Les Sablettes is one of the better-known traditional restaurants in Algiers, serving classic Algerian cooking in a setting that does not try too hard to be atmospheric. The couscous here is carefully made — the semolina steamed twice over the broth, served with a rich lamb and vegetable stew, and accompanied by harissa and the optional sweet raisin sauce. The bastilla (a filo pastry filled with chicken and spiced with cinnamon and almonds) is worth ordering as a starter.
The restaurant draws a mixed crowd of Algerois families and the occasional foreign visitor. Service is traditional and a little formal. Book in advance for Friday lunch, which is the social high point of the week.