Restaurant El Kahina — Restaurant in Ain Benian

El Kahina – A Refined Seafood Experience by the Sea

Restaurant El Kahina, located near the coast in Algiers, delivers an elevated dining experience that blends luxury, quality, and the timeless appeal of Mediterranean seafood. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that this place was carefully designed and generously invested in, not just in décor and architecture, but in the overall guest experience.

The first impression is striking. The restaurant stands out for its spacious layout, modern yet cozy design, and meticulous attention to detail. The use of high-end materials and elegant finishes creates an atmosphere of understated luxury. The proximity to the sea adds a fresh and tranquil ambiance, enhanced by a generous parking lot that can easily accommodate over 20 vehicles, a rare and practical bonus in Algiers.

Upon entering, you're greeted with professionalism and warmth. The concept at El Kahina starts with a fresh fish market-style display, a standout feature that sets it apart from most dining spots in the city. You’re invited to select your seafood from a wide array: several varieties of shrimp, rouget, sole, merlan, chien de mer, and more. You decide how much you want and choose the cooking method, grilled, in sauce, or otherwise. It’s a tailored experience that gives diners a sense of control and personalization.

We selected a variety of seafood, including grilled and sauced shrimp, rouget, and grilled chien de mer. After placing our fish order, we were escorted upstairs to a serene, enclosed terrace dining room. This space, surrounded by windows opened for natural air circulation, offered a beautiful view and a relaxed vibe, ideal for enjoying a leisurely meal.

To complement the seafood, we ordered several sides and starters:

A flavorful seafood soup Hmiss, the traditional Algerian dish of grilled green peppers and tomatoes marinated in olive oil, offering just the right amount of heat A fresh seafood salad A creative mac and cheese with seafood twist And, of course, traditional matlou’ bread, which paired perfectly with the spreads and sauces We arrived around 5:00 PM, an unusual time between lunch and dinner in Algerian dining culture. Despite this, service remained efficient and attentive. The staff maintained a balance between professionalism and warmth, and we never felt rushed or overlooked.

The food lived up to expectations for the most part, fresh, well-cooked, and seasoned with care. The standout was the grilled shrimp in tomato sauce, which was rich and deeply satisfying. However, one slight letdown was the grilled chien de mer, which was overcooked and somewhat dry. That aside, everything else was delicious and thoughtfully prepared.

As expected from a place of this caliber, prices are on the higher end, but they are justified by the quality of ingredients, setting, and service. It’s not an everyday restaurant, but rather a destination for those seeking a special meal, whether for a celebration, an impressive outing with guests, or simply to treat oneself.

In summary, El Kahina combines the best of Mediterranean seafood with an upscale dining experience, all within a welcoming and beautifully designed space. Aside from a minor misstep with one dish, it was a near-perfect culinary journey, a place I would gladly return to, and one that continues to raise the bar for fine...

I came across this restaurant here in google maps. I trusted the reviews and decided to try it.

this restaurant really knows what they do. Starting from the lovely staff. They are all kind, attentive, polite and good looking. They speak Kabyle as well (Native language) .

The other most important thing is the food. They have many varieties of fish. I tried couple of them. The way it's cooked and seasoned is just delicious.

Don't miss out on their refreshing home made lemonade and caramel 🍮 dessert. I forgot to take photos of that.

Price wise it's expensive but fair enough I guess to the fish market scale in Algeria. So for all what we had from fish, lemonade drink, crème caramel 🍮 and some melon 🍈 we payed 13200DA

I think I am going to pay them a visit...

Restaurant El Kahina is a great seafood spot offering a wide variety of fresh fish and seafood dishes. Guests can choose their fish and preferred cooking method, which adds a personalized touch to the experience.

The restaurant features two floors with both indoor and outdoor seating areas, providing a comfortable dining atmosphere. There is also a private parking area available for customers, which is very convenient.

The food is very good, the service is attentive, and the overall cleanliness of the restaurant—including the restrooms—is well maintained. However, the ventilation inside the restaurant could be improved for a better dining experience.

Definitely worth trying if you’re a fan of...