Top 14 Tunisian dishes you must try

Tunisian dishes are flavourful and to some surprisingly spicy. The taste and ingredients differ quite a lot from their neighbouring North African countries. Tunisia is a true culinary gem located between Algeria and Libya. Its cultural heritage definitely played a role in the Tunisian cuisine, as you notice Arab, Berber and Mediterranean influences.

Before meeting my Tunisian boyfriend I had no idea about its rich cuisine either, so don’t worry, it’s never too late to learn. I have created a list of typical Tunisian dishes that you have to tick off when you’re travel to Tunisia.

1. Couscous

According to Tunisians, their couscous is of a whole other level than couscous in other African countries. A list of Tunisian dishes simply wouldn’t be complete without mentioning couscous. Tunisian couscous is not the same as couscous in other surrounding countries. They have tons of varieties, but I really enjoyed the one with fish and the one with lamb. Tunisian couscous is often served with some vegetables and spices giving it a great taste.

2. Brik

Brik is a crispy savoury street food snack or starter in Tunisia, with different options of fillings. The most common one is made with tuna, capers, parsley and an egg. You can either choose to have it with a soft or a hard egg. The thin pastry is filled, then folded into a triangle and deep-fried. We make it at home now and then, but it’s quite a challenge to keep the egg from leaking out. Brik is a great afternoon or late night snack, the crunchy outside and soft inside make it a must-try delicacy.

3. Slata Mechouia

I’m still very happy I finally remember this word, because I’ve been struggling a lot with the names of all the Tunisian dishes. Anyway, Slata Mechouia is a popular Tunisian “salad” made from grilled vegetables. The literal translation is actually grilled salad. This dish is made with roasted or grilled vegetables, giving it a smoky taste. We made it on the barbecue a few times and it’s so good! This is the popular combination of vegetables: Onion, Green and Red peppers, Chillies, Tomatoes, Garlic and a generous amount of olive oil (another Tunisian delicacy). These are mixed with spices and the dish is then garnished with olives and a boiled egg.

4. Harissa

Harissa is not really a dish, but it’s a significant ingredient in Tunisian cuisine that deserves to be mentioned here. It’s a chilli paste that adds a nice kick to basically every dish. Tunisians eat it with nearly everything, from couscous to pasta to grilled meat. It can also be used as a dip for bread when you mix it with some olive oil. Whenever a dish is missing something, Harissa solves it. Tunisians and Harissa are like a true love story, it’s their pride and it even has a UNESCO Heritage status. This chilli paste is made from a blend of hot chilli peppers, garlic, olive oil, and various spices.

5. Makroudh

Makroudh is a sweet treat made of dates and/or nuts and they are so delicious! These sweet “cookies” come in different varieties, but the tiny ones filled with dates are my favourite. They say that Makroudh originates in the city of Kairouan where they also held the first National Makroudh festival. However, you will find these all over the country in pastry shops or in the souks. Make sure you have a coffee with some Makroudh when you’re in Tunisia. Tunisia is known for its high quality pastries, in which they use ingredients like rose water and orange blossom water.

6. Kafteji

If you’re a fan of spicy food, you have to try this. Kafteji can be eaten as a dish or as a sandwich. I tried the sandwich, but I’m sure both are good. The main ingredients are bell peppers (spicy ones) and aubergine with a variety of spices, fresh herbs, scrambled eggs and often topped with fries. When we tried this in Kairouan, the lady asked us multiple times if I was sure that I didn’t want to have some chicken and salad or basically anything else but that. She probably thought I couldn’t handle it. Well, she was right 🙂 I enjoyed half of it, but then the heat got to me, so I couldn’t finish it.

7. Bambalouni

Bambalouni is another word that I have like 5 variations for.. Bomboloni, Boumbaloni.. Potato Potato. Bambalouni’s are basically the donuts of Tunisia. A big ring of dough, deep-friend and dipped, rolled, and coated in sugar. The best thing is that they make them fresh for you on the spot, so they’re still warm and fluffy. Nowadays, there are other options available as well, covered or filled with Nutella, Honey, or other flavours. There is one famous stand in Sidi Bou Saïd in Tunis, where they have been making these since 1932!

8. Mloukhiya

Mloukhiya has quite a distinct taste. It is a traditional Tunisian dish made of the leaves of the jute plant. These are cooked for a very long time with garlic, coriander, and olive oil and often eaten with some red meat.

9. Tunisian Tajine

Tunisian Tajine is nothing like the Moroccan Tajines you might know. It’s a completely different dish, which can be confusing sometimes. The Tunisian Tajine is an egg-based dish which is made in the oven. The ingredients can vary, but they often make it with chicken, potato, olives, capers, onion, fresh parsley and different cheeses. It is actually closer to a Spanish tortilla, which is a thick omelet. This is one of my favourite dishes as it’s easy to make, full of protein, and very tasty.

10.Tunisian ice-cream or gelat

You may not know this, but ice-cream in Tunisia is next level! As a true ice cream addict I can say that I’ve had some of the best ice-cream in Tunis. The texture, flavours and size of a cone of gelat is amazing. Especially for the price! It’s similar to Italian gelato, which is where their word “gelat” might come from. Do yourself a favour and get at least one ice cream a day.

11. Ojja

Tunisian Ojja is often mixed up with Shakshouka, but they’re not exactly the same. Ojja consists of tomatoes, paprika, eggs, Harissa and usually merguez, but it could also be made with fresh seafood and chicken. This Tunisian stew tastes a bit like a Mediterranean dish with the typical Tunisian spice.

12. Lablebi

Lablebi is a typical Tunisian winter dish to get you through the colder days. It’s heavy and full of carbs, but we like to eat it once or twice a year. Lablebi is a mix between a stew and a soup and it’s a well-known street food dish in Tunisia. The base is a cumin and garlic flavoured broth which is then filled with chickpeas, pieces of bread, tuna, eggs and of course Harissa. I never tried it in Tunisia, but my partner made it a few times.

13. Mlewi

Mlewi is a Tunisian flatbread filled with a variety of ingredients, such as tuna, salami, eggs, cheese, chicken, Harissa and slata mechouia. It’s a common street food snack but people also eat it for breakfast, where they dip it in olive oil and honey. I tried it and it is heavenly! I thought Dutch people were big bread consumers, but Tunisians are of another level. They eat bread with almost every meal.

14. Omek Houria/Ummak huriyya

Omek Houria mainly consists of cooked carrots. It reminds me of a Dutch traditional dish called ‘Hutspot”, except the Tunisian dish tastes way better. Omek Houria is a mash of cooked carrots, fried onion and garlic, spices, Harissa and olive oil and it’s often topped with tuna and olives. It can be eaten hot or cold and has a nice kick to it, just like most Tunisian dishes. In restaurants they sell it as a starter, but you can have it as a side dish as well.

Tunisia’s culinary landscape is rich in flavours, textures, and aromas. From the iconic couscous to the spicy kick of Harissa, each dish tells a story of tradition, and reflects the warm hospitality of the Tunisians. When you get the chance to visit Tunisia, be open and try as much food as you can. The spiciness might hit you in the beginning, but trust me, it’s worth it!

Read about the places you must visit in Tunisia!