Since alcohol was banned by the Government in 1969, many restaurants have closed, and those remaining are very expensive. Hotel restaurants, although not particularly good, are therefore often the only eating places. Most restaurants have table service, and although food is traditionally eaten with the right hand only, knives and forks will generally be available.
National specialities:
• Couscous (a dish based on savoury semolina that can be combined with chicken, lamb or vegetables and is a staple dish in many northern African countries).
• Ruuz (a rice dish with a variety of spices, meat and vegetables).
• Sharba Libiya (a spiced lamb and tomato soup).
National drinks:
• Mint tea.
Tipping: A tip of 10 to 20 per cent is usually included in hotel and restaurant bills.

All nightclubs and bars have been closed. There are several cinemas in major towns, some showing foreign films. There are no theatres or concert halls.

Souks in the main towns are the workplaces of many weavers, copper-, gold- and silversmiths and leatherworkers. There are numerous other stalls selling a variety of items including spices, metal engravings and various pieces of jewellery.