Jamila's Mediterranean Tunisian Cuisine

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

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

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.

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!!

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

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!

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!

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.