233 Best Restaurants in Morocco

If you want to eat with the locals, this is the perfect spot, though be forewarned that the menu is meat-only. Everything is ordered by weight and you'll get side dishes of olives as well as a tomato and onion salad. Expect a crowd around meal times but service and dining are quick.

If you're yearning for Japanese food, the stylish Iloli is widely regarded as one of the best places to go. Choose to sit on the airy terrace, inside at tables or at the counter to watch the sushi chefs in action, or upstairs on the mezzanine with sofas and armchairs. The menu has plenty of sushi and sashimi, as well as hot dishes and creative cocktails. 

This tiny restaurant on a side street of central Guéliz is run by India-native John Jinendrom, who imports spices, like masala, directly from Europe. This means authentic-tasting Indian halal cuisine at local prices, which is a rarity in Marrakesh. The menu offers traditional dishes like butter-chicken curry, but the real house specialty is Masala Dosa, a huge stuffed pancake filled with dhal and your choice of vegetables, meat, or chicken. There are also homemade samosas, naan breads, and Indian ginger milk tea. The setting is very simple with small sidewalk tables perfect for warm weather dining; life-size Bollywood movie-star posters adorn the walls of the often hot and cramped restaurant interior.

It's cash only and there's no alcohol.

Perfectly positioned just opposite the entrance to the Saadian tombs, this Spanish-owned café is a welcome retreat for those who find themselves "kasbahed-out" at the end of a trek through the monuments of Marrakesh. The menu features Moroccan standards, as well as pizza, salads, and a cool gazpacho. An ornate Andalusian archway modeled on the mosque at Cordoba opens into a three-level restaurant finished with beige tadlak (a traditional, shiny, smooth effect) walls, wrought-iron balustrades, and bejmat tiling. The prices are definitely for tourists (pizzas 90 DH, tagines 130 DH), but the food is fresh and well presented, and the shaded terrace has a great view across to the Moulay el Yazid mosque in this up-and-coming area.

Bistro meets resto in this popular, affordable French eatery at the edge of Guéliz where service is warm and welcoming. The three-course set lunch menus are an exceptional value at 120 DH. In true Parisian style, the menu favors carnivores: foie gras, beefsteaks, braised lamb chops, and confit of duck, for example; homey country dishes such as salade Niçoise or Provençal fish soup, as well as tempting grilled swordfish, red mullet, and tuna might please the rest. There's a good wine list that includes French and Moroccan wines at reasonable prices.

Choose the upstairs mezzanine dining area for a more intimate atmosphere; the downstairs bistro-style restaurant gets crowded.

This unpretentious, family-friendly spot looks out over the beach and lagoon. Not surprisingly, the menu is seafood-oriented—lobster, of course, is the priciest item listed, but it's superb—and there are other options like omelets and salads, plus a small selection of desserts.

A café and concept store, l'Atelier is a great spot to grab coffee or a juice. If you're feeling peckish, it's got a make-your-own waffle menu. You'll also find the fastest, most reliable internet in town, akin to what you'd find in a coworking space.

The French-style cuisine here draws mainly from what's fished fresh out of the sea each morning but changes regularly according to the chef's suggestion. The restaurant's panoramic views of the beach and the sea are an added plus, as is the great-value lunch menu. Located at the southern end of the beach, among the strip of resort hotels, it attracts locals, too, thanks to the French wine and pastries.

Just off the Rehba Kdima ("Spice Souk"), L'Mida is a pleasant spot serving a fresh, modern take on Moroccan flavors. There are plenty of meaty options, but vegetables get the royal treatment in dishes like a seven-vegetable vegan couscous and pastilla with chickpeas. Be sure to book a table if you want to sit on the terrace and take advantage of the great views. 

Every night is fiesta night at La Bodega, opposite the Central Market: come for tapas and a drink or stay for a full meal from the typically Spanish menu—think jambon serrano (thinly sliced, dry-cured ham) and paella. The restaurant has a fun atmosphere, with themed live music each evening and popular dance floor: Tuesday, for instance, is salsa time, and a pro will give tips if you feel like improving your moves. 

A top choice in the well-heeled Gauthier district, little Cantine de Gauthier oozes as much French chic as a Parisian bistro. It's a casual spot that serves delicious French meat and fish dishes, though the well-priced sharing plates of charcuterie and cheese attract the after-work crowd for an aperitif.

Parisian Michael Gabbay has been in the bistro business since he was 17 years old. He's brought this expertise and hands-on approach to Marrakesh creating a distinctly urban-styled, modern restaurant that attracts crowds of young Marrakshis as well as tourists and expats. The menu is a carnivore's dream with rib steaks, T-bones, fillets, and Halal "'bacon"' burgers taking pride of place, but there are vegetarian options as well.

Check the "'blackboard specials'" as they change daily according to season and the whim of the chef.

The hip retro-style 1950s industrial decor together with the deliciously meaty menu and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings means the place is packed, so it's best to book a table; lunchtime is best for families. Alcohol is served.

Just beyond the fringes of Guéliz, this tiny Lebanese restaurant is a winner on all counts, serving tasty Lebanese food, with a warm welcome in a quirky, colorful setting. The fresh meze platters include hummus, tabbouleh, baba ghanoush, marinated chicken wings, stuffed Lebanese bread, and shawarma. 

In a tiny garden, off one of the medina's main shopping streets, the French owner serves a constantly changing menu derived from fresh local ingredients; think enormous main-course salads or pizzettas topped with anything from carrots and apples to raspberries, mint, and beetroot. Homemade cakes, fresh-brewed coffee, and freshly squeezed juices are served through the afternoon. Make a reservation and come early as the main dish of the day usually sells out.

The prestigious Royal Mansour hotel is home to four restaurants, each with a different vibe, but La Grande Table Marocaine, which serves classic Moroccan dishes with a modern twist, is the one worth a splurge. You can order à la carte but the prix-fixe menu with seasonal variations is the best bet. Alcohol is served and reservations are essential.

On the 23rd floor of the Royal Mansour, dining in this exquisite, intimate restaurant is a singular experience, especially around sunset, when the mirrors, gold, and onyx, catch the light and there are stellar views over the city to the Hassan II Mosque from the floor-to-ceiling windows. The restaurant expertly delivers Moroccan specialties such as the sweet-and-savory royal pigeon and almond pastilla, or veal tagine. There’s also a fine wine list and creative cocktails, and local musicians strumming their ouds.

This small café right at the summit of Tizi-n-Test is the perfect place to take in the astounding view with some Moroccan cookies and mint tea on beautiful wrought-iron chairs made by the owner's son. It's also a good spot to stop along the road and wander up the hills. 

The menu here is classic tourist fare (omelets, tagines, soups, and salads), but the quality is excellent. Try the vegetarian tagines with prunes, nuts, and plenty of veggies, or sample the house specialty, Kalia, a Saharan dish of thinly sliced beef and vegetables.

Upon entering, you’re greeted by a wall of lanterns reflected in a central pool, and meals are served in six intimate areas, each with a different decorative scheme (imagine an Amazigh salon or a patio with tables on terraces surrounded by water). The food is imaginative, mixing French-Moroccan influences. Fine cuisine and a magical setting combine to make dining at La Kasbah des Sables a special event.

Come to this Moroccan restaurant for a selection of tagines with flavor combinations you don't often find, such as tagine of beef with honey and dried fruits or saffron chicken with almonds. It has an excellent selection of seafood dishes and desserts, along with a selection of Morocco's finest wines. The dark-wood decor is highlighted by colorful lanterns. 

This rest stop has made more of an effort than most of the others on this route, with a high ceiling and traditionally decorated salon permeated by the unmistakable smell of real coffee. Take a late breakfast or a tagine on the terrace at the back, overlooking a small garden and poppy-dotted fields.

Rabat's original Italian restaurant serves pastas, pizzas, grilled meats, and other classic Italian fare. Expect an inexpensive and cheerful place with a central brick oven and a homey cucina vibe.

Just a five-minute walk from the medina, this lounge-bar and restaurant is a haven of Fassi cool. It's undergone a modern Moroccan redesign and now the air-conditioned interior is cool white tadelakt with splashes of vivid red. The roof terrace with its lounging cushions and oversize lanterns is the perfect place for a sunset drink overlooking the lush Jnan Sbil gardens. Or enjoy a casual meal of salads (the Caesar is particularly good) and fusion tapas, such as Roquefort-filled briouates (savory pastries ) and patatas bravas. Naturally, this chic oasis managed by an equally hip and friendly staff is outfitted with Wi-Fi and a sound system.

Built into the Kasbah’s thick ramparts, La Muralla is a maze of dining spaces, from the stone-walled dining room to cozy private nooks and a rooftop terrace that spreads over four levels, with stunning medina views. Chef Pedro Castillo’s menu is a medley of Moroccan, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors—the beef fillet with truffled mushroom sauce is always a good choice—or opt for tapas or sushi paired with a creative cocktail; there’s a good wine list, too. In summer, a DJ is on hand to create a party atmosphere.

This charming café in the heart of the Cité Portugaise—opposite the cistern—is spread over several cozy rooms and breezy terraces, all decorated with colorful local crafts and fabrics. Don’t be fooled by the name, they serve traditional Moroccan dishes, such as harira soup, tagines, and couscous. There’s often live music; the owner has banned smoking, too. 

At one of Agadir's finest fish restaurants, you can enjoy excellent quality seafood including lobster and John Dory; there's also a tasty duck breast for those who prefer meat. It's ideally located across from the beachfront strip of resort hotels. A free shuttle service is available for those staying farther away. The view from the terrace is decidedly uninteresting, so enjoy the atmosphere inside for a top-class dinner.

Michelin Star chef Francesco Franzese is the mastermind behind the menu at La Sensya, a modern Italian restaurant with decadent offerings like fresh pasta with truffles and spaghetti with caviar and anchovy sauce. Located inside The View hotel, it's a welcome addition to Agadir's dining scene and although pricey, offers Italian fare that goes far beyond the typical pizzas available in most of this area's Italian restaurants.

A Casablanca institution, this pretty, blue-and-yellow-theme open-air restaurant is set into the city ramparts overlooking the marina. It may serve the best Moroccan breakfast in town, and a pastry and mint tea make for a perfect break from sightseeing. They also serve splendid Moroccan salads and tagines for lunch and dinner. 

Occupying a former warehouse of the sultan's Jewish traders, this is one of three Madada brand businesses in Essaouira. The restaurant and bar offers fresh seafood prepared imaginatively and according to the seasons, such as a monkfish tagine with caramelized apples. You can also pop in to enjoy tapas and a cocktail. There is live music on the weekends. While pricier than other establishments in the area, Madada's enduring popularity with residents of the local upscale hotels proves it's worth every penny. Be sure to reserve a table ahead of time, especially in summer.