21 Traditional Tunisian Dishes
Discover the rich culinary heritage of Tunisia with our selection of 21 Traditional Tunisian Dishes, each reflecting the country’s vibrant flavors, diverse ingredients, and centuries-old cooking traditions. From hearty couscous and slow-cooked stews to fresh salads, savory pastries, and spiced seafood, these dishes showcase the perfect balance of Mediterranean freshness, North African warmth, and bold, aromatic spices like harissa, cumin, and coriander. Carefully prepared with fresh vegetables, tender meats, and seafood, each recipe tells a story of Tunisian culture, hospitality, and passion for food, inviting you to experience an authentic taste of Tunisia in every bite.
21 Traditional Tunisian Dishes:
Tunisian Main Dishes
Our Tunisian Main Dishes celebrate the heart of Tunisia’s culinary heritage, where time-honored recipes meet bold spices and generous hospitality. From fragrant couscous varieties and comforting stews to rice and pasta specialties passed down through generations, each dish reflects the diverse influences of the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Sahara. Fresh vegetables, tender meats, and seafood are carefully combined with spices such as cumin, coriander, and harissa to create flavors that are rich, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Whether vegetarian, meat-based, or seafood, these mains are prepared slowly and with care, inviting you to experience the warmth, tradition, and authentic taste of Tunisian home cooking.
Shakshouka
(🍃 or 🍖)
Shaksouka is a classic Tunisian dish of eggs poached in a rich, spiced tomato and pepper sauce with garlic, cumin, and harissa.
Mehchi
(🍃 or 🍖)
Mehchi features vegetables such as peppers, zucchini, or potatoes stuffed with a flavorful mixture of spiced meat or seasoned vegetable fillings.
Couscous with stuffed Squid (🐟)
Couscous with stuffed squid combines tender semolina grains with squid filled with a savory herb and spice stuffing, simmered in a fragrant tomato sauce.
Couscous with Octopus
(🐟)
Couscous with octopus pairs perfectly cooked couscous with tender octopus stewed in a deeply spiced, aromatic sauce.
Couscous with Vegetables (🍃)
This is a flexible section where you can sCouscous with vegetables is a hearty dish topped with slow-cooked seasonal vegetables in a warmly spiced tomato broth.
Couscous with Chicken
(🍖)
Couscous with chicken is a comforting Tunisian staple featuring juicy chicken and vegetables simmered in a mildly spicy, flavorful sauce.
Couscous with Lamb
(🍖)
Couscous with lamb showcases tender lamb slow-cooked with vegetables and bold spices, served over fluffy steamed couscous.
Rouz Jerbi
(🍃 or 🍖 or 🐟)
Rouz Jerbi is a specialty from Djerba made of rice cooked together with meat or vegetables, chickpeas, and spices in one intensely flavored dish.
Nouasser – Tunisian Pasta (🍃 or 🍖)
Nwaser is a traditional Tunisian pasta dish served with a rich meat sauce, chickpeas, and a blend of warming spices.
Jelbena – Tunisian Green Pea Paste (🍃 or 🍖)
Jalbeno is a comforting Tunisian stew made with chicken or vegetables, simmered with chickpeas, herbs, and spices for deep, home-style flavor.
Loubia – Tunisian Red Been Paste (🍃 or 🍖)
Loubia is a hearty Tunisian red bean stew, slowly cooked in a rich tomato sauce with garlic, spices, and olive oil, creating a thick, comforting dish that is deeply rooted in everyday Tunisian home cooking.
Kabama – Tunisian Sauce with olives (🍖)
Kabama is a flavorful Tunisian sauce made with tender meat, olives, tomatoes, and warm spices, gently simmered until rich and savory, perfect for scooping up with fresh bread.
Mosli – Tunisian Sauce with potato and Chicken (🍖)
Mosli is a mild and comforting Tunisian stew made with chicken and potatoes, slow-cooked with onions and spices into a simple, satisfying dish often enjoyed as a family meal.
Douida – Tunisan Pasta with Meat (🍖)
Douida is a traditional Tunisian pasta dish made with small hand-rolled pasta, cooked in a savory meat and tomato sauce infused with spices for a deeply comforting and nourishing meal.
Grilled Whole Fish (🐟)
Tunisian grilled whole fish is simply prepared with olive oil, herbs, garlic, and spices, then grilled until tender and smoky, highlighting the freshness of the fish with bold Mediterranean flavors.
21 Traditional Tunisian Dishes:
Our Tunisian Starters
Our Tunisian Starters offer a vibrant introduction to the rich flavors of Tunisia, blending fresh vegetables, tender seafood, and savory meats with aromatic herbs and spices. From crispy briks and flaky flatbreads to smoky grilled salads and hearty stews, each starter is crafted to awaken the palate and showcase the diversity of Tunisian cuisine. Whether you choose a light vegetarian dish, a flavorful seafood option, or a meaty delight, these small plates embody the warmth, creativity, and authentic taste of Tunisian home cooking, making every meal a true culinary journey.
Octopus Salade (🐟)
Octopus salad is a fresh and zesty Tunisian starter made with tender octopus, olive oil, lemon, and aromatic herbs.
Kafteji (🍃)
Kafteji is a popular Tunisian appetizer of fried mixed vegetables, finely chopped and seasoned with spices and olive oil.
Mlewi (🍃)
Mlewi is a traditional Tunisian flatbread, pan-cooked until flaky and often served plain or filled.
Slata Mechouia (🍃)
Slata Mechouia is a smoky grilled vegetable salad made with peppers and tomatoes, seasoned with olive oil, garlic, and spices.
Ojja (🍖 or 🐟)
Ojja is a spicy tomato-and-egg dish simmered with merguez, seafood, or vegetables, full of bold Tunisian flavor.
Brik (🍃 or 🍖 or 🐟)
Brik is a crispy pastry filled with egg, tuna, or meat, fried to golden perfection.
Tajine Malsouka (🍃 or 🍖)
Tajine Malsouka is a baked Tunisian dish layered with eggs, cheese, and vegetables or meat in thin pastry sheets.
Jardiniere (🍃)
Jardiniere is a colorful mixed vegetable salad tossed with light seasoning and olive oil.
Chappati (🍃)
Chapatti is a soft Tunisian bread or wrap, often served plain or filled with savory ingredients.
Fricasée ( 🍃or 🐟)
Fricassée is a small fried bread sandwich filled with tuna, egg, potatoes, olives, and harissa.