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The Best Street Food You Must Try in Marrakech, Morocco

A Berber woman prepares a tagine lunch
A Berber woman prepares a tagine lunch | © James Strachan / Getty Images

You can find all kinds of street food day and night across Morocco – and Marrakech is no exception. Here, we explore the best street food in the city, from sandwiches and pastries to freshly squeezed juice and more exotic dishes.

Looking to get a taste of Marrakech? Then book Culture Trip’s six-day group adventure, where our local guide will help you discover some of the tastiest dishes in the city and beyond.

Snail soup

A bowl of snail soup is flavoured with many spices

Particularly popular in Marrakech, snails can be found everywhere in the square and marketplace Jemaa El-Fnaa. This flavoursome broth is supposed to have restorative and digestive benefits. This is almost reason enough to try it. If that weren’t tempting enough, however, these distinctive chocolate-brown snails are tender with a delicious savoury taste. What’s more, they are served in a broth bursting with flavours and spices.

Orange juice

A street vendor sells juices from a cart in Marrakech

The oranges found in Morocco are famous worldwide, so it’s no surprise that you can find some of the best orange juice on the streets of Marrakech. They are sourced from the countless orange trees in the limitless alleys and courtyards in the city. You can get a full glass of this refreshing, tangy juice, perfect for recovering after a long day of exploring in the sun. Also, it’s a must when wandering through Jemaa El-Fnaa.

B’stilla

B’stilla is traditionally made with pigeon meat

Originating in Fez, but also plentiful on the streets of Marrakech, b’stilla is a special pie with layers of paper-thin pastry. It is traditionally stuffed with pigeon meat, almonds, eggs and lots of fresh spices. Nowadays, you can also find this pastry stuffed with fillings such as chicken or fish. Often eaten as a starter, b’stilla offers a combination of sweet and salty and a crisp but doughy texture. For a taste of authentic Morocco, be sure to pick up one or two of these little pastries from a street seller.

Harira

Harira is a traditional Moroccan lentil and chickpea soup

This traditional Moroccan soup can be found all year round, but it’s particularly popular during Ramadan and one of the first things eaten to break the fast. This flavoursome, golden-coloured soup is rich with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas and sometimes noodles, with meat an occasional addition. You can find this served in little cups or bowls out on the street, and it’s a popular option sure to please even the fussiest eaters.

Sheep’s head

Jemaa El-Fnaa is a popular place to dine

Although many people may be a little repulsed by this at first, try to be open-minded and sample a popular delicacy on the streets of Marrakech. Try a mixed plate of offal, tongue, head scrapings and a bit of the rest of the sheep. The whole head costs a little bit more but makes quite a meal. While it’s not a roadside snack you’d find in Western countries, you’ll find more than one stall in Marrakech offering this delicacy. Unusual yet delicious, sheep’s head is a definite recommendation for the more adventurous foodie.

Ma’qooda

Ma’qooda are flavourful deep-fried potato balls

These little deep-fried potato balls are the perfect moreish snacks for a quick hit of energy. Almost anything can be added to them; a popular option is spicy harissa sauce for an extra kick or even a fried egg. This delicious combination is then stuffed into a sandwich and squashed together. This popular and very filling snack is easy to find and incredibly cheap.

Chebakia

Chebakia is perfect for those with a sweet tooth

Chebakia is a Moroccan sesame cookie, moulded into a flower-like shape and fried before it is coated with masses of syrup or honey. Extremely sweet and addictive, these delicious sugary delights are a must-try. It’s a favourite during Ramadan, and households often produce buckets full of these treats each year. Buying some from the streets is recommended – the factory-made versions simply don’t compare.

About the author

From her first ever trip to Spain at 10 years old, Rebecca became obsessed with Spanish. This passion for Spanish has since developed into a love for all things language and travel related and has inspired her dream of working for the Foreign Office. Now studying for a degree in Spanish and Arabic, Rebecca has visited Spain over 10 times, and has just spent a year living, studying and teaching in the historic and cultural heart of Morocco, Fes. An adventurous and ambitious individual, Rebecca hates to be stuck in one place for too long, so next stop Nigeria! When not studying, she loves to spend time with her friends and supportive boyfriend and metaphorical rock Ayman, usually smoking shisha, and is passionate about gymnastics.

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