When traveling, do you search in vain for a souvenir to bring home? You walk the streets looking for something you can easily incorporate into your home, but also reminds you of the place you’re visiting. And when all you can find are stuffed camels and cheap plastic figurines, you either return empty-handed or with tchotchkes you’ll never use.
SOUKRA founder Pauline Eveillard first visited Tunisia in 2004, and has been returning ever since. In addition to walking the streets of Tunis and its suburbs in search of local designers and boutiques, she taps into her network of friends and designers to share their favorite spots to shop.
The result is this starter guide to shopping local in and around Tunis. You’ll return home with unique and beautiful products, while supporting emerging brands and local designers, entrepreneurs, and artisans. And if you’re not traveling but still want distinctive products rooted in tradition but easily incorporated into a modern home? Shop SOUKRA!
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MEDINA OF TUNIS
Fondouk el Attarine
9 bis, Souk el Attarine, Medina of Tunis
10 AM – 6 PM; closed Sundays
In addition to being an excellent lunchtime spot in the medina, this restaurant has a boutique that carries local handmade artisan products, like Baboucheschacha slippers, handmade ceramics, fragrances, and silk scarves. Added plus: grab lunch at their restaurant for traditional dishes of grilled fish, couscous and fresh salads.
Ed-Dar
8, rue Sidi ben Arous, Medina of Tunis
9 AM – 6:30 PM, Monday-Friday
9 AM -7 PM, Saturday
Closed Sundays
Ed-Dar is a treasure trove of antiques and objects housed in a 15th century home. Part museum, part shop, all pieces found in this building are hand chosen by the owner, Ali Chammakhi, who is passionate about antiques, history and Tunisia’s cultural heritage. The building is five stories high and the only home attached to the historic Zitouna Mosque. Walk through the different rooms and you’ll experience rich interiors, historic pieces part of the owner’s personal collections that are not for sale, and objects that are steeped in history and craftsmanship.
Librairie Diwan in the medina of Tunis (Image credit: Mdinti)
Diwan Bookstore
9, rue Sidi Ben Arous, Medina of Tunis
10 AM – 6 PM, Monday-Saturday; CLosed Sundays
Across the street from Ed-Dar is Librairie Diwan, a bookstore that carries books, postcards and catalogs that will transport you back to Tunis through words and pictures once you return home.
Roumouz Pottery
Location 1: Dar el Bey, 04 Souk el Bey, Rue de la Kasbah, near the Kasbah, Medina of Tunis
Location 2: 45 bis Rue Jamaa Ez Zitouna, on the main thoroughfare, a few steps from Zitouna Mosque
Roumouz offers handmade and handprinted ceramic pieces by female designer Wissem. After graduating from Tunisia’s School of Fine Arts, she trained alongside the famed ceramicists of Nabeul, Tunisia’s center for ceramics. She works closely with her loyal tam of artisans in her atelier to create new designs and styles not seen at the other ceramics shops in the medina.
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MUTUELLEVILLE and MONPLAISIR
Book an appointment to shop Anissa Aida’s collections in person.
Anissa Aida Shop and Atelier
22 rue du 1er Juin, Mutuelleville
By appointment
Anissa Meddeb, the founder and designer of Anissa Aida, opened her stand-alone store in 2021 after garnering success in Tunisia and internationally. She tapped her family of architects to create a light-filled open space that beautifully exhibits her womenswear, menswear, and accessories. Also on view are light fixtures and store displays designed by her husband, Hassene Jeljeli of JK Lighting. Take a peak with Soukra when we visiter her virtually in May 2021.
Elyssa Artisanat
4 Alkissai Street, Mutuelleville
This concept store aims to sustain traditional handicrafts by collaborating with local artisans from around the country. You’ll feel at home in this cozy shop, which carries household products that meet everyday needs. Recommended by Anissa Meddeb
Mooja Store
1 bis, Rue Salem Bouhajeb, Mutuelleville
The founder of Mooja, Farès Cherait, is bringing a wave, or mooja in Arabic, of Tunisian designers to the public. The store is a platform dedicated to Tunisian artists working in fashion, décor, music, and contemporary expressions. Farès carries modern, and sometimes funky products that are favorites of his. Recommended by Anissa Meddeb
l’Artisanerie
l’Artisanerie
44 rue du Niger, Monplaisir
l’Artisanerie elegantly presents home décor developed by SHANTI, a Tunisian social enterprise who looks to Tunisia’s design and craftsmanship communities to develop creative economic solutions for the country. Featured products include ceramics, terracotta pottery, palm and olive wood pieces, rugs, throws, and more. They work closely with their artisan partners across Tunisia in bringing product collections to markets in Tunisia and beyond.
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BERGES DU LAC
Musk and Amber Gallery (Image: Musk and Amber)
Musk and Amber
At the corner of Rue Ghar El Melh and Rue du Lac Malaren, Berges du Lac
Musk and Amber is a place where international and local design, art, and fashion connect and intersect. Founder Lamia Bousnina Ben Ayed rigorously handpicks and curates the collection for the modern, light-filled space. Brands range from Knoll furniture to Beirut-based Sarah’s Bag, to Tunisian brand Anissa Aida. You’ll also find exhibits by contemporary Tunisian artists on display. Recommended by Anissa Meddeb
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LA SOUKRA and BHAR LAZREG
Supersouk
64 avenue Fattouma Bourguiba, La Soukra
Supersouk is a two-story concept store that features the best of Tunisia’s designers in home décor and fashion. Founded by Marlo Guerry and Isaure Bouyssonie, who also have their own brand Marlo & Isaure. If you only have time to shop at one spot while in Tunis, Supersouk is where you’ll find all the newest brands you’ll want to take home with you.
Book an appointment to shop Tinja’s collections in person.
Tinja
26 avenue Fattouma Bourguiba, La Soukra
By appointment
If you’re looking to buy furniture, unique terracotta vessels and handmade rugs, schedule an appointment at Tinja’s storefront to shop their collections in person. With a steadfast commitment to responsible production, Tinja honors Tunisia’s heritage and traditional craftsmanship through their meticulously crafted objects and furniture that are created in collaboration with their artisan partners.
Phosphor Creative District
Rue du Phosphore, Bhar Lazreg
Tucked behind auto repair shops in Bhar Lazreg is the creative district Phosphor, which gathers several artists and designers from different fields. On this single block between Rue de l’Or and rue de Cobalt, you can visit ceramicist Nesrine’s shop NOA Atelier, the gallery Yosr ben Ammar, interior and furniture designer Marmo Spirito, furniture designers Marlo & Isaure, Japanese restaurant Konbibi – dar Nikkei, and more.
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CARTHAGE
El Hanout
2 & 4 Rue John Kennedy (between Rue de l’amphitheatre and Rue d’Algérie), Carthage
This boutique on a quiet street in Carthage has been a staple for beautifully made products for years. The owner works closely with artisans to make the finest products, including foutas, baskets, and home décor. They recently opened a children’s shop next door—El Hanout Enfants. You’re also not too far from the Carthage Museum and the sleek hotel Villa Didon, a trendy spot for a drink and views overlooking the Gulf of Tunis. Recommended by Myriam Fekih-Romdhan
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LA MARSA
My Little Bagatelle
Route N9 (direction La Marsa, right after you pass the Carrefour on your left), Sidi Daoud
Say hello to Kenza ben Gachem, founder of My Little Bagatelle, who is often found at the atelier with her mother-in-law. You’ll find handcrafted furniture, textiles, and home décor to take home. Afterwards, grab a pastry at Palet Royal Patisserie, a French pastry shop right next door.
EKCCI
EKCCI
1 Rue Ali Kallel, La Marsa
Down a side street from Cosmitto coffee shop on Avenue de l’Independence is EKCCI. This charming shop carries whimsical collections of jewelry, clothing and accessories.
NouveLLes
17 avenue Ali Belhaouane, La Marsa
NouveLLes is a clothing and accessories brand launched in 2018 by designer Khadija Ben Cheikha, who previously worked at Isabel Marant in Paris. Khadija creates sharp collections featuring cool tees, patterned jumpsuits, everyday jackets and more.
Lyoum
27, Rue Tahar ben Achour, La Marsa
Lyoum is a prêt-à-porter brand developed between Paris and Tunis. Founders Sofiane and Claire ben Chaabane are inspired by the ease of Mediterranean life by the sea. They create playful essentials for men, women, and children, often in luxuriously soft cotton. They’re expanding beyond Tunis with pop-up shops in London and Paris, and a new lifestyle publication Hölma, that “reveals a surprising contemporary Tunisia, beyond clichés.”
XYZ Concept Store in La Marsa
XYZ
7bis Rue Omar Ibn Abi Rabiaa, La Marsa
Steps from the La Marsa TGM terminus is XYZ Concept Store. The owner Molka Saheb Ettaba is known for her collection of ceramics in the form of pomegranates. You’ll find these scattered across the shop alongside art, home objects and clothing by local designers.
Driba shop in La Marsa
Driba
1bis rue Imam Abou Hanifa, La Marsa
A block away from XYZ is Driba, a small space chock-full of halfa rugs, ceramic table tops, and design objects, sourced and designed by Mohamed Messaoudi.
Zina
Rue Habib Thameur, La Marsa
Zina has been in La Marsa for over 2 decade, offering furniture, linens, and home decor to its tony neighborhood. They’re most known for their designs in neutral tones and hammered copper.
Rose Mandarine
1 rue Slaheddine Bramli, La Marsa
Looking for something special for the kids? Rose Mandarine is where to go for sweet tees, notebooks, and toys that will fit back at home with hints of Tunisia.