Barsha Hermosa Beach: Tunisian Food in the South Bay
- GSS Staff
- Apr 18, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: May 5
Barsha is a Tunisian restaurant in Hermosa Beach owned by Lenora and Adnen Marouani. They also own the Barsha wine shops in Manhattan Beach and El Segundo. The menu is built around small plates, with a clear focus on pairing food with wine.
Order the dips appetizer first. It’s served in a Hamsa-shaped ceramic platter with olive tapenade, pesto, harissa, olives, and hummus.
The Hamsa (Arabic: khamsah, meaning “five”) refers to the five fingers of the hand and is traditionally used as a protective symbol across the Maghreb and the Middle East.
What We Ordered
We started with the dips platter, then added a Tunisian bruschetta special and falafel sliders, with one made vegan using hummus instead of mayo. The mac and cheese with za’atar fries worked as a comfort option, while the chickpea stew with feta had a more tangy profile.
Vegetarian options are certainly not an afterthought, and some dishes can be made vegan on request.
What Else Is on the Menu
Other dishes include an arugula tabbouleh, chickpeas prepared three ways, farmers cheese with beet salad and grape compote, and a roasted eggplant dish. The menu is designed for sharing, with a mix of lighter and more filling plates.
Seating and Atmosphere
Seating is available indoors and outdoors, with heaters on the patio. Dogs are allowed outside. There is live music on select nights, which adds to the overall atmosphere without changing the pace of the meal.
Drinks
Wine is central here. The Barsha rosé is available in multiple vintages, alongside wine-based cocktails like the “Night in Tunisia” (vermouth, sherry, lemon bitters) and the Barsha Spritz.
Plan Ahead
Reservations are recommended. Walk-ins can face waits of up to two hours.
Closed Monday and Tuesday. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 5 PM to 9 PM.
Website: https://www.barshalife.com
