A hip joint playing cool music and serving excellent food.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
I was lucky enough to stumble across this wonderful little place in the medina
The music they were playing alone was enough to keep me seated happily for a while as I sipped on a deliciously fresh fruit smoothie.
There is a chilled, boho vibe in this little place with an air of sophistication that suits all ages and walks of life.
I went at lunchtime and it was quite busy so I sat on the rooftop to eat my food.
The view across the medina was pleasant, and the energy was good up there.
I tried the avocado toast, and it was so delicious.
The creative way that the chef used fresh fruit to decorate the meal added a touch of refinement to my meal, making a simple brunch rather more special.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The interior decor is cosy, yet modern, bright, and airy.
Friendly staff wait on the tables, and the menu is both exciting and interesting.
I found the price of lunch competitive and the quality of the food served is very good.
I sat listening to The Doors, Bob Dylan, and a few other tunes from the late sixties and seventies.
It felt like such a great vibe, and I was happy to sit and just enjoy the music they were playing.
It was quite a treat in the middle of a busy medina.
I could have hung out there for hours..
Travellers and tourists alike frequent Mandala Society, giving it a contemporary style, yet with a cosy intimate twist.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
You can find Mandala Society at 159 Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid,
Marrakech 40000.
The opening hours are,
9.30am to 10.30pm daily.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
For more information about this and other places to eat,
Kafe Merstan restaurant and rooftop terrace is located near the spice square and vegetable market in the medina.
They serve traditional Morroccan food, and prices are very reasonable.
I had one of the tastiest tagines here, and the overall quality of the food was good.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
It’s popular during sunset, and tourists arrive to watch the sun go down from the pretty rooftop.
It’s quite a spectacular sight, therefore it can get busy during this time of evening.
The interior is traditional with a fairly modern twist.
Colourful soft furnishings and rattan light fittings give a homely, boho vibe.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The food is competitively priced, and the little restaurant is clean and humble.
Seating is upstairs on the rooftop, so people with mobility issues may not find it easy to access.
Payment is by card or cash. However, there’s a minimum of 200 MAD for card payment.
The address for Kafe Merstan is 2 Souk Chaaria Kast Benahid, Marrakech 40000.
Opening hours are 12.00 until
10.00pm.
The restaurant is close to the Madrasa Ben Youssef and Museum of Marrakech, so it’s in a strategic position and ideal for taking a break from sightseeing.
Kafe Merstan offers a good selection of vegetarian dishes, including a very tasty vegetable pastilla.
It’s an ideal spot for lunch.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Cafe Merstan may give you the impression of a ‘no frills’ restaurant, but the food was exceptionally good.
Marrakech is a culinary delight for all foodies out there.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The streets of Marrakech are abundant with fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruit.
There are herbs and spices galore everywhere you look.
The aromatic fragrance of street food fills the air, tempting the tastebuds.
Fine restaurants with impeccable service, in beautiful surroundings, call out to you to come inside and sample their cuisine.
But where do you start?
What do you order?
If you’re anything like me, you may want to fully immerse yourself in the culture of places you’re visiting.
I particularly enjoy sampling the signature dishes of places I visit and eating the same food that the locals do.
It’s a way to get to know the culture, and food is a big part of life in Morrocco.
The locals are very hospitable people and often invite tourists home for a meal with their family.
If you get the chance, go it’s the best way to gain understanding of the people and their hospitality.
So,with an overwhelming choice of food to choose from, you may need a little help to decide what to try..
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The two most popular dishes in Marrakesh are tagine and couscous.
Tagine is the name of the clay or ceramic pot that the dish is cooked in.
It consists of layers of fresh vegetables,with meat in the centre.
Chicken or lamb is the most popular.
Often, dates, olives, fresh lemon, and spices are added for flavour, and everyone has their own personal recipe for making a tagine.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Couscous is a grain made from semolina and served with meat and vegetables.
It is eaten religiously on Fridays.
In Jamaa El Fna, you will find sheeps head and snails for sale.
Tourists are targeted by street food vendors to try snails, and those who actually do say that they quite enjoyed the experience.
Apparently, the broth that they’re cooked in is quite tasty, and although it’s an unusual tasting dish, it’s not inedible.
Sheeps head is for the brave amongst us, but it appears to be popular in the main square and a regular sight on display during the evening.
The locals sit at street stalls eagerly munching on the spit roasted mutton, enjoying every morsel.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Every dish is served with traditional bread in Marrakech. It is freshly baked each morning and delicious served warm.
Tangier is also a popular dish.
It is meat (usually lamb), cooked very slowly in the embers of the local hammam.
Traditionally, the tangier is taken to the hammam early in the morning and left to cook throughout the day.
It is then collected and served for dinner with vegetables or bread.
The meat is incredibly tender and simply falls off the bone.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
There are plenty of street food vendors in the medina, tucked away in the souks.
They serve really good quality food and it’s cheap.
Ideal for travellers on a tighter budget.
There is a row of street food vendors who only sell tangiers, and this is very popular with locals and tourists alike.
The area gets busy as people queue for a vessel of succulent lamb tipped out onto a plate ready for devouring.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Taking a street food tour is a great way to get to try the best places.
There are several tours available during the daytime or evening, and tourists get the chance to sample authentic Moroccan cuisine with a registered guide.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Marrakech caters to vegetarians and vegans also, with a good choice of quality food including excellent salads, delicious vegetable tagine, pastilla, and couscous.
Pigeon is also widely eaten in Marrakech and traditionally used as a filling in pastilla.
Then there are the camel burgers, popular at The Clock restaurant in the kasbah.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Several Italian restaurants in the medina offer excellent pizzas and pasta dishes if you fancy a change from morroccan food.
Olives are served with tea and other beverages as a complimentary side dish.
They can be spicy or plain, always fresh, and the perfect aperitif.
They are deliciously fresh when bought straight from the vendors themselves.
Don’t hesitate to try some. They are truly amazing.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The sweets and pastries in Marrakech are incredibly good, and the desserts served after the main course of a meal are beautiful.
Moroccans have a sweet tooth as you will probably gather from the breakfasts.
The choice on most menus is really good and varied.
There’s no point watching your waistline here..
Dates are hugely popular, and medjool dates are known as ‘ fruits of the King’, so make sure to try some.
You won’t be disappointed.
Fresh fruit is for sale everywhere around the medina and incorporated into tantalising sweet dishes that make your mouth water.
NB: I have written a separate article about smoothies and juices in Marrakesh.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Marrakech is a dream come true for people who love their food.
With so much to choose from and so many different dishes and flavours to try, you would need months to eat your way through it all.
Not only is there a great variety of interesting and tasty food, but it’s beautifully presented too.
Imagine sitting in a tranquil, setting, next to exotic plants, and trickling fountains.
That’s my experience of eating in Marrakesh..
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The way to get to know people and their culture is through their food.
Marrakech is no exception.
Be open to getting out of your comfort zone and give some of the traditional Moroccan dishes a go..
A look at how you can spend a typical day in the red city.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The perfect day in Marrakech begins by waking up early to watch the sunrise from the rooftop of my riad.
I listen to the birds singing in the courtyard and hear the sound of the medina as it gradually comes to life.
I watch cats prowl along the rooftops, and below me, I can hear the clattering of plates as staff prepare a delicious breakfast.
The first glass of freshly squeezed orange juice hits the spot perfectly.
I enjoy a breakfast of msemen pancakes with homemade jam, amlou, and honey.
Fresh fruit, yoghurt, and eggs.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
After a refreshing shower, I head out into the medina for a glass of atay in a cafe overlooking the main square.
Sat outside, I observe the vendors setting up for the day.
The entertainers are getting ready to entice the crowds of tourists, and the local ladies are on their way to the market for fresh herbs and spices.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
My next destination is the souks before they get too busy.
Vendors are eager for their first sale of the day, and bargaining is much easier early in the morning.
The colourful array of things on offer is a sight to behold.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Cats gather for a few morsels off the butcher, and locals toss a few titbits for them to eat.
They vye with each other for the perfect spot in which to laze around in the sunshine.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
I check out the wonderful Amazigh jewellery, the argan oil, and the beautiful ceramics and mirrors on display in the narrow alleyways.
At the same time, I dodge motorcycles and donkey carts as they make their way to wherever they’re going.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
I buy one or two souvenirs, promise to go back for other things, and then decide it’s time for a light snack.
A cafe with colourful outdoor seating calls out to me, and I choose a selection of delicious pastries with a pot of mint tea.
I sit for a while people watching and enjoy the scenes as they unfold around me.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
It’s fascinating watching daily life go by in the medina.
Tourists look in awe at the beautiful things for sale, and vendors call out to them with their friendly banter.
After recharging my batteries, it’s time to do some sightseeing.
I head towards Madrasa Ben Youssef and take the opportunity to get some photos of the stunning architecture.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The medina is beginning to get very busy, so I make my way to the gardens of the Koutoubia Mosque to sit quietly for a while.
I take in the beautiful surroundings and relax amongst the beautiful trees and plants.
I watch the fountain.
It feels cool and refreshing as it sprays up into the air beside me.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Afterwards, I treat myself to a sugarcane juice from a vendor outside.
It’s an acquired taste but goes down well as the day is steadily getting warmer.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The heat is becoming quite intense, so I return to my riad for a rest.
I make my way up onto the rooftop for a spot of sunbathing.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The call to prayer echos across the medina.
A familiar sound that echos across Marrakech five times a day.
I read a book and order myself a cold drink which arrives with olives.
Soon, it’s time to get ready for the evening.
I decide to go to La Pergola rooftop bar for a couple of cocktails.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
It’s a lively atmosphere, and there are lots of people enjoying a drink and chatting.
Afterwards, I head towards Jamaa El Fna.
The energy is electric.
Food vendors touting for business, dancing, drumming, and crowds of tourists gather to witness the spectacle.
The smell of food cooking makes me feel hungry, so I decide to find a nice place to dine.
I choose a place that has a rooftop overlooking the square to watch the sunset.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
I enjoy a traditional tagine, which is flavourful and aromatic.
I’m tempted by the exotic sounding smoothies on the menu and treat myself to one containing dried fruit.
I watch the beautiful sunset and everywhere has a golden glow.
I am satisfied and content, but the evening is still young.
I take a leisurely walk to The Clock, situated in the kasbah to listen to some traditional storytelling.
After an interesting time immersing myself in the culture of Morrocco, I decide to head back to my riad.
I pick up a few more souvenirs along the way.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Back at the riad, I sit in the courtyard reflecting on my day.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
I ask the staff for suggestions for the next day.
We chat about possibilities, and they help me put together a few ideas.
I have had a perfect day..
I have experienced a different culture, tasted delicious food, watched a magnificent sunset, chatted with friendly locals, and navigated my way through the maze of souks without getting too lost.
I fall asleep.
I am tired but happy and ready to do it all again tomorrow.
A place of serenity and calm in the middle of the souks.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
It’s a hidden gem, a peaceful retreat from the madness of the souks, and Jamaa el Fna.
Le Jardin Secret is a little oasis with exotic plants and flowers where you can sit and enjoy calm, beautiful surroundings, listening to the birds in the trees.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
There is a beautifully painted pergoda in the centre, for sitting in the shade.
Le Jardin Secret boasts two attractive large gardens and has one of the highest towers in the medina.
There is a museum, a boutique, and two coffee shops on site for light refreshments.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Le Jardin Secret dates back 400 years ago to the Saadian dynasty and was left to decay before being discovered and renovated in the nineteenth century.
It is a perfect example of Islamic art and architecture, and you can read all about its history inside the museum.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The gardens are simply beautiful with Cacti, palm trees, and other exotic plants, flowers, and shrubs.
The sound of birdsong and the resident toads in the little pond feels like a world away from the busy souks outside the walls.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
As you wander around the tranquil gardens, you forget you are inside the busy medina, dodging motorcycles and donkey carts.
There are plenty of benches dotted around the gardens to sit and enjoy the tranquillity and beauty that surrounds you.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Le Jardin Secret is located at,
121 Rue Mouassine
Marrakech 40030 Morocco.
Opening times vary depending on the time of the year.
It costs 100 dirhams to enter and it is wheelchair user-friendly.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The cafe has a good selection of sandwiches, pizzas and salads.
Fruit and vegetable smoothies, tea and coffee, and homemade cakes.
To get the most peaceful experience from your visit, try going early in the daytime before the gardens become too busy with tourists.
A peaceful, fragrant riad in the heart of the medina.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The first time I visited Marrakech, I stayed in Monriad.
This is where my love affair with the medina began.
I had no idea what to expect and was absolutely amazed at the wonderful experience I had staying in a traditional riad for the first time.
Monriad was so pretty.
The courtyard was tranquil, and the sound of the trickling water and birds singing was blissful.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The owner and her staff were friendly and helpful, greeting me with the ultimate respect and offering traditional mint tea with olives on arrival.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
I was given helpful advice about the area surrounding the riad and popular excursions I might wish to book.
She also suggested that I could eat dinner in the riad with the other guests and recommended places of interest close by.
The rooftop was glorious, and watching the sunrise up there each morning really was a blessing.
Captured by Freebird Tracey.
My room was impeccable, with traditional and good quality furniture and a beautiful bathroom with a traditional basin.
The riad smelt amazing. Cleanliness was a top priority for the staff.
There was a large, traditional, carved wooden door into the riad. I wasn’t given my own set of keys, but it was never a problem.
I did eat dinner once inside the riad, and the food was quite good. It was popular with other guests who seemed to really enjoy dining inside the riad.
The breakfast was very good.
Monriad is tucked away down a quiet little street.
It’s a pleasant, safe area with several cats and kittens who have also made the surrounding streets their home.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Monriad is close to Jamaa El Fna and points of interest, such as Bahia Palace, yet it is peaceful and secluded.
It is considered a mid price riad but has still maintained a family and welcoming feel about it.
It remains my mission to stay in as many different riads as possible in Marrakesh, but I would definitely consider returning to Monriad.
A beautiful, peaceful environment serving authentic Morroccon food.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Palais Dar Donab is a special treat for visitors to Marrakech.
The scent of orange blossom fills the air, and the sound of birds chirping in the courtyard gives a sense of complete peace and tranquillity whilst dining here.
This was one of my favourite places to visit and I absolutely love it here.
I keep going back time and time again.
Sometimes, it is for a glass of wine during the afternoon and a welcome break from sightseeing.
It’s a place where you can unwind and enjoy the sunny courtyard with its large pool in the centre.
Image Freebird Tracey.
The menu is extensive with food to suit all palates.
They also serve a decent selection of excellent wines and beers.
I was really impressed with the quality of food and enjoyed each meal I have eaten in this fine restaurant.
The vegetable tagine was one of the tastiest I have tried in Marrakesh, and the delicious smoothies were beautifully presented and full of fresh, vibrant fruit.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Palais Dar Donab is also a high-end accommodation, where guests and visitors mingle together for a quiet break from the busy medina.
As you relax in the calm, tranquil surroundings, you never feel rushed.
The pace is slow and calm.
The staff are attentive, and at the same time, they allow you to enjoy the lovely, peaceful setting without feeling any pressure to leave.
The gentle sound of the leaves on the trees and the trickling water make dining here a very pleasant experience.
Tangerines fall from the trees, and you can hear the birds singing happily.
Palais Dar Donab is open for lunch as well as dinner.
The tables are set around a large pool with citrus trees lining the courtyard.
Beautiful flowers add an array of colour.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Music is played subtly in the background, allowing conversation to flow and a nice laid-back atmosphere.
Relaxing for an hour or so admiring the intricate craftsmanship that surrounds you is a perfect way to recharge your batteries.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
I highly recommend trying Palais Dar Donab, not just for the quality of the food or the friendly service, but for the peace and serenity it offers.
You come away feeling recharged and de-stressed after the overwhelming medina with crowds of tourists.
It’s a pleasant oasis in comparison to the over stimulating Jamaa El Fna.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Opening hours are,
Monday-Sunday
10.00am-10.30pm
Address is,
53 Dar el Basha-Bab,
Doukkala Marrakech, Morocco.
The restaurant is vegetarian and vegan friendly and accepts credit card payments.
Sounds Of The Souks 