With fascinating geography and culture, Morocco is also home to a gastronomic treat. So, what better way to experience the culture of Morocco than through its wonderful offerings of food? An authentic Moroccan restaurant would be the ideal setting for such an experience. Whether it is slurping a hot bowl of harira in a busy medina, eating a slow-cooked tagine under a starry desert sky, or having freshly grilled seafood along the Atlantic coast, a wide range of tastes and traditions await discovery within the walls of the restaurants that line this country.

The Diversity of Moroccan Cuisine

Moroccan food is an ensemble of flavors: Arab, Berber, Andalusian, and French. Every Morocco restaurant customizes a bit of traditional dishes with its own source ingredients and methods of preparation passed from generation to generation.

      1. The Classic Moroccan Dining Experience

The Morocco restaurant epitomizes a world of stimulation for the senses: the air buzzes with the aroma of spices, including cumin, cinnamon, and saffron. Mosaic tiles are usually complemented by soft pillows in luxurious carpets, where the ambience is delicately lit by lanterns taking the guests back to another era.

It begins with the small plates “mezze” such as olives, zaalouk (smoky eggplant dip), and taktouka (mixture of tomatoes and peppers) before a meal in Morocco proceeds to deep, rich, and sometimes ostentatious tagines: the multi-flavored, stewed dishes prepared in earthenware pots over slow heat.

      2. The Must-Try Popular Dishes of Morocco Restaurant

• Tagine – The quintessential Morocco restaurant staple, this dish is prepared with assorted meats, vegetables, and aromatic spices, resulting in a tender and richly flavored offering.
• Couscous – The traditional Friday meal is steamed semolina grains topped with meat and vegetables.
• Pastilla – A savory-sweet pastry filled with pigeon or chicken, almonds, and hints of cinnamon.
• Harira – A rich, warming soup containing lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, and an array of warming spices. This is often served in Ramadan.
• Mechoui – Slow-roasted lamb, often cooked in underground pits for juicy, tender meat that slides right off the bone.

Best Morocco Restaurants by Region

      1. Marrakech: A Food Lover’s Paradise

Marrakech is a haven for all food lovers with some of the best Morocco restaurant selections in the country. At night, Jemaa el-Fna square comes alive with street vendors, offering grilled meat, sangria, and all manner of Moroccan goodies.

• Al Fassia – A Morocco restaurant renowned for its all-women staff, specializing in traditional Moroccan cuisine and great service.
• Dar Yacout – A lavish and luxurious dining experience presenting multi-course feasts in a beautiful setting of the Riad.
• Nomad – Chic and modern Moroccan food in innovative servings with views roof.

      2. Fes: The Cultural and Culinary Heart

Fes has home to some of the most authentic Morocco restaurant experiences where many are hidden in the maze-like alleys of the medina.

• The Ruined Garden – A lovely courtyard Morocco restaurant serving organic and locally sourced food.
• Dar Roumana – A colorful tapestry of Moroccan and French cooking with incredible flavors and artistic presentation.
• Restaurant Sekaya – A hidden gem that charms patrons with wonderful pastilla and warm hospitality.

      3. Casablanca: Where Tradition Meets Modernity

Casablanca, as the most populous city in Morocco, is generally a blend of cultures, a fusion of tastes that offer traditional and modern dining.

• Rick’s Café – The Morocco restaurant inspired by the great movie Casablanca, with a nostalgic feel to it, and has a Moroccan menu that is refined.
• La Sqala – A great garden Morocco restaurant serving truly Moroccan cuisine in an atmosphere of historic fortifications.
• Le Cabestan – A high-end seafood Morrocco restaurant with stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean.

      4. Essaouira: Seafood Heaven

For any seafood lover, Essaouira is one of the cities in Morocco which must be visited. The city is situated on the coast, so any Morrocco restaurant that serves seafood will have the freshest catch of the day.

• Chez Sam – a legendary seafood Morocco restaurant with breathtaking views of the harbor.
• Umia – a fusion of Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine, ideal for a romantic dinner.
• The Loft – a chic restaurant with an imaginative menu featuring local seafood flavors.

Street Food in Morocco: A Must-Try Experience

While a lovely experience, dining in a Morocco restaurant is nothing compared to what the street food scene has to offer. This bustling escape into markets and food stalls allows visitors to sample some of the most authentic and cheap dishes that this country has to offer.

• Sfenj – Moroccan doughnuts, exterior crispy deep-fried with a soft centre-best enjoyed with hot mint tea.
• Brochettes – Grilled meat skewers dipped and marinated in several lovely spice combinations.
• Bissara – A thick fava bean soup, often consumed for breakfast.
• Snail Soup –  This Moroccan dish, believed to have cure and health benefits, comes nestled in a flavorful broth.

The Role of Mint Tea in Moroccan Dining

No meal in Morocco is concluded without the drinking of a glass of Moroccan mint tea. The sweet and refreshing tea is popularly called “Moroccan whiskey” and is served in every Morocco restaurant as well as in homes. The making of mint tea is considered an art with the ritual pouring of tea from a height to create a frothy top.

Dining Etiquette in Morocco

When dining out in a Morocco restaurant, it’s important to keep in mind the following dining customs of Morocco:

• Eating with the right hand – Moroccans eat with the right hand, where the bread is picked up as a utensil for an intake of food.
• Respect for elders – It is customary that food be offered first to the elders before serving oneself.
• Sharing plates – Most dishes are served family style where they are shared amongst guests.
• Tipping – Service charge is not included all the time, and therefore a tip (usually 10% – 15%) is appreciated.

Conclusion: A Culinary Adventure Awaits

In Morocco, food is an adventure in itself, whether you are being treated to a fine dining experience or street food by a popular street market. Each Morocco restaurant tells a story, allowing one to experience small parts of the country’s history, culture, and traditions through taste. If you’re planning to hit Morocco anytime soon, be sure to take a gastronomic adventure that will leave you with many memories and a deeper understanding of Moroccan cuisine.