Must-see restaurants in Morocco

  • Cafe Clock

    Marrakesh

    Little sister to the Fez original, Cafe Clock is housed in an old school with sunset views over the Kasbah from its rooftop. The food, including vegie…

  • Amal Center

    Gueliz & Ville Nouvelle

    So many restaurants in Marrakesh reflect poorly on local cuisine, but here you get the real home-cooking deal. And, happily, it's all for a good cause:…

  • Le Trou Au Mur

    Kâat Ben Nahid & Bab Debbagh

    The menu at this classy yet laid-back contemporary restaurant is on the money with its mix of little-seen Moroccan dishes, fusion food and international…

  • Nomad

    Mouassine & Central Souqs

    Nomad's multitiered rooftop is one of the medina's buzziest venues, particularly at night when its lanterns twinkle over Rahba Kedima. The small menu adds…

  • La Table by Madada

    Essaouira

    Style meets substance at one of Essaouira's best fine-dining restaurants, housed in an old almond warehouse. The interior is a blend of traditional…

  • Naranj

    Marrakesh

    Naranj's ultraslick interior of khamsa (hand-shaped amulet) mirrors, low-hanging copper lamps and bar seating is quite a scene change on Riad Zitoun El…

  • Populaire Saveur de Poisson

    Tangier

    This charming seafood restaurant is well worth the hype, offering an excellent, filling, four-course meal in rustic surroundings. First comes the fish…

  • Anna E Paolo

    Tangier

    This is a genuine, family-run bistro with Italian Tangier-born owners; it feels like you've been invited for Sunday dinner. Expect a highly international…

  • Henna Cafe

    Marrakesh

    Herbal teas, detox juices, henna tattoos, book exchange, Darija classes, good conversation…they're all on the menu at this intimate upstairs cafe, where a…

  • Djemaa El Fna Food Stalls

    Marrakesh

    Grilled meat and tajines as far as the eye can see, plus snail soup, sheep's brains and skewered hearts: eating amid the mayhem of the Djemaa food stalls…

  • Café Clock

    Medina

    With a clientele of foreigners and creative young Fassis and a staff that's cheerful despite the maze of stairs in the multilevel space, Clock is an ideal…

  • La Maison Arabe

    Marrakesh

    La Maison Arabe's reputation precedes it: this was the first restaurant set up to cater to foreigners in the medina, in the 1940s. It was a favourite of…

  • Kilim

    Gueliz & Ville Nouvelle

    This airy spot is the work of Kamal Laftimi, who launched the popular Nomad restaurant in the medina in 2014. It's his first foray into Gueliz, and he…

  • Sofia

    Chefchaouen

    The only female-owned restaurant in Chefchaouen, Sofia (named after the owner's daughter) is a revelation in a city where restaurants have largely…

  • Café Clock

    Chefchaouen

    British-owned Café Clock knows what travellers want. Delicious camel burgers for the adventurous, refreshing salads and juices for the health-conscious…

  • Douyria

    Ouarzazate

    One of the best eateries in town, Douyria wows diners with its rooftop terrace (though without kasbah views), candlelit tables and cushion-lined nooks…

  • Ruined Garden

    Medina

    Dine in the wild garden in summer, or by a cosy fire in winter. Lunch has some bargain stews and 'tapas' (Moroccan salads, with some especially good…

  • Scorpion House

    Moulay Idriss Zerhoun

    A delicious, freshly made feast is served at this fabulous house high up on the mountainside. Expect a bountiful buffet of locally sourced, creative…

  • Le Jasmine

    Casablanca

    This fine-dining Moroccan restaurant is set in an exquisite space at the art deco Hôtel Le Doge. With its red-velvet chairs, ornate stained-glass ceiling,…

  • El Jaleo

    Chefchaouen

    El Jaleo, meaning 'the mess', takes the best cooking in Chefchaouen – from Nuura of Sofia – to a wonderfully atmospheric restaurant above Oued Ras El Maa…

  • À l'Ombre du Figuier

    Tiznit

    Follow the signs through alleyways and under low doorways to one of southern Morocco's best restaurants. Colourful tables are arrayed under the dappled…

  • Pâtisserie Bennis Habous

    Casablanca

    Secreted in a lane in the Souq Habous, this famous patisserie deserves a dedicated visit. Make your choice of traditional Maghrebi pastries such as cornes…

  • No 17 at The Repose

    Northern Atlantic Coast

    Enjoy home-cooked vegetarian food and city views on The Repose's plant-filled roof terrace, or in the cosy salon; nonguests need to reserve ahead. The…

  • Chez Pierre Restaurant

    Dadès Gorge

    Mediterranean flair meets Moroccan market-fresh produce on the daily-changing menu at this restaurant attached to the Inn of the same name. Perhaps roast…

  • Le Jardin

    Mouassine & Central Souqs

    Entrepreneur Kamal Laftimi transformed this 17th-century riad in the medina's core into a contemporary, oh-so-pretty oasis where you can lunch beneath a…

  • El Morocco Club

    Tangier

    King Mohammed VI was seen dining here, which is as good a recommendation as any. A very smart renovation of this elegant building along the medina wall…

  • Rick’s Café

    Casablanca

    Immerse yourself in Bogart and Bergman’s Casablanca at this reimagining of Rick's celluloid cafe. The art deco interiors, the strains of ‘As Time Goes By’…

  • Le Cabestan Ocean View

    Casablanca

    Perched beneath the lighthouse, this stylish restaurant has a French Riviera feel and Mediterranean-inspired menu. Opt for just-caught fish and seafood,…

  • Restaurant Villa Mandarine

    Rabat

    If you’re not staying at this hotel, it’s worth jumping in a petit taxi to Rabat’s embassy district for lunch or dinner in its gorgeous perfumed garden…

  • NKOA

    Casablanca

    This supercool spot takes its inspiration from global flavours, mixing them with Moroccan produce and European culinary techniques. The result is creative…

  • Mandala Society

    Essaouira

    This newcomer on the medina’s main drag quickly developed a loyal following for its arty decor, organic meat-free menu and top-notch coffee. Expect…

  • Cosmopolitan

    Rabat

    This gourmet place near Bab Ruach occupies a handsome art deco villa and is one of the only restaurants in town serving modern French cuisine. The menu…

  • La Perle d'Asilah

    Asilah

    At Asilah's finest dining option, the menu leans heavily on the Gallic, mixing in Asian and Spanish influences from the Moroccan owner-chef's experience…

  • Umia

    Essaouira

    This sleek, contemporary restaurant is one of Essaouira’s hottest, with both visitors and locals rushing to dine on the Mediterranean-influenced menu…

  • Auberge Dardara Restaurant

    Chefchaouen

    This is the best restaurant in the area and worth the 10-minute drive from town (Dh6). The Tanjaoui owner uses only the freshest ingredients from the…

  • La Pérgola

    Melilla

    A waterfront terrace makes this classy spot adjacent to the fortress walls a very pleasant place for a meal or just a late afternoon drink. The speciality…

  • Blanco Riad

    Tetouan

    The menu at this elegant riad is a cut above the usual. A big change from the standard tajine menu, it features some innovative Moroccan dishes and is…

  • Bulls Burger House

    Nador

    Somehow, one of the best burgers in Morocco has popped up here. Unbelievably soft buns hug perfectly spiced patties dripping with delicious sauces, and it…

  • Club Nautique

    Al Hoceima

    This is the main restaurant at the port, and a good one. After 6pm you can buy your fish fresh off the boat and have them grill it for you (alternatively,…

  • Triskala Restaurant

    Essaouira

    This diminutive restaurant is a real gem, with a short menu that changes daily and puts a creative Moroccan spin on fish and vegetarian dishes, all…

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