What to Eat in Marrakech: A Food Lover’s Guide to the Best Restaurants and Street Eats
Marrakech isn’t just a city—it’s a sensory overload in the best way possible. From the maze-like alleys of the medina to the hypnotic rhythm of the Jemaa el-Fnaa, this city pulses with life and color and energy. You’ll find yourself navigating spice-scented souks, dodging motorbikes, and being charmed by the call to prayer echoing through the city, and you’ll find yourself being shaken by the vibrancy of it all.
I’ve always said the Marrakech is like a triple shot of espresso straight to the senses. Wonderfully chaotic. But chaotic nonetheless. This city can be overwhelming if you’re not at least mentally prepared. So that’s where this pocket guide comes in—a no-nonsense rundown of what to see, eat, and experience, so you can soak it all up and make the most of this remarkable destination.
the Marrakech series…
CLICK TO JUMP!✷ Marrakech Pocket Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Morocco’s Capitol
✷ 10 Beautiful Riads to stay in Marrakech
✷ Best Things to Do in Marrakech (Coming soon!)
Table of Contents… WHAT TO EAT IN MARRAKECH
✷ Cous Cous
A fluffy semolina dish that is one of Morocco’s most iconic things to try. It is very versatile, usually topped with a medley of vegetables, chickpeas, and tender meat, often lamb or chicken.
✷ Tagine
Slow-cooked stews of meat, vegetables, and spices. Popular options include lamb with prunes, chicken with preserved lemons and olives, or vegetarian versions with seasonal veggies. My favorite is the chicken version, it’s such a perfumed flavor!
Tagine takes its name from the conical clay dish where it’s prepared and served in. You’ll see these everywhere around Marrakech!
✷ Pastilla & B’stilla au Poisson
A savory-sweet pastry filled with shredded pigeon or chicken, almonds, and fragrant spices, wrapped in phyllo dough, and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon. There is a seafood twist on the classic pastilla, often sold at food stalls.
✷ Harira
A rich tomato-based soup with lentils, chickpeas, and herbs, often enjoyed during Ramadan or as a starter in a meal.
✷ Mechoui
Slow-roasted lamb, cooked to perfection in underground clay ovens, served with cumin and salt for dipping. Juicy, fragrant, and perfect.
✷ Maakouda
Crispy potato fritters seasoned with spices, perfect as a snack or side dish.
✷ Babbouche (snail soup)
A comforting broth infused with spices, served with snails, commonly found in stalls along Jemaa el-Fna square where vendors serve this broth from steaming cauldrons. I know this sounds a bit on the adventurous side, but trust me, give it a chance.
And even if you don’t try the snails, the broth is worth the try! A mix of cumin, anise, pepper, cinnamon, and sometimes thyme or orange peel, Babbouche is a warming, slightly herbal elixir that feels like a hug. Locals swear by its health benefits, touting it as a remedy for pretty much everything: from indigestion to a common cold.
✷ Kefta Kebabs
Minced meat skewers seasoned with cumin, paprika, coriander, garlic, and a hint of turmeric. You’ll find these made with marinated lamb, chicken or beef, grilled over the charcoal, giving them their signature smoky, slightly charred taste. Kebabs often come with accompaniments like warm khobz (Moroccan bread), roasted tomatoes, or even a spicy harissa sauce for an extra kick!
✷ Msemmen
A beloved Moroccan flatbread that you'll find pretty much everywhere in Marrakech, from busy street stalls to family kitchens. It's a layered, flaky bread with a golden, crispy exterior that hides a soft, chewy interior. Often described as a cross between a pancake and a flatbread,
Msemmen is typically served as a breakfast or snack, paired with sweet accompaniments like honey or jam, or enjoyed with a steaming glass of mint tea.
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✷ Orange and Fresh Fruit Juice
One of my favorite things in Marrakech is drinking all the fresh fruit juice I can. Jemaa el-Fna square, and the Medina in general, are packed with stalls selling orange juice and all kinds of fruit juice. It’s the perfect antidote for the heat. My favorite is the mixed fruit juice, a bright magenta juice that contains many blended fruits.
✷ Mint Tea
This iconic drink of Morocco, sweet and refreshing, is often served with meals or as a welcome gesture of hospitality. I know hot tea isn’t probably what you’ll be craving in the heat, but there’s a reason Moroccan’s drink mint tea all the time: it actually helps regulate the body’s temperature!
✷ Moroccan Coffee
Moroccan coffee is rich, bold, and often spiced with things like cardamom, cinnamon, or cloves, giving it this warm, earthy vibe. It’s usually quite strong and served in little traditional glasses, and it’s perfect to pair with some local pastries on the side.
WHERE TO EAT IN MARRAKECH
✷ Jemaa El-Fna Square
Don’t leave Marrakech without eating at one of the stalls at the Jemaa El-Fnaa square at least once! Follow your nose and the friendly locals ushering you in and choose a stall to try spiced meat kebabs. Or whatever calls you!
✷ Le Bistro Arabe
One of my favorite spots in Marrakech for a sexy dinner night out. A sultry and dimly-lit restaurant that serves an incredible Moroccan menu designed by female chef Myriam Ettahri, while a jazz band plays across the courtyard of this Arab-Andalusian palace. Le Bistro Arab is not just a dinner, it’s a whole journey.
✷ Dardar Restaurant and Rooftop Bar
A trendy and breezy rooftop bar where you’ll find a mix of Moroccan-inspired dishes and international bites, from tuna tartare and carpaccio to juicy burgers. But also colorful cocktails and a soundtrack provided by a DJ in a unique booth on the middle level. If you’re looking for Marrakech’s hotspots, put Dardar on your list. This bar is as hot and snazzy as can be.
✷ Street Food Street
Yes, you should try some street food at least once during your trip. While trying to find some ourselves we stumbled upon Derb Dabachi, a bustling street full of food stalls and local restaurants. And you know what they say, eat where the locals eat. And so we did. We stopped at Chez Omar (named Sandwich Chez Hicham) on Google Maps), a stall packed with locals, and we tried a chorizo-like spiced meat sandwich made by the friendly man in this picture. It was delicious, juicy, and quite cheap.
If eating from an open-grill stall like this one is a bit too adventurous for your stomach, don’t worry, there are a lot of places to choose from along this street that are more “restaurant-like”.
Find this street on Google Maps here.
✷ Zeitoun Cafe
The first time we went to Marrakech, a friend had just recommended this cute cafe. There are two locations, one at Jemaa El-Fnaa square, and another in the Kasbah, right across from the Saadi Tombs. We were sure not to miss it and it did not disappoint! We tried the Moroccan Breakfast (“Marocain Petit-Deujener”), which consists of fried eggs and salted, soft meat (but with crispy edges!), and we loved it so much that we took time out of our schedule to come back to their Kasbah location and have the same breakfast the second time we visited Marrakech.
✷ Cafe Arabe
The perfect spot to watch the sunset over the city while enjoying a refreshing drinks and delicious food in a gorgeous setting. At Cafe Arabe you’ll find traditional dishes like an incredible, fragrant, and lemony chicken tagine, as well as Italian items for when you could use a break from all the Moroccan flatbread…and want pizza instead. A whole different kind of flatbread, right?
✷ Cafe des Épices
In the middle of one of the souks in the Medina, you’ll find the “Place des Épices”, a kaleidoscopic square that feels like a little oasis. While it’s still a souk, it’s a fairly calm area, at least iin contrast to other souks in the Old City. And nestled in this square, there’s the Cafe des Épices, a beloved cafe with a two-tiered terrace with sweeping views that will allow you to pause and catch fragments of life below while you have some mint tea or fresh juice. This cafe has been around for about 20 years and is a lovely must-stop in Marrakech.
✷ La Famille
Hidden behind an unassuming door in the Medina, La Famille is a little secret garden that will whisk you away from the bustle just mere meters away. Rustic tables surrounded by citrus trees, and a plant-based menu that doubles as a celebration of fresh, local ingredients. Eating a La Famille is like a cozy, calming hug both for your stomach and your soul; an idyllic break away from the Medina’s noise and hurried pace.
✷ Mandala Society
Tucked away in Gueliz, Mandala Society brings a breath of contemporary cool to Marrakech. This café-meets-concept-store blends sleek minimalism with a cozy edge, serving everything from specialty coffee to colorful, health-oriented plates. Whether you’re looking to unwind with a book or catch up on some work on your laptop, you’ll love this place. Nothing but cool vibes ahead.
✷ Cafe Clock
Cafe Clock is where Marrakech’s creative heart beats. While it contains the word “Cafe” in it’s name, this place is more of a cultural hub focused on storytelling, art, and music. But also on unique dishes, like their famous camel burgers. From rooftop sunsets to poetry nights, every corner fuses tradition and modern expression, making it a beloved gathering place for locals and travelers alike. You’ll soon see that at Cafe Clock, anything can happen.
✷ Sahbi Sahbi
If you’re looking for a low-key, hidden gem, Sahbi Sahbi is the place you want to find. Tucked away from the usual tourist path, here you’ll dive straight into Marrakech’s culinary soul. Come for Moroccan flavors with a bit of a modern twist, and the cozy vibe makes it feel like you're just hanging out at a dear friend's place.
Never, ever travel without Travel Insurance!
While Marrakech is pretty safe, travel insurance is a must, no matter your destination. Accidents and incidents can happen anywhere and anytime. Unexpected medical bills, stolen items, missed flights…make sure you and your belongings are protected abroad.
🗺️ Find all the places in this pocket guide in my Marrakech map here!
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