Bou Saâda has modest restaurant options focused on Algerian staples — couscous, tagines, grilled meats, mechoui (whole roasted lamb for larger groups). The hotel restaurants are often the most reliable option, particularly for visitors uncertain about local places. The town is dry in the Muslim sense — alcohol is not served in restaurants or hotels.
The local specialty is dates from the palmeraie, sold fresh in season (autumn) or pressed into various forms. The Deglet Nour variety from the region is one of the finest dates in Algeria.