You’ll join a local family in Sousse for a private Tunisian cooking class — starting with shopping together at the old market (no need to pay extra for ingredients), then preparing your chosen dishes side by side before sharing lunch around their table. Finish with sweets and tea in their garden as stories linger longer than dessert.
The first thing I noticed was the way the sunlight fell across the tiled courtyard as we stepped into our hosts’ house in Sousse — that soft, late-morning glow you only get near the sea. My hands still smelled faintly of coriander from the market; we’d just come back, arms full of tomatoes and lemons, and I was already a little hungry. Our host, Amel, handed me a plate of fresh dates and something sweet I couldn’t pronounce (and probably shouldn’t try). She laughed when I asked how to say it in Arabic — my accent is hopeless, apparently.
Shopping at the old market with Amel was half chaos, half charm. She knew everyone — there were hugs, quick jokes in rapid-fire Tunisian Arabic, and lots of bargaining over spices. At one point she pressed a pinch of harissa into my palm so I could smell it properly. It’s hard to describe that scent — smoky but bright? The whole place buzzed with people getting ready for lunch. We never had to pay for anything ourselves; Amel handled it all, which honestly made things feel easy and welcoming.
Back at her place, we started chopping vegetables side by side at her kitchen table. The conversation drifted between cooking tips and stories about her childhood in Sousse. There was this moment when her son wandered through with his school bag and stole a piece of bread off our prep plate — no one seemed to mind. We cooked whatever dishes each of us had picked (I went for brik and couscous), but honestly it felt more like joining a family than taking a class. Lunch happened around their big table with everyone reaching across for seconds. Afterward we sat out in the garden drinking mint tea under a fig tree while Amel brought out pastries dusted with sugar. I still think about that quiet hour in the shade.
Yes, private transportation is included from your location in Sousse.
No, all ingredients are included regardless of what you choose to cook.
Yes, you can choose vegan or meat-based dishes from their menu list.
The experience is designed for up to 4 guests; larger groups should contact directly.
Yes, all areas and transportation are wheelchair accessible.
The timing shifts to afternoons/evenings during Ramadan; on Eid days there’s no market visit but the experience adapts at home.
Bottled water, soda/pop, coffee and tea are all included with your meal.
Your day includes private pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, all ingredients from the old market (no extra costs), snacks on arrival at your host’s home, hands-on cooking instruction tailored to your dish choices, lunch shared around their family table, traditional Tunisian pastries with tea or coffee in the garden before returning relaxed and well-fed.
Do you need help planning your next activity?