Tunisia boasts a rich history that dates back to ancient Carthage to the Moors to the French to modern Islamic culture. Each of these empires has left their thumbprint on Tunisia's evolving culinary scene and there is no better place to enjoy it than in Hammamet, which has a veritable feast of fine restaurants to choose from while on holiday.
Local cuisine
La Bella Marina Restaurant is a small eatery that specialises in Tunisian cuisine. Open from the early morning into the late evening, breakfast through dinner is available. La Bella Marina is located quite far from the majority of hotels in Hammamet, so it is advised to take a cab arranged through your hotel. You can sit inside or outside in this restaurant as long as the weather obliges. As its name suggests, La Bella Marina restaurant specialises in seafood fished from the Mediterranean Sea with local spices and techniques.
La Maison Arabe is a lovely hole in the wall eatery that serves traditional local food. This restaurant is located in the centre of the medina in downtown Hammamet. Located in a historic building, it retains its elements of a former era with Moorish archways, a classic menu and details that will make you feel like you really are immersing yourself in the culture. Their menu has affordable favourites like couscous and fish. The first floor of La Maison Arabe is more of a casual eatery and the second floor is the proper restaurant.
For local cuisine with an elegant ambiance, Fatma is perfect for a romantic dinner for two. Like many other traditional restaurants in Hammamet, Fatma has a menu fill of classics like fish, lamb, couscous and fresh catches from the Mediterranean. The waiters and waitresses here are incredibly attentive, which adds to its high-end appeal. Fatma sits on a hillside overlooking the sea so there are spectacular views to enjoy while you dine.
Another excellent option for Tunisian cuisine, Resto de la Plage also overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Dining on the terrace is absolutely lovely and the food here matches the wonderful view. The menu is full of Tunisian classics with a French twist, ranging from techniques to ingredients that are not native to Tunisia. Like many other restaurants in the area, Resto de la Plage does not serve alcohol in observance of Islamic culture.
If you are travelling to Hammamet with children, Condor is a great choice. Condor has a wide range of options on its menu, including traditional favourites like couscous and lamb, plus various pasta dishes, too. Condor is a very small restaurant, with only two dining rooms, and it can be hard to find. It is hidden away on a side street so it's recommended to get directions from your hotel for your taxi driver before you go.
La Terrasse is an upscale restaurant that specialises in Tunisian cuisine with a twist. There is indoor and outdoor dining areas to take advantage of the beautiful weather and romantic balmy evenings. The service is well renowned in the area and the restaurant is held in wide regard. The indoor dining room at La Terrasse is sophisticated and modern, a change from the classic rooms of other Tunisian eateries. The chic décor comes with a larger than average price tag.
Mashawe Hot 2 Hot, known as "Hot and Hot" by locals, is a restaurant with many local classics on its menu. It has a large menu so if you are looking to explore Tunisian cuisine, they will likely have the most options to choose from. However, it is not just local food on the menu, there are also options from Western cuisine like pizzas and pasta in case you have picky eaters in tow. Mashawe Hot 2 Hot is conveniently located next to a supermarket. After your meal, you can stop in for packaged and fresh foods to bring back to your hotel room.
Located in the medina area of Hammamet, Restaurant La Medina is located within walking distance of many popular attractions. To get into the restaurant, you have to walk up stairs that are within the medina's walls and it has stunning views that overlook both the city and the Mediterranean Sea. Unlike many Tunisian restaurants, this restaurant has a drink list and a selection of wines to accompany your meal. Best of all, the Restaurant La Medina is extremely affordable and offers generous portions at great prices.
For a traditional meal with décor to match, Sidi Bouhdid is a charming option. This restaurant is located within the busy medina area of Hammamet. It serves to be an oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of this area, which is filled with tourists and locals alike. There is an inner courtyard of Sidi Bouhdid that allows for outdoor dining without the extra noise of the medina. While there are numerous Tunisian classics on the menu, there are also panini, pizzas and pastas to choose from if you are not feeling adventurous.
Another popular restaurant with local cuisine is Viking. Despite its unique name, this small restaurant has classic options like fish that is caught from the Mediterranean Sea and couscous. But like many restaurants that cater to tourists, there are other cuisines on the menu including Italian. Viking has a range of pizzas and panini that will keep kids and picky eaters happy while others explore Tunisian cuisine.
Modern European
Da Franco is a modern restaurant popular with tourists and locals alike. Da Franco is an Italian restaurant but specialises in local seafood and steaks. Unlike many eateries in Hammamet, Da Franco has a full menu of wine and cocktail options to accompany meals. Because this restaurant is frequented by locals and busy year-round, making reservations in advance is strongly recommended. If you're looking for a change of pace from local cuisine or your hotel's buffet, Da Franco is a great choice.
Similarly, Le Barberousse is a sophisticated and elegant dining option in Hammamet. This restaurant boasts a menu that has French and Mediterranean cuisine. Open late for dinner, Le Barberousse is one of the most expensive restaurants in the area but it is unmatched for its gourmet cuisine and fantastic view of the sea. The local seafood that graces its menu is highly recommended. You even get to select what seafood you'd like to eat before it's cooked.
For a romantic meal, Chez Achour will be hard to match. Drawing on Tunisia's former French influences, Chez Achour is locally owned by a family with roots in European cuisine. The ambiance within the restaurant is cosy and intimate with charming décor. There is also an indoor courtyard set in a garden to take advantage of when the weather accommodates. Chez Achour is frequented by tourists and locals alike so making reservations will be near mandatory. This restaurant is often regarded as one of the best French restaurants in the city.
Another popular French restaurant is La Bouillabaisse. Drawing upon its French cuisine and Hammamet's location on the Mediterranean Sea, there are many seafood options on the menu. Guests can enjoy a starter course of amuse bouche, French and local wines and main entrees including seafood, lamb and couscous options. La Bouillabaisse has exquisite options that come with a higher cost than many other Tunisian restaurants. But it is on par with European pricing and could be worth the splurge.
Canari is one of the few patisseries in Hammamet and it's held in high regard. This small eatery specializes in homemade ice cream in a range of flavours and Tunisian sweets. While Canari is known for its desserts, it also has savoury courses as well. There are sandwiches, crepes, panini and hot drinks available. Canari is conveniently located near the city centre and a popular supermarket if you would like to do shopping before heading back to your hotel room.
If you may be homesick for a taste of home, Shakespeare is a Tunisian restaurant that serves British cuisine. Open late into the evening, this restaurant also turns into a popular nightlife spot after hours. There are British classics like fish and chips on the menu as well as steaks and other seafood courses. After hours, the bar gets extremely popular because of its range of beers and spirits available. If there is a football match on, Shakespeare will likely be the spot that will be watching it.
Another option for classic English food, Steakhouse on the outskirts of Hammamet is popular with tourists. From a traditional English breakfast in the morning to steaks and roasted meats for dinner, Steakhouse has a taste of the familiar at almost any time of day. The owners are British expatriates so there is no language barrier and friendly faces with whom to speak about British culture. If you are traveling with children, Steakhouse will have an option that will keep picky eaters or the homesick happy. The restaurant also shows football matches when they are aired.
Pomodoro is one of Hammamet's many popular Italian restaurants. Ideally located just within in the city centre, Pomodo has a wide range of Italian classics on its menu. Because of Hammamet's location on the Mediterranean Sea, this eatery showcases many classics from southern Italy, which also favours fresh seafood. With its position as one of the few Italian restaurants in the city, Pomodoro is extremely popular and has a slightly higher than average price tag as well. But if you're in the mood for Italian cuisine, it will be hard to beat Pomodoro and could be worth saving extra money for.
International
Time Out Restaurant is extremely popular is a great eatery with a varied, affordable menu. Open from the early morning into the late night, you can get anything from breakfast to dinner at this small restaurant. Time Out has a menu that has a wide range of options from Tunisian classics to meals influence by many other cuisines. If you're looking to explore local culture and others, Time Out is an opportunity to immerse yourself while on holiday. Best of all, the owners of Time Out speak English fluently so you're bound to get great service without any language barrier.
Located outside near the Hammamet beaches, Restaurant La Belle Vue is popular with diners who want to sit outside. Because of its fantastic location near the Mediterranean Sea, the Restaurant La Belle Vue has a menu with some of the freshest seafood options around. But if you don't like seafood, there are also land-roaming options like lamb and steaks. Each of the entrees has a touch of international influence from English to French and beyond. Regardless of what entrée you select, there is a wine menu with a selection that will accompany your choice perfectly. Best of all, the Restaurant La Belle Vue offers great portion sizes at a fair price so you can make return trips to this restaurant without making your budget suffer.
Le Voilier is another restaurant that flawlessly brings together many cuisines onto one menu. Le Voilier boasts a menu with some of the widest range of seafood options in the city, all touched with a Mediterranean influence, from Morocco to Italy to Greece to Turkey. You'll be able to take a tour of Mediterranean cuisines when you sit down to dine at Le Voilier, which is held in high regard by tourists and locals. Of course, there are non-seafood options for those who do not like it so everyone in your party will enjoy their meal there.