A guide to food and drink in Marrakech

Exploring Marrakech's delicacies

The foundation of every meal you’ll find during Marrakech holidays includes freshly baked bread and mint tea, but you’ll also encounter a delicious selection of tender lamb and vegetable tagines, buckets of Moroccan snails, perfectly prepared cous cous, fresh olives from the Atlas mountains and the best orange juice you’ll ever taste.

Don’t leave without trying the local favourite, M’smen. This hot, buttery crepe is stuffed with sweet fillings in the morning and savoury come nightfall. Pasties are a popular sweet treat, with the most classic being Milfiul. Think soft pasty with thin layers of cake and cream, covered in icing.

A romantic atmosphere at Restaurant du Red House

This gorgeous restaurant is located in the elegant suburb of Hivernage in front of Medina’s ancient walls. The oriental interior is abundant with mosaic-tiled walls, tables laid with white linen and candelabras, all aiding in the overall warm and romantic atmosphere.

This is a fine dining venue offering recipes from around the world including local lamb tagine with prunes and sesame, to Thai Wok of chicken and basmati rice, to seafood risotto. A lovely way to finish off your meal is with a traditional North African almond dessert.

Fine dining at the elegant Maison MK

This restaurant describes itself as having style without attitude. Indulge in the wonderful five-course tasting menu in the main restaurant with its Moroccan-style architecture.

Begin the evening with canapes and cocktails on the roof terrace before heading downstairs for a dinner that incorporates Moroccan and international dishes including Moroccan ravioli, slow cooked lamb, and sweet Marmalade cake dessert, finishing off with mint tea or a coffee.

Fantastic atmosphere at Italian La Trattoria

Enjoy authentic Italian food in traditional surroundings during holidays to Marrakech. This restaurant has an indoor and outdoor courtyard space, complete with a swimming pool. Outdoors, lanterns adorn the trees while smartly laid dinner tables and candelabras create a romantic atmosphere.

Starters include beef Carpaccio, while for the mains there’s lasagne or juicy fillet steak, with a choice of typical Italian desserts such as tiramisu. Your indulgent dinner can be washed down nicely with a bottle of Moroccan red in the cosy lounge of this Spanish-style villa.

Delicious fusion food at Latitude 31

This restaurant is another culinary delight where old family recipes are fused with new versions of Moroccan food. The essence of a lot of North African cuisine means that meat or poultry doesn’t have to be included.

Given this they have created a fantastic menu just for vegetarians, which includes a selection of Moroccan salads, a vegetarian tagine and wonderful choice of desserts including a duo of delicately scented panna cotta. The restaurant sits in a large open courtyard so guests can enjoy the beautifully presented food surrounded by nature and fine mosaic tiling throughout.

One-time Inn Le Foundouk

This authentic and modern restaurant and bar lies in the historical area among the souks of the Medina. To get there walk through an ancient entrance that leads into the restaurant located in an old building that was once a Foundouk – or Inn, where those passing by the city would rest their weary heads.

Rooms in this building were also once used as a dressmaking workshop. Inside, the warm and contemporary space is welcoming to large groups as well as couples on a romantic night out, while the gorgeous terrace offers panoramic views over the Medina. Dishes include tagine with chicken and lemon, and the pistachio crème brulee for dessert.