From charming cafes to elegant Moroccan fare, Travel Exploration guarantees the best experience when choosing from our list of restaurants. The places recommended by Travel Exploration’s Director, Alecia J. Cohen has been frequented by her and thousands of our guests. Travel Exploration’s list of theBest Restaurants in Moroccooffers cuisine in varied price ranges indicated by the $ sign from reasonably priced to expensive. The Maghreb is known for it’s incredible variation of cuisine that ranges from purely, authentic Moroccan to a melange of Moroccan with Mediterranean, French and Spanish. As a result, when dining out during your Morocco vacation you are guaranteed to discover delightful flavors and incredible ambiance from city to city. Best Restaurants in Moroccowas created specifically for Travel Exploration’s guests and foodies so they can discover the best cuisine, cafes and nightlife in the Maghreb!
BEST RESTAURANTS MARRAKECH
DAR EL YACOUT
DAR EL YACOUT
This is the place to go for Palace style dining. Ignore the fact it is a tourist haunt and enjoy a full evening starting with drinks on the roof, appetizers served around one of the many grand fireplaces, before you descend to one of the glass walled dining rooms overlooking the pool courtyard. You’ll be seated along a banquette with a 5′ diameter table which will be piled with an astounding amount of food while being entertained by traditional Moroccan music. This place is all about the architectural wow factor.
City: Marrakech Address: 79 rue Sidi Ahmed Soussi, Arset Ihiri Phone: +212-524-380-29-29 Price Range: $$$$
LE MARRAKCHI
A majestic Moroccan restaurant that overlooks Djemaa El Fna Square is the best place to eat if you want a full view of the Djemma. Le Marrakechi has reasonably priced Moroccan cuisine for the large portions they provide and boasts and atmosphere that is filled with charm. The service is spectacular as is the bellydancing show that is gratis to all those who come.
City: Marrakech Address: 52, rue des Banques, just off Djemâa El Fna, Marrakesh Phone: +212- 524-44-33-77 Price Range: $$$
LE TOBSIL
This restaurant whose name means “plate” in Arabic serves some of the best food in the medina. In typical Marrakech fashion, the food at Le Tobsil just keeps on coming, course after course after course. But far from being a test of endurance, the experience is more like unwrapping presents at Christmas: You can’t wait to see what’s next. Aperitifs are followed by a swarm of vegetarian meze dishes, a flaky pastilla, a tajine, and a couscous dish. Finally, fruit is served accompanied by pastries and tea or coffee. The setting is equally rich: a gorgeous old house deep in the Medina where guests are seated on two levels around a courtyard and entertained by Gnawa musicians.
Tucked away in a hidden backstreet of the medina’s less touristy northern district is one of our favourite restaurants in Marrakech. With an air of mystery, cloaked Moroccan men guide you down a narrow, winding and dusty alley and inside a secret door, where a stylish sanctuary will be revealed as you step inside this modern reinterpretation of an ancient travelers inn. Set within a dramatic multi-level dining space with soaring high ceilings, enjoy a quiet aperitif in their cozy lounge bar, savour the prime people-watching balcony views from the first floor tables overlooking a giant wrought-iron candelabra, or retreat to the rooftop terrace for romantic alfresco dining. After dinner, sink into one of the plush purple-hued lounges for a cocktail or a glass of local Moroccan wine. The split Franco-Moroccan menu is accomplished, where we prefer the Moroccan menu with a delicious selection of spicy soups, tagines, couscous and delicious baked pastillas.
Le Tanja is a stylish brassarie in the old medina and has excellent tajines, couscous and fish dishes. The serene, elegant rooftop terrace with beautiful rose-filled fountain is a great place to relax at sunset with views over the ancient alleyways.
Originally a restaurant dating back to the 1940s, and now a hotel, this is still a quiet, grown-up spot for lunch or dinner: excellent stock-drenched couscous, tender tagines, fresh juices and fantastic coffee. Get a table in the courtyard or in the little ante-room for lunch and in the Moroccan restaurant for dinner. Dinner is accompanied by Arab-Andalusian music player on the lute and the guitar. Le Maison Arabe also boasts another restaurant called
Saveurs d’Ailleurs which offers world cuisine in an intimate environment, with walls covered in ‘Havana’ colored leather panels, which evoke the 1930’s and colonial African feel. One can savour exotic dishes, as well as delicious Asian-influenced tapas here.
Dar Marjana is a restaurant that is located in a former place on the outskirts of the old medina. It serves top quality Moroccan cuisine that ranges from pigeon and chicken pastilla to couscous and other fine dishes with wine recommendations to compliment each dish. A brief show of magic and belly dancing is part of the end of the meal along with fantastic desert offerings. Reservations are compulsory.
Once you pass the traditionally dressed doormen, this place is all-female and is run like a family kitchen. Set up by the well-known Chab family 20 years ago, this popular restaurant is now successfully managed by Myra Chab as a cooperative. A variety of Moroccan dishes are available, including specialties that require a day’s notice such as the dalaa mbakhra (steamed lamb shoulder) and chaâra medfouna (steamed vermicelli garnished with pigeon). The tagines and couscous here go against the grain in both ingredients and size. Chicken with caramelized pumpkin and lamb with eggplant are just two of the 13 tagine choices, and you’re served a portion that you might actually be able to finish. The desserts are delicious, so leave space for some seffa couscous in butter, sugar, milk, and cinnamon.
This stylish cafe/lounge bar/restaurant has been carving its own niche within the medina. The Italian owners have come up with a menu (in English) of both Italian and Moroccan classics that includes ricotta and spinach cannelloni and couscous aux sept légumes (seven vegetables). Those looking for coffee and cake can choose from a delectable selection of homemade tarts and cakes; from a meringue and cream pavlova with strawberries to a pear and chocolate cake. The staff is young and friendly, and the background lounge music fits the bill perfectly. An open courtyard with citrus trees provides shade for the lunch crowd; in the evening fairy lights create romance.
A hot sport for pre- or after dinner drinks- and dinner. It has both an upper level and lower level Soho style bar and a simply arresting belly dancing show, compliments of the owners. It is a favorite stop for Marrakech Film Festival luminaries and has extremely delicious cuisine that mélanges French- Moroccan style.
This Parisian-style bistro is popular with Marrakchi businessmen and European expats, and is a handy stop-off if you’re shopping in Guéliz. Have a citron pressé, or a café au lait, and muse over how much the old outskirts of Marrakech have changed since the café’s 1920s sorting-office heyday. La Poste was an old colonial hotel located in the heart of the Ville Nouvelle and the owners of this brasserie have kept it’s colonial style decor and atmosphere with comfortable rust colored leather couches, table seating inside and outdoors surrounded by greenery and charming colonial lamps that sit beside each table. Mediterranean chef Cyril Lignac and Moroccan Sana Gamas create a seamless blend of cuisines in signature dishes; roast chicken with wild Berber thyme and olives, and a stellar salad wtih local goat cheese and citrus-herb vinaigrette that are must eats.
City: Marrakech Address: Corner of Boulevard El Mansour Eddahbi and Avenue Imam Malik, Guéliz Phone: +212-524-433-038 Price Range: $$$
BEST RESTAURANTS FES
LE MAISON BLEUE
La Maison Bleue is one of Fes’ oldest and most stylish traditional Moroccan Fasis restaurants. Couscous, Sheep Brains, Fasis Salads and Pastilla with Powered Sugar are offered at pre fix or ala carte while you sit surrounded by zellij tile, vaulted ceilings and are serenaded by Gnaoua Music.
City: Fes Address: 2, Place de l’Istiqlal Phone:+ 212-5-35-74-18-43 Price Range: $$$$
LE MAISON BLANCHE
This new Fasis French restaurant wins guests over on extremely chic and sophisticated food and décor. The menu changes with the seasons and is overseen by French chef, Julien Louis. It features a smallish range of fusion food from the Mediterranean and Morocco which is beautifully presented.
From Linguini Foie Gras as a starter to a prawn dish and entrecote steaks one cannot go wrong. Another of their specialties is the tempura vegetables. To escape a night of Moroccan cuisine and go Mediterannean Le Maison Blanche is the best choice. They also boast a complete wine list with excellent selections of Moroccan and French wines plus champagnes and some new world’s wines. Fresh, delicious and nouvelle would best describe the overall experience.
City: Fes Address: 12 Rue Ahmed Chaouki, Fes Ville Nouvelle (opposite Hotel Jnan Palace). Phone:.+212 (0) 535 622 7272 Price Range: $$$$
PALAIS DAR TAZI- PALAIS DES FES
Palais De Fes serves authentic Moroccan cuisine, considered among the best of the best in Fes. Located in the heart of the medina, the restaurants terrace offers stunning views of the winding streets. A must is this restaurants pastilla (pigeon pie) which is a tender meat soaked in aromatic sauce and layered with vegetables, raisns and local spices beneath a pastry crust sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.
Located in Riad Fes, a five-star Moroccan Modern Hotel in the old medina, L’Ambre offers a gastronomic Fasis experience and a sophisticated take on Moroccan cuisine. The food there is refresh contrast from the homestyle cooking and presentation offered by other local Moroccan restaurants. The setting is beautiful and expensive relative to other restaurants in the old city. The ambiance, food and service are excellent as is the cuisine.
Opened in 2006, Jalil Laghmri’s restaurant is the perfect spot for an authentic Moroccan feast in the medina for lunch or for dinner. As the name suggests, this 100-year-old building is located just steps from the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts. Guests can dine in either a covered courtyard of Fassi zellij and intricately carved and painted cedar, or in any of the three large salons surrounding the courtyard, furnished with Moroccan-style lounges and silk cushions. The four-course meals include a delicious meze of Moroccan salads, tagines, or chicken or pigeon pastilla, accompanied with couscous and followed by fresh fruits and mint tea. For a breath of fresh air, head up to the rooftop terrace for a fantastic medina view. Classy ambience and great food!
Le Kasbah Des Sables is a gastronomic experience with a menu that combines the cuisine of Fes, Meknes, Tangier, Arab and Berber with 5 class fare.
This restaurant offers a museum- quality atmosphere as its’ decor has been hand stitched together and is filled with Berber, Morocco traditional furniture and art that was hand crafted by local artisans in the Ouarzazate region. Each section of the restaurant offers an intimate environment and the opportunity to eat on tables that are hand painted and adorned with silver fibulas, Amber and other regional jewels.
City: Ouarzazate Address: Ait Kadif Artisan District Price Range: $$$
CHEZ D’MITRI
This restaurant is a landmark in Ourazazate and was the first one to open in 1928. This family restaurant’s reputation quite simply comes from its memorable international cuisine, as one may choose from a vast range of exotic dishes. The walls are decorated with photographs of many actors who have dined here while filming.It has gained an illustrious reputation and maintained it well. The restaurant is frequented by both tourists and locals who are looking for a quality meal in a charming, French-Moroccan atmosphere. Chez Dmitri offers authentic international cuisine and a wide variety of alcoholic drinks.
City: Ouarzazate Address: 22 Mohamed V Price Range: $$
LE JARDIN D’AROME
In the city centre of Ouarzazate, opposite Chez Dimitri, a Berber leads you into the Jardin des Arômes, which is worthy of its reputation! You will be carried away by the spellbinding atmosphere as soon as you arrive. Shimmering colours, sculpted furniture, ambient lighting, a selection of small lounge areas, garden and terrace on each floor. The first fashionable lounge-restaurant in this region, it offers Moroccan gastronomic cuisine excellent service.
City: Ouarzazate Address: 9, avenue Mohammed V Price Range: $$
BEST RESTAURANTS ESSAOUIRA
ELIZER
ELIZER
Elizer, pronounced Elixer is one of Essaourias best restaurants. This 60’s retro style restaurant has a reputation that keeps on moving. With its stylistic modern- Moroccan cuisine and décor, Elixer is sure to leave you with a most memorable dining experience during your stay in Essaouira. The menu consists of everything from a camel tagine to home-made pasta via organic kitchen and the catch of the day. Elizer has a fireplace perfect for winter and a roof terrace for summer. The setting, without denying its Moroccan roots, will carry you to a rare homage to the futuristic designs of the sixties and seventies. Each piece of furniture or decoration has been amorously acquired by Elizir’s owner.
The Mediterranean cooking you will savour, an assortment of Italian, Moroccan and Spanish influences, served in the cozy atmosphere.
A great place for a pre or post dinner drink and to dine with views near to the sea. It caters to an International audience and has a full bar. Taros offers simple yet very tasteful dishes in a nice ambiance. The library of books on art, the small boutique and quality of music make having a meal here one of the perfect experiences for Essaouira.
Le Sirocco is a well-established Franco-Moroccan restaurant in Essaouira. It is a reliable favorite of returning tourists and local expats alike. Prices are a bit higher than most other restaurants in town, but well worth it. The owners are French and the food is simply delicious. Le Sirocco offers the standard Moroccan fare in addition to specialties such as dark chocolate molten cake and excellent fish dishes.
City: Essaouira Address: Rue Ibn Roch Phone: 212-524-472-396 Price Range: $$
CHEZ SAM
Chez Sam offers stunning views of the sea and is just a ten minute walk towards the end of the seaport in Essaouira. This restaurant offers excellent seafood for the value. They are one of the more reasonably prices seafood restaurants in this seaside artist colony. The staff is very friendly and they offer wine to compliment the variety of kinds of seafood served. Chez Sam has both an upstairs area to dine which enables guests to enjoy the views of the sea.
City: Essaouira Address: Au fond du port Phone: 212-44-47-65-13 Price Range: $$$
La Mouette et les Dromadaires
Located in Sidi Kaouki, with stunning views of the Atlantic, this boutique restaurant by the sea offers up a corner of paradise in coastal Essaouira. La Mouette et les Dromadarires (The Seagull and Camels), offers a wide array of seafood options and is the perfect lunch spot on a sunny or wind swept day. Just 30 minutes from Essaouira you can dine on plates of seafood carpaccio, tartar, smoked, crunchy, crispy, or simply grilled seafood on the plancha. For those who prefer the meat, try the grilled lamb chops or salad voile along with a gastronomic terrine. Oysters from Dakhla and fresh lobster are available upon request. The décor features chic Moroccan lounges perfectly situated under a Berber tent and comfortable sofas along with tables and sunbeds. All food is organic. Reservations required in advance. Don’t miss this one!
City: Essaouira Address: Plage de Sidi Kaouki Phone: 0678449212
BEST RESTAURANTS CASABLANCA
RICK’S CAFE
RICK’S CAFE
Rick’s Cafe, the mythical saloon from the 1942 film “Casablanca” has been transformed from celluloid to wood, glass and plaster thanks to the imagination and determination of an American woman enamored of Morocco, Kathy Kriger. Set in an old courtyard-style mansion built against the walls of the Old Medina of Casablanca, the restaurant – piano bar is filled with architectural and decorative details reminiscent of the film: curved arches, a sculpted bar, balconies, balustrades as well as dramatic beaded and stenciled brass lighting and plants that cast luminous shadows on white walls. Cashing in on the Hollywood hit, this beautiful bar and restaurant serves up a taste of home for the nostalgic masses. Lamb chops, chilli, hamburgers and American breakfasts are all on tap, there’s an in-house pianist from Rabat named Issam, a Sunday jazz session and wifi access It’s a good place for dinner or late night drinks.
A ma Bretagne is facing the sea, situated on the corniche of Casablanca and is one of the oldest and most famous French gastronomic restaurants of the city. There, you can enjoy fresh sea food nicely cooked.This restaurant is the fiefdom of Mâitre Cuisinier de France, André Halbert. The wondrous fish dishes of his native province of Bretagne dominate. It is rated by many as the best restaurant in all Africa but is bargain basement by European standards. French gourmets are said to visit Casablanca simply to dine at this great chef’s table. Fruits de mer takes on a whole new meaning.
Situated in the center of Casablanca, right in the Gauthier area, the restaurant La Buena Forchetta invites offers Italian and French specialities in a nice atmosphere. You can choose to eat either on the terrace or inside.
Dine in style at this wonderfully traditional restaurant where you can choose to sit in the elegant Moroccan salon or the cool, leafy garden to enjoy the sumptuous Moroccan cuisine. There’s a selection of salads worthy of any vegetarian restaurant and an array of exotic delicacies such as chicken pastilla (rich, savoury pie) and pigeon pastilla pie with raisins.Restaurant Al Mounia is the oldest and most famous moroccan restaurant of the city. Tucked away in an old moroccan house , it offers a magnificent decoration and a convivial ambiance. They savour refined typical Moroccan cuisine. The service is irreprochable.
City: Casablanca Address: 95 Rue Prince Moulay Abdallah City Centre Phone: 05-022-222-669 Price Range: $$
BEST RESTAURANTS RABAT
LE GRANDE COMPTOIR
LE GRANDE COMPTOIR
This is Rabat’s fashionable venue set in a 1930’s décor that has been perfectly restored to its original glory. This is a smart set address, where being seen is a “must”, as the show is most often in the dining-room, with a view over the kitchen. The chef offers a brasserie menu of fresh market produce, such as sauerkraut in winter, leg of lamb with garlic during the summer and fish from the catch of the day.
On the new Marina between Salé and Rabat are two restaurants side by side. They share just one name: Al Marsa. Both give pride of place to fish, one has a more Spanish cuisine feel whilst the other is more Japanese in style. The managers are fish and seafood wholesalers by profession and the freshness of their products is exceptional. The same goes for all the cooking, preparation and dressing. If you don’t know about it – go there quickly!
City: Rabat Address: Nouvelle Marina de Bouregreg Phone: 05-37-85-58-18 Price Range: $$
LE ZIRYAB
Riad & Restaurant Le Ziryab is has quickly become quickly an essential address of the capital. This Sublime riad of 300 m² found its vocation as gastronomic restaurant Moroccan. Here all is made just footsteps from the Riad, even the bread is made in a traditional way and cooked in the oven of the neighborhood. The dishes are simmered in the respect of the traditions, thanks to the culinary inheritance of Abdelaziz Sakane and Najat Alai, the managers of the restaurant.
City: Rabat Address: O’ Impasse Ennajar, Center Village Phone: 05-37-73-36-36 Price Range: $$
