Le RestÔ at Villa Didon

Le RestÔ is the restaurant of Villa Didon, a small hotel on the Byrsa hill in Carthage, and it offers one of the most dramatic dining views in Greater Tunis. The main dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows that open towards the sea at Carthage, with velvet armchairs in teal and gold, and lunch is served facing the bay while evenings are lit by candles.

The kitchen describes itself as a market kitchen. The menu follows what the morning market offers, dishes are cooked over open flame, and the restaurant states that nothing comes out of a freezer. A few plates carry the house's signature, but the menu changes, so expect fish, vegetables and meat chosen according to the season rather than a fixed carte. On Sundays the restaurant serves couscous, and you are asked to mention it in your reservation request if you would like it. The kitchen's fire is visible from the dining room, and the website offers a closer look at the kitchen through its chef's table pages.

Outside, the terrace known as La Proue has a handful of tables above the gardens with the sea below, and serves the same menu. Ask for it when booking in good weather; it is the most sought-after spot at sunset. The hotel also has a bar and other lounge spaces if you want a drink before or after your meal.

Reservations are made through an online form, choosing date, time and party size, and tables are confirmed on the same day or within twenty-four hours at the latest. Booking slots run from late morning to late evening. This is a high-end restaurant, so budget accordingly and dress smart casual. Allow two hours for dinner.

Le RestÔ suits couples, special occasions and anyone combining a day among the ruins of Carthage with a memorable meal. The Byrsa hill is at the heart of the archaeological site, and the Antonine Baths and Sidi Bou Said are a short taxi ride away. From central Tunis, the TGM train stops in Carthage, but the hotel sits uphill from the stations, so a taxi is easier in the evening.