- Introduction to Marrakech Restaurants and Warm Hospitality
- Must-Try Traditional Dishes
- Moroccan Cuisine Recommendations
- The Atmosphere and Ambiance of Marrakech Dining
- Ambient Restaurant Recommendations
- Casual Eateries and Street Food
- Outdoor Dining Experience
- Conclusion: Embrace the Flavours of Marrakech
Introduction to Marrakech Restaurants and Warm Hospitality
Explore some diverse culinary delights of Marrakech restaurants and dining experiences. From traditional Moroccan street food dishes to trendy rooftop restaurants, discover places to eat in Marrakech and experience the best of Moroccan hospitality.
From the moment we were welcomed to our riad with mint tea and biscuits, we realised how wonderful the hospitality in Marrakech is. The Marrakech food and restaurant scene is an exceptional and inspiring experience.
Steeped in traditional values, exotic spices, flavours and incredible ambient design, Marrakech is a foodie’s paradise.
I have put together a few suggestions for you to explore and add to your Marrakech dining itinerary.
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Must-Try Traditional Dishes
A few must-try traditional Moroccan dishes are couscous (rolled semolina), tagine (slow cooked stew), harira (tomato based soup) and bastilla (meat or seafood pastry pie). Moroccan dishes commonly use spices such as ras el hanout, vegetables. olives, chickpeas and preserved lemons. Lamb is popular as well as chicken.
Dishes are colourful, bold and flavoursome. We loved the towers of fluffy couscous laden with vibrant vegetables, succulent lamb and chicken tagines.
Couscous
Morocco is known for couscous. I don’t know about you but my couscous never turns out particularly well. However, the couscous I’ve eaten in Marrakech has been the most wonderful fluffy couscous I’ve ever had.
Moroccan Bread
Bread is extremely important to Moroccans and there are rules of etiquette surrounding it. Moroccans have community ovens and families bring their dough to be baked. You should wait to be offered bread and not just take it. Rolls of bread are served at every meal but never wasted and once it isn’t fit for human consumption it is fed to the animals.
Dessert Before Dinner
Traditionally, Moroccans serve desserts in reverse to western cultures. They have delicate pastries and sweets served with mint tea at the start of their meal.
If you get the chance to eat at your riad, you are sure to enjoy one of the best homecooked meals during your stay. Our meal was lamb meatballs and chicken tagine.
Moroccans love their tea and one of the most charming sights is all the shiny teapots and beautiful glass cups where ever you go.
Moroccan Cuisine Recommendations
✨ This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Marrakech.
M Bacha
A fantastic recommendation for authentic Moroccan and Asian cuisine is M Baccha. This exceptionally beautiful establishment is a riad that once belonged to the son of the supreme commander of the Moroccan army. The riad is an example of historic Moroccan architecture and design and it is absolutely stunning.
Located in the Medina, not far from Baccha Coffee, this hidden gem is not on the usual lists of must see places. Guests can expect a warm reception, traditional homestyle Moroccan cooking, or if preferred, Asian gastronomy.
We chose Vegetable and Chicken couscous, cooked to perfection.
See the link to reserve a table at M Bacha
Le Jardin
Le Jardin is close to the Secret Garden. It is large and very popular, so it is best to make reservations. As its name suggests, Le Jardin is a calming, green space with plants and trees growing in the centre courtyard. You will find various shaded indoor and outdoor seating areas on different levels. Amongst the plants you will find tortoises roaming around and hear birds chirping in the trees.
Le Jardin specialises in traditional Moroccan cuisine and European delicacies. We chose T-bone steak, chicken tagine and roasted vegetables, which were delicious. It was very busy and so the service is not as personable as it is at M Bacha, but the staff are courteous and professional.
See the link to reserve a table at Le Jardin
The Atmosphere and Ambiance of Marrakech Dining
Nothing beats the intimacy and ambience of Moroccan restaurants. Opulent design, lanterns, mosaics and cushions make you feel like you’re on a film set. Where ever you go you are sure to find a gorgeous restaurant with a cosy atmosphere.
Ambient Restaurant Recommendations
La Trattoria
For one of the most ambient restaurants in Marrakech, you must visit La Trattoria. The Trattoria is an Italian Restaurant in the new part of the city. The soft lighting from candles and lanterns over the pool create the most intimate, romantic atmosphere.
The service is warm, friendly and professional. We had fun with our waiters and enjoyed their light humour.
The menu is Italian offering fresh seasonal products. The food was delicious and we enjoyed all of our dishes from starters to desserts and cocktails.
See the link to make a reservation for La Trattoria
Dardar Roof Top
Dardar Rooftop has a great reputation and for good reason. The staff are warm and welcoming, the food and cocktails are beautifully presented and delicious and the view is gorgeous – you can see all the way to the Atlas Mountains. As the sun sets, the lanterns light up and it looks magical. There is a DJ playing and we even had a magician visit our table too!
Located in the Medina, Dardar attracts a young, trendy crowd so wear your best dressy casuals. Be sure to reserve a table if you would like to eat at this restaurant because it is extremely popular, especially at sunset.
See the link to make a reservation at Dardar
Casual Eateries and Street Food
Tasting street food is a must-try experience when visiting Marrakech. There are countless places offering everything from grilled meat and fish snacks to aromatic tagines, fresh juices and pastries to snails. A good way to sample the highlights is to take a street food tour. You will get to learn all about local dishes and try new food.
The Best Lamb
A speciality in Marrakech is roasted lamb at Mechoui Alley. The lamb is cooked for several hours and sold by weight as takeaway or you can eat at a table. There are no plates and you eat off paper, with flat bread. Even if you don’t eat here it is worth taking a look so you can see the huge ovens and soak up the atmosphere.
Outdoor Dining Experience
A great outdoor dining experience I can recommend is to take a trip to the Agafay desert for food and entertainment at one of the desert camps. We booked a trip with Get Your Guide that included a sunset camel ride, traditional Moroccan dinner, fire show and dancing.
Conclusion: Embrace the Flavours of Marrakech
There are literally hundreds of food establishments in Marrakech, offering delicious smells and a kaleidoscope of colours and flavours. Whatever your dining choices, you are sure to experience many culinary delights and warm hospitality. The vibrant culinary scene will captivate your senses and make you want to return again and again.
Have you been to Marrakech? Where are your best recommendations? Let me know in the comments.
✨ This article is also featured on GPSmyCity. To download this article for offline reading or create a self-guided walking tour to visit the attractions highlighted in this article, go to Walking Tours and Articles in Marrakech.
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