Morocco’s cuisine is unlike any other. Loads of spices, vegetables, and herbs make Moroccan cuisine so delicious. But as a surprise to many, it’s anything BUT spicy! Morocco focuses on fragrant, flavorful, and sweet dishes. “Pastilla” is a mix of chicken and cinnamon stuffed into a flaky pie with powdered sugar, almonds, and honey drizzled on top. While this sounds like something you’d eat for dessert, it’s actually an appetizer or main meal as the different ingredients harmonize together to create a flavorful pie.
Because there are dozens of restaurants in Marrakech, it can be difficult to decide where to go for a casual lunch or sunset dinner. To help you decide where to go, here are some of my favorite restaurants and cafes that I’ve had great experiences in that stand out from the crowd.
1. Zeitoun
A widely popular place that travelers visit in Jemaa El Fna is Zeitoun. There is also a rooftop with views of the entire square. It’s beautiful but busy at night with guests trying to snag a spot on the rooftop for dinner to watch the sunset.
However, there is another lesser-crowded location in Gueliz (New Town) that locals visit. I prefer this one because the crowds are non-existent with a calmer atmosphere compared to the main square. I recommend ordering “Brioutes”, which are cheese and herb stuffed phyllo. They’re tasty and a great starter to share. Additionally, Zeitoun has fresh juices blended to order and delicious classics like tagines and couscous with rich flavors. Their “Chicken Tagine” is cooked so well, it falls off the bone with little effort.
Location:📍Gueliz and Jemaa El Fna
What I Recommend: Chicken Tagine, Vegetable Couscous, Freshly-Blended Juice
Price: €€
2. Cafe Arabe
Looking to take a small break from Moroccan cuisine and have some Italian food instead? Head over to Cafe Arabe, located right across from Jardin Secret. I’ve been to Cafe Arabe twice and love the atmosphere and service. They have a rooftop terrace with posh white curtains to keep the Moroccan sun at bay while adding elegance to the atmosphere.
They make fabulous drinks and bread (perfect for dipping into your pasta sauce!) If you haven’t noticed already, I’m a pasta lover with a soft spot for Italian cuisine. Cafe Arabe’s “Linguine Vongole” is lovely and light. Additionally, their “Linguine Allo Scoglio” is delicious, featuring baby shrimp! For dessert, order a few scoops of gelato to cool off from the Moroccan sun. I had scoops of pistachio and strawberry they were refreshing. It’s the perfect ending to a nice, relaxing meal.
The staff is always so kind and attentive and even lets me stay longer to work on my laptop! I highly recommend this spot for a chill afternoon of drinks or a delicious meal.
Location:📍Across from Jardin Secret
What I Recommend: Cocktails, Pasta, Gelato
Price: €€€
3. L’mida
Right around the corner from the famous Herboriste Avicenne is L’mida, a stunning restaurant that is centered around women empowerment. The rooftop terrace is what sets this place apart from the competition. It’s cozy and well decorated, with a stunning mural displaying a Muslim woman wearing a hijab.
L’mida puts a great twist on some of Morocco’s most loved dishes like croquettes with lentils, gnocchi with a Berber twist, and burgers featuring cinnamon with harissa mayonnaise. I discovered how delicious Orange Blossom water was here. Because I often had long days of exploring in hot weather, I always took a nap during sunset and missed this beautiful scene. However, I saw my one and (only) pink sunset of Marrakech on my last night at L’mida.
Location:📍Jemaa El Fna
What I Recommend: Mocktails, Brioutes, Vegan Couscous
Price: €€€
4. Comptoir Darna
Want a memorable dinner-show experience in Marrakech? Visit Comptoir Darna, a luxurious restaurant offering a spectacular belly dancing show every night during dinner. With two floors and two sets of dancers, it’s a memorable cultural experience that diners get to see.
Comptoir Darna offers uniquely made cocktails featuring fresh citrus and floral ingredients. Their menu offers a variety of dishes with two types of cuisine, Moroccan and Italian. Their “Brioutes” are delicious, filled with a variety of cheese and chicken-filled pastries. Additionally, the “Royal Couscous” (featuring chicken, lamb, beef, and vegetables) is also delicious and cooked very well. I will note that the portion size is quite small and not your typical standard that is shareable.
I have visited Comptoir Darna twice and loved how each show was different. It never felt like I was watching a repeat and was blown away by the impressive skills the belly dancers have. I loved dining here and recommend it because it’s a bucket list experience you’ll look back and remember. Don’t forget to make a reservation at Comptoir Darna (linked) beforehand, as the show begins at 21:00 (9:00pm).
Location:📍Gueliz
What I Recommend: Cocktails, Brioutes, Royal Couscous
Price: €€€
5. Jardin Majorelle Cafe
A trip to Marrakech isn’t complete without a visit to Jardin Majorelle! The YSL gardens are where Yves Saint Laurent spent much of his years with business partner Pierre Bergé. Over the years, it has become one of the most famous and exotic botanical gardens. With the classic royal blue shade adorning various cacti from different countries, it’s a work of art.
Jardin Majorelle officially has the best vegetable couscous that I have ever had. The dish is super flavorful and packed with vegetables. I loved my meal so much that I returned a week later to have chicken tagine.
Note: In Morocco, locals usually eat couscous on Fridays. However, the chef made an exception for me, which I greatly appreciated! While the cafe is often busy during lunch hour, the the waitstaff try their best to cater to everyone.
For dessert, I was told Orange Blossom ice cream is available. While Morocco is famous for their oranges and florals, I didn’t know orange blossom ice cream existed! It is everything you would expect it to be: floral, fragrant, and refreshing!
Location:📍Gueliz
What I Recommend: Couscous, Tagine, Orange Blossom Ice Cream
Price: €€
I hope you enjoyed reading my Marrakech food guide! If you particularly liked this article, give it a like and feel free to reach out if you have any questions about the places I’ve mentioned above. You can reach me on Instagram @sonia.ambika! Have a great week 🙂
