In our new Globe Trotter series, Viral Travel reviews all the best places to see, eat and stay at in every country of the world!

This week we visit: Algeria

Traditional Algerian food is historically influenced by Berber, Arab, Turkish, and French cuisines. Algiers and popular coastal towns have a nice selection of restaurants, serving mainly French and Italian-style food, and the fish dishes are just spectacular.

Food

Their specialties include brochettes – kebabs, made in French bread and covered in spicy sauce. Then, you will probably enjoy couscous, which is pasta made from cracked wheat. It is a staple food eaten in Algeria and throughout North Africa. As a cheap side dish, order chickpea-cakes, and it’s not only cheap, but also tasty.

For entree, try shakshuka, it is a stew usually served with vegetables. Another stew is tajine, prepared with lamb or chicken, and is one of the most popular everyday meals. Nomadic desert people usually eat pressed dates or figs and hard cheese because they can keep for a long time.

Drink

It is good to know, if you like a drink or two that alcohol is available only in expensive restaurants and hotels, and in special shops. Algeria produces great wines, however, very few are served in the county itself. You will be more likely find non-name brands and cheap alcohol, and they won’t be of great quality.

Regional drinks include mint tea, especially in North Africa and Middle East. Their coffee is strong and sweet, it’s also called Turkish coffee, and is usually drunk during downtimes, which is a French legacy.

Tipping is unofficially set to 10 per cent in Algiers and larger cities.