While you may already suspect it, we’d like to confirm that Moroccan food is indeed as vibrant and exotic as just about everything else in the nation. Thanks to the country being a veritable melting pot, Morocco’s food scene includes everything from Tagines to Paella and even fast food joints like KFC and McDonald’s. Saying that there’s something for everyone in Morocco would definitely not be an overstatement! With so many choices at your fingertips, you may feel a little overwhelmed but, don’t fret, we’re writing this entire post to help you find just the thing you’re in the mood for!
Now, we know that you’re expecting us to launch into a cumbersome discourse about the transcendent Tagines of Morocco but, unbeknownst to you, we’ve already done that! If you want to know more about Tagines and which ones, we enjoyed most in Morocco then visit us HERE! Instead, we’d rather spend this time introducing you to the unique Moroccan breads you’re most definitely going to encounter on your trip. The most popular bread and the one that we were served with just about every meal is known as Khobz. This Moroccan white bread is easily recognizable as it is shaped like a large, round loaf and is typically cut into wedges before serving. Honestly, Khobz is one of the plainest and most unflavored breads we’ve ever tried but this isn’t a negative thing as it is an excellent base for soaking up the super flavorful tagine gravies.
While Khobz most likely won’t be winning any bread-tasting contests, it’s competitor, Msemen, could! Msemen, also known as a Moroccan crepe, is truly not a crepe! This supple, buttery flatbread most closely resembles an Indian Paratha roti thanks to its intricate folding and many layers and is the perfect accompaniment to sweet and savory dishes. Seriously, we’d eat this three times a day if we could but, sadly, it is not friendly to the waistline thanks to all the devilishly delicious butter that goes into its making!
Alright, now that you’ve been properly instructed on the ins and outs of Moroccan dining, here are some of our favorite restaurants in Morocco that you absolutely must try.
Le Cuistot Traditionnel
With so many options for food in Casablanca, narrowing down your choices is definitely easier said than done. Hours of browsing restaurant options is more likely to cause decision paralysis than actually whittle down the choices. Luckily for us, our driver in Casablanca recommended we try out Le Cuistot Traditionnel. Admittedly, we were a little concerned that we were about to walk into a tourist trap given the name but were pleasantly surprised to find a beautifully decorated, quiet boutique restaurant. In our estimation Le Cuistot Traditionnel is the Moroccan equivalent of a fine dining establishment. As such, the dishes were priced higher and portions were smaller but quite satisfying. That being said, the food was exceptional and worth the price. The star of the show at Le Cuistot Traditionnel is undoubtedly the Lamb tagine with plums. The juicy, fall-off-the-bone lamb smothered in a lightly spiced, fragrant, savory sauce with little pops of sweetness compliments of the locally grown plums was simply divine. While the Lamb Tagine is the showstopper at this restaurant, the Chef’s Shoulder of Lamb and the Seafood Tagine are delectable as well. As the first stop on our Moroccan food tour, Le Cuistot Traditionnel did not disappoint!
Al-Mounia
A mere twenty-minute walk away from Casablanca’s Medina is Al-Mounia, a charming restaurant secreted away behind tall fences and shrubbery. Al-Mounia’s ambience is both enchanting and soothing with its open-air dining rooms giving way to the serene, secret-garden-esque courtyard beyond. Although the ambiance alone makes a visit to this restaurant worthwhile, the food is also superb. The dish not to miss at Al-Mounia is the traditional Moroccan Couscous. Choose between the chicken or lamb couscous and prepare to be wowed! While not the most photogenic of dishes, the couscous at Al-Mounia is another example of the signature Moroccan way of cooking that perfectly blends sweet and savory to create an addictive flavor profile. The couscous comes piled high with slow braised meat and vegetables and portions are large enough for two! In addition to the incredible couscous, we sampled the tagines which were also delightful and the Chicken Pastillas which we found tasty but confusing. If you’re not sure what it is, well, a pastilla is a meat pie made by stuffing the meat of choice into a crust made of a dough like phyllo dough. After the pie is baked, it is then incongruously dusted with powdered sugar! Even though we thought the pie was seasoned well and enjoyed the texture, the sugar ultimately threw us off so much so that we remain confused as to whether we liked it or not. Regardless of how we feel about it though, the pastilla was well prepared and worth a try especially as it’s considered a local delicacy. If you’re feeling adventurous Pigeon Pastillas can be found in some restaurants in Casablanca. Oh, we should also mention that one Pastilla from Al-Mounia is large enough to share amongst a group of four. For a memorable meal of delicious local Moroccan delicacies in a winsome setting, Al-Mounia is hard to beat in our opinion. Make sure to call ahead for reservations and you can see for yourself just what we’re going on about!
Dar Hatim
In Fes, we insist that you pay a visit to Dar Hatim where you will find the BEST lamb Tagine in Morocco. Housed in a stunningly restored 8th Century palace, Dar Hatim serves up what must be the finest lamb tagine in the country. Owned by Family Bouaa whose matriarch is the mastermind behind the mouthwatering recipes, Dar Hatim has garnered attention and respect throughout Fes as well as internationally for its lamb Tagine. Words cannot do this tagine justice, but we can tell you that it is robust yet balanced, savory yet mildly floral with a surprising sweetness courtesy of the added plums. If you’ve your mind and decide not to have the world’s best lamb tagine then give the the braised lamb shoulder, with cumin on the side, a go! Although not as unctuous as the tagine, the braised lamb is delicious in its simplicity and served with a side of rice. Dinner at Dar Hatim is a three-course affair including family style entrees, several different cooked salads, and a dessert of Moroccan pastries. The cost, although a little pricier than your average Moroccan restaurant, is much cheaper than a 3-course dinner in the United States. Dar Hatim is a little difficult to find in the Medina in Fes, but the Bouaa Family are easily reachable on WhatsApp and will happily pick you up from your residence if staying within the Medina and guide you to the restaurant!
Naranj Libanese
If by the time you arrive to Marrakech, you’re starting to crave a little break from tagine then we suggest making reservations at Naranj Libanese. The only restaurant of its kind in Marrakech and within easy walking distance of Jemaa el-fnaa. Naranj Libanese serves up authentic Lebanese cuisine. The atmosphere, although upscale and classy, exudes warmth and the service is impeccable. Prices at Naranj are surprisingly affordable however most entrees are not shareable. As to what to order we suggest starting with one of the Mezze plates so that you can try what has to be the best hummus ever made! Then move on to an entrée of perfectly grilled octopus on a bed of hummus or the fatet batinjane made of eggplant and minced meat served with pita. Honestly, every bite we enjoyed at Naranj was a culinary masterpiece. We’re confident that you simply can’t go wrong with anything on this menu!
Chez Chegrouni
Located within Jemaa el-fnaa square, restaurant Chez Chegrouni is an excellent respite from the hustle and bustle of the square. Diners can ascend to the balcony of the restaurant which overlooks the square and enjoy a meal while still feeling like a part of the festivities below. Although Chez Chegrouni was not the most creative or interesting of the restaurants we tried in Morocco, the tagines (some served by the kilo!) and the couscous we sampled were delicious and homey and tasted as though they were right of a Moroccan grandma’s kitchen! Prices at this restaurant were shockingly cheap and portions we received could serve two to three people. The food together with the view made Chez Chegrouni one of our favorite spur-of-the-moment stops on our Moroccan culinary adventure.
Family El Mabrouk
Our absolute favorite Tagine experience in Morocco was in Tinghir, a city just outside the famous Todra Gorge in Morocco. En route from the Gorge to the Sahara, we randomly chose to stop at a little family-owned restaurant known as Family El Mabrouk. Pulling up to the address on Waze, we found ourselves at what appeared to be a walled-in family compound with two homes situated around a shared courtyard and with views of a valley filled with date palms below us. We were greeted by a gentleman and his son and told that they were serving grilled chicken and a vegetable tagine that day. Now, we freely admit that we were nervous what with us being mostly carnivorous. Offering us a vegetable tagine is like offering a cobra a slice of pizza. To our enduring surprise the vegetable tagine served to us that day by our host was the most delicious thing that we ate our entire trip!
A literal everything-but-the-kitchen-sink stew, the tagine consisted of carrots, peas, zucchini, olives, pickled lemons, and a whole slew of other vegetables all simmered in a light tomato-based sauce with those signature Moroccan spices. Now, we understand that it probably doesn’t sound that exciting, but this tagine is more than the sum of its parts and you’ve got to trust us and try it yourself! Oh, we need to also mention that just as there is no menu at Family El Mabrouk there are no prices for what you’re served. In addition to the fabulous meal, we were allowed to freely roam the courtyard enjoying the Berber tent, visiting with the camels, and trying on traditional Berber clothes. When it was time to pay, our host simply requested that we pay whatever we thought was fair for our experience! Our minds are still blown!
Al Achab
As you may remember us mentioning before, some restaurants in Morocco serve a prix fixe menu and Al Achab is one such restaurant in Tangier. Easy to find within the Tangier Medina, Al Achab is a seafood restaurant offering a set multi-course menu and breathtaking views of the harbor across the way. Dinner for two at Al Achab commences with seafood Harira soup, followed by a mixed seafood and spinach tagine, then 3 different types of whole grilled fish and, when your stomach is on the verge of exploding, concludes with a dessert. All of this for just shy of 20 USD per person! Don’t let the cheap price give you the wrong impression though as Al Achab served the best seafood we ate during our entire time in Morocco! If you’re in the mood for fresh, masterfully prepared seafood then Al Achab is where you need to be!
Patisserie Bennis Habous
All great meals end with a good dessert, right? Which brings us, finally, to Bennis Habous. Although more of a bakery than a restaurant, Bennis Habous is worth a mention for one singular reason: they produce the best Moroccan pastries in the entire country. You must trust us here. Having started our Moroccan pastry journey at Bennis Habous we proceeded to sample similar treats in the Sahara, Fes, Marrakech and Tangier none of which stacked up to Bennis Habous’s flavors. So, save yourself the hunt and just add this sweet shop to your must-try list. The bakery is located in the Casablanca Medina, has barely any room to stand much-less seating and is perpetually busy thanks to its popularity. Tourists and locals alike can be found lining up out the door and down the narrow Medina streets anxiously awaiting their turn to choose from the mounds of sweet meats neatly displayed in the shop. To order, be sure to make firm eye contact with one of the many workers and start pointing out what you’d like. The pastries are sold by weight and are packed into pretty boxes making them perfect gifts as well. Be sure to bring cash as the card machine is often out of service and we’d hate for you to stand in line only to never get the chance to sample those heavenly little morsels. Some of our favorite pastries at Bennis Habous include the orange and cardamom ghriba, sesame gazelle horns and Ka’ab Ghazal. Even though the atmosphere in Bennis Habous is chaotic and intimidating and even though you may not know what the names of the pastries are, we encourage you to be bold and to try everything that you can! We’re sure, that just like us, once you get a little taste you’ll be going back for more!
