murphy17

i booked the hotel (La Mamounia) now i would appreciate any recommendations
for restaurants. We never had Moroccan food so any help would be great.
Also, did anybody go to a great shop for souvenirs, leather goods, cooking items,
etc., would love to know the name.
thanks in advance
carol

Lynnaustin

Cafe Arabe is very good.
You can google the name and it pops up. We ate there twice. One word of caution on the food, Moroccans put sugar in almost everything. We had a delicious chicken/lemon tagine and then decided to try the beef tagine. The beef tagine sounded wonderful with tomatoes and onions. Unfortunately, it was also load with sugar. Be sure to ask. One Moroccan guide told us they eat about 4 times the amount of sugar as others.

Another good place to eat is the restaurant at Le Riad Monceau. It is also a beautiful riad. They offer a cooking class as do some other places.

Lynnaustin

I forgot to add Le Fondouk.
Check out these places on their websites and Trip Advisor.

murphy17

thaks for the information. do you need to make reservations in advance?

Lynnaustin

Not at Cafe Arabe, yes at the other two.

Lifeman

Try the Tobsil. It's a really nice riad in a back lane and the food is very good.

The address is

22 Derb Moulay Abdallah Ben Hessaien
Medina
Marrakesh
Morocco 40000
Tel: 00-212-524-444-052

but I can't find a website. I know that they have an e-mail address for the owner, Christina Rio, but can't find it. Try putting the Tobsil into the search on Fodor's, as I know it's been well reviewed on here, as well as on Trip Advisor etc.

Betts123

Dar Marjana had amazing food. It is in the courtyard of an old riad with music and a belly dancer. The staff couldn't have been nicer and it is a romatic and cozy spot! You should check their website and email in advance to reserve a table.

Kavey

I never kept up with this blog but I did write three detailed posts about our trip in 2007, some of which I think might still be helpful for you:

http://favellestravels.blogspot.com/

dutyfree

Personally I would eat at one of the places on the Jemna square in Marrakesh for dinner-absolutely fabulous and really inexpensive! "Start with the Haraira(sp?)soup and go for the fabulous calamari;veggies;lentils;chicken kabobs,etc. Be sure and get a fresh squeezed orange juice(ask for a take away cup) at one of the stands and be sure to have the wonderful mint tea. It truly is one of the most fun experiences for dining you will have in Marrakesh!

rhkkmk

stall # 1 in the square at night serves very fresh and very good food---inexpensive