Exploring the Culture of Morocco Through its Cuisine
You don’t have to be Gordon Ramsay to experience the many joys of Moroccan cuisine, which lies at the centre of the country’s culture. Here we explore some of the most rewarding Moroccan restaurants and street food options in three popular cities.
Food lies at the heart of Moroccan culture: around market stalls laden with fresh produce, locals gather to buy ingredients for delicious dishes like tagine, couscous, and harira soup – to name just three.
That eternal question, "What are you cooking today?" is uttered here as frequently as anywhere.
Exploring Morocco Through Food
Of course, Morocco has its headline bricks-and-mortar attractions – from Bahia Palace to the bustling Djemaa el Fna and the vast Atlas Mountains – but all sightseeing is inevitably set aside when it’s time to deal with rumbling tummies.
Here, we explore some of the best Moroccan food served in restaurants and on the street in three popular cities: Fes, Marrakesh, and Essaouira.
A Note on Mint Tea
If it’s your first time in Morocco, get ready to be offered mint tea at almost every juncture: it’s embedded in the culture of Morocco, and is proffered when you arrive at your hotel, in cafés, after dinner and by any locals you meet.
If you didn’t like mint tea before, you probably will by the end of your visit: as well as possessing calming properties, it aids digestion and is a great way to reduce your caffeine consumption.
Best Eats in Fes
Gordon Ramsay visited Fes in his Uncharted TV series and discovered a thrilling variety of freshly made dishes, many with a strong Berber influence.
Ramsay abseiled down a waterfall to track down rare and delicious Morel mushrooms; he learned how to hand-make wafer-thin warka pasties; and even made Berber olive oil (with the help of a donkey).
Thankfully, you won’t have to go to these lengths to enjoy the wonderful cuisine of Fes, or Moroccan food more generally.
For some of the best couscous and kefta tagine in town, head to Restaurant Ouliya, which enjoys exceptional reviews on TripAdvisor. Located in the Medina of Fes, it boasts excellent views from its romantic rooftop terrace.
Ishq Restaurant, meanwhile, with its French-Moroccan cuisine theme, offers melt-in-your-mouth roasted beef fillet on a Himalayan salt plate, flavourful shrimp linguine, and creamy rice pudding. Ishq is also located in the bustling Medina.
But it's out on the streets of Medina where you'll find some of the most surprising, rewarding – and affordable – foods.
Bissara, also known as fava bean soup, is hearty, delicious, and perfect if you're in Fes during cooler months. It's a stalwart of Moroccan food culture.
Msemen, meanwhile, are small square pancakes fashioned from chewy dough – perfect with honey, or alternatively, tomatoes, onion, and olives. Msemen is great for a quick breakfast or snack and is served across Fes.
Best Eats in Marrakesh
Churchill described Marrakesh as "the Paris of the Sahara" – and at least part of that label comes from its association with excellent cuisine.
Gordon Ramsay, alongside Gino D'Acampo and Fred Sirieix, visited Marrakesh on their Road Trip series, where they explored the colourful souks (markets). After trying on belly dancer costumes and sampling herbs that you won’t find in the average UK farmer's market, the trio experienced delicious spit-roasted lamb cooked in a traditional underground oven.
Such off-the-wall gastronomic experiences are commonplace on the streets of Marrakesh, but there are lots of superb restaurants of a more familiar type, too. Many fuse Moroccan cuisine with international dishes.
La Terrasse de La Brillante is a stylish rooftop Moroccan restaurant in the heart of Marrakesh, whose risotto and lamb dishes are raved about by diners. The prices aren’t too steep, either.
Fluffy, meanwhile, is located in a central mall and specialises in wonderfully fluffy pancakes, as well as savoury dishes like rib steak and chicken lemon. The restaurant fuses American, Moroccan, and international cuisine, and boasts a charming interior with impressive service.
If you want your Mexican taste buds tickled, try Les Jardins Du Lotus nestled in the heart of the Medina, which focuses on an 'all-day brunch' concept amid stylish decor. Alongside Mexican dishes like chimichanga, there are French specialities such as fillet mignon.
Best Eats in Essaouira
The compact but lively city of Essaouira lies on the coast by the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Its ancient architecture is why the Game of Thrones team used it for a location – specifically the ramparts and Sqala du Port. (As yet, however, Essaouira hasn’t featured in a Gordon Ramsay TV show!)
As well as being popular among GoT location hunters, the city's coastal location has long made it a go-to destination for lovers of fresh seafood.
Stroll along the waterfront and you'll find around a dozen tiny fish shacks that sell an assortment of delicious seafood, usually served with fries and salad. You’ll soon see why seafood lies at the heart of Moroccan culture, just as lamb and couscous dishes do.
For an indoor dining experience, head to Le Jardin du Villa Maroc, which offers a superb buffet lunch and access to a relaxing pool. At £30 a head, it’s not the cheapest option in town, but could be perfect if you’re looking for a higher-end meal.
Dar Baba, meanwhile, is a lively eatery with a Spanish-inspired menu. And if you’re in the market for a sunset drink accompanied by live music, try Salut Maroc.
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