Tunisian food has a reputation of being very hot and spicy cuisine that is influenced by Mediterranean cusine . Couscous , harissa (chilli paste) , Tajine , Baklava as well as salads are usually hot and can be conversation stoppers as well . The Tunisian cuisine is usually packed with flavors and based around grains , vegetables , ' fruits , seafood , liquid-gold olive and garlic . It had been influenced through time by other cuisines of different nations like the Roman , Arabic , Jewish , Turkish , Andalusian , French , Spanish and Italian flavor that were all mixed with the traditional Tunisian cuisine , although perhaps the most obvious influence is the French one . The Berbers brought couscous and the Maghreb staple . Mixture of meat , fruit and cinnamon derive were originally Turkish . It must not also go without saying that International cuisine as well is available in many restaurants in Tunisia .