Seafood restaurant La Victoire, close to the port in the La Goulette suburb of Tunis, deserves a mention because it doesn’t have time for airs and graces. This is simple, unpretentious food, served with a cheeky grin from the waiters, and the sound of laughter and clinking wine glasses from nearby tables. Tour operators often bring tour groups here.
We ate here on a balmy Friday night, when tables spilled out onto the pavement (ours was nestled between a lamppost and a parked car) and the upstairs windows were thrown right open, sending a welcome cool breeze into the first floor dining room. At the table next to us, a couple controversially seated their pet monkey beside them, feeding him breaded cod and fries while passers-by muttered “let him free!” But La Victoire is just that kind of place; no judgments, no restrictions (if pet monkeys are welcome, we figure dogs are too), just good-value dinner.
Don’t bother with the menu here; the waitstaff know what’s good and what’s fresh. Our waiter brought over a platter with samples from that morning’s catch, and we picked out giant shrimp and sole. Appetizers turned up before we had a chance to open the wine list; the brik was a little greasy (but La Victoire is a hit with the fried fish crowd, after all) but the filling of tuna and crisp vegetables was delicious. The Tunisian salad was fresh and so big that we barely made a dent in it.
This isn’t the place to order top-end wines, so we went with the house Tunisian-produced ‘Jour et Nuit’ white. It was a little on the sweet side, but that didn’t seem to matter at this low-budget spot. For mains, the sole was perfectly grilled and the giant shrimp wasn’t cooked a second too long. Both were served with a light lemon sauce, salad and house fries. Desserts include good ice cream, chocolate cake, fresh fruit salad and tiramisu.
Let’s be honest: there are better places in Tunisia to enjoy fresh seafood, but if you’re tired of fancy napkins, stiff surroundings and breaking the budget, Le Victoire feels refreshing. Leave your expectations at your hotel door and sit down to simple, joyful fare.
Expert Review
Seafood restaurant La Victoire, close to the port in the La Goulette suburb of Tunis, deserves a mention because it...
Seafood restaurant La Victoire, close to the port in the La Goulette suburb of Tunis, deserves a mention because it doesn’t have time for airs and graces. This is simple, unpretentious food, served with a cheeky grin from the waiters, and the sound of laughter and clinking wine glasses from nearby tables. Tour operators often bring tour groups here.
We ate here on a balmy Friday night, when tables spilled out onto the pavement (ours was nestled between a lamppost and a parked car) and the upstairs windows were thrown right open, sending a welcome cool breeze into the first floor dining room. At the table next to us, a couple controversially seated their pet monkey beside them, feeding him breaded cod and fries while passers-by muttered “let him free!” But La Victoire is just that kind of place; no judgments, no restrictions (if pet monkeys are welcome, we figure dogs are too), just good-value dinner.
Don’t bother with the menu here; the waitstaff know what’s good and what’s fresh. Our waiter brought over a platter with samples from that morning’s catch, and we picked out giant shrimp and sole. Appetizers turned up before we had a chance to open the wine list; the brik was a little greasy (but La Victoire is a hit with the fried fish crowd, after all) but the filling of tuna and crisp vegetables was delicious. The Tunisian salad was fresh and so big that we barely made a dent in it.
This isn’t the place to order top-end wines, so we went with the house Tunisian-produced ‘Jour et Nuit’ white. It was a little on the sweet side, but that didn’t seem to matter at this low-budget spot. For mains, the sole was perfectly grilled and the giant shrimp wasn’t cooked a second too long. Both were served with a light lemon sauce, salad and house fries. Desserts include good ice cream, chocolate cake, fresh fruit salad and tiramisu.
Let’s be honest: there are better places in Tunisia to enjoy fresh seafood, but if you’re tired of fancy napkins, stiff surroundings and breaking the budget, Le Victoire feels refreshing. Leave your expectations at your hotel door and sit down to simple, joyful fare.