– Marrakech Food Guide-

Before we delve into Morrocan cuisine, if you came looking for a Marrakech city guide or a read on what to do in Marrakech but ended up here, no worries. I did an extensive article on what there is to do in the red city of Morocco. Check out that article by clicking the button below. Now on with the food!

Mint Tea

Where: Anywhere, as often as possible
Starting with drinks in an article on where to eat in Marrakech might sound strange. But mint tea is not only at the heart of Moroccan cuisine, its at the heart of its culture. According to etiquette every Moroccan person needs to greet visitors, even unexpected ones, with freshly prepared mint tea. Preferably prepared right in front of them. This is why every family, house, hotel, riad, guesthouse, restaurant and bar always has a few bushes of mint growing in its backyard.

Upon arrival at your accommodation you will most likely be welcomed with mint tea but it makes good practice to have mint tea as often as the locals do, which is basically at any occasions possible. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay hydrated in the sun-scorched Morocco and taking the time to have a drink with friends is always a good idea.

Fresh Orange Juice

Where: Djemaa El-Fna, all day
The everlasting sun in Morocco provides the perfect climate to grow citrus fruits explaining the popularity of fresh orange juice. Cold, refreshing, healthy and cheap. They sell orange juice at the Djemaa El-Fna for as little as 4 MAD which is pressed right in front of your eyes.

Grilled Sardines

Where: Le Jardin, for lunch
The huge 2000 kilometers long ocean coast explains why fish is also an important part of this Saharan country. Grilled sardines were originally a poor man’s dish but over the centuries they became a dish eaten at special occassions. The best sardines can be found in the coastal Essaouira, where they swing the fish right out of the ocean and onto your plate, but in Marrakesh Le Jardin does the best version. Simply seasoned with just pepper and salt and served with preserved lemon an grilled vegetables. If you like hip places that have retained an authentic decor, this is where to eat in Marrakech.

Tajina

Where: Jardin Majorelle, dinner – Rue Riad Zitoune
A Tajina is different from a Tajine for it way of preparation. A Tajina is a tall clay pot in which meat, vegetables and stonefruit (typically apricot) simmer for many hours on a low fire. For convenience Marrakech restaurants serve the dish on a tajine base. Tajina is traditionally a male-only dish. Caravaners used to carry the pots into the desert on long trade expeditions. The tall closed pots were easy to carry and ensured the dish stayed warm for many hours.

Jardin Majorelle (Rue Riad Zitoune) shares its name with the Yves Saint Laurent gardens in Nouvelle Ville but is, in reality, a great little eatery in the old Medina. Jardin Majorelle serves a great traditional Tajina. Nice charming place and good value for money.

Tajine

Where: Restaurant Jama, Dinner – Rue Riad Zitoune

Tajine is the name of the iconic conic shaped clay pot but any dish prepared in it is called tajine as well. It is probably the best known dish from Morocco and enjoyed all over the world. Potatoes, Onions, beans, carrots and courgette are put in a tajine, with or without meat. The tajine sits on a low fire for a few hours. Served with a fresh mint salad and often couscous.

The best place to enjoy a good tajine is my favourite restaurant in Marrakesh: Restaurant Jama. Tucked away in the Rue Riad Zitoune (at your right when walking from Djemaa El-Fna after about 10 minutes) is this beautiful little restaurant. Dinner is served in an atmospheric little courtyard garden, the food is great and it is just incredible value-for-money. They serve off-the-menu beer on request. 

Zaalouk

Where: Le Jardine Marjorelle, Le Jarin, Restaurant Jama, lunch or dinner

Zaalouk is a eggplant based dip served as a side dish with some bread or mixed into a salad. Roasted eggplant are mixed in with garlic, tomatoes, olives and a heavy spice blend. Order Zaalouk on the side at any of the recommended places in this article.

Pastilles

Where: Atay Café, after dinner

If the heaps of sugar in your mint tea weren’t already giving it away sampling pastilles will: Moroccans love their sweets. Sweet crumbly cookies are usually eaten after dinner but are served throughout the day so I am not judging if you go for it before and after every meal;). All restaurants around the Djemaa El-Fna serve mixed pastille sets but these tend to not be so great. Try Atay Cafe for really tasty crumbly goodness.