Kairouan’s cooking is traditional Tunisian: hearty, spiced and generous. Halal food is the norm across the city, so eating well here is easy.
Dishes to try
- Couscous with lamb or vegetables, the classic family meal, especially on Fridays.
- Lablabi, a warm chickpea soup with bread, cumin and harissa, popular at breakfast.
- Brik, a thin pastry parcel filled with egg and tuna or meat, fried until crisp.
- Mechouia salad of grilled peppers and tomatoes, served with olive oil and tuna.
- Grilled meats and merguez at simple local grills.
Sweets and drinks
- Makroudh, the city’s signature date-filled pastry. Read our makroudh guide.
- Samsa and baklawa pastries with almonds and honey.
- Mint tea with pine nuts (thé aux pignons), a Tunisian treat.
- Fresh orange juice and strong coffee in the cafés around the medina.
Eating tips
- Small local restaurants and cafés are the best value; ask locals what is fresh that day.
- Harissa is spicy, so ask for it on the side.
- Vegetarian options exist (vegetable couscous, salads, lablabi without meat) but confirm no meat broth is used.
- Many places close earlier during Ramadan and offer special iftar menus at sunset.
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