All roads in the medina lead to the Djemaa el Fna, and that’s precisely where you should head, too, on your very first night, for one of the world’s craziest street parties. Just before sunset, dozens of food stalls begin assembling elaborate mobile restaurants along the massive square, and when it does get dark, you’d never guess it, thanks to their blindingly bright lights — picture Times Square, but with a battalion of food trucks emanating light instead of billboards, and carts proffering fresh snails instead of hot dogs. Within seconds of exiting one of the arteries to the square you’re likely to be accosted by a dozen different vendors, enticing you to pick their stall over the others with quirky slogans aimed at eliciting smiles from tourists: “It’s fingy-licking good!” one claims. “Two-year no-diarrhea guarantee,” another promises dubiously. The menus are all virtually identical, so you’re safe to choose based on whose sales pitch cracks you up the most. We settled in at a long table at “Stall 25 — stay alive!” and ordered a range of brochette skewers, calamari, fried fish, harira soup, and french fries, a massive spread of food for a grand total that was less than $20. The food is average (and safe to eat, thanks to the quick turnover), but the main draw is the front-row seat these stalls provide for the frenetic pageant unfolding around you: snake charmers, monkey trainers, drummers, belly dancers, oud musicians, and much, much more, creating a Carnivale-esque extravaganza into the late hours. Sure, the whole thing is fairly touristy — but it’s one of the world’s great live shows, and you can’t leave Marrakech without grabbing a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for about 50 cents and joining in the festivities.
Expert Review
All roads in the medina lead to the Djemaa el Fna, and that's precisely where you should head, too, on...
All roads in the medina lead to the Djemaa el Fna, and that’s precisely where you should head, too, on your very first night, for one of the world’s craziest street parties. Just before sunset, dozens of food stalls begin assembling elaborate mobile restaurants along the massive square, and when it does get dark, you’d never guess it, thanks to their blindingly bright lights — picture Times Square, but with a battalion of food trucks emanating light instead of billboards, and carts proffering fresh snails instead of hot dogs. Within seconds of exiting one of the arteries to the square you’re likely to be accosted by a dozen different vendors, enticing you to pick their stall over the others with quirky slogans aimed at eliciting smiles from tourists: “It’s fingy-licking good!” one claims. “Two-year no-diarrhea guarantee,” another promises dubiously. The menus are all virtually identical, so you’re safe to choose based on whose sales pitch cracks you up the most. We settled in at a long table at “Stall 25 — stay alive!” and ordered a range of brochette skewers, calamari, fried fish, harira soup, and french fries, a massive spread of food for a grand total that was less than $20. The food is average (and safe to eat, thanks to the quick turnover), but the main draw is the front-row seat these stalls provide for the frenetic pageant unfolding around you: snake charmers, monkey trainers, drummers, belly dancers, oud musicians, and much, much more, creating a Carnivale-esque extravaganza into the late hours. Sure, the whole thing is fairly touristy — but it’s one of the world’s great live shows, and you can’t leave Marrakech without grabbing a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice for about 50 cents and joining in the festivities.