10 Top Vegetarian Restaurants in El Jadida

Crisp mixed salad in Morroco
Crisp mixed salad in Morroco | © Krzysztof Belczyński / Flickr
Sarah Williams

In common with many places around Morocco, vegetarian food options can be limited in the seaside town of El Jadida. Pescatarians (people who eat fish and seafood) will, however, have few difficulties finding delicious food in the many fish and seafood restaurants. While there are no pure vegetarian or vegan establishments among El Jadida’s restaurants, here are some places where vegetarians will find suitable options on the menus.

A top tip for vegetarians travelling in El Jadida is to look for places that sell couscous or freekeh; veggie-friendly dishes can often be made from these ingredients, even if they are not shown on the menu. Another handy hint is to request that salads have no tuna, as it is a common ingredient that will be included in the absence of asking otherwise. Hole-in-the-wall sandwich joints can usually rustle up a filling salad sandwich. If you are really struggling to find something to eat, the local markets almost always have a great selection of tasty fruit, and bakeries offer a wide array of sweet and savoury baked goods.

While El Jadida may not have as many vegetarian options as larger tourist destinations, such as Marrakech, Tangier, Fez, and Agadir, it’s certainly not necessary that visitors go hungry!

1. Pasta Fresca Italiana

Pizzeria, Restaurant, Italian

Pasta
© Ted Major / Flickr

Italian restaurants are generally a safe choice for vegetarian travellers to find at least a couple of dishes to choose between, and Pasta Fresca Italiana is no exception. Run by Italian expats, dishes are authentic. The restaurant has an assortment of pastas, including tagliatelle, tortellini, and farfelle, which can be prepared in a vegetarian sauce. There are also rice dishes, veggie pizzas, gnocchi, and calzone. The stuffed tomatoes might make a change to people who’ve already had their fill of Italian food while exploring El Jadida. The desert selection is impressive, with plenty to satisfy any sweet tooth.

2. Mon César

Pizzeria, Restaurant, Fast Food, Vegetarian, Vegan, Moroccan

Mon César is a fresh, colourful, and clean snack shop close to the main beach. The menu is fairly basic, as with many of the local snack joints, but it offers several vegetarian options for guests who want a quick and easy meal for a reasonable price. Pasta, pizza, sandwiches, and salads are the main choices for people who don’t eat meat.

3. La Grillardiere

Restaurant, Moroccan

Crepe with ice cream
© Sean MacEntee / Flickr

Although La Grillardiere is primarily a grill restaurant, the few vegetarian options on the menu make it a worthy stop when touring El Jadida. The restaurant is part of a national chain, with branches also located in Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat, Fez, Meknes, and Agadir. Food is well presented, portions are a good size, and prices are reasonable. Veggie-friendly options include Moroccan salad and Mediterranean salad, pizza, and crepes. If you’re still feeling hungry, there is also a wide assortment of deserts.

4. Restaurant Café L'Araucaria

Restaurant, Bar, Moroccan

Restaurant Café L’Araucaria is located close to the beach and Mohamed V Park. As with many local establishments, vegetarian fare is largely limited to the basics of pizza, salad, and sandwiches. The menu is similar to many of the town’s numerous snack joints. The selection of ice creams are tempting on a hot day. Tables are well spaced and the atmosphere is casually relaxed.

5. Bellevue

Restaurant, Seafood

Vegetable tagine
© 16:9clue / Flickr

Although Bellevue’s menu is fairly weighted towards meat and fish dishes, there are a few vegetarian options that can make a pleasant change from the common items available around town. Avocado topped with egg and vegetable spring rolls are just two examples. It can also be a good choice for vegetarian travellers to enjoy traditional Moroccan fare, with vegetable tagine and vegetable couscous available. Various salads, pasta dishes, and pizza can also be found on the menu. The restaurant is popular for its great views.

6. Sapiano

Pizzeria, Vegetarian, Moroccan

Sapiano is located a little away from the major places of interest, but it can make for a pleasant change of scenery. Vegetarian-friendly menu items are, however, similar to what you would find closer to the heart of town. Veggie dishes include mozzarella and tomato salad, mixed salad, fries, tomato pasta, pasta in a creamy sauce, mushroom pizza, spinach and ricotta pizza, and vegetable pizza. Guests can sit either inside or outdoors.

7. Market Place

Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Asian, Moroccan, Indian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean

7. Market Place
© Maureen / Flickr

Market Place is one of the dining establishments within the luxury Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort. Dining is buffet style, with an extensive selection of meals, both veg and non-veg, from Morocco and other parts of North Africa, the Middle East, India, and various other nations in Asia. Freshly baked breads, a wide cheese selection, and fresh salad complement the main courses. Finish with traditional Moroccan pastries, European-style cakes, ice creams, and fruit.

8. Restaurant Korean

Restaurant, Korean, Asian

Vegetarian tourists who are seeking something different to the usual selection of pizza and pasta might wish to check out Restaurant Korean. While the vegetarian options aren’t extensive, the few available dishes do make a pleasant change to the norm. It’s also somewhat of a novelty to find authentic Korean cuisine in Morocco! Relish stir-fried vegetables with boiled rice, noodles in a black bean sauce, vegetable fried rice, and soybean paste stew. Many of the side dishes that accompany meals are vegetarian too. The restaurant is located in Sidi Bouzid.

9. Luigi

Pizzeria, Restaurant, Italian

Stone-baked pizza
© Edsel Little / Flickr

A good option for pizza aficionados, Luigi serves mouthwatering stone-baked pizzas. Acclaimed as one of the best Italian restaurants in El Jadida, there is a good choice of pasta dishes and salads too. The decor is charming and the atmosphere is sophisticated. Although a bit pricier than other establishments, portion sizes are very generous.

10. La Portugaise

Restaurant, Moroccan, Mediterranean, Vegetarian, Vegan

Moroccan tagine
© Anthony Tong Lee / Flickr

Conveniently located close to many of El Jadida’s beautiful buildings and main attractions, La Portugaise can be found in the heart of the gorgeous historic streets of the old Portuguese City. Serving mainly Moroccan cuisine with a few European staples, vegetarian visitors can enjoy vegetable tagine, omelette with fries, vegetable soup with hearty chunks of Moroccan bread, and salad.

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