You can have all of the sandy beaches and fancy cocktails that your heart desires, but something that practically all holidaymakers demand these days is a good supply of restaurants.
Most tourist hotspots have a wealth of them, and Monastir is no different. Whether you are a seasoned local or one of the latest visitors to Tunisia, this is a region which is awash with restaurants that blow most of the competition out of the water. Here, we take a look at our favourite ten.
Pictures are courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Ali Bar
As the name suggests, this is an establishment which acts as a bar as well as a restaurant. It’s officially regarded as providing Tunisian cuisine, although the fact that many British visitors pop in and grab a bacon butty’ says everything you need to know about its versatility. It provides a great array of food and drink, while many visitors enjoy the vibrant atmosphere which is engaging to say the least. In relation to the latter, any sports fans will immediately fall in love with Ali Bar with the establishment having countless televisions to showcase the latest action.
Salsa Posada
This can probably be described as your typical Tunisian restaurant (even if it specialises in Mexican cuisine!). While it doesn’t look overly enticing from the outside, once you do take the plunge to go inside you won’t be disappointed. It’s seen as one of the friendliest restaurants around and the food is of impeccable quality, as well as being very easy on the wallet.
Marina the Captain
While the name sounds quite ‘touristy’, Marina the Captain is actually very popular with locals as well as foreign visitors. Its speciality is international cuisine although if we were to hone in on a specific section of the menu, the fish is thoroughly recommended. It’s a little more rowdy than some of the other restaurants on the list, but unless you are looking for a quiet evening you will not be disappointed with this pick.
Le Pirate
The fact that you have to call up to two days in advance highlights just how popular this restaurant has become. For the seafood fans out there, it’s a definite winner and is regarded as one of the best facilities of its kind in Monastir. Le Pirate also often puts on live shows during the evenings and this just makes the whole experience even more exuberating but more importantly, tasty.
Dar Chakra
This is another restaurant that is popular with the locals as well as tourists – both at lunchtime and in the evening. The food is once again regarded as excellent, although there is far more to Dar Chakra as well. Many visitors often compliment the quiet outside terrace which can make your meal utterly tranquil, while even the locals can’t believe the prices which are exceptionally low to say the least.
Restaurant La Plage
Restaurant La Plage might be classed as a restaurant which mainly dabbles in Tunisian cuisine, but on the whole its reputation is based upon fresh fish and seafood. Some have classed this as the best restaurant in Monastir, while the views that surround the facility are panoramic to say the least. In relation to the latter, La Plage looks directly onto the sea making any meal you have completely picturesque.
Safari Centre
As one might assume by the name, the Safari Centre isn’t merely classed as a restaurant. Instead, it’s the perfect place for an evening’s worth of entertainment. Armed with a nightclub, steak house, gift shop, multiple coffee bars and even a supermarket, you can comfortably kill a night off in this place. Whatever restaurant you opt for you’ll be guaranteed a scrumptious meal, with this regarded as one of the premier destinations for any tourist that visits Monastir.
Alhambra
Alhambra combines Tunisian and European cuisine and gets the recipe spot on. Whatever dish you select, the food is seen as some of the best around and the portions are absolutely gigantic. To add to the plus points, this is a facility which also prides itself on exceptionally cheap meals and visitors won’t have spent an arm and a leg when they eventually leave. If there was to be a downside it would be in relation to the drinks menu, with Alhambra being one of the few restaurants that does not serve alcohol.
Ristorante da Piero
For those that want a taste of Italy in Monastir, the Ristorante da Piero could be a very good option. It’s not just any old food served here either; it’s your typical, hearty Italian cuisine that is usually only found in its home country. However, while the pizza and pasta usually grab all of the headlines, we should also make a case for the deserts that are served up in this restaurant. They are of some of the best you will ever taste and are worth visiting Ristorante da Piero alone for.
Soprano
The final restaurant on our list is Soprano and once again, it’s not uncommon to find both locals and tourists donning this establishment. Its main speciality is pizza and this is probably the reason why it has sought such a superb reputation amongst the local student population. Following on from the last sentence, one will not be surprised to hear that Soprano is another exceptionally cheap establishment and one that will ultimately leave plenty of change in your pocket.
