Very cosy atmosphere, Parisian bistro feel, friendly service though our server did not know the menu items so that was annoying (her having to ask at the back for every question we had). Food was good enough but not special. The baklava was not good at all though.
Starting with the atmosphere, it was calm intimate and original however slightly too dark. The French onion soup was amazing. You can't go wrong with Saffron rice and the seafood broth was cooked to perfection. I enjoyed the food for sure. Service was great, although they need to reduce the number of times they come up to you to ask how everything is. Nothing wrong with it but waitress'... more
Came here tonight for my first visit ever on a blind date. Gorgeous dining room although a little dark. Not sure why so many cameras are needed in their dining room (hidden in the uppermost corners). Enjoyed steak medallion special with veggies and whipped mashed potatoes for $25. A glass of Malbec red wine with the meal. My date had the only vegetarian dish (he chose the place!) couscous. No... more
Team Tastic came here for a Tuesday dinner and I had the following:
Couscous Carthage ($23)
Bouillabaise ($24)
Bread and Butter (included)
The Couscous Carthage, sort of the "everything" couscous, came with chicken, lamb, merguez and autumn vegetables in tomato sauce. The couscous hidden underneath the meat was the best part; it was steamy hot and perfectly cooked through. I wish I could say...
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Toren's Resto Rants vol 3: Carthage Cafe
Booths? No
Noisy? No
Candies with Bill? Yes but boring.
This is one of those restaurants that provide a little basket of complimentary bread with your meal - though I read somewhere they charge for refills. We tried the Moroccan iced tea which was fine, and my date had the seafood bouillabaise -fish of the day, scallops, tiger prawns and mussels in...
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TUNISIAN CUISINE......its like travelling back in time.carthage is an ancient city where history of Tunisia begun......this place is one of the most beautiful restaurant ive ever been.....contemporary and yet ancient ambiance,we had escaragot,lamb,fish and beef,serving were huge and the taste was superb,casual attire,quite place to eat,dtreet meter parking,credit/debit/cash okay,small... more
I decided to explore the Drive on my next foodie adventure so without a destination in mind hopped on the train and found this great cozy joint.
I stumbled upon this place from across the road and
The decor is very unassuming and reminded me of a small brasserie in Paris. The ambiance is chill without being pretentious. The hanging colorful lamp coverings reminded me of Turkey so this place...
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My partner and I went for Dine Out. We arrived for our reservation 5 minutes early, our table was vacant but not yet cleared. This place is small, like 8 tables in the whole place kinda small, thus no additional seating, we stood, awkwardly, while everyone stared at us. Once we were seated, it took the server 15 minutes just to bring us over our menus (did I mention there are 8 tables in the... more
4.5*
Best mussels
Attentive service
Amazing value
I can't believe it took me so long to actually come here.
Will be back. Frequently.
I recently had dinner at this restaurant with friends and family.
The service was great and the waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu. I was also very impressed with their selection of mussels. I would recommend this restaurant if you were visiting or shopping on Commercial Drive and wanted something a little different.
I loved this restaurant and will return. Most of the places on Commercial Drive are casual but this place has a bistro feel with white tableclothsl The patrons dress like they're going out for a special meal which adds to the ambience. Our party of 4 loved what was ordered. Delicious and generous portions. The only weakness was the server, while very sweet, was difficult to understand her... more
While the white tablecloth setting may seem a little out of place amongst ultra casual East Van surroundings, this place is a true little gem. Dropping in for a late dinner, my boyfriend and I got seated by the window. The decor and the soft retro tunes playing in the background put is in a romantic kind of mood. The place felt genuine rather than pretentious. We ordered a bottle of wine,... more
I am pleased to be currently rated Number # 8 reviewer for TripAdvisor here in Vancouver.
Chef Zito has to beone of Vancouver's best kept secret. This is the only restaurant that offers a true Cochille Sainte Jacques on it's menu. The recipe calls for leeks and scallops perfectly cooked in balance within a rich creamy seafood sauce. Chef Zito...
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What a great restaurant!
Aside from the amazing duck (special) the atmosphere and service put this place over the top for me.
Big ups to "Crosby" for making this experience as special as it was. We will definitely be back!
Really enjoyed this place. The food was amazing and the service was impeccable. I didn't catch our servers name, he kind of looked like Sydney Crosby, but let me tell you he was everything you could ask for in a server.
I will definitely be back.
Few restaurants manage to combine authentic décor, color and aroma to create not just a mood but a whole sense of another time and place as successfully as the Carthage Café. Step through the door and leave everyday Vancouver behind: you're in the tastefully rich and exotic world of French-influenced Tunisia. Hercule Poirot could walk through the door at any... more
Surprised by finding this unassuming place with classy friendly waiter, delicious cuisine new to my palate and an exotic neighbourhood to explore (check out close by Italian bakeries, middle eastern grocery store and hand made sausages!) And at a great price range for the quality and quantity served
I have been here twice with a different group of people each time and I have to say that I can't wait to bring everyone I know to this restaurant!
I know the chef/owner Zico through work and he's a really nice guy. After a few invitations to come visit his restaurant, I finally found an opportunity to bring some friends with me to try out French Tunisian food. None of us have ever had (French)...
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We went here for lunch during the Eastside Culture Crawl. My expectations were high when I saw the really up-scale table settings, quite unusual for Commercial Drive eateries. The service was prompt and attentive. They were late in delivering one dish, but the manager came out to explain the delay. It was the food that prevents me from giving a higher rating. My lamb sandwich was overwhelmed by... more
If you love mussels this is the best place. Plump and juicy straight from Salt Spring. The couscous is also good as is most of the menu. Fine decor and attentive service.
My first dinner here was wonderful in April 2013 but recently it was very disappointing. I ordered the special - Coq au vin - and it didn't taste like anything! The sauce was starchy, without a hint of wine flavour. There was nothing special about the veggies or saffron rice either. My husband had the Halibut and he also felt that the dish was bland. The mussels and the pear sorbet were nice... more
Came here several months ago for a set dinner/Meetup, soup/entree/dessert for $30 or so...well worth it, think all you have to do is call up and say you're bringing in 15 ppl or so, and you'll be amazed at what creations they come up with.
there were 2 choices of each, but went with the seafood pasta linguini, & creme brulee, highly recommended.
small, cozy resto, and good service.
kinda...
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This is a great restaurant for lunch, a date, or an evening with friends. The service is friendly and attentive, the decor is very original and intimate, and the food is great. The mussels and frites are excellent, as is the couscous and the steak with bordelais sauce. The dessert menu looked great, but I was too full to order... more
Carthage Cafe is a delightful gem located on eclectic Commercial Drive, an easy bus trip from most downtown hotels. Step into a smallish room with dark wood panelling and sunny yellow walls, blindingly white tablecloths and napkins, and be amazed by the magnificent food.
Eating our way through the menu, we have enjoyed merguez, pan fried red snapper, fish soup,...
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All dishes are very tasty and worth exploring. Good service and reasonably priced. Merguez saussage, couscus, lamb, all good.
what I found most off putting was the service. The servers here were from another generation, and I guess the customer service level now-a-days did not parallel with what they are familiar with delivering. The night was filled with awkward stares, inconvienet reach arounds, and high waisted pant pull ups. We never felt alone and at peace in our three person conversation. There was always one of... more
A lovely spot for a Saturday afternoon of eating tasty food and drinking a glass of full-bodied Malbec.
Had the three piece delight; chicken, lamb chop and merguez. All fragrant and wonderfully seasoned. The soup was a taste delight, just spicy sweet with chick peas and tomato broth. Salads fresh and tantalizing. Pear sorbet was top-notch.
Great ambience, although the street noise hampered...
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I had an awful experience at Carthage Cafe last Friday. I made reservation for 4 at 6 pm and I arrived at the restaurant on time, just prior to my guests. It was a business dinner. I was told, rather rudely, that I need to be out by 7:45 by the manger, an elderly man. I asked if I had a choice and was told no. I would have walked out, not because of the time limit, but because of the manager's... more
Must order the mussels. My partner and I shared the El Atlas mussels. They were extremely fresh, not a second overcooked. I could have drank the leftover sauce, it was that tasty.
I had the halibut special, with lemon, capers on gnocchi and veggies. It was good but nothing mind-blowing. My partner had the bouillabaisse, with tender scallops, fish and more mussels! Again excellent sauce with...
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Never disappointed about that little and charming restaurant.
Been there many times.
Service is excellent and the food is prepared with flair.
Delicious and tasty.
The Chef is the owner and will be happy to come to your table.
Glad I tried out this French / Tunisian place. Ordered $22 lamb shank sitting on a bed of couscous with tender carrots plus other veggies. Big bone of lamb came on a hot plate there could have been more meat but I won't complain for this price and quality.
Carthage mussells perfectly mildly spicy. Save some bread that they serve in the beginning for dipping in this awesome sauce. Came with...
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Our party of 4 had a wonderful evening at the Carthage Cafe. We were all familiar with North African cuisine, but the menu at Carthage includes French standards such as mussels provencal, and onion soup (which, by the way was superb - not off-the-charts, as at the late lamented Cafe Gruenhaus in Kitsilano, but the best I've had since CG... more
Small cafe with excellent Tunisian food: couscous, merguez lamb sausage, fish--and mussels prepared about a dozen different ways. 1851 Commercial Dr (btw 2nd & 3rd Av) 604-215-0661
www.carthage-cafe.com Good service. Specials. One of our favorities.
I was wandering around Commercial Drive with a friend of mine, and we stumbled on this jem of a restaurant. Carthage Cafe has the feel of an antiquated restaurant, complete with dark walls and really neat chandeliers. We arrived around 9 PM, and were given a cozy table at the back of the restaurant.
The food served here is french, with appetizers costing around $10, and entree's ranging...
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We had a fantastic dining experience here last weekend. Walked in at 6pm on a Saturday evening and snagged the last table. We ordered the special, chicken breast stuffed with veggies and mashed potatoes, and the couscous with beef. I also ordered a glass of the sparking Venetian wine and it was excellent, though a bit pricey ($10). However, we were on our way to a concert and our server put a... more
Seated early, very nice hostess, Reasonable bottle of melbac, a really nice dinner for 2 and a shared chocolate cake for desert, under $75.00 including tip. I felt good after eating a very ample meal, lamb, chicken and sausage on cuscus, cooked to perfection. Beautiful, classy surroundings and just a great place for that special night out. Can't say enough... more
I used to love this place but something went badly wrong this time. Long waits - in a place with fewer than 20 diners on a Monday evening. My mussels were swimming in a goopy listless broth (had the asian - low on flavour.) Five of them didn't open so I left them in the bowl and commented on it... more
It's hard to know how to rate this place. The food is good enough, but they use some kind of strong disinfectant or deodorant in the bathroom that wafts through the dining room. We were there a few years ago and complained of this - then forgot until we were sitting with the friends who had invited us, and were... more
If it weren’t for my aunt, I wouldn’t have even known about Carthage Cafe. We went there for dinner, taking advantage of our 2 for 1 Entertainment Book discount.
I wasn’t sure what to expect other than knowing that they served French-Tunisian cuisine which intrigued me. I immediately fell in love with the decor with lamps and cloths in rich...
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If there was a 6th star, Carthage Cafe would be getting one. We were in Vancouver for 2 nights and dined here both! Truly delicious ethnic food, presented with style and class. The meschouia is the best ive had (and ive tried many) and the couscous was incredible. My Tunisian food-snob boyfriend says that this is as good as at home. The staff was welcoming and attentive and I can guarantee that... more
I had the Merguez Couscous (3 Lamb and Beef Sausages with vegetables & couscous). The sausages had a very nice smoke grill taste to it. It was very good and hearty meal. Service was excellent. Had a lemon pastry dessert that was also very good.
The best, really the best, mussels in the city of Vancouver.
I was a little unsure when I looked through the window the afternoon before my dinner reservation...but I always tell myself not to judge a book by its cover...well this time I wish I listened to my gut.
I found the decor to be dated, as well as the menu offering.
The service was good, but left me wanting more. The reason they are getting two stars is for the food more so then the service or...
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Hadn't been here since shortly after it opened. The food has improved considerably. The Dine Out menu was quite good, the prices reasonable and the service friendly.
We recently went for dinner to this great restaurant on Commercial Drive in Vancouver. My son ordered the pepper steak and the rest of us settled for lamb. We were all in awe about the quality and taste of the food as well as the service. It's certainly not an inexpensive restaurant but we came away thinking that it was... more
I'm absolutely stunned that I haven't yet written a review of this amazing spot, although by the looks of it, it isn't missing anything given that so many others have already chimed in with stellar reviews of this place.
I've have many wonderful meals here. It is the ultimate romantic date place. We love the mussels here - a delicious shared start to a meal. Don't forget the coffee to finish.
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We're regulars here having fallen in love with their mussels. They have a great selection of different sauces all of which are excellent. Their entrees and specials are also very, very good. The atmosphere is intimate with character and the service is always great.
My girlfriend and I chanced upon this jewel of a restaurant while searching for several other restaurants highlighted in the Lonely Planet during our visit from the East Coast. As luck has it, those restaurants had closed down and this wasn't even listed (shame on Lonely Planet).
Service: Excellent. Our server, an older gentleman, was friendly, humorous and attentive.
Ambiance: Cozy and...
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We were drawn to this restaurant as we walked down Commercial Dr. looking for a place to eat as it was small and looked a bit like a French bistro. Antoine, our waiter, was standing outside with his long black apron, pressed white shirt and tie and greeted us with open arms. The restaurant serves French/Tunisian cuisine. We ordered kir... more
Oh my god! This is a hidden jem. Among the normal bars and hippie coffee shops along Commercial, I had spotted this corner and finally took my wife out for a European Lunch (and it's not Italian, another surprise for the Drive).
I can't say enough good about this spot. Food - Amazing, Service - Impecable, Decore - Beautiful... It's not cheap, but it's not over priced either. Lunch was Mussels...
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We met local friends, who live just a few blocks of Commercial and know all the wild and wonderful restaurants along The Drive, at the Carthage on their recommendation. And boy, they were right. Small and intimate, the tables sport white tablecloths and real candles, and the knowledgeable, personable waiters all wear ties and vests, but the restaurant is anything... more
Small and cozy, this cafe is a throwback to a french bistro in an authentic way. The room was full for the night, but not rushed, just relaxed! We called on route as we were late for our reservation, and the waiter held our table and thanked us for calling. Cucumber scented water and french bread was replenished all evening-... more
So I didn't order the couscous, which I supposedly is the must try according to the other reviews.
To start we had the Coquilles St. Jaques (baked scallops with mashed potatoes and cheese) and escargots. Not too shabby.
We shared the Steak Frites. I know, very unadventurous but I was craving dead AAA Canadian cow. Cooked medium rare (of course), it was tender and was complemented well by...
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This might be the best restaurant that we have ever ate at. The mussels are huge and delicious, the tunisian salad is the best salad we have ever ate, The Coquilles St. Jaques is incredible. Their steak was better than that of a steakhouse. Definately recomend it!
Commercial Drive, known as The Drive, is northeast of Vancouver's glitzy downtown and not mentioned in most tourist oriented literature. Yet it's old Vancouver, before they discovered Manhattan glass tower condos, with all the Pacific Rim and other ethnic cultures that make up Vancouver's vibrant lifestyle. Carthage Cafe's small space is beautifully designed with an aromatic Tunisian menu,... more
Some of the best moules-frites we have ever tasted (and yes, we have eaten them in France and Belgium as well). Friendly service and very good value. Highly recommended.
French and Tunisian. A great mix.
It was our first visit to Carthage Cafe. With so many great dining options to chose from on the Drive, we really agonized before deciding to walk in the door. We were very happy we did.
The menu is notable for a couple of things. First, the Mussels, which we did not try, and secondly the couscous. I had the Lamb Shank Couscous, a tender lamb shank on a bed of...
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This is a little restaurant with French and Tunisian influences. The waitstaff are helpful and service is very good. Mussels are offered with a choice of spices and herbs. I had mine with cumin and other spices and enjoyed them very much. The couscous is made there and excellent. Our son's lamb was good but he said it wasn't spectacular.... more
This place is awesome. I was here on a friday night for dinner - note: it's a really small place. Make reservations - we were lucky as there was 1 table left when we arrived. The rest were reserved and the place filled up super quick.
We were not super hungry and opted to share the spinach salad which was amazing - gorgonzola cheese, spinach (of course), candied pecans, and poached pear dipped...
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A lovely date place. Romantically casual. The carrot ginger soup started us off nicely. Our french waiter knew his stuff and the ambiance was just right. A good way to impress someone without breaking the bank (roughly $100 for 2 soup, main courses and a bottle of wine).. On a nice night with the front opened to the street.. you will be sure to walk away happily.
The food is great and the service fast. And don't pass up the Tunisian coffee, it completes the evening.
I started out loving this place, when it first opened, but it seems like the quality of the food has gone down quite a bit since then.
As with all restaurants, this varies with different dishes. Now when I eat here I always get the couscous, because that seems like a very safe choice. I've become particular cautious after I once got a seafood special that was utterly, disgustingly...
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Easily my favourite restaurant in Vancouver. Delicious couscous in a charming setting make this hidden gem a winner.
Had the lamb sausage with couscous and vegetables. The sausage is made in-house and very thin, which is actually a great idea so when it cooks it's not all raw in the middle.
I also had the Carthage soup, which I was happy that the portion size was large enough.
I will be back! The other food coming out of the kitchen looked tasty.
Hopefully the waitress takes a minute to remember the...
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You know the pressure you get when your friends know how much you love food and go out aot? You know what I mean. They come to you to recommend an entirely different cusine for dinner that you haven't tried and neither have they.
Out of my mouth came the words, 'Tunisian food.' I've never tried it before and for the life of me I couldn't think of one in town until I googled.
Cafe Carthage came...
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UPDATE:
My second experience at Carthage was not as bright as my first. The ambience was fantastic, the service a bit goofy but enjoyable, but my lamb, my sacred lamb, had sooo much fat. To my disappointment, I found myself spitting fat into my napkin - not an enviable position to be in. The rest of the evening was enjoyable and the Turkish coffee was great but the lamb was the reason I...
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That small restaurant was the worst experience I ever had in my whole life, I still can`t forget it, first they gave us a menu but most of it wasn`t available, it was limited to what they cooked that day, the service was in general poor for their prices and employees were rude, the food was decent, we spent too much time to get there, we only lost our time and money that night.
The Carthage Cafe specializes in French-Tunisian cuisine. It is the kind of place that helps provide Commercial Drive with the reputation of being a street where you can find diverse and affordable dining experiences. This street is lined with restaurants of various ethnicities — Italian, Cantonese, Sichuan, Ethiopian, Jamaican, Salvadorean, Vegetarian (is that a bonafide ethnic group? Methinks... more
Excellent food, although there is only one veg entree. Service is great and the ambiance is warm and welcoming. If you're able, get one of the two tables nearest the entrance as the rest of the restaurant is a bit cosy.
Carthage Café is a small and intimate restaurant that offers a unique Tunisian and French menu. The decor is warm and intimate, an oasis of Tunisian hospitality that will make you feel comfortable and welcomed. We offer "food for the soul" that is prepared with care and is sure to excite your taste buds.
Tunisian and French cuisine served in an cozy, intimate setting. Tempting choices include a number of couscous options, mussels and chicken tagine. $$. L (Tu-Sa), D (Tu-Su).