Morocco is known for its vibrant culture, fascinating history, and beautiful landscapes, but one of the highlights of visiting this North African country is undoubtedly the food and drinks. Moroccan cuisine is a beautiful mix of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and unique spices. From savory tagines to refreshing drinks like mint tea, the best drinks and food in Morocco will leave a lasting impression on your senses.
Whether you’re wandering through the bustling streets of Marrakech or exploring the quieter corners of the country, there’s always something new to try. This article will guide you through some of the most delicious and iconic foods and drinks you must sample while in Morocco. From street food snacks to elaborate meals, Morocco offers a range of culinary experiences that are perfect for every traveler. So, let’s dive into the best drinks and food in Morocco that will make your trip unforgettable.
1. Try a Traditional Moroccan Tagine
One of the most iconic dishes in Morocco is the tagine, a slow-cooked stew made with meat, vegetables, and spices, all cooked in a unique clay pot that keeps the ingredients tender and flavorful. Tagines come in various variations, but some of the most popular include chicken with preserved lemons and olives, lamb with prunes, and spiced meatballs (kefta) cooked in a rich tomato sauce.
The key to the rich flavors in tagines lies in the use of ras el hanout, a spice blend containing cinnamon, cumin, coriander, and other fragrant ingredients. This seasoning blend is often used in many Moroccan dishes, and it’s an essential part of creating authentic tagines.
Where to Try It: If you’re in Fez, head to Dar Hatim, a family-run restaurant that serves an excellent lamb tagine.
2. Enjoy a Traditional Moroccan Breakfast
Breakfast in Morocco is simple yet filling. A typical Moroccan breakfast often includes fresh bread or pastries, eggs, and a variety of accompaniments such as olives, cheese, and honey. Beghrir, the Moroccan pancake, is made from semolina and served with honey and butter. Another favorite is shakshuka, a dish of poached eggs in a spicy tomato and pepper sauce.
For a lighter start, you can enjoy a simple fried egg with olive oil, paired with bread. It’s a great way to fuel up for a day of exploring Morocco’s beautiful landscapes and markets.
Where to Try It: Enjoy a delightful breakfast at Café Des Épices in Marrakech, where you can relax on the rooftop with views of the medina.
3. Bite into a Moroccan Brochette
Moroccan kebabs, known as brochettes, are a must-try street food. These skewered meats are marinated with spices, grilled to perfection, and served with fresh khobz (flatbread) and condiments like cumin and harissa (a spicy chili paste). The most common brochette meats include lamb, chicken, and kefta, but for the adventurous eater, there are also varieties made from offals like liver and kidney.
Where to Try It: Djemaa El Fna in Marrakech is one of the best places to sample brochettes, with street food stalls offering a variety of kebabs cooked over open flames.
4. Savor Couscous, Morocco’s National Dish
Couscous is considered Morocco’s national dish, and it’s traditionally served on Fridays. The preparation process is lengthy, taking hours to steam the couscous to perfection. The dish is often served with a rich stew of meat (usually lamb or chicken) and vegetables. It’s commonly paired with a flavorful broth that soaks into the couscous, making each bite a warm, satisfying experience.
Where to Try It: For a classic couscous experience, visit Al Mounia in Casablanca, where they serve this hearty dish alongside other Moroccan staples.
5. Taste the Slow-Cooked Tanjia in Marrakech
Tanjia is a specialty of Marrakech, a dish that was originally prepared by single men, who would cook the meat and spices in a clay pot and leave it to slow-cook in the communal oven. The result is a tender and flavorful stew made with meat, garlic, preserved lemons, cumin, and other spices. It’s perfect for a communal meal, especially when enjoyed with friends or family.
Where to Try It: For the best tanjia, head to Hadj Mustapha in Marrakech, a well-known restaurant that offers this traditional dish.
6. Indulge in Sweet Cornes de Gazelle
Cornes de gazelle, or “gazelle horns,” are delicate pastries made from almond paste and flavored with orange-flower water. These crescent-shaped treats are a popular Moroccan dessert and are often served alongside a cup of hot Moroccan mint tea.
Where to Try It: One of the best places to sample these sweet pastries is at Pâtisserie Bennis Habous in Casablanca, where you can enjoy them freshly baked.
7. Experience the Deliciousness of Bastilla
Bastilla (or Pastilla) is a Moroccan pastry that blends savory and sweet flavors in a single dish. Traditionally, it’s made with pigeon meat, but modern versions often use chicken or vegetables. The dish consists of thin layers of filo pastry filled with meat, onions, eggs, almonds, and spices, then topped with a dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Where to Try It: The Ruined Garden in Fez offers an authentic bastilla experience, with the added benefit of their beautiful garden setting.
8. Try Mechoui, a Moroccan Lamb Dish
Mechoui is a traditional Moroccan dish of slow-roasted lamb, marinated with spices, and cooked for hours until the meat falls off the bone. This dish is perfect for sharing with friends or family, and it’s commonly served at celebrations and large gatherings.
Where to Try It: Mechoui Alley in Marrakech is famous for its freshly carved lamb, which is roasted to perfection.
9. Warm Up with Bissara Soup
Bissara is a hearty soup made from fava beans, olive oil, cumin, and khobz (bread). It’s a popular dish for breakfast, providing warmth and nourishment to start the day. The thick, comforting soup is often served with extra olive oil and a sprinkling of cumin.
Where to Try It: Visit Baissara Ansar in Chefchaouen for an authentic, budget-friendly bowl of bissara.
10. Taste Chermoula with Fish
Chermoula is a flavorful marinade used in Moroccan cuisine, made with fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, and spices. It’s commonly used with fish, making for a tasty and aromatic meal. Fish chermoula is often served during communal meals and religious celebrations, and it’s a dish that captures the essence of Moroccan flavor.
Where to Try It: For the best fish chermoula, head to Al Aachabe in Marrakech, or try Restaurant Mimouna in Essaouira for a meal with a seaside view.
11. Savor Maakouda, Moroccan Street Food
Maakouda are deep-fried potato fritters that are a popular street food snack in Morocco. The potatoes are mashed, mixed with flour and herbs, and then fried until crispy. It’s often served as a side dish or snack, and sometimes used as a filling in a sandwich.
Where to Try It: Cafe Clock in Fez offers a cozy spot to try maakouda along with other Moroccan street food favorites.
12. Treat Yourself to Chebakia
Chebakia is a sweet pastry often enjoyed during Ramadan and special occasions. Made from dough flavored with anise, saffron, and cinnamon, it’s fried until crispy, then coated with honey and sesame seeds. It’s a treat you won’t want to miss, especially when paired with a cup of mint tea.
Where to Try It: For a traditional chebakia experience, try La Rose du Sable in Aït Benhaddou.
13. Enjoy Maghrebi Mint Tea
Maghrebi mint tea, also known as Berber whiskey, is one of the most iconic drinks in Morocco. Made from green tea, fresh mint leaves, and sugar, it’s a symbol of hospitality and friendship. Whether you’re in a café or visiting a local’s home, expect to be offered a refreshing glass of mint tea as a gesture of goodwill.
Where to Try It: For a historic tea experience, visit Pâtisserie Driss in Essaouira, which has been serving tea since 1928.
14. Vegetarians and Vegans in Morocco
Morocco offers a range of vegetarian and vegan options, making it an excellent destination for plant-based eaters. You can enjoy fresh fruit, nuts, and olives from the souks, and opt for dishes like bissara (fava bean soup) or mezze salads. Couscous with vegetables is also a common vegetarian dish found in most Moroccan restaurants.
Conclusion:
Moroccan cuisine is a feast for the senses, offering an extraordinary blend of flavors, textures, and spices that set it apart from any other culinary tradition. The savory richness of dishes like tagines, slow-cooked to perfection in fragrant spices, and the delicate sweetness of cornes de gazelle, a traditional almond-filled pastry, highlight the diversity of Moroccan gastronomy.
Pair these delights with a refreshing glass of mint tea, a symbol of hospitality and tradition, to truly immerse yourself in the local culture. Beyond the food, Morocco invites you to wander through its vibrant souks, where colorful spices and fresh produce abound, and to explore its iconic landscapes, from the bustling streets of Marrakech to the serene vistas of the Atlas Mountains. Every meal in Morocco is not just about taste—it’s an experience that connects you to the heart of its rich history and culture.
