How to Eat Like a Local in Marrakech

 

There are many amazing Moroccan restaurants to eat at in Marrakech – some serving traditional dishes, others putting a new spin on familiar tastes. But most Marrakchis believe that nothing tastes better than home and so, if they do go out, they’ll eat in street food places that you might not notice if you’re new to town. Here are our recommendations for eating like a local.

 

Stall 66, Djemaa el Fna

When the food stalls set up for the night, head to stall 66 where they’re experts in just one thing: egg rolls. Hundreds are made every night by hollowing out the dough in the center of a roll and stuffing the inside with cream cheese, boiled potato and hard boiled egg. Then it’s topped with harissa and olive oil and served with a herb tea. Trust us, this sandwich sounds simple but it will be one of the best things you eat in Morocco. 

 

Couscous, Amal Centre, Rue Allal Ben Ahmed, Gueliz

Amal is a non-profit organisation that trains disadvantaged women for jobs in the catering industry. The cafe at their headquarters is great for food any day of the week but Fridays are a highlight. Every week, the women prepare a delicious couscous that’s served on platters in the pretty garden. It’s always packed with locals who make the trip for the dish. 

 

 

Coffee in the medina

Of course you can get cappuccinos, lattes and everything in between in Marrakech but true locals only drink two types of coffee: espresso or nos nos. Nos means ‘half’ and the coffee is half milk, half espresso. It’s usually served in a glass cup and you can find it in any traditional street cafe. By that, we mean the ones full of Moroccan men chatting for hours over a coffee. Not the ones full of tourists tapping into wifi. 

 

Harira & dates, Djemaa el Fna

It’s back to the main square again for a bowl of harira. This soup, made with lamb, lentils chickpeas and spices, is often eaten to break people’s fast each evening during Ramadan. But it’s also a street food favourite that’s popular all year round. Order a bowl with a side of dates and a cup of tea and you’ve got the perfect light supper.  This is a good recipe if you want to try it. 

 

Fresh fish, Cafe Al Bahriya, 75 Boulevard Moulay Rachid, Gueliz

The fish is displayed on a huge counter near the entrance and you can either sit down and order the fried fish of the day, or got up to the counter to pick what you want to eat – from king prawns to squid – and have it grilled to order. The fish is served with bread and a fresh grated tomato sauce with a side of water or soda. It’s simple, delicious – and packed with local families. 

 

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