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 Best Restaurants in MarrakechA melting pot of cultures, to say that the cuisine of Morocco is
eclectic and exciting is an understatement and anyone eating out in
Marrakech will learn this fairly quickly. An exotic mix of Arab,
Moorish, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and African influences,
dining in Marrakech is an unforgettable experience for all five
senses. Spices are a major part of Moroccan cuisine with cumin,
cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, pepper, coriander and saffron being the
most commonly used. One cannot eat out in Marrakech without
sampling a
, a traditional lamb or chicken stew, which has been
slowly braised in a clay pot resulting in delicately tender meat
and an intensely aromatic flavour. Other popular dishes include
soup, couscous,
(fried phyllo pastry with a cream) and
(phyllo-pastry pie with pigeon, egg and almonds).
Visitors can sample street-side barbeques or dine out in style at
upmarket restaurants throughout the city where palatial-style
eateries can be found as well as top-class French, Asian and
Italian restaurants. For a truly authentic experience, head to the
Medina at sunset and watch as over 100 kitchens and stalls
specialising in different dishes are set up in Djemaa el-Fna Square
to become one of the world''s largest open-air eateries. |
Bistro La Saveur
As far as hotel restaurants go, Bistro La Saveur is a cut above
the rest. The menu lists a fantastic selection of French, Italian,
and Thai cuisine and the service is outstanding. Meat, pasta and
seafood are classically predominant in the French and Italian
dishes, and the pizzas are made in the restaurant's wood oven. The
duck terrine, with pistachios in mustard sauce, is superb. The Thai
menu includes all the quintessential favourites from yellow, red
and green curries to noodle or rice stir-fries. The three dining
areas are modern and welcoming. Open daily for lunch and dinner,
alcohol served.
CUISINE: International
Address: 12 Loubnane, Ville Nouvelle
Website: www.lecaspien-hotel.com |
Puerto Banus
This charming little hacienda is a little off the tourist track
but has been popular with locals and visitors alike for many years.
There are two dining areas; a tiled patio with wrought-iron chairs,
and an indoor area with dark-wood furniture and a warm, homely
fireplace. The menu includes the freshest seafood tapas and
pastilla, Oualidia oysters and fried fruits de la mer& the list
goes on. The reasonably priced lunch menu du jour offers a salad
buffet, entrée and dessert. Open daily 12pm to 3pm, 7.30pm to 11pm.
Alcohol served.
CUISINE: Seafood
Address: Rue Ibn Hanbal, Ville Nouvelle |
Café des �pices
Café des �pices is great for 'people-watching' and Youness el
Ghoul, the owner, obligingly dishes out tasty sandwiches, salads,
pastries and information. Spiced teas and coffees round it all off
tastefully from the rooftop terrace at sunset. The first-floor
chill-out lounge has become a popular spot for local youngsters;
the atmosphere is new world, with music to match. Open daily, 8am
to 8pm.
CUISINE: Café
Address: Place Rahba Qedima, Medina
Website: www.cafedesepices.net |
Tatchibana
For a taste of Japan in the medina's kasbah, try the Tatchibana
(citrus flower) restaurant; peace and tranquillity envelope diners
in the restaurant, set down from street level with a curtained
entrance. The cuisine is authentic with a pinch of nouvelle. Try
the sushi nigiri, tempura and teriyaki or, better still, slivers of
duck in green-tea ravioli. The menu changes seasonally and
vegetarians are catered for on request. Open daily for lunch and
dinner, except Tuesdays (dinner only). Closed mid-September to
mid-October. Reservations recommended, alcohol served.
CUISINE: Japanese
Address: 38 Derb Bab Ksiba
Website: tatchibana.free.fr |
Dar Moha
This restored riad is a wonderful venue for a romantic dinner.
The back garden is the best place to eat, its walls decorated in
Majorelle Garden blue and encircling a central swimming pool.
Candle-lit tables and rose petals accompany a set menu of nouvelle
Marocain; familiar meals with a fresh twist. Try the beef tagine
with figs and walnuts, cooked with cinnamon and argan oil. Live yet
subtle Gnaoua and Andalusian music completes the ambient scene.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 12pm to 3pm, 7.30pm 11pm. Reservations
recommended, alcohol served.
CUISINE: Moroccan
Address: 81 Dar el Bacha
Website: www.darmoha.ma |
Adamo
Even with strong competition, this is without a doubt the best
patisserie in Marrakech. Although it's only one street back from
avenue Mohammed V, only locals seem to know about this little slice
of heaven. From freshly baked cookies in glass jars to delicious
croissants and tarts, not to mention the bright, colourful and
especially creamy gâteaux, this patisserie is too tempting to pass
by. With seating both indoors and out, Adamo also offers a choice
of coffees, teas, fresh juices, and milkshakes, as well as a tasty
selection of ice-creams. Open daily from 7.30am to 1pm and 4pm to
9pm. Closed for 3 weeks mid-July to early August.
CUISINE: Patisserie
Address: 44 Tarik ben Ziad
Website: www.traiteur-adamo.com |
Café du Livre
This bookstore-cum-restaurant has chocolate velvet chairs and
comfy lounges; a few strategically placed armchairs entice reader
to sit down with coffee and cake, accompanied by free Wi-Fi for
laptop users. An open kitchen serves salads, soups, sandwiches and
burgers, or mushroom risotto and freshly baked cakes. Indulge in
brunch-style breakfasts or an afternoon high tea with complimentary
brownies. The tapas plates of hummus, tapenade, aubergine d'caviar
and pâté are also good. Open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 9pm.
Alcohol served.
CUISINE: International
Address: 44 Tarik ben Ziad
Website: www.cafedulivre.com |
Narwama
Narwama is an undeniably trendy restaurant, offering a mix of
world lounge music in a former UNESCO World Heritage building with
a huge central courtyard. This warm and inviting restaurant's name
translates to "fire and water" in Arabic, and it serves sumptuous
Thai, Moroccan, and Mediterranean dishes. The extensive menu
includes nearly 100 dishes. While it's not cheap, there is
something for everyone, and the servings are substantial without
being too much. Open daily 7pm to 11pm. Reservations recommended,
alcohol served.
CUISINE: International
Address: 30 Koutoubia
Website: www.narwama.bousfiha.com |
Cantanzaro
One of Marrakech's most popular eateries, this simply furnished
Italian restaurant and pizzeria has a wood-burning oven in an open
kitchen, filling the air with delicious Italian aromas. Order a
Royal pizza, topped with mince, prawns, mushrooms and ham, or pasta
in a creamy tomato and vodka sauce, and feel truly 'royal' as a
bow-tied waiter caters to every wish. Save room for the tempting
tiramisu, or perhaps the home-style apple crumble? Mmm& Open
Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner. Reservations recommended,
alcohol served.
CUISINE: Italian
Address: 42 Tarik Ibn Ziyad |
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| Travel guide by (c) Globe Media Ltd. By its very nature much of the information in this travel guide is subject to change at short notice and travellers are urged to verify information on which they're relying with the relevant authorities. We cannot accept any responsibility for any loss or inconvenience to any person as a result of information contained above. |
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