Jamila's Cafe

One of our most enjoyable restaurants this year. The owners made the experience unforgettable. Hidden jewel, would have added a pic of the entry but got lost in the moment devoured it!

A cozy, intimate environment. You feel like you’re in your family’s dining room waiting for your grandparents to finish cooking the whole family a holiday feast. The staff is so friendly, caring, and also multilingual! The food is quite possibly the best I have EVER been served, across thousands of restaurants and different cuisine types. If you want an unforgettable experience, I cannot encourage you enough to try the food here! I especially recommend the bisque! 😍

Amazing hidden gem, so glad we decided to come here ! It’s an incredible little restaurant ran by a husband and wife for over 30 years, they are so personable and down to earth and genuinely grateful for your service! Incredible authentic food, with so much flavor and quality! Thank y’all ! We enjoyed our dinner and I highly recommend w

The food here is amazing. The seating area is quiet and quaint, and the atmosphere is dimmed and well-appointed. The owner is amazing and will laugh and joke with you, but at the same time, he is making sure every need is met. The food.....again....is top-tier, and I highly recommend trying several of the delicious appetizers. The food is cooked to order, so do not rush in expecting a quick turn....expect to enjoy company over a glass of wine, and to savor the experience. Will definitely be back!!!!

This place is amazing. I ordered the lamb which was so tender and perfectly cooked. 10000/10 service. It’s a wife cooking in the kitchen and her husband serves the food. He is so attentive and friendly. It feels like walking into your grandparents house for a home cooked meal. I couldn’t get over how beautiful the atmosphere was. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a beautiful experience. His service was just out of this world.

Easiest 5-star rating I’ve given. What a hidden gem. Intimate for sure. Great date spot. Make a reservation with a large party. All of the above was going on when I stopped by. The owner, Moncef, knows several different languages, wonderful charm to the guy! And now the food… Chicken was organic and tasted fantastic. The dish I got was supposed to come with couscous but I told him I was gluten free and he replaced it with a great-tasting yellow basmati rice. Ate till my stomach hurt. The meal actually “felt” homecooked. The atmosphere is also really great. Never once felt rushed and the waitress is super-polite. It exhumes a feeling of luxury service, home love, and culture yet it comes in this small restaurant room. Gold!! (The *only* thing I’d improve on is adding a sign on the interior door that says “entrance to Jamila’s Cafe” and a “please wait to be seated sign”. Everyone I’ve seen enter, including me, gets confused by where to enter. Also, adding a “restrooms down the hall second door to the right” sign would be helpful on the other side above the door so people eating know where to go.)

I cannot recommend Jamila's Cafe more! Such an amazing experience and environment. The food was fantastic and the restaurant was a really intimate setting. Both the chef and owner are such sweet people and really make you feel at home. I ordered the shrimp and mussels pasta daily special and my friend got the lamb tagine and both were fantastic! Even the butter with the bread was some of the best I've ever had. Will definitely be back!

Jamila’s is my neighbor restaurant. The food and service has been consistently excellent over the 20+years that I have called this restaurant one of my favorites in the Uptown neighborhood. Go! And tell Moncef Claudia sent you.

I wish I could give more stars!!! Besides how GREAT the food was, the owners had such great customer service we didn't want to leave!! Plus the handmade butter is to die for!! This mom & pop restaurant is a MUST TRY!

Jamila's is epically known worldwide for their excellent food they have been providing the hungry hordes for many years during Jazz Fest. Less well known but even more delicious is what they prepare in their restaurant proper. The Tunisian food here has influences that will bring memories of food from the Middle East and France while producing some remarkably unique and wonderful flavors all its own. The hospitality here is legendary and offered in abundance by the husband and wife team that run this establishment. The husband is frequently found to be sitting at the tables jovially conversing with customers while his wife will occasionally tell him to stop bothering people and, all the while, making it seem very much like you are part of their family as they go into great detail explaining the many wonders they have on offer for your dining delight (along with the best drinks to accompany each selection). This is a truly enjoyable place to dine, drink, enjoy wonderful food, as you experience wonderful hospitality. My video review of Jamila's Tunisian Mediterranean Cuisine is here: https://youtu.be/72gTMqXelKw

Great food and people https://blainerestaurantreport.com/2024/09/27/jamilas-cafe-new-orleans-la-report-744/

Been here before but this time they unfortunately on vacation. Great food and family run business. Highly recommended

Food and service are top notch. A great family run restaurant. Ambiance is inviting and the staff makes sure you have a tremendous meal.

A few years back, I did a review on a restaurant on a restaurant that served decent food, but bumped up the star rating because of the superb customer service. Here, at Jamila's, the same thing happens, only the food is better, much better, but I would give an extra two stars for superb customer service. Needing a break from the Po Boys, I decided to come here for dinner one evening, and found the restaurant quite quiet. Just me, and other customer. That normally is not a good sign, until I met and started talking to one of the owners, Moncef. Moncef is an absolute doll, a treasure, a Tunisian man with a heart of gold. He is also Jamila's husband, but if he is good, then I am sure so is she. He asked me how I found out about this restaurant, and I told him through some research (same with the food I ordered). I will get back to him later in this review, but I have to get to the food part first. The Crawfish, Zucchini & Spinach Bisque soup is fantastic. I got it as an appetizer and it is nothing short of amazing. The herbal taste, combined with crawfish in every bite, make it worth getting again and again. I should also mention you get complementary bread, some pita and French bread, appropriate for the cuisine. For my main course, I ordered the Tajine of Lamb, better known as Lamb Tajine. I will be honest, the lamb is a bit dry, but once you put it over the rice, and pour the juices over the meat, it creates an experience that is rather unforgettable. I let Moncef know this. I also let Moncef know how kind he treated me, giving me baskets of free bread and willing to make my experience extra special with any small request. He responded with something so profound that I have not forgotten it. "It doesn't cost anything to be nice." He is so right, and it is why Moncef is worth getting mentioned in this review. Good food, excellent service, all at a cost of an amazing man. Fair trade.

Great place owned by great people. Loved the food. Healthy and delicious. I highly recommend the lentil soup.

As always, the food and the service are excellent. You are always made to feel at home in a very pleasant atmosphere. I would give Jamila's many more stars were that possible.

Very beautiful restaurant with the nicest people. We ordered a few things from here and they were all ok. Escargot was good, the fennel pasta was nice. But we also ordered a few North African dishes and they all had a bitter taste to them. I think they used too much ras al hanout spice blend. The leftovers were fine because they mellowed out but between the price and the slow service (took about an hour and half for our dishes to come out), it honestly wasn't worth it. Maybe we went on an off day but I wasn't too impressed

What a treat!! The owner is as nice as he can be and Chef Jamila is so talented!! The bread and the seasoned butter disappeared too quickly, only to be soon replaced by more! The house wine was delicious, as well. If you're looking for a place where you get treated like family, this is it!! We had the lamb chops and they were perfection personified!! Sorry, I forgot to take the pic before I dug in. I couldn't help myself!!

Great place Great food Great service! The atmosphere of this cafe is so pleasant and welcoming. When we go the New Orleans this is one of our favorite local businesses. I had the couscous royal - the lamb was cooked perfectly and the flavors were amazing! The owners wait your table and cook your food, they are super friendly and attentive.

You may be drawn into here for the Tunesian food, but it is the couple who runs it who makes the experience worth while. We called ahead to see if we could bring the dog, and the table was set outside waiting for us. We, and the pup, were showered with love from the moment we arrived. You definitely feel like a celebrity here. The owners know every person and every story of every one on the block, so you can also be prepared to meet every person who walks by, if you're seated outside. The escargot and bread were an absolute dream of a way to start the meal. I had checked the menu online before arriving, but the one dish that I had wanted wasn't available. No loss, but definitely a let down. We ordered the Tajine of Lamb and the Couscous with Chicken. Both were very flavorful, but I found the chicken to be dry and the couscous lacking over all. I had wanted the Tajine Poulet, but alas, it wasn't in the cards this time. Overall? It was a great experience. The owners were great to watch and interact with, and the food had a good flavor. It's on the pricier side, but you definitely go for the experience.

Excellent food and service. Jamila's husband treated us with so much kindness and the food was delicious

I rarely give 5 stars, but Jamila's hit the mark on all cylinders. After having a steady diet of New Orleans Gumbo and Jambalaya for several days, we had a hankering for something different and we were so glad to find Jamila's recommended by our Airbnb host. Wonderfully intimate dining room and gracious hosting by Moncef. Truly a mom and pop shop, run by a real mom and pop!! We had a feast with soup, salad, and escargot for starters, then the main course of vegetable couscous, Tajine of lamb, and baked salmon was delightful. Never had such tender flaky salmon cooked to perfection. Finished with Tiramisu and chocolate mousse. After dinner Jamila took a break from the kitchen and came to our table and we really enjoyed meeting the master of the feast. Upon leaving our hands were sprinkled with orange blossom water like a blessing. The meal here was truly the high point of our visit to N.O. Sure the eating in the French quarter is fine but the FQ really caters to the partying tourist. Jamila's is a nice break from crazy.

This was amazing! Food was spectacular and hospitality was right on point. The hospitality and service that Moncef provided was incredible!! Chef Jamila's food was amazing! We had Tajine of Lamb, couscous royal, and crème brûlée. Would highly recommend this place to everyone looking for a lovely experience!

The owner is so knowledgeable about the menu and is extremely hospitable. His wife runs the kitchen and the pasta was the best seafood pasta I ever had and escargot. Amazing wine selection and vibes a quaint part of Louisiana~ love this place and their staff and their crawfish soup.

I loved it here! From the food to the experience, everything was absolutely impeccable. The service and the ambiance took me to Tunisia! Would definitely recommend if you're in New Orleans!

The service really stole the show here at Jamila's. This hole in the wall right off Oak Street has been in business for 27 YEARS. It's a husband and wife duo that pretty much do everything themselves and you can tell because it's so filled with love. The interior is a bit small but they accommodated our larger party of 7. If there are a lot of people in the building it definitely could be a bit loud, just a heads up. We started off with bread to the table with a delicious garlic butter. Ordered some apps of mussels, escargot & one other - which were all good! Soaking the bread up in the mussels juice was Our meal was the catch of the day and veggies- which were seasoned perfectly! Creme brûlée to top off the meal was the cherry on top. If you're a drinker they have a good sized wine list, though only 5 beers. Will definitely return here in the future for another meal!

I found Jamila's sort of by accident. I was passing through the building to get to another shop in the back that was unfortunately - or maybe fortunately - closed. One half of Jamila's owners, Monsef, saw that I was wandering back up and poked his head out to say hello. He was so warm and friendly! He told me a little bit about the food he served and invited me back to come eat at any time, since I had just had dinner. I took him up on his offer the following week. My husband and I came back the following Sunday. Street parking was a breeze that night. We were welcomed by Monsef and whisked to a cozy booth. I've got to express how attentive this crew is. You want for NOTHING!! We had our water and menus immediately. I had lots of questions as this was my first Tunisian food experience. Monsef explained everything and our orders were placed. We were brought a basket of French bread, pitas, and a side of incredible homemade garlic butter. Monsef told us that the garlic butter is a creation of Jamila, his very talented wife. She's the chef here. We ordered the crawfish and spinach soup, and the escargot to start. The soup was rich and earthy. I feel like those two terms don't usually go together, but they did and they worked. It was a keeper for my unwritten list of foods I must have again. The escargot was full of wake-you-up garlic and herbs. Dipping that crusty French bread into the little pools of garlic butter was decadent. For my entree I had the Jamila's couscous au lagneau, and it did not disappoint. The lamb was braised and very tender, the veggies were so fresh and still had a little firmness, and the sauce was killer. I can't wait to return as someone near us ordered the lamb chops and I wanted to ask for a bite. I was actually having food envy. The desserts all looked great as well, but I was way too full to go there. Again, the service was above and beyond. Monsef and his lovely family are such welcoming hosts.

It was our first time eating Tunisian food, tucked away in a small neighborhood it has a beautiful setting. The owner was ver friendly going over the dishes and helping us choose them. Food was delicious and we loved all the dishes. We definitely recommend it.

Tunisian in NOLA? Had to try this place. It is over by Tulane, away from the crazy quarter. It seems mainly locals hang out there, but the owner makes everyone feel like a local. The belly dancer is a real nice touch. The food is really good. The zuchinni, spinach, and crawfish bisque was absolutely amazing. I was contemplating it, and then the owner made the recommendation... So I had to try. If nothing else, this is what to get here. I also had the fish of the day. They ran out of amberjack, which I was looking forward to trying, but wasn't disappointed by the pomodoro. Finally, I had to try the baklava. The portion was silly, maybe excessive, for one person. It was two sizable pieces and I just couldn't finish. It did seem a bit dry for me, but very tasty. Maybe this is a slight Tunisian variation... Not sure. Can't complain. A great spot added to my list for return visits.

Over 10 years later and this cafe is still great! I love love love their spinach-zucchini crawfish bisque. LOVE! I've had a variety of items here over the years. The Mediterranean shrimp is a favorite (watch out it's very splattery) as is the couscous vegetarian. Family members rave about their lamb. And I've also had some delicious salads here. Service is wonderful. The owner greets you like a long lost friend and welcomes you with open arms. Even though the restaurant is small, you are never rushed to finish so they can turn the table. If you're deep in conversation, you won't even get the bill until you ask.

This place is a gem!!!! So nice to finally eat at an establishment that can really call themselves an authentic Mediterranean/Tunisian restaurant. So tired of getting handed a plate of humus at these other run of the mill Mediterranean joints. So this place was a breath of fresh air. The food is exquisite as well as the service!. I highly recommend trying the briks, lamb chops and couscous. Prices are very reasonable, and the staff truly makes you feel as if you are a guest at their home. This is New Orleans hidden gem!

Jamila's is a real gem. It is one of our favorites for the food and the ambiance. Monsef is the most hospitable front of the house host one can imagine. His wife Jamila is so charming and creates such memorable meals. He will explain about Tunisian cuisine, make suggestions, and entertain your table with fascinating facts about their journey to New Orleans and other stories. I love the crayfish, zucchini and spinach Bisque followed by the perfect lamb chops. But their are so many wonderful options. Don't forget to finish with the unique, delicious pistachio baklava. And Moncef will end your evening with a handful of rose water, a Tunisian tradition. I promise if you eat there, you will tell your friends and go back

The place is a small, quaint building in the middle of a residential section. You could drive right past it if you were looking. It took us a few minutes to find the front door because it's not too obvious. Upon entering, a man greeted us right away and seated us. The place was wafting with aromas that set my stomach to rumbling. It is a small, intimate restaurant, with minimal decorations but had a "welcome home" appeal. Within a few minutes of being inside, it was obvious this was a place where regulars frequented often enough that the waiter knew them by name and chatted about family and events. The waiter later turned out to be the husband of the chef, and both of them were the proud owners of this establishment. Throughout the evening I watched him personally escort every patron out the door and outside, wishing them a good night and making plans to see them again, or wishing them success on a future endeavor. We ordered Mechoui en Brochettes, which is grilled marinated lamb skewers, and Couscous Royal which is served with lamb, merguez (homemade seasoned lamb sausage), chicken and vegetables au jus. The flavor of the marinated lamb skewers was simply delightful. I cannot say enough good things about it. The Couscous Royal reminded me of a flavorful stew. We kept swapping out food between the two dishes because we couldn't get enough of the meals. The evening was getting late and we were late for another engagement so we (reluctantly) declined dessert. But I will be back Jamilla's, mark my words! If the dessert is anything like dinner, I know I won't be disappointed. Just before we left, a party of three people arrived. This was shortly before closing. Monsef was just as pleasant, warm and inviting and I could tell these patrons would receive the full royal treatment without any hint of the approaching closing hour. Monsef insisted on walking us outside as we exited. Once outside, we stood outside chatting for a moment more. As he was talking, he broke off two small twigs of fresh rosemary growing under the restaurant sign and sent us away with our parting gift. This is a man who loves his job, and it shows. The food alone will make you want to come back, but if that's not enough, the small, friendly personal touches will have you coming back for more.

Excellent customer service paired with unique, authentic food! My thoughts: - the owner is animated, enthusiastic, and friendly. He treats every guest as if they are old friends. - menu is organized, detailed, and easy to read - do not expect a quick meal, however, the food is worth the wait - be sure to check out the specials - you may have to clarify/repeat your order to make sure the main protein is correct. Listen when he is repeating your order to make sure it is correct. - on the pricier end - portions of some items are small (ex. the salmon) while others are large (the couscous) - the couscous au poisson had significantly cooled by the time it reached the table. I am unsure if it was supposed to be served hot or not. I took more than half of my dish home so that I could reheat it - we had a large party and they were able to accommodate us all (we did have a reservation - they do not split the bill. We had a large party going and did not realize this until the bill came out. Make sure someone is ready to pay all of it or use cash/venmo. - small, comfortable seating area with dim lighting - relaxing atmosphere with fitting decor - the owner personally thanked each member of our party individually at the end of our meal and rubbed some scented water on our hands (I think it was orange blossom). Overall, we had a good experience and meal here!

Always very good. Had the mussels and lamb tagine. Gonna miss them at Jazz fest this year.

The food was outstanding! Best lamb chops I've ever had. Seasoned perfectly. The crayfish bisque was light and so flavorful. My husband had the lamb tagine with rice. Wonderful! Tuna mechaoie (salad) was light and delicious. Service couldn't have been better. The owner is a delight. And his wife, Jamila, is the chef extraordinaire! It's an adorable place. A real neighborhood spot. The Maple Street area in the Garden District is a find. We would go back to Jamila's in a heartbeat!

Family run, authentic Tunisian cuisine that perfectly blends African, Spanish and French cooking into flavorful dishes. Wife, Jamila, cooks all the meals while husband, Moseff, waits tables. Dining here is an experience and Moseff and Jamila treat you like family so plan to come, stay awhile and enjoy the stories. The lamb Tajine was the highlight of the meal. Locally sourced and slow cooked to tender perfection. Served with a flavored basmati rice and harissa sauce, the flavors dance on your tongue. And the couscous royal was fit for a king! Lamb sausage made in house served with chickpeas, chicken and lamb in a thick stew. We didn't save room for dessert and now we're regretting it. We can only imagine how delicious that would have been too!

I thought that the food here was delicious and according to my friend very authentic. The owners are very friendly and do their best to make you feel comfortable. We got the lamb dish and the eggplant salad. I thought that the food was really good but it was overpriced for its portion. We also tried the Tunisian coffee and the mint tea and both were very good. There is also a free pita and bread with butter to start with any meal. there was supposed to be a belly dancer on Saturday night at 8 PM but we didn't see any performances. The other thing that was an issue was that the owner while coming around to deliver food to your table was a little bit clumsy in the sense that he spilled a lot of things. One person at my table got some hot tea down her back in another had sauce spilled down his back. There was also some confusion about The beverage order. One person at our table ordered mint tea and the owner asked if anyone wanted to try a taste. We did not know that he meant an order of mint tea so when we paid for our meal we were surprised to see that we were charge for eight servings of tea.

Homer Simpson was right about the lamb tagine. It was amazing, please come to this restaurant.

This Tunisia restuarant is awesome. Friendly staff, good food and when I finish everything on my plate I know it's good. Try it

If you're looking for a unique experience where the staff makes you feel like family, look no further. We ordered mussels, crawfish bisque, lamb kabobs, and finished with Tunisian coffee and baklava. The owner of the restaurant told us that if we called ahead, they would make anything we wanted that night. They truly care about your experience and go above and beyond to ensure you're satisfied with your meal. I can't say how special they made our anniversary night and highly recommend this gem for any occasion. This is a place you tell all of your friends about.

I absolutely loved this place! Amazing customer service. I came here after a performance to celebrate friend's son graduation. Food was fantastic! Everything I tried was delicious. Customer service is excellent. It seemed to me they knew every single person sitting in the restaurant and the owner had nice conversations with all people inside. They also had plenty of customers ordering to-go. The owner is very energetic, funny and friendly and makes everybody feel home. I will definitely come back again. I want to try every single dish they make, it was that good :)

The food was flavorful but of the four entrees we ordered one was cold and the other barely warm. The service was mediocre. One entree came out five to ten minutes after the other three entrees. After we were finished eating and plates cleared, we waited 15 minutes for the check. I finally got up and tracked down the waiter. The owners are husband and wife. She cooks and he works the front and waits on customers. They're affable and provide a certain charm and authenticity to the ambiance, but it's not enough to overcome cold food and poor service.

We jumped at the chance to have a Tunisian meal. When I saw all the Moroccan dishes, I queried Moncef, and he explained that the two cuisines are linked, but that the seasoning varies. As explained elsewhere, his enthusiasm is infectious. Eating at Jamila's is not just about food, it is about experiencing Tunisian culture at its finest. We learned how disparate ethnic groups live in relative harmony, and make meaningful lives for themselves despite their limited resources. Our meal began with an eggplant salad. There were bright vinegary notes, and a spice mix that distinguished it from other Mediterranian styles. Next we had the drum. The fish was fresh, moist, and beautifully seasoned. It came with cooked vegetables, and was not to be missed. Our second entree was lamb and mixed vegetables. It came in a flavorful red sauce. All of this gets spooned over a bed of couscous. The lamb was very tender, and had been carefully cleaned of all the non edible parts. The meal was festive, joyful, and satisfying in a deeper sense. It was more than consuming good food. It was doing so while building a sense of community, and belonging. For those who have missed out, this is a dining experience that is deeply satisfying.

It was an absolute great experience, service, and food. Highly recommend the Crawfish Bisque.

This place has the NICEST owners and the most delicious lamb!! I highly recommend the lamb tajine here. This is a family owned and family friendly place, and during every visit you're treated as family, too!

I don't know how I haven't gotten around to reviewing this place, as it may be our absolute favorite in the city! It's cozy​, the food is fabulous, and Moncef is like a restaurant version of Mr. Rogers. This place and this couple are truly an example of what immigrants can bring to a community and why we should embrace them wholeheartedly. It's impossible to go wrong on the menu, but the carrot salad and the merguez with eggs and peppers are addictive. They also have the best mint tea, chocolate mousse and tiramisu​ in town. We'll go back as long as they are open.

This is an extremely "interesting" restaraunt as I have never had tunisian food before and when we entered I was leery as it has a very different vibe. Now I try not to judge anywhere by the atmosphere because I have never eaten atmosphere. When the food came I forgot where I was, hell I could have had a table in the fast lane of I-10 and I wouldn't have cared. The food was amazing and the flavors so unique it was just magnificent. I would absolutely reccomend it to anyone and a plus is it isn't in the "tourist district" so more authentic and not as pricey.

Jamila's provides a substantialy different touch than do the many Middle-Eastern restaurants in town, given that it really does not fall into the ME category. Tunisia lies on the Med in the west of the Maghreb in central north Africa and has a European-influenced culture and cuisine. The French influence dominates that aspect and the resultant food is a stellar Arab-French amalgam. If you are not an adventurous sort, you can get Jamila's version of crawfish bisque, a piece of salmon or local fiish, or a beef filet each with a Tunisian touch. I have never been disappointed or dis-satisfied with anything at Jamila's...service, food, wine, ambiance, price. Moncef is a superb host who will converse with you in Arabic, English, or French, and is always surreptitiously at your beck and call. His wife, Jamila, might come out very briefly to quietly smile and accept compliments. We always use the arabic phrase that translates to 'we bless your hands'. This is a low-key place and if you are unfamiliar with north-African cuisine you will be pleasantly surprised at its diversity, style, and deliciousness. If already familiar, it will re-affirm the delights available in that genre.

Best hospitality of my life and top tier food to go with it! A must go if you're in Uptown!

As someone said below, food and hospitality were on point at Jamila's. Moncef is such a friendly and personable owner/server who goes above and beyond. Food was amazing to start with but Moncef telling us about his background and Tunisia made everything even better. Moncef is really passionate about what he does at this cute restaurant and I could definitely taste that in my couscous. This place is not just for food. It is the entire experience which you must come by and check out! p.s: I loved the smell of orange blossom water Moncef put on our hands.

Jamila's is a "Tunisian experience" not just a restaurant. The sweetest husband and wife team run the delightful establishment. Jamila (the wife) is the Chef in the kitchen and Moncef is the Husband and the host. It was so nice to be able to sit in a restaurant again and to be welcomed be such a humble and appreciative host. Moncef has a way of making you feel like you are the most important customer he has ever had visit his restaurant. Before your meal Moncef will bring over this small silver bottle of Orange Blossom Water, he will ask you to put your hands together and sprinkle the most wonder smelling Orange Blossom Water on your hands once he does this, rub your hands together and your hands will smell delightful for the remainder of your visit! I have never had a bad meal at Jamila's. If you like the ingredients in the dish, you cannot go wrong! Their Crawfish Zucchini Bisque is at Jazz Fest every year. Make sure to grab a cup or a bowl. Oh and sometimes.. if you are lucky on Saturday night, you may get to experience the Belly Dancer!! Enjoy!!

Great food brought to by great people. A cozy spot that will have you fall in love with New Orleans as if you're a local (not a tourist). Romantic restaurant with a great menu full of tasty treats. Too many enjoyable items to give recommendations. It is a family run business that puts their heart and soul into it. Definitely on my list of places to recommend and revisit when in town.

From the first time I sampled Brik in a small nondescript restaurant in the tenderLoin in San Francisco, I fell in love with Tunisian Cuisine. I became obsessed and when that place closed down, I scoured the states for another Tunisian spot. To my dismay it was in New Orleans. Way too far from me, cross-country far. Over a decade later I find myself in New Orleans in the most fortuitous of instances. I definitely knew I was coming here. My friend and I come in and immediately, we are greeted by who I believe is the owner. Vivacious and animated, he ushers us in. We order the Brik stuffed with shrimp and the couscous de poisson (fish of the day). I even asked what the fish of the day was and he replied "Drum, very good! You will love it, I promise!" Elated I anticipate our dishes. It arrives and as I'm eating I realized tHat he gave us poulet (chicken). I politely ask him if this was chicken becaase we asked for fish. He pauses and says yes it is chicken. Puzzled we both tell him we wanted the fish just to make sure he understand why we were asking about the dish in the first place. I said "the drum? Remember?" And he shoots back "what do you want me to do about it?" At this point I'm a little confused about the whole situation. Do restaurants in NewOrleans not react the same as the hundreds of other restaurants in countless other cities around the world? We didn't want the over cooked chicken breast, I just wanted the fish. The man seems confused and takes the chicken dish away and I assume he goes back to the kitchen to tell Jamila to cook the fish. My friend, who lives in New Orleans, makes the mistake 15 minutes later of asking the man if it was possible just to take it off the tab if the dish wasn't coming because we were pressed for time. He said it was coming and I assured her it's fine we can always pack it up with us. The man goes back into the kitchen and starts ranting and complaining about us. WE CAN HEAR EVERYTHING. Before this point, I've been mostly understanding about the situation but this was definitely the straw that broke the camel's back. He messed up our order, and he was angry about the re-fire. But for him to trash us like this..so disrespectful. In addition, the couscous de poisson wAS under seasoned and the Brik quality left a lot to be desired. He tried to placate us later by saying "everything is good. It's Mardi Gras". It takes me a lot to even want to write a review but this really put me over the edge . Maybe it was me hyping this experience up. Maybe it was me building an anticipation of a decade of hungering for Tunisian cuisine. The fact remains: the service was definitely awful and the food was bland. Hopefully this was just an off day. I've read the reviews and maybe this waS just a product of inconsistency. Either way, definitely this experience waS disappointing. P.s. when we first sat down the man asked us to write a nice review about them. I truly wish this was a positive review.

Amazing little place! Service was fantastic and the food was delicious. Would give 6 stars if I could!!

We had a wonderful dinner at Jamila's Mediterranean Tunisian Cafe while visiting in New Orleans. The Cafe is run by a husband and wife team. The wife, Jamila, is a wonderful chef and her husband is the host. The food is out of this world, but when you add the atmosphere, the warm welcome given to everyone who enters this establishment it is like coming home. This was the best meal I had while staying in New Orleans. Upon leaving the host escorts you out and looks forward to seeing you again. This will be my go to place when I return to New Orleans.

I really loved this place. The ambience was amazing and romantic. I loved their wine selection and my favorite was the chive butter and pita they brought at out the beginning. I really liked my food. I got chicken with veggies in a spicy sauce with chickpeas. The cous cous was pretty dry and bland compared to what I'm used to but I enjoyed my meal because of the sauce. The service would have been painfully slow if we hadn't been engrossed with talking. The owner was cool, but he seemed to be preoccupied with every other table but us and it took several minutes to get his attention for every step of the way. My husband loved his lamb kebab but he got sick after, which made me concerned. Since I go to Tulane, I would go back and try it again. Maybe we were just there on an off night. I want to believe that because the ambience is incredibly charming.