Spending time in the kitchen is not negotiable
Perhaps too spicy for westernized palates , that of the great restaurants (where the _Novelle Cuisine is cooked) _ is experiencing a twist, especially in cities like Marrakech ( mega epicenter of the national gastronomic movement ) . Also, let's not fool ourselves, here the vegetables bought at the corner market still retain their flavor.
Chef Rachid Agouray of the restaurant Le Marocain of the mythical hotel The Mamounia He recommends three of his great pillars to get started in Moroccan cuisine: “ the tagine from Marrakech, the fish from Fez or Essaouira and the couscous from Rabat ”. Although yes, with hundreds of variants and a common denominator: “vegetables and spices”.
New restaurants, new chefs and new proposals Marrakesh do not stop appearing. So following the good judgment of the chef of La Mamounia, of our sister publication Bon appetit and of the colleagues who have traveled recently, We recommend the following gastronomic meccas :
Le Marocain restaurant at the legendary La Mamounia hotel
MARRAKECH GASTRONOMIC MECCA
Unpostponable: The Lobster Pastela from the Le Marocain restaurant, from La Mamounia
Become the quintessence of Moroccan haute cuisine, its chef rachid agouray , tanned in the European kitchens of Biarritz, Venice or Cannes, prepares this dish that is the most refined and delicate of Moroccan cuisine, giving it a twist. **If the traditional recipe is based on chicken (formerly pigeon) **, he opts for lobster. The result is like a filled cake, with a light and crunchy sheet that is sweet and salty at the same time, a delight that combines traditional and contemporary Moroccan cuisine. Also, it will be for the romantic atmosphere that surrounds the corners of this restaurant, for its views or for the good work of Rachid and his team of 20 people (or for everything together!), this is our favorite.
**Bio: Riad Le Bled restaurant brunch **
If you want to live a unique moment of escape from the medina, the organic brunch of this riad is memorable. To the rhythm of soft Moroccan music, surrounded by three hectares of olive trees, fruit trees and happy chickens , all this harmony will be reflected in your couscous or in the dish you order (the Belid brunch is served every Sunday from 11am). The person responsible for all this magic is Chef Moha Fedal (yes, the same as the famous Dar Moha restaurant) that has made this rustic paradise an ideal and relaxing place (when the weather allows it and you can sit on the lawn for brunch, the concept of time disappears completely).
Salads from Al Fassia restaurant, you will not taste anything like it
**Just like home: salads at Al Fassia restaurant **
In favor of this place we have many things, firstly that it is run by a group of women (who are the ones who traditionally cook in Morocco); second, that here you can taste the authentic Moroccan cuisine without additives or arrangements for European palates ; and third and above all, that their salads (also their tagines and pastries) are made from excellent quality products (we are in Morocco and tomatoes taste like tomatoes).
Against them, they do not accept cards for payment and that for dinner they have shifts in which (oddly enough, haste doesn't kill). Faithful to the gastro principle of “less is more”, We recommend that you try their traditional Moroccan salad, the only salad in the country that is all raw: tomatoes, green pepper, cucumber, onion and black olives. But the **zaâlouk (based on roasted aubergines, tomato, cumin and coriander) ** is also delicious.
Nomad restaurant and its terrace with views
**Lamb tagine with raisins from Nomad restaurant**
Tucked away in the **Spice Square (Rahba Kedima)** which is itself tucked away in the Medina, this restaurant is a new favorite spot for locals. Your terrace with views is fantastic, but not as much as their tajines (any of them is delicious but this is an ideal place to try one of their classics: the lamb tagine with raisins – although we have not confirmed whether or not they are happy lambs... –.
**Foie couscous from the Dar Moha restaurant **
In the palace that was owned by Pierre Balmain In Marrakech, the genius of the Moroccan kitchen and Magician of Spices, the television chef Moha Fedal, recovers the classic recipes to give them a more contemporary profile. ** he uses sauces (European style) ** and fewer condiments so that the flavor of the top quality raw material shines through. His foie gras couscous It is a success and its monkfish pastry is also worth a visit (Menu from €50 per person).
Moroccan sweets deserve another chapter
Moroccan cooking course at Gastro Mk restaurant
Omar El Ouahssoussi is another of the city's star chefs who, in addition to winning over people with his dishes, manages to win over travelers with his interesting Moroccan cooking courses ( from €203, including going to the market, ingredients, classes, lunch and recipes ) . He himself accompanies you through souks, shops and markets to buy lamb meat for tagines, mint for tea, spices... In addition, his tasting menu of 5 courses is a Euro-Moroccan hybrid that you can't miss either ( Menu from €60 per person ) .
Do not miss the menu of the Gastro Mk restaurant
**Chicken tagine with dried peaches from La Maison Arabe**
Another safe value of the city, with an intimate and cozy atmosphere that will make you remember why you love Marrakech is La Maison Arabe. As all their tajines are delicious, if instead of chicken you prefer lamb , which is made here accompanied with caramelized oranges and meat sauce in its juice, saffron, turmeric and ginger it is to return and repeat.
Tajine Royal at La Maison Arabe
Harira soup with lamb at Chez Chegrouni in Jeema el Fna square
In this famous place in the busy and mythical square, hundreds of mortals have queued, including chefs of recognized prestige, celebrities... Everything is very simple (we refer above all to the decoration and, here more than anywhere, haste kills and finishes off, so reeeee-laxxx ) but their harira soup with lamb is the best in the whole city. If you don't like the soup, you can try their tagine of lamb and plums or their couscous with chicken and vegetables . One piece of advice, the upper floor (with terrace) is much more pleasant (dinner for two from €16).
And where to try? At Chez Chegrouni
Café Clock: camel burgers and vegan options
You should not leave without trying one of its most exotic meats in the form of a hamburger. In the Kasbah area, the Coffee Clock It is the typical meeting point for the city's moderns (well, and for everyone who is interested in getting to know the most alternative Marrakech ) : music, workshops, gastronomy (with vegan and vegetarian options), cooking classes, dance... A brushstroke: on Wednesday nights, jam sessions; local bands on Saturdays, and traditional music on Sundays . They open from breakfast to dinner, every day and in a very cosmopolitan atmosphere.
*** You may also be interested in...**
- What should you not miss in Marrakech?
- Romantic getaway in Marrakech
- Guide to Marrakesh
- Marrakech, now and always
- Ten reasons to escape to Marrakech for a winter weekend
- All items of Rosa Marques
Café Clock, one of the most alternative spots in the city
Café Clock, one of the most alternative spots in the city