The 10 Best Restaurants In Marrakech Morocco

The economic capital of Morocco, Marrakech is famous for its rich, ancient and contemporary architecture, along with its exotic cultural scene. The Moorish Medina, as it’s also known, is the ultimate place to experience authentic Moroccan cuisine with a modern touch. This curated list is an updated version of the previous article listing Marrakech’s 10 most recommended local cultural restaurants.
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Riad Kniza

An 18th century luxurious hotel built by Haj Mohamed Bouskri, located in the heart of Marrakech, Riad Kniza is considered one of the best authentic Moroccan restaurants in town. Riad Kniza offers a special menu program where guests can taste the finest of Moroccan cuisine, including a gourmet selection of Moroccan salads; an assortment of exquisite Moroccan tajines and desserts; and local coffee or the well-known Moroccan mint tea. Apart from the delightful dining experience, Riad Kniza‘s guests have the chance to take part in cooking workshops, where the head chef instructs guests in the secrets of exotic Moroccan cooking.

Riad Kniza, 34 Derb l’Hotel +1 212 5243 76942

African Chic

African culture is located right in the middle of the town at African Chic. African Chic’s lounge offers a mix of international signature cocktails, and its Zebra Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy the best of global dishes, varying from Asian flavours such as the poulet Thai or the boeuf a la japonaise, to the crème caramel falcon dessert from Brazil. There is even French cuisine in the form of the coeur de filet de boeuf. African Chic’s colourful African décor creates a truly welcoming atmosphere for guests not only to enjoy a delicious meal but also to watch live Latin music entertainment.

African Chic and Zebra Restaurant +1 212 524431424

Bô-Zin

From a joint dining and bar area, to bamboo and palm tree gardens and nomadic tents, Bô-Zin is the place to be. With its classic and modern décor creating a tranquil environment, guests can enjoy a menu filled with a selection of dishes with international touches, such as the lobster salad with Thai mayonnaise; the black cod caramelised in miso and served with jasmine rice; or the tajine cod with charmoula spices, all accompanied by local desserts and wines. Whether indoors or outdoors, or in a private dining area, this is a place where guests can enjoy a meal in an elegant space by the light of the fire. Bô-Zin guests can also enjoy every meal with live music directed by Bô-Zin’s in-house DJ.

Bô-Zin, Route de l’ Ourika km 3,5 +1 212 5243 88012

1. Café Clock

Cafe, Coffee Shop, Moroccan, Coffee, Tea , Fast Food

Café Clock has two different locations, one in Fez and the other in Marrakech. The contemporary location of Marrakech’s Café Clock offers a casual atmosphere with its terrace, where guests can enjoy a rich breakfast combination of either scrambled eggs with roasted tomato or pancakes with caramelised banana. Café Clock has main lunch and dinner courses, such as toasted couscous bouhalooor the exquisite specialty camel burger, along with local desserts and mint tea. Apart from its unique menu, the venue also hosts special programming during the week for its guests, such as the Wednesday music jams, Thursday traditional Moroccan storytellers, and a variety of other cultural events.

2. Comptoir Darna

Comptoir Darna

Offering an elegant Moroccan atmosphere where guests are welcomed by traditional Moroccan musicians, Comptoir Darna was founded by Marcel Chiche and aims to create a magical place where the riches of Marrakech meet. A popular place among high-profile celebrities, businessmen and professionals, guests here delight in a charming lunch or dinner, together with an entertaining bellydance performance. Comptoir Darna’s authentic Moroccan menu consists of a variety of traditional tajines such as the tajine of kefta, berber or the famous mechoui. Also available are famous Moroccan couscous recipes, such as the royal couscous or the couscous tfaya with chicken, along with local and international desserts.

Comptoir Darna, Avenue Echouhada +1 212 5244 37702

3. Dar El Salam

Dar El Salam

Meaning ‘the house of peace’, and founded in the 17th century, Dar El Salam is the oldest lounge in Marrakech, and houses classic and lavish Moroccan décor that has attracted visitors from every corner of the globe. It was in Dar El Salam that the famous Alfred Hitchcock film ‘The Man Who Knew Too Much’ was filmed in 1956. When it comes to the menu, Dar El Salam offers its guests the ultimate authentic Moroccan traditional cuisine, with specialties such as tajines, couscous and the Moroccan version of seafood pastilla, as well as the unique accompaniment of Marrakech pastries. As guests enjoy their meal, Dar El Salma also features cultural shows, where dancers perform live Moroccan dance.

Dar El Salam, 170 Riad Zitoun Kedim +1 212 5244 4352

5. Kasbah Café

Cafe, Restaurant, Moroccan, Vegan, Vegetarian

With its open terrace overlooking the old Medina and the historical Saadian Tombs site, Kasbah Café and Restaurant is a unique place, dedicated to offering its guests a taste of both the global and local culinary experience. The Andalusian art and décor is a highlight of the experience. Kasbah Café is open at any given time of the day and is the place for guests to enjoy the company of family and friends while taking a moment to sit for a quick lunch or a casual dinner. Guests have the option to choose from the international menu, the daily Moroccan special, or the vegetarian and vegan menu. Kasbah Café thoughtfully caters to its guests by providing menu selections in four languages.

6. Le Jardin

Le Jardin

Bringing French cuisine to the heart of the medina, Le Jardin blends the elegance of French food with Moroccan cuisine. Located in a 17th century abandoned building across the street from the Riad Laarous and Dar el Bacha, it was designed by Anne Favrie and Kamal Laftimi, who mixed 1960s décor with traditional Moroccan designs. The mixture of these two styles creates a remarkable cultural oasis. Le Jardin offers a relaxing environment, and a menu where guests can choose between a traditional French or Moroccan meal, accompanied by either a French espresso or the famous Moroccan mint tea. All of this, as well as charming black and white films, make Le Jardin the place to be.

Le Jardin, 32, Souk El Jeld, Sidi Abdelaziz +1 212 5243 78295

Pepe Nero

At Pepe Nero, Chef Khalid Robazza Essafa is dedicated to bringing the best of Italian-Moroccan cuisine to Marrakech residents. The atmosphere within Pene Nero is formal, and guests can experience not only the lavish and classic ancient Marrakech décor, but also the signature Pepe Nero Le Ville Rough menu. The Italian section, created by Chef Essafa, offers guests recipes such as linguine della casa del pescatore or risotto carnaroli allo zafferano, while the Moroccan part of the menu is a curated collection of Moroccan recipes such as the mechoui d’agneau or the tajine d’agneau makfoul, both fantastic examples of lamb-based dishes. Pepe Nero also boasts a list of delectable quality imported Italian and locally produced Moroccan wines.

Pepe Nero Restaurant, Douar Graoua +1 212 5243 89067

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