Tunisia is a fascinating country in the North of Africa region (a.k.a. Maghreb) with a rich culinary history which has been established by the local Berber tribes and shaped by its invaders: from the Romans to the Ottomans to the Arabs and the French. Tunisia is the home of the world-known spicy 'Harissa' paste and the birthplace of Shakshuka and Ojja, to which this post is dedicated to.
If you’ve ticked off the tourist-friendly Sousse or Monastir, stepping into Tunis is like being transported to a whole new dimension. While the former glimmers as Tunisia’s polished gems (tidy streets, English-speaking locals, and a postcard-ready vibe) the capital, Tunis, proudly flaunts its raw, unfiltered North African soul. This contrast might make some tourists hesitate, but for foodies and adventure-seekers, it’s boldly charming.
Navigating Tunis isn’t without its quirks. French dominates as the go-to foreign language (with Arabic being the mother tongue), and while English can be a bit elusive, the younger crowd and trusty translation apps saved me from shambles. Surely, you might have to look past the occasional litter-strewn alley or the omnipresent stray cats (heroes in disguise, keeping the rodent population in check), yet the city’s restaurants and cafés maintain impressively high hygiene standards, which gave me the confidence to dive headfirst into its culinary wonders. From the iconic Shakshuka to the fiery Ojja, Tunis turned into my playground for discovering these beloved dishes. Stick with me and I'll show you where the best shakshuka and ojja can be eaten, along with a slice of Tunisian charm.
Shakshuka vs Ojja
Both Shakshuka (known locally in Tunisia as Chackchuka - meaning "pair and mix together" in Arabic) and Ojja are beloved Tunisian-born dishes. Every country in the Mediterranean has its version of it, for instance, in Greece we have versions braised with red wine and then cooked with feta cheese to give it a tangier umami tone and in Turkey, they make it with aubergines while Shakshuka also makes a big hype in Israel (brought by emigrating Jews from North Africa). It's a comforting dish with eggs poached in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce, seasoned with North African spices, usually cooked in a tagine clay pot. It's often served with freshly chopped herbs and fluffy fennel and cumin pita bread (also a staple in Tunisian restaurants) to mop the tomato juices and runny yolks.
No wonder why Shakshuka has become a European brunch favourite, popping up on the menus of hip cafes across the continent. This hearty tomato and pepper stew with its perfectly runny eggs and mild, earthy spices—mainly cumin and coriander—has become a refined breakfast staple for many. And yet, Ojja is where the heart of Tunisia truly beats. It’s a popular comfort dish, especially in the capital, Tunis, and you can eat it nearly everywhere: from local cafes to posh restaurants.
But what are the key differences between Ojja and Shakshuka?
Some say the difference lies in Ojja not being cooked with onions while others claim Ojja uses harissa paste and chillies, making it intensely flavourful and spicy. So if your palate craves spices and chillies, Ojja is for you. Ojja is also often served with meatballs (boulletes or bnadek), spicy sausages (merguez), or seafood. Shakshuka on the other hand is milder, aromatic and super comforting and can be served with the same meaty topics, vegetarian (check the one with fava beans down below the restaurant reviews) or just plain with eggs.
Restaurants with the Best Shakshuka and Ojja
As a devoted egg and generally Mediterranean food lover, I made it my mission to stuff my face with Shakshuka and Ojja during my travels in Tunisia. In a quest to find the best dish that will satisfy my Mediterranean palate, I spotted and listed here some of the best I tried in Tunis along with a few hidden gems in other towns.
Le Terrazen, Tunis
Highlights:
Open for lunch (12-3pm) and dinner (7:30-10pm)
Best Ojja in Tunis
Great views of the city
This place was hands-down one of the best culinary experiences we had in Tunis—and trust me, I’ve eaten my weight in Ojja across the country. Despite its modest rating (hovering around 4 stars on Google Maps and TripAdvisor), this rooftop gem at the Dar El Medina hotel completely defied my expectations. Not only does it serve up the tastiest Ojja I ate in Tunisia, but it also offers a killer view of the city skyline. Book a sunset meal to get the most out of it.
The food is pretty tasty at decent prices and the Ojja is just divine. The Ojja meatballs edition (ojja boulletes) blew my mind: braised in a tomato sauce that strikes the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spice. And the best part? The meatballs don’t have that intense lambiness that scares off non-lamb fans and picky eaters. These babies are a crowd-pleaser for all ages; no fussy eaters left behind!
Dar Belhadj, Tunis
Highlights:
Open for lunch (12-3pm) and dinner (7:30-10pm)
Live music
Nice atmosphere
Tucked away off the main souk in the old Medina labyrinth (Google Maps navigation can get you there), Dar Belhadj serves traditional Tunisian cuisine in an atmospheric venue with live music (a great spot if you want to listen to Qanun instrument tunes). Dar Belhadj is famous for its couscous dishes, which did not particularly excite me, but the fish kebabs and Ojja were dishes I'd come back for. Again, I went for the Ojja boulletes version as the Merguez sausages are not quite my cup of tea. Dar Belhadj serves the ojja with a mini version of boulletes meatballs which are nicely shaped and crispy outside and soft and tender inside - plus due to their size you can gobble 2-3 in one spoonful which gives this satisfactory feeling of mouthfulness. Again, no strong lamb scent there so these meatballs were easily were amongst the best I've tried in Tunisia. The tomato sauce was super tasty and we scooped it all with deliciously aromatic cumin and fennel pita bread, yet it was a bit more oily for my standards, and the eggs were served more on the hard-boiled side, while I prefer them more runny. All in all a very good dining experience and I would love to have their meatball recipe in hand!
Dar El Jeld, Tunis
Highlights:
Open for dinner (7:30-10pm) with reservation only.
Traditional setting with posh atmosphere
Fine dining
Alcohol is served
There are two restaurants part of this large hotel complex. One on the rooftop of the hotel building, serving international cuisine (food was indifferent in my opinion) and one on the souk level serving traditional Tunisian upscale food. The latter is the one I'm talking about here. A spacious and luxurious venue popular with business people and government figures sitting on the medina's edge in a sprawling grand historic mansion. Formal stately service, a large menu with unusual dishes and on the finer dining side like tajine sebnekh (spinach tajine) and couscous with kadid (salted lamb) or calamari farci (squid stuffed with its tentacles, breadcrumbs and herbs). Moreover, if you are a Harissa fan, I have good news: here they make the most gorgeous homemade harissa I've ever tried. It was sensational and it knocked my socks way off! One other thing that keeps Dar El Jeld high in my recommendations is they serve alcohol. There are beers but it's worth checking the long wine list and trying one of the exceptional local rose wines the region produces. Exceptional gastronomy and generous portions, but expect to pay European prices here.
Cafe Mrabet, Tunis
Highlights:
Open for breakfast, tea coffee and lunch.
Traditional Ottoman-style seating area
Good prices (on the cheap side)
In the heart of the old medina, squeezed between the busy souk shops this beautiful traditional cafe-restaurant serves breakfast all morning and lunch from noon onwards, offering a haven to rest from the buzzy souks and dust off your fatigue. In the indoor area, we felt like Ottoman sultans; seated on carpets and cushions sipping mint tea or Turkish coffee served in traditional hand-crafted silverware. The outdoor backyard has a lovely Mediterranean vibe that’s hard to beat.
Out of all the souk-side cafés, this place served up one of our most satisfying breakfasts. It’s budget-friendly, delicious, and definitely where I had a memorable ojja. But what stole the show was the traditional Berber delicacy, Bsisa. A thick, fragrant paste of barley flour, dates, chickpeas, cinnamon, clove, and sometimes rosewater. Imagine peanut butter’s mysterious, flavorful cousin (but thicker and much less oily). This stuff is unique, and this café was the only place I found serving it. If you're in Tunisia, you should try Bsisa!
Fondouk El Attarine, Tunis
Highlights:
Open for lunch only (12:30-3:30pm)
Traditional caravanserai with courtyard seating
French-Tunisian cuisine
Intelligently conceived café and restaurant in a converted old caravanserai at the heart of the medina with some smart and discreet boutiques attached to it. A courtyard setting offers plenty of welcome light and space, service is fast and it serves wonderful traditional dishes of the day. Unfortunately, they did not have Ojja on the menu the day of my visit but the food was fantastic and the venue was just dreamy. The restaurant is very popular and opens for just 3 hours at lunchtime so there will inevitably be some waiting. But worry not as there is a very spacious and comfortable waiting room with books to read or you can roam in the concept stores around the eating area to buy unique kitchenware and serveware. Star of the menu, the boef de jour - a braised beef fillet in a spiced (not spicy) rich reduction of onions, tomatoes and olives. This plate encapsulates the French influence (think beef bourguignon) in Tunisian cuisine (think North African spices and olives) and knocked my socks off. Plus it's perfect for the kids as it's very mild and not intensely spiced.
Blues House, La Marsa
Highlights:
Nice sea views from the hill
Great Ojja with a twist!
Kids menu
Sometimes they say fortune favours the bold and the best things come when you least expect them. This isn’t your classic, picturesque arabesque restaurant, nor does it rank high on online reviews. It’s more of a contemporary brunch spot, the kind you end up at when the famous (and fully booked) posh Le Golfe nearby can’t squeeze you in. As much as the looks did not attract me, this cafe admittedly had a fantastic terrace with breathtaking views of La Marsa beach from above the hill. And then there was the Ojja. Their version came with a twist: jalapeño peppers, olives, and whole chilis as garnish. Not only was it a feast for the eyes, but it packed an intense fiery kick definitely not for the faint-hearted. We were bold enough to try this place and got rewarded with great views and incredible Ojja! Oh, and it's perfect for kids as it serves all sorts of pasta, chicken nuggets and club sandwiches too.
Chef, Monastir
Highlights:
Casual local spot with cheap food
Seafood Ojja and fava bean Shakshuka
Space for kids to play
Despite a name that suggests a chef’s table experience, this place is anything but your typical chef-run restaurant. Instead, it’s a laid-back, super local spot with casual outdoor seating on a lively square, where you’ll mostly see locals grabbing a bite. I was drawn in by the stellar online reviews and its convenient location: just a stone’s throw from where we parked to explore the old Medina. Monastir’s medina is usually packed with tourists, so this little gem often flies under the radar, keeping both the prices low and the vibe refreshingly authentic.
Being in a Mediterranean fishing town, the Ojja with seafood here is a no-brainer. It’s fresh, flavorful, and worth trying! They also serve a unique vegetarian Shakshuka with fava beans, which gave me serious inspiration to try my own version with the gorgeous fava beans from Santorini back home. The best part? The portions are massive, and you’ll pay a local price (about £2 for Ojja!).
Preparing for the Tunisian vacation
Check out my travel packing lists for babies, kids and adults (click the links below) and don't forget to get a travel esim and pack mosquito and sun protection and my favourite Greek hair body and face oil by Korres for prolonging your tan and moisturising your skin.
Travel Packing List for Babies and Kids:
Travel Packing List for Parents:
Travel eSIM for Tunisia
I always like having a few gigabytes of data on hand—for emergencies, getting around, and checking restaurant reviews without costing an arm and a leg. No more steep roaming bills, no fumbling with local SIMs at the airport (and risking a mix-up thanks to a language barrier!). With Saily’s eSIM, it’s smooth sailing from the moment you land! 🛬
Just Google to make sure your phone supports eSIM, then get a Saily eSIM data package before you travel. Easy, affordable, and ready for action once you touch down! 🌐
Click here (affiliate link) to jump to Saily’s page. Search “Tunisia” for top-value packages, plus get an extra 5% off by using my special promo code NIKODOUNIKO5 at checkout.
Why Saily? Backed by industry leader NordVPN, ensuring all your connections come with top-notch NordVPN security for peace of mind wherever you are. The app is super intuitive and easy to use – even your technophobe friend can get connected - and the best, their friendly chat team is 24/7 available to resolve any issues!
Travel smarter and stay connected!
Comments