Most meals will consist of a variation on meat, lentils, chick peas or vegetables with couscous (semolina). Algeria boasts an excellent assortment of fish dishes. Also, try tabbouleh (chilled couscous and salad). Algiers has French, Chinese and Vietnamese restaurants, the best of which will cost about US$30-$40 per person. There are excellent places full of North African atmosphere that specialize in Algerian dishes in the larger souks, but check with your hotel to see which have adequate sanitation standards. Algerian wines are found in the better international hotels. Algerians eat late, with dinner starting around 8 pm. Male visitors may want to try a local village cafe/bar; Western women will probably feel unwelcome in those places, however.
Even in the desert oases, there will usually be abundant fruits and vegetables (we've enjoyed figs, watermelons, honeydews, dates, green peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant and apples). Canned apricot nectar is also widely available and is delicious. You can't always be choosy about the water in the desert, and it can be unappetizing—chock full of minerals that can be seen with the unaided eye (other times it will be your nose that detects impurities). No matter how thirsty you are, unless it's a matter of life and death, purify the water with chemicals or boil it for at least 20 minutes. An alternative to drinking it straight is to order a glass of the traditional sweet mint tea or strong coffee.
