To be honest, I was a bit apprehensive about what our dining experience would be like in Morocco. I’ve never been much of a risk-taker when it comes to food, and my palette is not accustom to overly spiced food. Now, that isn’t to say I won’t try something: I’ll try anything once. But the odds of me enjoying it a hot n’ spicy dish or ordering it again of my own volition are low.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by our dining experiences in Morocco. From the food that was provided on our desert excursion (delicious Tajine’s and Cous-Cous), to the dinners at our Riad (some of the best during our trip) and lunches in the main square, there was never anything for me to be fearful of. Moroccan food and Sarah got along just fine.
By no means is this an exhaustive list of where to eat in Marrakesh – with only three full days to explore the city, there is no way we were able to experience all it had to offer. This is merely a summary of what we had and what we enjoyed. For example;
Bakchich Cafe – 5 Rue des Banques, Marrakesh
This way my favourite dining experience by far. The cafe is located just outside of Jemaa-el-Fna Square and is easy to find (once you see Cafe de France, take the street to the left of the restaurant and Bakchich will be at the end). It’s a relaxing place (usually they have a giant fan on which really helps with the heat), and we found the food and prices great. I had the Tomato and Avocado Salad which was fresh, ample, and delicious. I would highly recommend this place for escaping the heat over lunch hour. Our total cost for two meals, including drinks, was less then 90DHM (approx €9).
Toubkal – Jemaa-el-Fna Square, Marrakesh
We stopped into Toubkal for lunch one afternoon and were pleasantly surprised. Toubak offers good value for your money and a great location in the Square. The portions were large and we had the best chicken dish our our entire trip (and that’s saying a lot as we ate TONNES of chicken). If you’re looking for a place that offers a fun atmosphere and good food that won’t break the bank, give it a try.
Les Premices – Jemaa-el-Fna Square, Marrakesh
There is nothing special about Les Premices. The service was okay, the food was fine, and the price was decent. But the one thing that Les Premices has that makes it a great place to go is the rooftop terrace. If you can score a seat next to the railing, the restaurant offers exceptional views of the square and all of its happenings. We went in the evening and enjoyed being able to see all the action from a bird’s-eye-view, even if the Cous-Cous was just “fine”.
Special mention: Street Food Vendors
A trip to Marrakesh just isn’t complete until you visit the food stalls of Jemaa-el-Fna square in the evening (the title photo of this post). Each booth is numbered, and it was suggested we visit Food Stall 1 – underwhelming. The experience is a lot of fun, sitting on long picnic tables with fellow travellers and endless commotion all around, but the food was “meh” for the price. We paid more for the meal at the market stall then anywhere else during our time in Marrakesh. I would recommend going for the experience, but don’t expect the meal of your life.
For more information about Moroccan food and restaurants in Marrakesh, check out Amanda at MarocMama. She has a tonne of great info.
Have you been to Marrakesh? Do you have any dining recommendations?
