Does Marrakech cater for all dietary preferences?
Marrakech is a meat eaters’ paradise, but there are plenty of options for vegetarians and vegans.
I was concerned that I’d spend my time in Marrakesh living off the delicious olives on sale in the souks because I am vegetarian. I am happy to tell you that that wasn’t the case, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to find good food.
There are a number of restaurants popping up that serve only vegetarian and vegan food. The choice of food on the menus in a lot of restaurants and cafes is steadily improving as tourism grows and more people are switching to a plant based diet.
One restaurant I highly recommend is La Famille. Run solely by women and in a pleasant outdoor setting. The food here is incredibly good. The menu is small and creative and changed daily to keep it exciting. The tables are large wooden tables and seat a number of people around them in the pretty and peaceful garden. It’s an outdoor restaurant with a small shop and very popular.
There are plenty of choices for non meat eaters on the menu in most restaurants and cafes around the medina. Sumptuous vegetable tagine, vegetable couscous, salads, and pasta dishes, to name just a few of the tasty options available for vegetarians and vegans.
I never have a problem sourcing tasty, beautifully prepared meals whilst staying in Marrakesh. The smaller cafes tucked away in the souks are slightly less accommodating, and you might not find vegetarian food being cooked by street food vendors.
In the more luxurious restaurants, there is a good variety of dishes on offer for vegetarians and vegans, and menus are imaginative and exciting.
For a snack whilst you are sightseeing, there is an abundance of freshly cooked seasonal vegetables and fruit for sale around the medina, which is mouth wateringly delicious. Lightly spiced olives and delicious pastries also make a wonderful alternative treat.
Harissa soup is also a huge favourite of mine. It’s available everywhere and deliciously tasty served with traditional Morroccan bread. There is also a popular soup made with white beans, which is a breakfast staple in Marrakech.
Some restaurants serve a healthy meat free brunch. I particularly enjoyed the avocado toast at La Ferme. It was beautifully presented, and a healthy, filling midday meal
The clock cafe in the kasbah does a really nice vegetable pastilla and has a few other interesting choices on the menu for vegetarians and vegans.
Please don’t put off visiting Marrakech because you consider it to be a meat eaters paradise only. By doing a little bit of research beforehand, you will find a good selection of fine restaurants and cafes serving great food that doesn’t use animal products. Both vegetable tagine and vegetable couscous are widely available if you want traditional Morroccan food.
A few restaurants that cater to vegetarians and vegans that I can recommend are;
. La Famille
. La Ferme
. Enjoy your meal
Veggie Lovers.
. Mandala Society.
. Broc The Kasbah.
Palais Donab also does a lovely vegetable tagine, and it’s a beautiful, tranquil place to have lunch or dinner.
I suggest writing down the names and addresses of restaurants you wish to try before travelling, including opening times. This will save wandering around in the heat, looking for places suitable for your dietary preferences. I always do this, and I also read the reviews before deciding. It helps me to plan my itinerary, and it’s helpful knowing the opening times and the addresses. A lot of restaurants also have food on the menu that is gluten-free. Most menus are displayed outside restaurants so that you can check. You could also look online before you travel.
Lastly, if you’re staying in an apartment, there are plenty of amazing markets in the medina selling a great variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to prepare your own meals with.
Bon appetite.
The Sound Of The Souks 