19 Best Restaurants in Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is a city of many, many restaurants. In the medina, you’ll find tons of authentic Moroccan food, such as tagine and couscous. Sprinkled within the traditional spots of the Old Town are laidback rooftops and romantic, secluded courtyard restaurants. 

When you venture out to Gueliz and Hivernage (the new city), you’ll be swept up into totally different dining scene. Here, trendy fine dining restaurants and a bustling nightlife take over (yes, there are nightclubs and bars in Marrakech). While Moroccan flavors are still front and center, restaurants in the Gueliz tend to take on a much more international approach.

Whether you’re sticking to the medina or living it up in Gueliz, you won’t be short on amazing places to eat. Marrakech’s culinary landscape offers everything from inexpensive local cuisine to intimate chef’s tables worthy of international praise.

Best Restaurants in Marrakech

In all honestly, prior to my trip, Marrakech’s dining scene intimidated me. For as much as I wanted to try traditional Moroccan cuisine, I had no idea if I’d be able to actually enjoy it. While finding vegetarian options is easy in some cities, in others it’s definitely more of a challenge.

I was so surprised to discover that Marrakech is incredibly vegetarian-friendly. From vegetable couscous and tagine to all the amazing Moroccan dips and cooked salads (I’ve fallen in love with zaalouk), I was overwhelmed with options, in the best way possible. There are so many unique vegetarian dishes in Marrakech to try.

All of the restaurants in this guide offer strong vegetarian options (many of them have several), and of course, savory meat-based dishes for the omnivores.

Left: Gnocchi Berber | Right: Burrata

L’mida

78 bis Derb Nkhel Rahba Kdima

L’mida is one of the best rooftop restaurants in Marrakech. The view is amazing—you’ll be able to see Marrakech for miles. This bright, cozy space is the perfect place to slow down and escape from the bustle of Marrakech’s medina.

Located in the heart of the medina, L’mida features a menu inspired by Marrakchi traditions, balancing tradition and innovation. I tried the burrata and the gnocchi Berber. The burrata was a favorite. The berber gnocchi was also very solid, but not quite as outstanding. Don’t skip the fresh juice options. Mine was frothy and fresh, perfect for beating the Moroccan heat.

I visited L’mida on Valentine’s Day, when Sean came down with a particularly vicious bout of food poisoning (our riad didn’t allow outside food, and I needed to eat). What was supposed to be our Valentine’s Day lunch turned into a solo date and meet-cute with a new friend, a fellow solo female traveler. I almost didn’t go, but I’m so glad I did—L’mida is a must in the medina.

Dar Zellij

1, Kaa ssour

Dar Zellij is something special—and I almost missed out on it completely. This Moroccan fine dining restaurant is tucked away in a courtyard in a quiet, local area in the medina. 

When Sean and I’s original dinner choice didn’t pan out, we pivoted to Dar Zellij. We almost didn’t make it: there was only one vegetarian entrée on the menu, and Sean was concerned about me not having options. However, at 10 pm, you choose the closer option, not the more attractive option, and for us, that was Dar Zellij.

The vegetarian entrée at Dar Zellij is a vegetable tajine. From the first bite, it blew me away—I couldn’t even remember the name of the other restaurant. You don’t need many vegetarian options on a menu, you just need one good one, and Dar Zellij delivered.

The vegetable tajine was citrusy and bright, while still warm and cozy. The olives in it were such a highlight. Morocco is full of olives, and I couldn’t get enough of them while I was there. Sean ordered the chicken tajine, which he still talks about to this day. He praises it as the best chicken he’s ever had. Dar Zellij was definitely the best traditional Moroccan food we had while in the country.

Dar Zellij’s dining room is an elegant courtyard. During dinner, you’ll hear traditional Moroccan music fill the space. Service could have been a little better, but the food was so phenomenal that I honestly didn’t care.

Naranj

84 Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid

Naranj is a Lebanese rooftop restaurant in Marrakech. The restaurant is located on a stretch of Riad Zitoun with tons of fixed-price, artisan shops. While the restaurants rooftop doesn’t offer quite the same view as others on this list, it makes up for it by having a menu unlike any other I saw in Marrakech.

I love Lebanese cuisine, but I’ve never seen a vegetarian dish like Harak Issbaou. This macaroni lentil stew caught my eye, and did not disappoint. Featuring macaroni pasta, fried onions, lentils, pita chips, tamarind garlic, and pomegranate seeds, I found myself wishing for more.

Naranj’s rooftop and minimalist, airy design makes it a great option for lunch in Marrakech.

Left: Tortellinis | Right: Lambshank of the Chef | Below: Burrata

Barometre

Rue Moulay Ali

Barometre is a wild ride of surprises. This speakeasy in Gueliz is truly unlike any other top cocktail bar in the world that I’ve been to. Barometre is my favorite bar and restaurant in Marrakech—although it made its name in mixology, Barometre’s menu is just as outstanding.

Sean and I spent his last night in Morocco at Barometre. We were treated to incredibly friendly bartenders, and innovate cocktails. Our bartenders were perhaps the best I’ve ever had, at any bar I’ve visited. They ended up pouring us several rounds of free craft shots.

My first cocktail, the Naughty Tequila, arrived in a silver sphere with four legs, and two syringes sticking out of it. The spicy, fruity drink could be adjusted in sugar or spice by pressing on the syringes. Sean opted for the Marrakech Market, a smokey, whiskey concoction, served in a camel-lid cup with dates on the side. At Barometre, the garnish is just as much part of the drink as the drink itself.

For food, we ordered the burrata to split, the lambshank of the chef for Sean, and the tortellinis for me. We both agree that the burrata is one of the best we’ve had anywhere (we have an unspoken mission to find the best burrata). His lamb shank was dubbed as “one of the best things (he) ate in Morocco,” and my tortellinis were so indulgent.

Sabich Marrakech Medina

Dar El Bacha, N° 110 Rue Fatima Zahra

Sabich is a small street food restaurant serving up traditional Israeli-Iraqi sabich. This street food corner is located at the entry to the alley for our first riad in Marrakech, Riad Luciano. I couldn’t resist stopping by twice, because Sabich was so convenient, inexpensive, and just that good.

Sabich is one of the best inexpensive lunch restaurants in the medina, if you’re nearby. The staff is really friendly, and whips up sabich in a breeze.

I tried both the egg sabich, and the veggy sabich. While both were great, of the two, I’d definitely go for the egg.

Chez Brahim

Jamaâ El Fna Rue derb dabachi n° 38

Restaurants directly in Jemaa el-Fna tend to have reviews that are questionable, at best. Trying to find the best restaurants nearby felt a little bit like finding a needle in a haystack, compared to the many mediocre spots.

Chez Brahim is a reliable choice for traditional Moroccan food near Jemaa el-Fna. At night, the restaurant is dimly lit, laminated by Moroccan lamps, and filled with the sounds of traditional Moroccan music (though I did have to giggle when the musician started playing western Christmas music Moroccan-style in the middle of February). While I can’t say that it’ll be the best authentic Moroccan food you’ll have in Marrakech (Dar Zellij wins that award), Chez Brahim is great quality for a really affordable price.

Here, I had my first taste of vegetable couscous. Chez Brahim won’t short you on portion size—my fine, pillowy couscous was so large that I could have easily split it with someone else. I also ordered zaalouk, but to this day, I’m still convinced that the restaurant mixed up the order with a different eggplant salad, and tried to pass it off as zaalouk. I can’t say I’m too bothered, though—the salad that arrived wasn’t a bad choice at all.

Chez Brahim is located on an ultra-busy street near Jemaa el-Fna, so reaching the restaurant from the square will take a little determination and a lot of patience, but it’s worth it if you’re looking for the best traditional Moroccan restaurant in Jemaa el-Fna.

Fine Mama

89 Pass. Prince Moulay Rachid

Fine Mama is a cute but casual Moroccan café and rooftop just steps from Jemaa el-Fna. The restaurant features three levels, including a rooftop with a view over the chaos of the heart of the Medina.

The restaurant features traditional Moroccan food, an extensive juice menu, and healthy bowls. I tried the Decouverte Beldi, a three-item sampler with zaalouk, briouates, and lentils; and Le Falafel de Mama, a falafel sandwich. 

The Decouverte Beldi was such a good choice: it allowed us to try briouates, a savory Moroccan puff pastry typically filled with cheese or meat. The falafel sandwich was less exciting, but still a really decent option. The falafel was perfectly soft and warm.

Fine Mama is my restaurant of choice in Jemaa el Fna. If you’re looking for a restaurant with lighter, healthier options, it’s one of the best you’ll find in Marrakech.

Hassan No. 3 in Jemaa el-Fna

القصور،

Jemaa el-Fna comes alive at night when dozens of vendors set up tents and stalls, serving up street food in the middle of the square. Though the square is never truly quiet, at night it becomes crowded and buzzy as tourists flock to the night market.

Eating in Jemaa el-Fna should be approached with caution. In the words of a local, “Oh no, the square. Even locals get sick eating in the square.” To avoid food poisoning, stick to stalls that are clearly popular with locals.

Jemaa el-Fna stall no. 3 is home to Hassan, who serves up just one dish: babbouche (also known as ghlal or ghoulal). Babbouche is a speciality of Marrakech’s medina. Vendors cook this traditional snail soup by boiling snails in broth made of hot water, salt, spices, and herbs. Recipes vary between vendors, and can sometimes include more than 15 different spices and herbs. Licorice root, thyme, mint, anise, and cumin are all popular choices.

A bowl of babbouche at Hassan’s stand will run you 5 MAD ($0.49 USD) for a small bowl, 10 MAD ($0.99 USD) for a medium bowl, and 20 MAD ($1.97 USD) for a large bowl. You likely won’t even get the chance to get your order out after you sit down, before being served with a large bowl of snails with a warm smile.

Le Bistro Arabe

7/8 Derb Chaabane, Rue Riad Zitoun el Kdim

Le Bistro Arabe is such a good way to spend a night in Marrakech’s Medina. This jazz restaurant in Marrakech is located at Riad Monceau and filled to the brim at night with couples and friends, attracting a stylish crowd. Another solo date spot of mine in Marrakech, I settled into the restaurant’s glamorous dining room and enjoyed some really phenomenal jazz.

The restaurant’s location is so convenient—it’s just steps from Riad Zitoun, a street off of Jemaa el-Fna filled with artisan shops, craftsmen’s workshops, and a few good restaurants (though, I wouldn’t buy anything here as it’ll likely be pricey). Finding the restaurant may seem confusing, as it’s down an alley, but Riad Monceau typically has staff on Riad Zitoun to help guide you. I feel awful, as I previously waved way a staff member on the street without realizing it, and thought he was one of the scammy, aggressive restaurant reps that I tried to avoid in Marrakech. He was actually so nice, and very helpful, despite the fact that I had just come out of a hammam, and looked like a bit of a mess.

Le Bistro Arabe’s menu was created by Chef Myriam Ettahri, who took on an elevated, modern Moroccan approach. I tried the Veggie Gnawa Bowl, consisting of fried cauliflower, couscous and barley, beet hummus, feta, relish cucumber, and a lemon and argan oil vinaigrette. As a whole, I felt as though the bowl could use more flavor, but I have to say that each component on its own was so well-executed. The cauliflower was perfectly crispy, the beet hummus was the exactly the right consistency, and the feta was so fresh. I just wish the bowl had some sort of spice or distinct flavor.

Regardless, Le Bistro Arabe has exactly the right vibes for a sexy-but-laidback, intimate night out in the medina. If you’re craving something a little less laid back and a little more energetic, Riad Monceau has a jazz bar on top of Le Bistro Arabe, called La Pergola. I actually didn’t intend on going to Le Bistro Arabe at all—I showed up at Riad Monceau for La Pergola, but after walking through Le Bistro Arabe, I knew I had to stay. La Pergola features a more international menu, with a stronger emphasis on cocktails and drinks.

More Top Restaurants in Marrakech

These restaurants were on my list of places to eat in Marrakech, but unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to go. I’ll definitely be checking them off on my next trip to Morocco.

Amal Women’s Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant

Rue Allal Ben Ahmed (Gueliz)

 Lotissement Harouchi Sofia (Targa)

Established by Nora Belahcen Fitzgerald, Amal Women’s Training Center and Moroccan Restaurant empowers women through food by providing disadvantaged women in Morocco with restaurant industry training.

The restaurant is a non-profit, serving up both traditional Moroccan food and international fare. On Saturdays, Amal’s Targa location offers an all-you-can-eat vegetarian buffet for just 75 MAD ($7.40 USD). The Targa location also offers baking and cooking classes for Moroccan favorites such as tajine, couscous, ghriba, beghrir, msemmen, and pastilla.

Overall, prices at Amal are really affordable, and you get to support a great cause.

Dar Simons

77 Derb Derdouba

Praised by The World’s 50 Best as a member of the 50 Best Discovery restaurants, Dar Simons is the type of restaurant you go to for a special occasion, or to really impress a date. This cozy fine dining restaurant is tasting menu-only. The restaurant is the first of its kind in Marrakech—the city hadn’t previously had a serious chef’s table in the medina.

In a carefully designed, minimalist space, Dar Simons aims to bring gastronomic, non-pretentious fine dining to Marrakech. Centered around an open kitchen, the dining room serves just 12. Guests can also choose to stay at Dar Simons—the restaurant is in a riad, with three rooms available to book.

If you choose to stay at Dar Simons, you’ll be treated to an indulgent breakfast and chic, contemporary rooms, each as thoughtfully designed as the restaurant. The riad and restaurant are located in the north part of the medina, in a quiet area more local and less-touristy.

Chef Carlo Simons crafts each tasting menu around simple French-Belgian cuisine. Ingredients are sourced locally, providing the inspiration for each menu. Tasting menu pricing starts at $97 per guest.

Plus61

96 Rue Mohammed el Beqal

Ranked number 46 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants in the Middle East and North Africa, Plus61 (+61) brings elevated, Sydney-style dining to Marrakech’s stylish Gueliz neighborhood.

Sean and I planned on going to Plus61 for Valentine’s Day (reservation and all), but unfortunately his food poisoning had other plans. We didn’t get a chance to go, so I’m now absolutely determined to try it next time I’m in Marrakech.

The menu is pan-Mediterranean. Plates may sound simple, but emphasize impeccable ingredients and precise execution.

Plus61 isn’t a stuffy, pretentious fine dining restaurant—the restaurant’s casual-yet-elevated approach lends itself to a warm, welcoming, communal feel near the heart of Gueliz.

Cafe Restaurant Dar L’hssira

15-12 Rue Tachenbacht

Cafe Restaurant Dar L’hssira is one of the best restaurants for inexpensive, authentic Moroccan cuisine in the Medina. Unlike many of the other traditional Moroccan restaurants on this list, Cafe Restaurant Dar L’hssira is more removed from the tourist hotspots in the souks. Instead, it’s in a much more local area.

The tiny café serves up traditional couscous, tajine, pastilla, and brochette.

Plates are generous and prices are very affordable. As the café only has a handful of tables, it’s been known to have lines around dinner. We walked past Cafe Restaurant Dar L’hssira around lunch, and it had tons of open tables, so I’d definitely recommend going earlier rather than later!

The Red House

Angle Av. El Yarmouk Et Abdelaziz El Malzouzi

Located in a 19th century mansion in Hivernage, The Red House has made a name for itself with its Moroccan fine dining and beautiful Zellij walls.

Prices here are higher than you may find for Moroccan food at other restaurants in the city, but by Western standards, still don’t break the bank.

Visit The Red House during the day to see the sunlight illuminate the tiled walls, or visit at night for a romantic, dimly-lit dinner with live Moroccan entertainment. Guests can also choose to stay the night—The Red House converted its historic property into a guest palace with four rooms available for booking.

Café Babouche

37 Rue des Banques

Café Babouche is a casual restaurant just steps from Jemaa el-Fna. When searching for dinner near the square one night, we found it as a backup option in case Chez Brahim was full.

Unlike Chez Brahim, Café Babouche isn’t hidden away—it’s ground level, opening right up to the busy Medina (perfect if you’re looking to people-watch). The restaurant serves up Moroccan food alongside Western dishes such as burgers and pizza. The restaurant has several options for vegans and vegetarians.

To be honest, I wouldn’t go out of your way for Café Babouche. It’s definitely a restaurant of convenience and a very good option if you want to eat near Jemaa el-Fna. Reviewers point to it having solid food, but not necessarily the most amazing food you’ll try in Marrakech.

Dameh

El Mirador 15 Gueliz rue Qadi Ayad résidence El Mirador El Harti

This chic, Levantine restaurant may still be under the radar to many tourists in Morocco, but it’s quickly making a name for itself in Marrakech’s dining scene. 

Located in Gueliz, Dameh serves up vibrant dishes and mezze. Reviewers love that the food is bursting with flavor, some going so far as to cite the restaurant as being their best meal in Marrakech.

Prices are a little steep compared to some restaurants in Marrakech, but on par with trendy Gueliz’s high-end dining scene. Dameh’s velvet-clad space and dim lighting makes it a great first stop during a night out in Gueliz.

Snack Adam

Riad Zitoun kedim n 197, 50 m of, Avenue Jamaa El Fna

If you’re looking for casual, almost deli-style dining near Jemaa el-Fna, Snack Adam is the spot. This small café is located on Riad Zitoun, just steps from Jemaa el-Fna, but typically isn’t crowded or busy like more popular, touristy restaurants in the area.

“Snack” is commonly used in Marrakech to describe any small, casual, counter service restaurant serving up simple plates. These restaurants are perfect if you’re in need of a quick lunch or well, a snack. They’re usually the most affordable dining option in any given area—a vegetarian tajine at Snack Adam will run you just 25 MAD ($2.47 USD).

Palais Soleiman

Dar Layadi, Kaa machraa, Marrakech, N8

Located in the 19th century palace of Caid Layadi, one of Marrakech’s former rulers, Palais Soleiman is considered to be one of the most beautiful restaurants in Marrakech.

Palais Soleiman features Moroccan cuisine, stunning architecture, and belly dancing and traditional music at night. The plush red and purple seating and Zellij walls make this fine dining restaurant in Marrakech feel like something out of Arabian Nights.

I wanted to visit Palais Soleiman so badly while in Marrakech. We didn’t end up getting to visit, but it wasn’t for lack of trying—Palais Soleiman doesn’t have a straightforward way to book reservations. They do have an email address listed on their website, however the mailbox was full, so our request bounced back. We tried calling the restaurant while in Marrakech, but the phone number listed on their site had been disconnected.

If you choose to go, try to make a reservation. If you aren’t able to, you’re going to need to try your luck with walk-in. Keep in mind that the restaurant does take private events, and you may be turned away.

La Palette

24 Rue Moulay Ali

A Gueliz hotspot, La Palette services up modern Mediterranean cuisine. The eclectic, trendy space is overflowing with plants, and features a dimly lit, warm, sophisticated but laid-back atmosphere.

La Palette’s menu is indulgent, featuring ingredients such as octopus, lobster, and truffle. I’ll be honest—I wanted so badly to visit La Palette because the food and space both look amazing. The only thing that held me off from going was that the menu didn’t appear to be that vegetarian-friendly, however reviewers have said that the restaurant is willing to accommodate dietary restrictions.

La Palette’s refined menu and intimate space makes it one of the best date night restaurants in Marrakech.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dining in Marrakech

Looking for more of the best things to do in Marrakech? Click here!

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E

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