Marrakech Food-Restaurants

Marrakech Food-Restaurants information

Fine Dining

Restaurant Diaffa *** 1 Rue Jbel Lakhdar Tel: +212 (0)24-38-6898 Moroccan luxury awaits at Restaurant Diaffa, a 16th-century riad in the medina. The traditional Moroccan dishes are paired with fine wines, as well as Berber musicians, belly dancing, rose petal lined tables and staff who treat you like a sultan. A good choice for an all-encompassing Moroccan experience. Le Yacout *** La Mamounia, Ave Bab Jdid Tel: +212 (0)24-44-4409 The lunchtime buffet at La Mamounia's Les Trois Palmiers will get you inside the hotel for a peak without breaking your wallet for a stay. The buffet, set near the palm lined pools or in a large tent, ranges from fine Moroccan to a varied international array of dishes that should satisfy anyone's tastes.

Traditional

Chez Brek *** 41 Rue Bani Marine A café style grill, Chez Brek has a longstanding reputation for service and quality. A specialist in meats such as lamb chops and sausages as well as tajines, dished out with sides of olives, salad and hearty bread. Hotel Ali *** Rue Moulay Ismail at Djemaa el Fna Tel: + 212 (0)24-43-6179 The rooftop buffet at Hotel Ali is a cheap and charming way to sample typical dishes like couscous, tajine and harira while looking out onto the square. Try the always popular sidewalk café for a wood fired pizza or mint tea. Chez Chegrouni * Djemaa el Fna Near the entrance to the market, at the north-eastern corner, is one of the cheaper eateries. Don't let the simple décor fool you; at Chez Chegrouni many of the local dishes are first class.

Kosher

Le Sepharade *** Between Rue Ibn Toumert and Rue Loubnanem Tel: +212 (0)24-43-9809 At Le Sepharade, Kosher dishes and adapted versions of tajines are served in a quaint, pinkish villa not far from the Beth El Synagogue.

Modern Moroccan

Dar Moha *** 81 Rue dar el Bacha Tel: +212 (0)24-44-4409 The Medina restaurant of Dar Moha is one of just a few in the city that serves New Moroccan cuisine, a blend of traditional recipes and techniques with current culinary trends. Lutists from Andalucia and belly dancers provide entertainment later on in the evening.

Italian

Restaurant Islane *** 279 Ave Mohamed V Tel: +212 (0)24-44-0081 One of the few Italian places you will find in the centre, Restaurant Islane is modestly priced and a good choice if you want a break from Moroccan food. You can sit on the pleasant terrace and enjoy pizza or pasta and still view the Koutobia Mosque.

Markets

Evening Stalls Djemaa el Fna These stalls are the stuff of legends and extremely cheap. Piles of Moroccan delicacies practically overflow off the table. Many visitors are wary of eating here, but the food is generally safe to eat. Try kebabs, olives, chips, cake and spicy tea. Or, for the adventurous, tripe.

Bars

Marrakech has a fairly relaxed stance over alcohol for an Islamic city. Nearly all the city centre bars are located in hotels, though there are more drinking dens in the outlying commercial districts of Gueliz or Hivernage. Bar L'Escale Rue Mauritania (off Mohammed V) Tel: no telephone Although it isn't likely to impress, the Medina location makes Bar L'Escale a convenient place to grab a cold beer, glass of wine, or grilled chicken. It's a working men's place and if a game's on it can draw a crowd. Le Comptoir Marrakech-Paris Ave Echouada (Hivernage) Tel: +212 (0)24-43-7702 For cocktails and beautiful clientele, ultra ritzy décor, and even a gourmet restaurant Le Comptoir Marrakech-Paris is the best place in town. It's trendy, with a little bit of jet setter style: a new theme for Marrakech. La Casa Tapas Bar Hotel Andalous (Hivernage), President Kennedy Ave Tel: +212 (0)24-44-8226 Top 40 dance music and a Latin theme at La Casa Tapas Bar draws a mixed crowd until around 02h00. Le Churchill Hotel La Mamounia, Ave Bab Jdid Tel: +212 (0)24-38-8600 Le Churchill at La Mamounia has the blend of art deco and Moorish design that makes the rest of the hotel so famous. It is the epitome of the classic style that led figures like Churchill to the hotel in the first place. Be dressed for this one though or you will quickly find your way out. Palais des Congrès Ave de France For all-in-one upmarket fun the Palais des Congrès has a complex of four café-bars, all with stylish décor and people to match.