Barsha: A Tunisian Family Restaurant Bringing “Abundance” to Hermosa Beach

The story of Barsha, a warm and family-run Tunisian restaurant in Hermosa Beach, California, begins far from the Mediterranean—at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. There, chef Lenora Marouani met Adnen, a seasoned hospitality professional originally from Tunisia. Their shared love for food and hospitality blossomed into a marriage and, later, a business partnership.

After moving back to Lenora’s native Los Angeles, the couple opened Barsha Wines in Manhattan Beach in 2012, a wine shop and bar that reflected both their expertise and their shared passion. Inspired by Adnen’s Tunisian upbringing and Lenora’s culinary training, they dreamed of creating something larger: a restaurant where food, family, and heritage could come together.

In 2019, that dream became a reality with the opening of Barsha Restaurant in Hermosa Beach. By then parents of two daughters, the Marouanis envisioned Barsha as more than a restaurant—it would be a family legacy and cultural bridge.

Why “Barsha”? A Word of Abundance

In Tunisian Arabic, “Barsha” means “abundance.” For Lenora, it was one of the first words she learned in the Tunisian dialect. “We loved its flow,” she explained. “To us, it symbolized that anyone—no matter their beginnings—can live a life of abundance.”

This philosophy defines the restaurant’s spirit: abundant hospitality, abundant flavors, and abundant warmth.

Cooking Tunisian Food in South Bay

Barsha’s menu reflects the couple’s blended culinary backgrounds—Lenora trained in French cuisine, Adnen in Italian—yet their Tunisian roots anchor the dining experience.

Before opening, Adnen’s mother joined them in Los Angeles, passing down recipes and traditions that still guide the kitchen. The result is a menu that introduces Los Angeles diners to Tunisian cuisine—a melting pot of Mediterranean influences.

Signature flavors include:

• Harissa: Tunisia’s iconic chili paste, smoky and vibrant.

• Turmeric, coriander, caraway, and paprika: Spice-forward without being overwhelming.

• Mediterranean blends: Dishes like Tunisian pasta, or a local twist on moussaka, similar to a Greek-style vegetarian lasagna.

Barsha is more than a place to eat—it is a cultural journey. Diners experience Tunisian hospitality, layered with California creativity.

A Family Legacy in the Making

At its heart, Barsha is a family restaurant. Lenora leads in the kitchen, while Adnen’s passion for wine and hospitality shapes the guest experience. Their daughters are growing up in the restaurant, learning that food is not just nourishment but also storytelling, memory, and connection.

Barsha embodies the couple’s belief that food brings people together—whether through Tunisian flavors, shared meals, or the abundant sense of community they’ve built in South Bay.

Conclusion

From Las Vegas beginnings to Hermosa Beach’s thriving food scene, Barsha represents more than a restaurant. It is a love story, a cultural exchange, and a legacy of abundance. By blending Tunisian traditions with California dining, Lenora and Adnen Marouani have created a unique culinary destination—one that celebrates heritage, family, and the rich flavors of North Africa.