233 Best Restaurants in Morocco

Seek out this lovely family-run restaurant in the heart of the medina serving incredibly delicious cuisine with warm smiles in an authentic traditional atmosphere. The selection of Moroccan salads, spicy harira soup, and couscous or tagine are part of a set menu that finishes off with mint tea and honey-laden pastries. As an added bonus the prices are attractively low.

A narrow alleyway leads off Avenue Mohammed V to a small courtyard with a large fig tree as its centerpiece; you can dine inside or out at the low-key but convivial restaurant here. There are Moroccan and international favorites on offer: try the platter of fried fish, which might include calamari, sole, rouget, and shrimp. Beer and wine are available.

For only 60 DH, you can get a great meal here consisting of three courses made entirely by the family's mother. Go for a classic Moroccan salad (tomatoes and peppers) and a tagine of your choice and eat on the quaint platform overlooking the river. It's simple and very Moroccan.

Popular among the guests of local riads and hotels, Riad Le Lieu is a beacon in the dining scene of Tiznit. In a part of the former palace next door, chef Jihad prepares a range of Moroccan specialties, which are served on the patio and terraces; the rabbit and camel tagines are always great choices. The riad also runs a B&B, with simple rooms priced from about 260 DH, so don't be surprised to see guests making their way to the shared bathroom.

Within the walls of a restored medina riad, Rick's Café evokes, of course, the romantic Casablanca of the classic 1942 Humphrey Bogart film—which was actually shot in Hollywood. The pianist, Issam, plays jazz nightly and also organizes jazz jams next to the bar. Service is efficient and the restaurant menu blends American, French, and local dishes. You can dine while sitting atop a high stool at the bar or settle in at one of the intimate tables. The cocktails are perfectly crafted and there's a comprehensive wine list.

The first (and only) fine-dining Indian restaurant in Marrakesh, Rivayat is located inside the opulent Oberoi hotel. Under the leadership of renowned Michelin-starred chef Rohit Ghai, the menu boasts a range of dishes delicately spiced but bursting with flavor. The curries are consistently stellar and the cocktails are innovative and tasty.

This attractive stone-walled restaurant, a two-minute drive from Volubilis, serves a varied menu of Amazigh, Arab, Andalusian, and Mediterranean-influenced dishes. Dine on harira Meknessi or beef with ras el hanout (a mix of a multitude of spices) surrounded by Roman-style columns, on the terrace with panoramic views over the ruins, or in the lovely garden. Don’t miss the olives and olive oil pressed from their own trees.

Traditional Moroccan fare—choose from an à la carte or set menu—is prepared with fresh produce from the souk and served at candlelit tables in this riad’s pretty courtyard. Typical dishes include hearty harira, an array of salads, and tasty tagine. Nonguests are welcome to drop in and enjoy the Moroccan afternoon tea but should book in advance for dinner. No alcohol is served.

Decked out in dazzling blues and whites, this seaside house behind Place de la Kasbah has been turned into a tea salon and restaurant by the owners of the guesthouse Dar Nour. Tuck into delicious Moroccan dishes in the intimate salons or on the terrace with stunning sea views across to Spain. The concept is small, made-for-sharing dishes including salads and desserts; there are larger tagines and couscous, too. And don’t miss the delicious fresh juices.

Serving simple, old-school Moroccan street-eats, Snack Grand Atlas reels in the pescatarians with its wide menu of grilled, fried, skewered, or baked fresh fish and seafood. Menu offerings depend on the recent catches from Agadir, but may include fish pastilla, swordfish kebab, fish tagine, seafood pastas, or grilled sea bass. Aside from the fish options, there are plenty of tajines, pastas, and salads available.

After a hectic few hours in the souks, this café is a welcome respite for the frazzled traveler. Just beyond the Souk Cherifa and Souk Semmarine, you can relax in the stylish lounge of this converted old family house and admire your purchases. Colorful textiles, leather pouffes, African artifacts, and old photos adorn the walls; from the small terrace you can gaze over the surrounding rooftops. A satisfying Moroccan menu is served until 11 pm or you can just call in for mint tea, coffee, or a fresh fruit smoothie. Cash only, and no alcohol is served.

At Sunny Beach, the menu focuses on fresh fish (think paella and squid) that's cooked to order, with some salads and desserts thrown in for good measure. Kids will be eager to play in the sand, and there are some lounge chairs available for sunbathers and tired parents. It's a great place to put your feet up, sip local wine, and enjoy the waves.

One of the city's most established fish-and-seafood restaurants, the Dauphin is a convivial alternative to more expensive eateries offering a similar menu. The prices—coupled with its placement in the town center, near the port and on the edge of the old medina—make it a bustling spot, with some tables spilling out onto the pavement.

For fresh fish, an easygoing atmosphere, and low prices, Tchiquito, just outside the medina walls, is the way to go. Be prepared to meet lots of people from the surrounding neighborhoods, as this seems to be everyone's favorite fish place.

On a rooftop hidden deep within the northern quarter of the souks, this all-day (and evening) restaurant is a popular spot for expats, tourists, and trendy locals. The menu mixes Moroccan and international cuisine, with everything from fish tagine and tanjia (slow-cooked beef or lamb) to pasta dishes and steaks. The contemporary variations on a Moroccan theme extend also to the decor—intimate cushioned booths are lit by woven lampshades and decorated with modern artwork. It's a good place for families who want a little space out of the mayhem of the souks where tired kids can sprawl on the benches. In the evening, the lantern-lit terrace provides the perfect ambience for cocktails and music. Alcohol is served.

Near the ramparts, this vegetarian restaurant creates a cozy atmosphere, with quirky design and simple, tasty, seasonal food such as the falafel platter, sardine ball tagine, and stuffed eggplant. The chocolate gâteau is pretty amazing, too.

Conveniently positioned near one of the main shopping districts, Casablanca's original salad bar offers a breath of fresh air for travelers seeking a healthy lunch option. You can put your own together from fresh vegetables, proteins, and homemade dressings—vegetarians will have a field day. Other options include tasty quiches, soups, and tarts.

One of Essaouira's best-kept secrets, this little hole-in-the-wall restaurant never fails to impress. Manager Brahim offers freshly prepared Italian mains (fish, chicken, and pasta), all served with a trio of salads and two juices to start. The ray with caper butter sauce is especially incredible. The place is tiny, so if you can't get in at first, come back later.

This is a great place to stop off if you're taking a walk along the seaside promenade, La Corniche. In a prime position overlooking the sea, this branch of the ever-popular Venezia Ice serves coffee, crepes, and, of course, their excellent ice cream, as well as more substantial meals.

The decor may be kitsch, but the food is robust, with a good selection of fish dishes (hot shrimp, bass with fennel, and sole) and great pizzas. Go for a window seat.

A visit to Villa Josephine—perched on a hilltop estate, a 15-minute drive west of the city—is like stepping back to the glamorous 1920s, when it was a summer retreat for the rich and famous. Dress to impress for cocktails in the wood-paneled library and bar before dining on a classic French menu—perhaps steak with béarnaise sauce—on the terrace or in the dining room lit by crystal candelabra. Give yourself time to explore the lovely garden and take in the showstopping views over Tangier.

For people-watching, this beachfront café's location can't be beat; snag one of the coveted tables closest to the water (first-come, first-serve) and you can watch locals play soccer and surf, merchants pedal mint tea and camel rides, and plenty of families swimming in the sea. The menu consists of tourist-friendly fare like pizza and pasta, as well as Moroccan staples with a coastal twist, such as octopus tajine. Keep note: if you order seafood, you'll likely attract some attention from the local street cats and some of them can be demanding. But it's all part of the fun and charm of dining in a low-key atmosphere on the coast.

Come morning, this surf hotel and school's café is a solid choice for ordering eggs or a smoothie. It also operates as a co-working space and attracts plenty of digital nomads seeking high-speed Internet. Come evening, the terrace is a popular spot to order a beer, thanks to the incredible beach views.