11 Best Restaurants in Tangier, Tangier and the Mediterranean

In 1931, an American architect renovated a kasbah mansion and turned it into El Morocco Club. Today it's three venues in one: a sophisticated restaurant serving a fusion of Mediterranean and Moroccan cuisine, a pretty café terrace, and a seductively lit piano bar. The restaurant menu features fare such as foie gras, seafood couscous, and lemon meringue pie. The café terrace, located under a century-old fig tree, offers more affordable salads and sandwiches and is an excellent choice for a leisurely lunch.

Overlooking Villa Mabrouka’s gorgeous gardens and the sparkling Mediterranean, the alfresco L’Orangerie is one of Tangier’s finest—and most romantic—restaurants. Market-fresh fish and shellfish dominate the Mediterranean-influenced dinner menu—perhaps half a dozen oysters or a platter of fruits de mer. You can also indulge in succulent steaks, classic Italian dishes, or traditional tagines. Make time for an aperitif in the Roof Terrace Bar or a postprandial in the seductively lit Jake’s Bar in the main villa. Reservations required for nonguests.

At this iconic, cash-only restaurant, the menu and the price are fixed, so just sit down and prepare to enjoy four courses, designed to be shared by the table. The main event is always the catch of the day—perhaps St. Pierre, dorado, or sole. The dessert might be strawberries (in season) with almonds, smothered in local honey. You'll be served special fruit juice, infused with flowers, cloves, and other secret ingredients, and a souvenir earthenware dish is usually part of the price.

Overlooking the Bay of Tangier, chef-owner Nora Larini’s eclectic menu mixes up Moroccan, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors to great effect. Expect dishes such as Dakhla oysters, magret de canard, seafood paella, and sushi rolls; carnivores can tuck into succulent charcoal-grilled steak. The decor is contemporary and neutral; think white marble, pale wood, and polished concrete, while floor-to-ceiling windows make the most of the views. During the day it has a beach-chic vibe—it's particularly gorgeous at golden hour, while after dark candlelight and a DJ sets the mood until late.

West of the Kasbah, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar, and set up on seven levels plunging toward the sea, this laid-back cliff café and Tangier institution opened in 1921 and soon became the favorite sunset-watching haunt of locals and bohemian visitors. Waiters impressively deliver 16 steaming cups of sweet tea at a time, along with bowls of bissara (traditional pea soup). 

Located within the Minzah Hotel, El Korsan serves traditional Moroccan cuisine in sumptuous style. Specialties include succulent mechoui (roasted lamb or mutton) and slow-cooked tagines, often served to a soundtrack of Andalusian music. The service is attentive, and the decor is classic Moroccan opulence.

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.

Homecooked Italian meets authentic Moroccan at this bright and breezy restaurant, with showstopping views over the medina and the Corniche from the three terraces, especially at sunset. Tuck into generous portions of freshly made pasta (the owner hails from Italy): perhaps gnocchi with pesto or tagliatelle with shrimps, and creative salads. And don’t miss the tiramisu.

Boasting an undeniably romantic ambience with intimate nooks, antique furniture, and sparkling stained-glass lights, this hotel restaurant serves traditional Moroccan dishes with a creative twist. The catch of the day is popular, along with dishes like chicken and olive tagine cooked over a wood fire. In fine weather, eat on the open-sided balcony overlooking the sea and out to Spain. It's worth having an alfresco pre- or postprandial drink in the terrace bar for the views alone.

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.

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.