TOP COFFEE SPOTS IN MARRAKECH
COFFEE is key to the street culture here in Marrakech. But with so much choice, where do you start? Here are our top spots for a coffee.
CAFE DE FRANCE
It’s an oldie – but a goodie.
Cafe de France opened in 1912 and has survived for more than a century because of one important thing: the view.
Located at the top of Djemaa el Fna – close to one of the main entrances into the souk – Cafe de France looks out over the square towards the Koutoubia and Atlas Mountains.
This isn’t the place for a decaf mocha or oat milk latte. But grab a seat on one of the upper balconies in late afternoon, order a coffee and wait for sunset. You’ll see the lights go up, smoke start to billow into the air and Djemaa el Fna bursting into life.
:: Open every day early until late. Website Link
CAFE DE LA POSTE
Step back in time on the palm-lined terraces of Cafe de la Poste.
Housed in the former post office building constructed in the 1920s, Cafe de la Poste harks back to a bygone era.
The floors are tiled in monochrome checks, fans whir overhead and the front terrace is always packed with expats catching up on gossip over lunch or dinner. You can also drop in for a coffee – and there’s a cosy bar with an open fire on the first floor for winter days.
:: Angle Boulevard El Mansour Eddahbi et Rue el Imam Malik. Open daily 9am to midnight. Website Link
MANDALA SOCIETY
The Mandala Society is a great stop if you’re exploring the eastern area of the medina that takes you down bustling Riad Zitoun Jedid to the Mellah.
With stripped wood and a menu offering everything from quinoa bowls to matcha lattes, Mandala has got a New York meets Marrakech vibe.
They only use fairtrade, single origin, coffee and you can also get some delicious fresh herb teas plus food ranging from quinoa bowls to pancakes.
:: 159 Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid. Open daily 9.30am-10.30pm. Website Link
BACHA COFFEE
You might need to queue to get a coffee here – but it’s worth the wait.
The former residence of one of Marrakech’s pashas was reopened in 2017 as the home of the Museum of Cultural Confluences – which explores Morocco’s rich cultural heritage.
Bacha Coffee, housed in the main courtyard, serves dozens of varieties of 100% Arabica coffee alongside other drinks and light meals all served against a stunning decorative backdrop. Think white-jacketed waiters, sumptuous traditional Moroccan design and a seriously elegant cup of coffee.
:: Dar El Bacha, Rte Sidi Abdelaziz. Open 10am-6pm daily (except Mondays). Website Link
NOS NOS
You won’t find menus filled with twenty different bean varieties or the choice between a cold or French press in the traditional cafes here. But that’s why we love them: they’re simple and get straight to the point.
Instead you can order two types of coffee: espresso – or the mighty nos nos. Nos nos means ‘half half’ in Moroccan Arabic and the coffee is just that – half coffee, half milk, served in a glass with sugar on the side.
Just sit back, enjoy and watch life walk past you.
