Visiting Marrakech without trying out some of their wonderful flavors, herbs and local specialties is a shame. This is one of the most exciting cities when it comes to authentic traditional food, that is an important inspiration for chefs all over te world.
Food is sold and eaten in the streets around and in the souks. You have to get used to it, especially the lack of cooling can be an appetite killer. The habit of selling one product in large quantities is what we know as ‘mono-choice’ retail or nega choice offers. Trendsetting in Europe, a tradition over here. Also the fact that the same products are sold all in the same street. Looking for olives, check out the street where all fresh olives are sold. Go to the one where the locals buy, an ado taste some upfront, before you buy. Not only smart but your food discovery ets more excited. Once you understand how it works, you can start to enjoy the amazing smell of all the dried herbs, the huge piles of fresh mint or the sweet sesam honey cookies. A good place to start your food tour is the Spice Market, Rahba Kedima in the heart of the Marrakech souks.
Nomad
Tucked away in a discreet corner of Rahba Kedima or also known as the Spice Square (places des épices) in the heart of the Marrakech souks, you find the lovely restaurant and rooftop bar Nomad. Two of Marrakech’s most creative entrepreneurs Kamal Laftimi and Sebastian de Gzell took over an old carpet store and transformed it into a modern cool place with sleek sand-coloured sofas, black-and-white tiled tables and funny rotan lamps. The food is fearlessly modern, featuring eclectic twists on classics such as calamari marinated in cumin served with a dash of spicy harissa (see picture), courgette & feta fritters with mint yoghurt sauce (see picture) or saffron-scented date cake with salted caramel ice-cream. All simple “Modern Moroccan” cuisine: revisions of traditional local cuisine and international dishes with a Moroccan twist. Nomad has 4 floors, with some intimate dining rooms and many terraces, so reservation is not a must. Just wait a bit and you will always find a spot. Besides damn good food and the best view on the famous Spice Market, the surrounding Medina and the Atlas mountains, it’s good to know that the profits from the daily special go to a local charity. Nice guys!
A must visit!
Address: 1 Derb Arjaan, just off Rahba Kedima, Medina
Another great eatery is La Famille, situated in a large enclosed garden with tables scattered beneath banana and in the shade of olive trees. Perfect for a vegetarian, Mediterranean lunch, fresh and simple. There is an open kitchen so you see how the food is prepared.There is also a cute shop with lovely leather goods, jewellery, ceramics and baskets.
Address: 42 Riad Zitoun Jdid, Medina
Street restaurants Place Jemaa El Fna
When talking about Moroccan food and not go to biggest open night restaurant in Marrakech, you would miss a hell of an adventure. Uncountable family owned open air kitchens are fighting for people’s attention, in order to get them to eat at their place. Hard to know where’s best but let your eyes and noise make a choice. This place seems a tourist trap but know that also the locals eat here and they know good food. Go off track, try new things. That’s why you travel, no?
Later!
Kate
