Jamila’s Mediterranean Tunisian Cuisine

Wow. This was honestly one of the most amazing dining experiences I have ever had. They welcomed us in like we were family. The food was absolutely amazing. There were 7 of us but a sampling of what we ordered was… muscles, bisque (unreal good), the lamb skewers, salad with tuna, and one of the fish dishes that I cant remember. The food is very simple and not overdone but cooked with love.
I honestly cant say more other than you have to go here if you want a truely good meal owned by a delightful family.
We will absolutely be going here again if we are ever back in NOLA!

Been there again. Found it this time by accident. Glad we did. Again Moncef was hospitable and welcoming. We found out his wife is the chef, hence the down-​home, local flair and taste of the wonderful tasty and savory meal. The mussels were great, better than in SF where we live. The lamb was really good. The stew styled meal reminded me of better to great rural Mediterranean cooking. This will be a do again next time we are in New Orleans. (Btw — my ratings are 75% weighted to the food. Service is less important to me… it all about the food, spices, tastes, complexity and how the prep compares to like dishes.).

WARNING! Do NOT eat here if you here if you are in rush. These people are not interested in flipping their tables and getting you in and out. When you walk in this restaurant, you are in Moncef’s home. I have a pair of friends who went on a date here and they were livid over their experience because it took them so long. I had a large group here, and we were one of the first people in the restaurant (with reservation) so that may have helped the service we received. When I walked in Moncef, the owner, shook my hand and asked me my name and told me his. And when he saw my brother and his girlfriend, he remembered their names from the last time they were there. Everything at this restaurant is so authentic and done with such care. It’s a small place and everyone that works there is so kind. If you want to be done with your meal in less than two hours though, (or maybe two), go somewhere else. I definitely recommend this restaurant.

wow, what a great experience and food. owner and son serving tables and mom in the kitchen.
Not knowing what we wanted he combined some dishes. it was my birthday and did a special birthday song and dessert.

The food was excellent and the service was impeccable. Hands down the best service experience in New Orleans.

This place is a lot like going home for a meal. Everything feels cozy, welcoming, and happy. And the food is amazing… the meat is so tender and delicious and all the dressings are so aromatic and well flavored. This is one of those rare places that two people put their heart and soul into. People all over the neighborhood frequent Jamila’s regularly– as much out of love for their food as for Moncef and Jamila themselves. Tonight was only my second time eating there. The first time I had the salmon (incredible) and tonight I had the Tajine of Lamb (also amazing). Will go many times in the future, not only for the food, but also to meet Moncef and Jamila again. Such wonderful people and such excellent cuisine!

I found out about this place from their vending booth at Jazz Fest– best bisque ever, be sure to check it out! I knew the place was going to be good, I didn’t know it was going to be amazing!
To celebrate my friend and i’s birthday we decided to go there on a Saturday to eat good foods and enjoy the belly dancer for a festive birthday environment. I read review saying that the service was amazing. We made a reservation a week out, but naturally always a tad worried when you’re a large group. There was about 17 of us. Belly dancer– awesome, she even brought a tray of candles and played some interesting version of happy birthday, we blew out the candles and the whole restaurant loved it. Food and Service– amazing! Monsef, the owner, was our server and was the best– with comedic commentary the whole evening which my group and I loved. We met Jamilla and the whole family operation at the end of the night and even got a special birthday song in their native tongue. It was fabulous and We did not want to leave. They took great care of all of us.
To top it off, at the end walking out, the owner gifted us a bottle of champagne for our birthdays. Amazing place!

Don’t let the homey décor fool you: this is a fine dining establishment. EVERYTHING on the menu was tasteful, creative and tickled the tastebuds just right. I had the crawfish and spinach bisque (⁹⁄₁₀), the lamb sausage with lentils (made in house, ¹⁰⁄₁₀) and the phyllo wrapped shrimp. I would have kept going through their menu if I had infinite stomach space. Baklava for dessert was perfect with mint tea. The owner was super hospitable and friendly. He knew all other patrons that night by name and sent regards to the rest of the family– a great sign of consistent quality. I would come back in a heart beat!

Really enjoyed it and the service was great!

Always an amazing experience! Delicious, soulful food, served by caring & sweet staff! A true family experience. The mint tea is a must. Such a magical little spot on Maple St.

WARNING!!! THIS PLACE IS $$$ LOOK AT REVIEW DATES BEFORE MAKING A DECISION BASED ON Unilocal REVIEWS!!!
So based upon Unilocal reviews one of my best friends and I went to an early birthday dinner and I decided to go to Jamila because we both like Mediterranean food and when I saw the rating and reviews I said this was a great new place for me to try. The first warning was that it was a Saturday night on a holiday weekend and there was hardly anyone in the place. I was shocked and disappointed by this place. The food was massively overpriced and lackluster. We ordered the appetizer of mussels and I thought at $ 10 that it would be a big bowl enough for two like most places that are supposed to be on this level. It was a little dish that I could have devoured in less that five minutes. The entrees were nothing more that a lamb stew that was not worth the $ 23 price tag by any means. It was my birthday meal and it was mentioned to the owner and no customary free dessert like you would get at most restaurants at this level. I can see this joint not being around that long.

As a Tunisian, I can guarantee that you will have 100% authentic, healthy, homemade style with a chef’s touch Tunisian food. It is one of those dining out experiences where everything goes perfect from the moment you step in till you leave. The attention to details is amazing. The service is outstanding. Just amazing!

So good, so friendly, so perfect for a nice night out in a cozy neighborhood restaurant. Tunisian food, if you haven’t had it, is very mediterranean. Couscous, lamb, fresh fish, Tangines. The owners, Monsef and Jamila, are two of the best most welcoming hosts you’ll find. The food is always spot on. The ambiance is everything you want from a romantic, cozy eatery. I’m always ready to go back.

This place is fantastic. Went with a group of six on a Saturday night and enjoyed great service, food, and belly dancing.
The host is wonderful and so hospitable — gives recommendations on the menu, provides orange water at the end of the meal for your hands, brings out the chef (his wife) to meet the crowd.
The belly snack was fun and not overwhelming and the dancer was enthusiastic without being overbearing or interrupting our meal.
The merguez homemade sausage was my favorite, both as an appetizer and as main dish. The tiramisu was delicious for dessert. This is a great place for groups or for date night.

A great experience, wonderful friendly service and amazing food. Huge portions and the sides are fantastic too. You should eat here.

Every time we plan a dinner out to celebrate, our first choice is Jamila’s. Moncef invites you in as though you are family and offers unique, flavorful Tunisian dishes created by Jamila herself within this small date-​like cottage. If you get a chance, take a look at the ceiling! If I could itemize the ratings by service, atmosphere, food and price, all would get five stars.
Moncef has become a dear friend and is one of the reasons our visits are so enjoyable. Jamila’s remains one of the most underrated (but quiet and local) New Orleans restaurants and is well worth a visit.

Can’t get enough of the homemade butter that comes with the bread.
For starters: lentil soup and crawfish bisque – the lentil soup was good and the bisque was great.
Entrees: Shrimp and mussels pasta and the couscous au poulet. Both very tasty!
Moncef – the co-​owner and host – is a pleasure to talk with.

The best food I tried in NOLA, the entries were awesome, the desert was so good and so did the white wine! I’ll never forgot the mine tea!

The people here are lovely. They make you feel at home. And the atmosphere is very cozy. But honestly, I was not a big fan of the food. I think it was just ok. And very over priced. My fav part of the meal were those breads with Mediterranean butter that they served in the beginning. Everything else did not impress me. And we specially went coz we heard they had belly dance over weekends. I and my husband had been to an amazing belly dance restaurant in Chicago, and this was nothing compared to it. The belly dancer looked like she was not trained and was just dancing for the heck of it. Not impressed!

Delicious! Everything we ate at the restaurant was amazing. We first got warm bread and pita with a heavenly herb butter. Our lamb and couscous was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Very pleased with the restaurant!
Moncef gave us very good recommendations as what to eat since none of my party had Tunisian food before. He even wrote a list for us for New Orleans tourist attractions.
Moncef and Jamila were really nice and they even let me into the kitchen! It was so clean and organized. I was amazed by their kindness and excellent service!
Highly recommended.