Best Restaurants in Marrakech: Where to Eat in 2024
Marrakech is a city defined by smoke, spice, and precision. The food scene has evolved far beyond basic couscous. Today, the city balances ancient street food traditions in the Medina with sophisticated French-Moroccan fusion in Gueliz. You can eat a three-course meal on a carpet-lined rooftop or stand in an alleyway for a 5-dirham sfenj. The standard is high because the competition is fierce. To find the best restaurants in Marrakech, you need to look past the tourist traps on Jemaa el-Fna and head into the side streets where the locals actually eat.
Must-try dishes in Marrakech
Before choosing where to eat in Marrakech, know what to order. These are the non-negotiables:
- Tanjia Marrakshia: A slow-cooked meat stew prepared in a clay urn. It is buried in the hot ashes of a local hamman furnace for hours until the beef or lamb is butter-soft.
- Pastilla: A flaky, sweet-and-savory pigeon or chicken pie. Layered with phyllo dough, almonds, cinnamon, and sugar, it is the pinnacle of Moroccan celebratory food.
- Harira: The country's staple soup. Made with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and lemon, it is hearty, cheap, and usually served with dates and honey cakes.
- Lamb Mechoui: Whole lamb roasted in underground clay pits. The meat is sold by weight and served with nothing but cumin and salt for dipping.
- Zaalook: A cooked eggplant and tomato salad seasoned with garlic and paprika. It is the gold standard of Moroccan "salade" spreads.
- Rfissa: A comfort dish of shredded pancakes (msemmen), chicken, and lentils soaked in a fragrant fenugreek broth.
Best restaurants for a splurge
When you want a high-end experience, Marrakech delivers world-class service and architectural drama. These spots require booking in advance.
Le Marocain (Hivernage)
Located inside the legendary La Mamounia hotel, this is the definitive fine-dining experience. The setting is opulent, with heavy carved wood and velvet everywhere. The menu focuses on elevated versions of traditional recipes, like lobster pastilla or refined lamb tagine. It is expensive, but the service and the garden views justify the price tag for a special occasion.
Al Fassia (Gueliz)
Al Fassia is unique because it is run entirely by women. It avoids the "belly dancer" tropes of other high-end spots and focuses purely on the food. The Agdal location is beautiful, but the original Gueliz branch is a local institution. Their lamb shoulder with almonds is arguably the best in the country. It is sophisticated, quiet, and consistently excellent.
Sahbi Sahbi (Gueliz)
This is the newest heavy hitter in the city. The design is contemporary and sleek, featuring an open kitchen—a rarity in traditional Moroccan cooking. You watch the "dadas" (traditional female cooks) prepare handmade couscous and stews with surgical precision. It bridges the gap between old-world recipes and modern aesthetic sensibilities.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These are the mid-range spots where you get high-quality ingredients without the formal dress codes.
Plus 61 (Gueliz)
A taste of Sydney in the middle of Marrakech. Plus 61 offers a Mediterranean-Australian fusion that focuses on fresh, seasonal produce. The space is bright, minimalist, and air-conditioned. If you need a break from heavy tagines, their handmade pasta, schnitzel, and vibrant salads are the perfect palate cleanser.
Nomad (Medina)
Nomad reinvented the Medina dining scene. It takes traditional flavors and lightens them up for a modern audience. Expect dishes like zucchini and feta fritters or shaved cauliflower salad with cumin. The multi-level seating provides a breezy escape from the heat of the souks below. It is popular for a reason—the quality is consistent.
Le Jardin (Medina)
This restaurant is housed in a 16th-century mansion with a massive, lush courtyard filled with banana trees. It feels like a secret garden. The menu is a mix of Moroccan classics and international snacks. It is the best place to decompress after an afternoon of haggling. The green-tiled floors and tortoises wandering the garden add to the charm.
Café des Épices (Medina)
The younger sibling to Nomad, this spot is located right in the heart of the spice square (Place des Épices). It is casual, red-walled, and serves great sandwiches, salads, and spiced coffee. It is the best place for a quick lunch where you can still watch the chaos of the market from a safe distance.
Best cheap eats and street food
You don’t need a reservation for the best street food in Marrakech. Follow the smoke and the crowds.
Chez Lamine (Medina)
Located in "Mechoui Alley" just off Jemaa el-Fna, this is where you go for roasted lamb. You order by the gram. The meat is pulled straight from the underground pit, seasoned with salt and cumin, and served on butcher paper with crusty bread. It is primal, greasy, and one of the best meals you will ever have.
Hassan’s Sandwich Stall (Medina)
Look for the stalls near the Bab Agnaou gate or in the deep Medina that have a line of locals. You can get a "khobz" bread stuffed with grilled turkey, olives, eggs, and spicy sauce for about 20 dirhams. It is fast, filling, and authentic.
Beghrir and Sfenj Vendors
In the mornings and late afternoons, look for small stalls frying dough. Sfenj are Moroccan donuts—crispy on the outside and chewy inside. Beghrir are "thousand-hole" pancakes soaked in honey and butter. These cost pennies and are best eaten standing up while they are still hot.
Jemaa el-Fna Stall #1 (Hadj Aïcha)
While most of the stalls in the main square are similar, Stall #1 is famous for its fried fish and calamari. It is chaotic, loud, and you will be sitting on communal benches, but the turnover is so high that the food is guaranteed to be fresh.
Best breakfast and brunch
Breakfast in Marrakech is traditionally a carbohydrate-heavy affair with plenty of mint tea.
Bacha Coffee (Medina)
Located inside the Dar el Bacha Museum, this is one of the most beautiful rooms in the city. The coffee menu is a massive book featuring beans from every corner of the globe. Pair a pot of coffee with their signature croissants in a setting that feels like 1920s Morocco. Expect a wait, as they don't take reservations for small groups.
Café de la Poste (Gueliz)
This former post office feels like a French colonial brasserie. It is the best place for a "Petit Déjeuner" of pastries, fresh orange juice, and omelets. The large terrace is perfect for people-watching in the more modern part of the city. It stays busy from morning until late at night.
Mandala Galery (Gueliz)
For those looking for a modern brunch—think avocado toast, acai bowls, and specialty lattes—this is the spot. It is a favorite for expats and digital nomads. The interior is artistic and the vibe is relaxed, providing a familiar breakfast experience if you’ve had your fill of msemmen.
Best rooftop or view dining
Marrakech is a flat city, meaning any rooftop offers a view of the Koutoubia Mosque and, on clear days, the Atlas Mountains.
El Fenn (Medina)
The rooftop at El Fenn is legendary. The decor is bold—think bright pinks and deep blues—and the views over the Medina are unobstructed. It’s a great spot for a sunset cocktail and a light dinner. The vibe is sophisticated and artistic, matching the boutique hotel below it.
Terrasse des Épices (Medina)
This is a massive, open-air rooftop that feels like a beach club in the middle of the city. They serve large portions of Moroccan and international food. At night, the lighting is moody and perfect for a long dinner. It is one of the most reliable spots for a high-quality meal with a great atmosphere.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
The Medina: This is the heart of the food scene. The area around Souk Kchachbia is excellent for traditional snacks, while the northern part of the Medina near Dar el Bacha has seen a surge in trendy cafes.
Gueliz: This is the "New City," built during the French protectorate. Here you will find the best French bakeries, modern bistros, and wine bars. It is where you go when you want a break from the souks and a more "European" dining experience.
Hivernage: This is the luxury district. It is home to the big five-star hotels and the flashy, high-end restaurants that turn into lounges or clubs after 11:00 PM.
Note: Opening hours and reservation policies can change seasonally, especially during Ramadan.