It is the first Moroccan tea house in marrakech, serving 12 teas from the 12 areas of Morrocco.
Set inside a former riad, it is a beautiful place to come and sample the 12 delicious teas on offer, along with modern oriental cakes.
There is table service, and the food is nicely presented, tasty, and varied.
There is a selection of light snacks to accompany your choice of tea available on the menu also.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
The name 1112 signifies the date 1700 in the gregorian calendar and is etched into the wooden ceiling of the riad.
The riad was beautifully restored by a morroccan family who have been renowned for their expertise in the restoration of such properties since the 1990s.
The architecture is beautiful. Wooden ceilings, intricate tile work, and exotic plants make it a delightful environment for sitting and reflecting on the past history of the importance of tea in Morrocco.
There are interesting facts about the introduction of tea into Morocco and a shop selling nicely packaged tea if you’re looking for a gift to take home with you.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
1112 has a nice rooftop.
After exploring the museum, it is worthwhile taking a look around this exquisite riad and savouring the whole experience.
Images by Freebird Tracey.
Situated close to Ben Youssef, the address is;
12 Place De La Kissariat, Ben Youssef,
Marrakech.
They are open for breakfast and lunch.
What a lovely way to begin the day, or take a peaceful break from exploring the busy medina..
Helpful ideas if you want to visit Marrakech on a shoestring.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Visiting Marrakech doesn’t have to break the bank
In fact, Morrocco is a relatively cheap country to visit in comparison to many others.
It’s all about careful planning and putting together the right itinerary for your trip before you go.
I have compiled a few ideas and suggestions to help you enjoy your trip without having to spend a ridiculous amount of cash.
1.
Book your flight early.
The earlier you book, the cheaper it is. Download an airline app and keep an eye on the cost of flights. Book out of season when it’s less busy.
2.
If you book your accommodation directly through the riad or hotel, it is often much cheaper.
3.
Use public transport in Marrakech. The buses are an excellent way to get a taste of local life. They are extremely cheap and reliable. The price is set, and you will avoid being privy to scams from the local taxi drivers.
4.
Marrakech is a bustling metropolis with so much going on around the main square. Consider spending time with a pot of traditional mint tea and observing the spectacle from a rooftop. You won’t be disappointed. The sights, sounds, and smells will keep you entertained for ages.
5.
Visit the wonderful Koutoubia Mosque gardens. The mosque is out of bounds for non Muslims. However, the gardens are absolutely delightful and free to visit. Consider picking up a few delicious snacks such as Baclava cake and a sugar cane juice and sitting in the beautiful garden. Despite its proximity to the chaos of Jamaa El Fna, it is peaceful. It’s especially lovely during the evening when the lights come on.
6.
There are plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants which are great value for money.
Henna Art Cafe is superb and has a very pretty interior( see my separate article about Henna Art Cafe). I have eaten here numerous times and highly recommend the food.
Cafe des Espices is also excellent if you’re prepared to wait for seating. The views are great from the rooftop, and I particularly love their choice of salads.
Street food is another option and very popular amongst tourists. Check how busy places are to get an idea of the quality of food being served.
Consider trying the delicious sweets and pastries for sale inside the souks.
7.
Try a public hammam.
I have a separate post describing what a hammam is, and it’s a must do if you’re visiting Marrakech.
Public baths are very cheap in comparison to the more upmarket ones and the best way to experience the local culture.
You can purchase black soap and other essentials for taking in with you in the souks for pennies.
8.
Visit the souks. This is by far the most exciting part of any trip to Marrakech.
Experience the colour and the lively atmosphere as people haggle with the locals for a bargain.
You may get lost in the maze, but that’s all part of the fun. You will find your way out eventually.
There are souks for many different things, and you will see incredible artisans at work crafting all kinds of things.
9.
Visit the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and see the Bab Mellah spice market. It’s an assault on the senses discovering all the different spices and their fragrances. You may be offered mint tea whilst you are given a lesson on what each spice is used for. It’s very educational, and to purchase a couple of things is fairly cheap.
10.
Walk around the Kasbah. This is where you will experience the more authentic part of Marrakech. There are more locals here and they are very friendly. It’s a way to feel the more authentic side of Marrakech, and there are some nice spots to grab a coffee and people watch.
11.
Visit Cyber Parc, Arsat Moulay Abdeslam. This is a very well maintained place with beautiful native trees and plants. Relax for an hour or so in this peaceful environment away from the chaotic busy medina. Listen to the birds singing and read the interesting facts dotted about here and there.
12.
Take a 25-minute walk or the number 16 bus from the medina to Gueliz. Wonder around the upmarket boutiques and stores on Mohammed V Avenue and see how modernity and ancient coexist in harmony together in Marrakech.
13.
Spend some time in Tinsmiths Square. This is a less touristic square than Jamaa El Fnaa, and there is plenty to see going on. There are budget friendly cafes and restaurants and plenty of souvenir shops.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Marrakech is a walkable city, and you can spend many an hour wandering about discovering what makes Marrakech so magical.
It’s a destination that is great for everyone, including those on a tight budget.
With some careful planning, you can put together an exciting itinerary and have a truly wonderful experience.
After the painstakingly long queues at the airport, you finally arrive at your riad.
At this point, you’re feeling lightly overwhelmed and dishevelled.
The manager of the riad gives you the warmest welcome and guides you into the beautiful courtyard.
You sit down on the colourful cushions, listening to the gentle sound of the trickling water from the fountain and smell the fragrance of blossom on the trees.
Slowly, you begin to unwind.
The manager reappears with an ornate teapot with colourful glasses on a tray, accompanied by a dish of fresh olives.
The tea is poured, holding the teapot higher and higher.
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.
You watch with amazement as the tea finds its way perfectly into the little glasses without a single drop spilling out.
It takes practice to perfect pouring tea from such a height, I have tried and failed miserably.
Video by Freebird Tracey.
The aroma from the fresh mint leaves begins to fill the air around you.
Soon, you are feeling refreshed and accustomed to your new surroundings.
After you have drank your sweet tea and eaten the delicious fresh olives, the panic of trying to locate the riad and queues at the airport disappear as if by magic.
The image of Google Maps not working and dragging your luggage through narrow alleyways crammed with tourists starts to become a distant memory.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Mint tea is served everywhere in Marrakech.
It’s a refreshing drink that the locals enjoy as they sit inside cafes chatting with their friends.
I highly recommend 1112 Moroccan Tea House. They serve wonderful tea, and there is a room telling you all about the history of the tea.
It’s situated inside a beautiful riad, and it’s the first Moroccan tea house in Marrakech.
I’ve also written a separate article about 1112 Moroccan Tea House.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Drinking mint tea is a central part of Moroccan social life.
The name for mint tea is ‘atay’ in Moroccan darija
It is known by the locals as ‘Morroccan Whisky’
Image by Freebird Tracey.
The tea is made using gunpowder green tea and fresh mint leaves, and it is often sweetened with sugar cubes before serving.
If you find it a bit too sweet, ask to have the sugar cubes separately.
That way, you have control over how sweet it is.
Fresh mint is displayed on market stalls all around the medina, and the strong aroma is evident when you walk past.
You can purchase the ornate tea glasses in the souks, along with the traditional teapots, they make the perfect gift for taking home with you.
Make sure to wrap them well as they are quite delicate and can break easily.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Moroccan mint tea has many health benefits.
It improves digestion, helps to improve oral health, is a natural decongestant, and provides antioxidants that support good mental well-being, skincare, and alertness.
Sipping mint tea overlooking the lively square from a rooftop is a nice way to experience Marrakech.
Sounds Of The Souks 