Whether it’s dining outdoors in a riad overlooking the Djemaa el Fna or eating fabulous French food in a cozy restaurant, Marrakech has plenty to entertain diners. The city is extremely popular for travelers and foodies alike, and new restaurants continue to pop up to try to get their business. Here are six restaurants in Marrakech that you have to try.
Latitude 31
You’ll find an oasis waiting for you if you’re willing to trek deep inside the Arset Ben Chebli section of the Medina to find Latitude 31. The gorgeous setting is completely walled off from the outside streets and reminds you of a Mediterranean villa, complete with painted walls, rose gardens and orange trees. Try out the cream cheese filled pastries with strawberry puree to get you started on your food journey. They come out super hot but the puree cools them off for a melt-in-your-mouth delight. The menu is all gourmet Moroccan food served with incredible platings that is sure to leave the most discerning gourmand happy. For a flavor exploration, go with the stuffed chicken thighs that comes served with balsamic vinegar, pumpkin sauce, and tons of spice. Seafood lovers will no doubt want to go for the seafood tagine that comes with great fish, shrimp, and perfectly cooked calamari. And if you want to stay for awhile in the cozy surroundings, a DJ spins tunes deep into the night.
Eveil Des Sens
For fantastic food on a budget, it doesn’t get much better than Eveil Des Sens in the Gueliz. Take a seat on the cute outdoor patio so you can take in the neighborhood scene and dine al fresco. Start off with a mix of Moroccan ‘cigars’ for something that will hit your savory and sweet needs at the same time. They come stuffed with well-spiced meat and are served like beignets with powdered sugar. For mains, try one of their numerous tagines like the beef meatballs that don’t go light on the flavor intensity. Desserts don’t stray far from traditional Moroccan options, so it’s hard to go wrong with a fresh plate of oranges served with cinnamon. For the price of the food at Eveil Des Sens, you wouldn’t expect the artistic plating you receive, and it definitely beats the pants off many places charging double or triple the price.
Dar Moha
If you want a fine dining experience where you’ll possibly see a celebrity or two, head straight to Dar Moha. Operated by celebrity chef Moha Fedal, this chic restaurant offers an idyllic escape from the busy streets of the Medina. The food is of course top notch, but the inside is immaculate, owing to being the former home of fashion designer Pierre Balmain. Moha has celebrity status himself due to his TV show, and the dishes he serves up will have you in awe. Go for a seat near the tiled pool and order one of several pastillas — served with couscous, fresh vegetables and foie gras. If you can’t decide what to eat, just flip a coin, everything here belongs in a magazine spread.
Amaia
Fancy something other than Moroccan food? How about a little bit of French and Mediterranean fine dining? If so, Amaia offers a classy and fun place to dine on mouth-watering gourmet inspirations. On the menu, you’ll find everything from freshly made pasta, to perfectly seared steaks, to fresh seafood dishes. If you’re not squeamish about raw meat, one of the items you have to try is the beef carpaccio that comes with Parmigiano reggiano and a decadent pesto sauce. Another classic French dish to try is their twist on duck, a wonderfully crisp marriage of breast meat marinated in cider vinegar served with a pineapple chutney. If you like duck, it’s pretty unbeatable.
Al Fassia
Al Fassia offers break from the sensory overload of the Medina, yet still keeps with the old-world flavors of Marrakech. When you enter the restaurant, you’ll find yourself surrounded by wooden arches, marble ceilings and the glow from brass lanterns that decorate the walls. Its also reputed to have some of the best Moroccan food in Marrakech, owing to the sisters who run the place. To sample all the flavors, go for the large nine-dish mezze selection which includes carrots, beets, olives and chillis along with an endless supply of bread. And whether you get one of the large tagines or a huge serving of couscous as your mains, you can’t really go wrong. Service is a bit slow, so be prepared to cozy up and relax for a few hours while you enjoy your meal.
Patisserie Amandine
You can’t go to Marrakech without sampling its delicious pastries and tea. Head to Patisserie Amandine to sample some of the best Marrakech has to offer in a cute setting, perfect for an afternoon date. Located in the Gueliz, this charming patisserie has been serving up delicious treats since 1997. Most of the items here are weighed by the pound, so feel free to sample everything in site. The pistachio macarons and chocolate mousse are both fantastic options and go fantastic with any of their delicate teas. While you could go for the traditional Moroccan green tea, it’s recommended to go for one of their other excellent flavors like rose and orange.