Where to Eat in Marrakech: My Go-To Spots After Years of Coming Back
There’s something about Marrakech that pulls you in—hard.
It’s noisy, colourful, chaotic in all the right ways. And if you ask me, the best way to understand it isn’t through sightseeing—it’s through eating.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve visited Marrakech over the years—usually while guiding groups up Mount Toubkal or out into the Sahara. But no matter how many times I come back, the food still hits like the first time.
This city is a melting pot of spice, smoke, and slow-cooked brilliance—and whether you’re after rooftop romance or smoky street food, these are the places I always return to.
1. Nomad – Modern Moroccan With a Rooftop View
Let’s start with the obvious: Nomad. It’s not exactly a secret—everyone and their guidebook mentions it—but that doesn’t make it any less brilliant.
Perched above the spice souk, Nomad feels like a peaceful escape from the chaos below. You climb up narrow stairs, past walls lined with black-and-white photos, and emerge onto a rooftop terrace that overlooks the Medina rooftops.
What I love about Nomad is how it takes traditional Moroccan ingredients and does something clever with them. Think harissa-marinated lamb, saffron and beetroot tagine, or their zingy spiced carrot and orange salad. Everything’s fresh, vibrant, and plated like it belongs in a magazine.
And yes—order the date cake. Thank me later.
2. Mechoui Alley – The Best Lamb You’ll Ever Eat (If You Can Find It)
This one isn’t fancy. There’s no sign outside. But if you know, you know.
Mechoui Alley is hidden near the olive stalls behind Jemaa el-Fnaa. Look for the hole-in-the-wall joints with huge clay ovens and trays of roasted lamb shoulder glistening in their own juices. You’ll probably be the only non-local there, and that’s exactly how it should be.
They’ll weigh your portion, carve it up with a cleaver, and serve it with a bowl of cumin and salt, a hunk of fresh bread, and maybe a mint tea if you’re lucky.
It’s messy. It’s primal. It’s perfect.
This is how Marrakech really eats.
3. Café Clock – Storytelling, Camel Burgers & Culture
Now for something different.
Café Clock is part restaurant, part cultural centre, part haven for creative minds. It’s in the Kasbah area, tucked away behind tall walls and lantern-lit corridors, and it’s where I go when I want something relaxed and thoughtful.
The menu’s eclectic—camel burgers, falafel wraps, sticky date milkshakes—but it’s more than just the food. They host storytelling nights, Gnawa music sessions, and cooking classes. It feels like the beating heart of a new kind of Morocco—one that honours tradition but isn’t afraid to experiment.
It’s also just a genuinely nice place to sit for a couple of hours, away from the madness.
4. Terrasse des Épices – A Rooftop Classic With Style
When I’m hosting clients and want to impress them with the Marrakech rooftop experience, this is the place.
Terrasse des Épices is chic without being pretentious. You’ll eat under woven parasols, surrounded by the scent of orange blossom, as the sun sinks over the Koutoubia Mosque in the distance.
The food’s a modern take on Moroccan—think chicken with preserved lemon, couscous with caramelised onions, seafood pastilla. The staff are great. The cocktails are solid. It’s a good mix of style and substance.
Pro tip: go just before sunset. It’s magic.
5. Street Food in Jemaa el-Fnaa – The Chaos You’ll Remember
No Marrakech food list is complete without a nod to Jemaa el-Fnaa after dark.
Yes, it’s intense. Yes, some stalls are better than others. But the atmosphere is unmatched—smoke billowing from grills, trays of steaming snails, vendors calling you over with cheeky grins and “just look, my friend!”
Here’s what I recommend:
• Stall 14 for grilled fish
• Stall 32 for merguez sausages and brochettes
• Fresh orange juice from the guys who shout the loudest
It’s not polished. But it’s real. And that’s what makes it special.
Bonus Tip: Eat Like a Local, Ask Questions, Be Curious
Marrakech rewards those who step off the beaten path.
Some of my best meals here came from following smells, asking locals, and saying yes to things I couldn’t pronounce.
Don’t worry about being fancy. Just bring an appetite and a sense of adventure.
Planning to Join One of Our Treks?
We always spend time in Marrakech before or after the trail—so you’ll get the chance to eat like this, too.