10 Top Cheap Eats in Fez

A favourite among young locals and tourists, Cafe Clock is a restaurant located next to a landmark clock in the middle of the medina. The restaurant is always bustling with business, and has four different levels of seating for guests to choose from. Each floor is amazingly decorated with splendid tapestries and Middle-Eastern wall designs. Gnawa music – songs and rhythms of a spiritual, ancient Islamic nature – is often played here. Try the camel burger here, if you dare, or other Mediterranean delicacies at a decent price.

This amazing little bar and restaurant is located in the Medina and feels like an oasis among the crowded streets. The décor is bohemian and the music is appropriate, so you can enjoy your Moroccan tagines and fresh mint tea in a relaxed setting. It’s definitely an ideal place for some Instagram shots, as it has numerous straw chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and a lounge area with large pillows.

Darori Resto is one of the best local restaurants in Fez, located in a house in the heart of the Medina. The main door is relatively obscure, located down a narrow street, but the house itself is massive, with an indoor garden and a ceiling of coloured glass. Everything here is traditionally Moroccan: the décor, the house, the food, and the staff. The cuisine is the best thing about Darori, with local, fresh products and lots of Moroccan spices to make it as authentic as possible.

A hidden treasure of Fez, this is a peaceful little Mediterranean/Moroccan restaurant with a beautiful garden and terrace. Whether you decide to sit inside in the amazing living room or outside in the picturesque garden accompanied by the sounds of birds and a water fountain, you can enjoy healthy but delicious food in a relaxed atmosphere. Dishes range from traditional Moroccan tagine to Mediterranean salad. It gets busy, so make sure you book a table in advance.

This is a great rooftop restaurant with a friendly staff and delicious, cheap tagine. At Nagham Cafe Restaurant, you can enjoy perfect chicken tagine overlooking the old Medina. The prices are fairly decent and they offer vegetarian options on the usual meat dishes.

A riad located within the Medina, Dar Attajalli’s décor is like no other, with Moroccan tiles (zellij) and an astonishing view of the old town. Its restaurant offers vegetarian and vegan dishes, the most popular being their traditional tagine, cooked with local and organic products and served for dinner between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. They also offer cooking classes if you’re interested in Moroccan cuisine.

Another fantastic riad in the heart of the Medina of Fes, Riad Dar Dmana has been completely restored to delightfully showcase traditional architecture and the unique crafts of Fes. Much more than a hotel, this riad pays special attention to its restaurant, which serves typical Moroccan meals on an inviting candlelit terrace. The combination of hospitable hosts and excellent chefs means that all guests are certainly catered for, even vegetarian, with delicious, meat-free versions of couscous and tagine.

“The House Of Tagine,” is another main restaurant where you can try the famous Moroccan dish at an affordable price. They offer all kinds of tagines, from vegetarian to tender beef and, of course, they’re served with bread so you can enjoy the delicious sauce in a picturesque, traditional atmosphere. Don’t forget to try their mint tea!

If you’re a local, or you’ve spent a great deal of time living in Fes, it’s not uncommon to hear: ‘Let’s go to Thami’s’. While tourists are usually ushered into one of the more expensive restaurants, you can follow your explorer heart to the beacon of street food. It may only consist of a few simple tables and chairs on a street corner, rather than the luxurious riads that are on offer, however, the owner, after who the cafe is named, is extremely proud of the little place he has built up over the years. He continues to serve cheap and fresh food to all who visit, including an incredible 25 MAD (£2.00) tagine.

This restaurant, located inside the beautiful Riad Andalib, is more expensive than the other spots but definitely worth a visit, due to its splendid food. Inside you’ll find traditional Moroccan décor, rugs, sofas, plates and, most importantly, traditional Moroccan dishes. Our recommendation is the chicken tagine, served with a selection of fresh spices straight from the Medina, enjoyed in an Arabian atmosphere.