Sounds Of The Souks

Category: Food and Drink.

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

The best places for dining out in Marrakech.

  • Le Salama Restaurant.

    Delicious food that is reasonably priced.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    There is a lively rooftop dining area that gets very busy and seems to be popular amongst tourists.

    I would recommend booking in advance for a table on the rooftop as it is very popular.

    The decor is a mixture of traditional Morroccan and modern with a touch of nature.

    There are two bars serving a range of alcohol and non alcoholic drinks in both areas.

    I chose a plate of Morroccan pastries, which were delicious with a cold glass of Casablanca beer.

    I had eaten earlier, so I wasn’t particularly hungry, but the other diners were enjoying a variety of excellent dishes from the menu.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    At 9.00pm, the entertainment begins.

    Traditional belly dancers danced around the tables, encouraging the diners to participate.

    It was fun to watch, and everyone in the restaurant appeared to be having a good time.

    Video by Freebird Tracey.

    I have to admit that the service was slightly slow. However, it was Ramadan, so exceptions have to be made during this month.

    I was by myself as a solo female traveller, and I didn’t feel conspicuous at all.

    The waiters were polite and helpful, and it wasn’t a problem that I only ordered a dessert and one drink.

    Le Salama is close to Jamaa El Fna, so it’s the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and recharge your batteries. 

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Le Salama can be found on,

    40 rue des banques, and it’s open until 2.00 am

    It serves a good range of cocktails and is open for lunch and dinner.

    They also have a kids menu.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    For more information, contact me via the email address below:

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
    (more…)

  • LA FOUNTAINE DES ESPICES

    A vibrant place in the medina.

    If you’re looking for an authentic place to eat in the medina, try La Fountaine des Espices.

    I stumbled across this place one evening, and I have to say I was rather impressed.

    The service was very good, the food was incredibly tasty and the decor was elegant with a boho vibe.

    Interior of La Fountaine des Espices with dim lighting making it romantic and cosy.

    I visited a few times because I thoroughly enjoyed the food.

    They have a nice rooftop, and the waiters were so friendly and helpful, I was made to feel really welcome.

    The prices were reasonable considering the quality of the food, and the whole experience was excellent.

    They serve traditional Morroccan food, and you get an authentic feel for morroccan culture.

    I highly recommend their smoothies.

    My daughter and I chose the detox smoothie with apple, green lemon, celery, cucumber, and turmeric.

    There are plenty of choices on the menu, and they were beautifully made and exceptionally healthy.

    Smoothies in La Fountaine des Espices.

    For my meal, I opted for the vegetable tagine, and it was cooked to perfection.

    The service was relatively quick, and the waiters were attentive, making sure we were happy with our meal.

    My daughter tried the chicken pastilla and loved it. She said the chicken was tender, and the portion was a decent size.

    Vegetable tagine.

    Fountaine des Espices is a great little spot if you’re looking for a good quality meal in a nice environment with highly competitive prices.

    It’s particularly nice during the evening with candles lit on the tables, giving a nice romantic ambience whilst your dining.

    They serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner.

    You can also relax on the rooftop with a drink in the sunshine.

    The Fountaine des Espices is next to the Secret Garden, the address is,

    131 Rue Mouassine.

    It’s open from 10.00 am until 12.00 am, the busiest time is 3.00 pm.

    For more information, contact me via the email address below.

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
    (more…)

  • HENNA ART CAFE

    A great place for lunch in the medina.

    Interior of Henna Art Cafe

    The first place I go after arriving in the medina is Henna Art Cafe.

    It’s the perfect spot to stop and refuel myself.

    I can familiarise myself with where I am and check Google maps for the location of my riad.

    It’s a quirky place with decent food and the funkiest little bathroom, even if it is a bit of a tight squeeze.

    On the first floor, you can get henna tattoos done, and there are plenty of designs to choose from.

    All are 100% natural.

    It’s a really relaxing vibe here, and I often enjoy a light snack at lunchtime whilst shopping in the medina.

    It’s also very reasonably priced.

    There is a good selection of food on the menu, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options are available.

    There is free WiFi, and you can often find digital nomads enjoying a quick bite to eat here. 

    It’s a friendly place and a good introduction to the medina without being too in your face..

    Henna Art Cafe is located in the heart of the medina, just  three minutes stroll down Riad Zeitoun al Kdim from Djemma El Fna.

    It is open 7 days a week from 11 to 8.30 PM.

    During Ramadan, it closes earlier at 5.30 PM.

    A refreshing glass of lemonade
    A simple vegetable tagine
    Silver babouche cutlery holders

    Payment is taken downstairs on the way out, and cards are accepted here.

    After a nice meal and a rest at Henna Art Cafe, I’m ready to tackle the challenge of trying to locate my riad.

    Lunch upstairs on the terrace
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
    (more…)

  • MOROCCAN MINT TEA

    Mint tea is practically a ritual in Marrakesh.

    The traditional way of welcoming guests.
    A woman pours tea at an argan cooperative

    After the painstakingly long queues at the airport, you finally arrive in your riad slightly overwhelmed and dishevelled.

    The owner of the riad gives you the warmest welcome with the biggest smile across his face as he guides you into the beautiful courtyard.

    As you sit down on the colourful cushions, listening to the gentle sound of the trickling water in the fountain and smell the scent of the blossom on the trees, slowly you begin to unwind.

    The owner reappears with an ornate teapot and colourful glasses on a tray, accompanied by a dish of fresh olives. He begins pouring the fresh mint tea, holding the teapot higher and higher as he pours.

    You watch with amazement as the tea finds its way perfectly into the little glasses without a single drop spilling out.

    The aroma from the fresh mint leaves is wonderful..

    You begin to feel refreshed as the fragrant scent fills the air.

    This is a traditional Morroccan greeting for visitors. The higher up the teapot is held, the more respect the guest is being shown.

    The tea also becomes aerated, making it cooler to drink.

    It takes practice to perfect pouring tea from such a height, I have tried and failed miserably.

    After you have drank your tea sweetened with sugar cubes and eaten the delicious fresh olives, the panic of trying to locate the riad and queues at the airport disappear as if by magic…

    A refreshing cup of mint tea

    Mint tea is everywhere in Marrakech.

    It’s a refreshing drink that the locals enjoy as they sit in cafes chatting with their friends.

    The name for mint tea is ‘atay’ in Moroccan darija

    It is known by the locals as  ‘Morroccan Whisky’

    The tea is made using green tea and fresh mint leaves, and it is already sweetened with sugar before serving.

    If you find it a bit too sweet, try it before adding sugar cubes.

    Fresh mint is displayed on market stalls all around the medina, alongside other herbs and spices, and the aromatic aroma tempts the tastebuds.

    You can purchase the little tea glasses in the souks, and they make the perfect gift for taking home with you.

    Make sure to wrap them well as they are quite delicate.

    A traditional Morroccan welcome.

    Sipping mint tea and overlooking the lively square from a rooftop is a very enjoyable experience in Marrakech.

    One you will remember for years to come..

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
    (more…)

  • BACHA COFFEE

    Calling all coffee lovers, this place is an absolute gem.

    The interior of Bacha Coffee.

    With over 200 different coffees to choose from, this place is a coffee lovers paradise.

    From the exuberant interior with beautifully tiled floors and plants to the finely dressed waiters in their elegant uniforms.

    Bacha Coffee is a wonderful experience.

    The service is impeccable, and the coffee from all over the world is incredible.

    You do have to wait for a table, but you can wander around the museum with its exotic plants and Islamic architecture whilst you wait.

    The museum and garden at Bacha Coffee

    You are given a bleeper to notify you when your table is ready.

    Once inside, you are free to take your time to paw over the extensive menu and believe me..I couldn’t decide for ages.

    I chose a Caribbean coffee from the Blue Mountains, and it didn’t disappoint.

    It came served in beautiful little cups with fresh cream, chocolate chips, and an assortment of other interesting little delights to enhance the taste of the coffee.

    I also had a slice of cake, which was delicately spiced and beautifully presented.

    My tastebuds were in heaven.

    I want to try every coffee on the menu, so I’ve promised myself I will go back again and again until I have.

    That’s a lot of coffee.

    Example of the coffee menu in Bacha Coffee.

    One thing to note,

    The queues can be very long, so I suggest going early around 9.30 am when they first open.

    The prices were fairly reasonable considering the quality of the food being served and the stunning decor, I was pleasantly surprised.

    Whenever I return to Marrakech, I always make a point of going to Bacha Coffee.

    Hopefully, I’ll eventually make my way through the hundreds of coffees on offer from around the world.

    I’m certainly up for trying.

    It’s worth visiting just to capture those perfect Instagram photos.

    The beautiful interior inside Bacha Coffee

    You can also buy coffee to take home, and it comes beautifully packaged.

    The ideal gift for someone special.

    Bacha Coffee is an instagrammable place.

    Opening hours are,

    Tuesday-Sunday 10.00am-6.00pm

    I would recommend getting there for 9.30 a.m., ready for opening time, and joining the queues. It can get incredibly busy later in the day.

    The address is,

    Dar el Bacha, Rte Sidi

    Abdelaziz Marrakech 40000

    Morocco

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
    (more…)

  • PIKALA CAFE

    A Healthy Cafe For Cycling Enthusiasts.

    It’s a nice place to relax
    Detoxifying smoothies

    What a great little spot Pikala Cafe is.

    I stumbled across it quite by accident on the way to another place.

    It’s a quirky little spot which puts health above all else.

    You can hire a bicycle here to cycle around Marrakech and the rates are pretty reasonable if you have the guts to do it.

    The breakfasts are deliciously healthy, and they do an assortment of light snacks and smoothies, too.

    Inside Pikala Cafe.

    The place itself is very pretty, with lots of little nooks to sit in either upstairs or down.

    It is an open-air cafe, but since Marrakech doesn’t get too much rainfall, it isn’t generally a problem.

    I had a wonderful detox smoothie, and it was absolutely invigorating.

    I felt refreshed and ready for anything afterwards.

    My daughter had a bowl of lentil soup, which she said was really tasty, and the bread was nice and fresh also.

    The freshly made lemonade was very zesty and slightly bitter to my taste, but it seemed to be quite popular.

    Pikola Cafe attracts a lot of fitness enthusiasts and is a really cool place to hang out.

    Like everywhere else in Marrakech, the ingredients are always fresh and the quality of the food and drink is exceptional.

    If you’re just looking for a light bite to eat or simply a nice place to rest for a while, Pikala Cafe is definitely worth checking out..

    Inside Pikala Cafe

    Pikala Cafe opens from 9.00 am. daily and closes at 5.00pm.

    Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, it closes at 10.00pm

    The address is,

    139 Arset, Aouzal Road, Marrakech 40000 Morocco.

    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
    (more…)