusion
Far from the worst restaurant in Tunis, but very middle of the road. Being touristy is not a bad thing in itself, particularly if you are a tourist. You can though find better.
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