Tunis brews its days slowly, one small cup at a time. From the bustling alleys of the Medina to the breezy promenades of La Marsa, the coffee shop Tunis scene is both timeless and ever-changing. Here, coffee is more than a beverage – it’s a rhythm of life, a ritual of connection, and a thread through both tradition and transformation.
In a city that pulses with history and creativity, cafés have become cultural touchpoints. Whether you’re drawn to the charm of a mint tea on a sun-drenched terrace or the buzz of a modern espresso bar, coffee in Tunis invites you to slow down, look up, and take it all in.
Traditional Tunisian Cafés
In many parts of Tunis, the café is an open-air living room. Locals gather in the early morning or late afternoon to sip strong espresso or sweet mint tea, often seated on plastic chairs along bustling streets.
Step into any cafe in Tunis, and you’ll find scenes that haven’t changed in generations: the clatter of backgammon dice, the scent of shisha mingling with roasting coffee, and the background hum of conversation and radio music. Drinks are simple and bold – mint tea with pine nuts, strong Arabic-style coffee, or “direct” espresso poured without fuss.
These cafés are social landmarks. They’re where business is done, friendships are nurtured, and the city’s tempo takes shape. Visiting one is less about the drink and more about being present.
Modern & Trendy Coffee Spots
As Tunis opens its arms to global influence, a new generation of coffee shops in Tunis is reimagining the café experience. With minimalist interiors, curated playlists, and menus that celebrate everything from oat milk lattes to slow-drip single origins, these spaces are hubs of creativity.
You’ll find coworking nooks alongside vegan-friendly brunches. You’ll spot matcha next to macchiato. These cafes reflect the city’s young professionals, digital nomads, and artists looking for space to think and sip. In this landscape, coffee in Tunis has taken on new forms – still social, still vital, but now tinged with global flavour.
Whether you’re sketching, coding, or catching up with friends, these spots offer a welcoming backdrop for modern life with a Tunisian twist.
Must-Visit Coffee Shops in Tunis
Café La Marina
Overlooking the Gulf of Tunis in La Goulette, Café La Marina offers a front-row seat to sea breezes and casual elegance. With traditional music playing softly in the background and a regular stream of local regulars, this café is perfect for watching the fishing boats roll in while enjoying a strong brew or a sweetened mint tea.
Come for the view, stay for the serenity – and be sure to linger.
Café des Délices
Café des Délices is more than a place to sip a coffee — it’s a moment you carry home with you. Tucked into the iconic blue-and-white hillside of Sidi Bou Said, this terrace café unfurls over multiple levels, each one offering heart-stopping views of the Mediterranean below. Come for the mint tea, stay for the stillness, the scent of jasmine in the air, and the quiet hum of conversations held in multiple languages.
While the views are certainly the star, the experience is unhurried and gently theatrical — as if the café itself knows it’s part of a long-standing ritual. Whether you arrive at golden hour to watch the boats glide through the bay or early in the day when the village is still yawning awake, Café des Délices invites you to pause, look out, and truly feel where you are. There’s a reason locals and artists alike return here again and again: it’s the kind of place that reminds you to fall in love with the everyday.
Café El Alia
Just up the coast in La Marsa, Café El Alia has a different rhythm — slower, closer, full of soul. Tucked behind a cluster of trees just off the Corniche, it’s where you go when you want to feel part of the neighborhood. There’s an old-world charm here that’s never curated or contrived — just well-worn tables, the gentle clink of coffee cups, and a breeze that carries the scent of sea salt and orange blossom.
El Alia is beloved by locals for a reason: it offers the kind of easygoing familiarity you want from your favourite corner café. The coffee is strong, the crowd eclectic, and the atmosphere deeply Tunisian — welcoming, textured, and full of stories. It’s the sort of place where strangers nod a quiet hello, and time moves not by the hour but by the rhythm of the espresso machine and the turn of the newspaper page.
Maïs Luncheonette
Nestled in Sidi Daoud, Maïs Luncheonette is the kind of place where design lovers and brunch seekers collide. With polished concrete floors, leafy greens, and a menu that features matcha drinks and seasonal small plates, it’s a haven of minimalist chic.
Steps from the Roman ruins of Carthage, it’s also a perfect pit stop for urban explorers seeking the best coffee shop in Tunis with a touch of style.
Café De La Vigne
In the heart of Medina, Café De La Vigne is the oldest café in the quarter and a living archive of local life. With shaded outdoor tables, traditional mosaic tiles, and a steady stream of mint tea and fresh-squeezed juice, it’s a peaceful counterpoint to the market’s energy.
Just steps from the Zitouna Mosque, it’s a quiet place to reflect between strolls.
Café Houasse
Located in La Marsa, Café Houasse is a beloved relic of Tunis’s seaside culture. Low-seating areas, classic Tunisian tilework, and panoramic sea views make it a favourite for both locals and nostalgic visitors.
It’s where generations have gathered to watch waves roll in – and where your coffee comes with a side of history.
Bleue
Tucked at the far end of the medina in Sidi Bou Said, Bleue is the coffee shop for dreamers. Equal parts café and co-working space, it’s a haven for artists, freelancers, and bookworms. With simple offerings, great Wi-Fi, and a calendar of creative workshops, Bleue feels like a community more than a business.
Stay for one coffee, or write your next chapter.
Explore More with Verdi Hotels
If you’re staying at Verdi Tunis Beach Resort, you’re already perfectly placed to discover this café culture for yourself. Whether you’re planning a day trip to the coast or wandering the Medina, our team can recommend the perfect coffee shop Tunis to suit your style.
Want to go deeper into the city’s rhythms? Explore with Verdi Hotels and uncover hidden gems beyond the espresso machine.