Sounds Of The Souks

Tag: places to eat Marrakech

An exploration of The Red City known as Marrakech.

  • Cafe Arabe.

    A popular restaurant where booking a table is recommended.

    Open air seating inside café Arabe

    Cafe Arabe is a popular destination for people looking for Italian and Morroccan cuisine.

    It is open all day serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    The open-air restaurant has a rooftop overlooking the medina and comfortable seating in the patio area.

    The incredible views of the sunset draw people in to enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop, and it gets booked up very quickly.

    I visited initially for a refreshing smoothie and a break from the intensity of the souks and the heat.

    We were given breadsticks and olives to accompany them at no extra charge.

    A  much needed respite from the heat and a refreshing, healthy smoothie.

    I enjoyed looking out over the rooftops of the medina whilst relaxing.

    There was no pressure to order something to eat, which was nice.

    I decided to book a meal for later in the evening because the vibe was good inside the restaurant and the food looked delicious.

    The view from one side of the restaurant to the other.

    One thing I particularly liked was the decor.

    The exotic green colour leading upstairs to the terrace is absolutely stunning.

    This was my favourite part of the restaurant, I could have sat here happily all afternoon.

    The bathroom is very clean and well maintained.

    The striking green colour on the way up to the terrace is beautiful.

    Returning later for a meal, it was incredibly busy, and the service was slower.

    There were people queuing to be seated and waiters rushing about trying to cope with the demand. 

    We ordered pizzas, which were very tasty.

    They took a long time to arrive, and we ended up having a few beers with olives whilst we waited.

    We would have liked a desert, but we didn’t have time to wait for their arrival, so we decided to try again another day when it’s less busy.

    We tried booking a table for the following evening but it was full.

    I would suggest booking a few days in advance as Cafe Arabe appears to be very popular with tourists in the medina.

    The prices are average considering the proximity to Jamaa El Fna, and the food was fairly decent.

    It was a little bit too busy for me, and not surprisingly, the waiters appeared to be slightly under pressure.

    There were a few discrepancies with my bill, which took ages to rectify. However, it didn’t spoil the overall enjoyment of our dining experience.

    I would certainly come back just for a cold beer and to watch the sunset on the rooftop.

    Cafe Arabe  is open daily from 10.00am-12.00am

    The address is,

    184 Rue Mouassine

    Marrakech 40000 Morocco

    I would recommend booking a table for around 6.00pm this is the best time to come before it gets too busy.

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  • Limoni Italian Restaurant.

    A little slice of Italy in Marrakesh

    Limoni italian restaurant is an excellent choice for diners who fancy a change from traditional Morroccan food.

    They serve both authentic Italian cuisine and traditional Morroccan food.

    The surroundings are incredibly pretty, with lemon and orange trees in the courtyard and lovely little lanterns hanging from them.

    There is also a rooftop area and outdoor seating.

    I chose a margarita pizza which was cooked to perfection. The base tasted really authentic.

    I had a tirimisu for dessert, and that was also delicious.

    At Limoni, they serve alcoholic beverages, including cocktails, wines, and spirits.

    We finished our meal with a limoncello to celebrate our wonderful trip to Marrakech.

    A toast to good health and happiness.

    There is a fireplace for cooler evenings during the winter months and outdoor seating.

    It is recommended to book as the restaurant can get busy.

    The address is,

    40 Rue Diour Saboun

    Marrakech 40000 Morrocco

    Limoni Italian restaurant is suitable for people with limited mobility and wheelchair users.

    They also have vegetarian and vegan options available on the menu.

    They do excellent pasta dishes, and apparently, the camel hamburger is quite popular.

    All the meals are reasonably priced and have good value for money.

    The courtyard inside Pepe Nero.

    It was a nice dining experience at Limoni. Although it was quite busy, it felt intimate and  relaxed without being pretentious.

    From the outside, it appears rather unassuming.

    Once you enter inside, it is spacious and inviting.

    At the moment, it is temporarily closed.

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  • Kabana Rooftop Bar.

    Kabana Rooftop Bar is a lively, popular place serving a wide range of cocktails and other alcoholic beverages.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    They also have a good selection of dishes on the menu to suit all palates.

    You enter the bar via steps, and from the road, it looks rather unassuming.

    Entrance to Kabana rooftop bar.

    Once inside, it’s tastefully decorated with lanterns hanging everywhere and music playing on a large television screen.

    It’s a very busy venue, and booking is essential to be guaranteed a seat.

    The bar is huge, and you can either sit inside or outside, where most people prefer to hang out.

    Selection of alcoholic beverages at the bar.

    I took my son for his birthday meal and he chose the steak. He said it was cooked to perfection.

    Other people had mixed reviews, saying waiting times were long and that it was pricey for food and drinks.

    The food is Mediterranean inspired, and they also have a sushi menu.

    It was always full, and on the occasions we simply visited for cocktails, we couldn’t always be guaranteed a seat on the rooftop for a cocktail.

    However, after waiting for approximately 30 minutes inside the bar area, we eventually got a place.

    There is table service.

    The unisex bathroom is a treat,  beautifully decorated, modern, and traditional.

    Kabana rooftop bar seems to be one of the more popular places for drinks in the medina and lacked authenticity for me.

    The surroundings were nice with plenty of greenery, and the lanterns looked very pretty after dark.

    There is a view of Koutoubia Mosque from the rooftop, but it’s slightly shielded because drinking alcohol with the Mosque in full view is prohibited in Islamic culture.

    View of Koutoubia Mosque.

    Kabana rooftop bar has a very cosmopolitan vibe, attracting all age groups.

    It is situated at the gate of the medina and open daily from,

    11.00am-2.00am

    They play DJ sets, and it’s a  vibrant setting with a more relaxed dress code.

    It is not an intimate place for a romantic meal, in my opinion, and I found it difficult to have a conversation amidst the crowds of people and loud music.

    However, there are plenty of traditional, authentic places in the medina to dine out if you prefer a quieter environment.

    Kabana is a cocktail bar similar to the places in the new town, with the same energy but within walking distance for those people staying in the medina.

    It’s definitely worth a visit.

    The address is,

    Kissariat Ben Khalid R’mila,

    1 Rue Fatima Zahra,

    40000 Marrakech Morocco.

    A refreshing cocktail inside the Kabana rooftop bar.
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  • Palais Dar Donab.

    A beautiful, calm environment serving authentic Morroccon food.

    Courtyard of Palais Dar Donab/image Freebird Tracey.

    Palais Dar Donab is a special treat.

    The scent of orange blossom fills the air, and the sound of birds chirping gives a sense of peace and tranquillity whilst dining here.

    This was one of my favourite places to visit and I absolutely loved it here.

    I visited several times, sometimes for a glass of wine during the afternoon and a welcome break from sightseeing.

    Image Freebird Tracey.

    The menu is extensive with food to suit most palates.

    They serve a decent selection of excellent wines and beers.

    I was very satisfied with the quality of food and enjoyed each meal I had in this fine restaurant.

    The vegetable tagine was one of the tastiest I tried in Marrakesh, and the delicious smoothies were all beautifully presented.

    Vegetable tagine with bread and olives.

    Palais Dar Donab is a high-end riad, where guests and visitors alike are welcome to come in and enjoy a quiet break from the busy medina.

    As you relax in the calm, tranquil surroundings, you never feel rushed.

    The gentle sound of the leaves on the trees and the trickling water make dining here a very pleasant experience.

    They are open for lunch aswell as dinner.

    The restaurant is set around a large pool and citrus trees, making it the perfect place for a nice rest.

    Relaxing on the comfortable couches and admiring the intricate craftsmanship inside is a nice way to pass an hour or so.

    I highly recommend trying Palais Dar Donab, not just for the quality of the food and friendly service, but for the peaceful atmosphere.

    You come away feeling recharged and de-stressed.

    You are ready to head back out into Jamaa El Fna and the souks again..

    Enjoying a moment of quiet contemplation.

    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 cards.

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  • Zeitoune Cafe.

    Situated in Jamaa El Fna, Zeitoune cafe is the perfect place for a bite to eat.

    The views from the balcony overlook the square, and it’s fun watching the daily activities take place whilst having a spot of lunch.

    The food here was incredibly good, with large portions and varied and interesting choices on the menu.

    The smoothies were gorgeous.

    I enjoyed a hearty salad for lunch and the strawberry smoothie. Also, the obligatory olives are always welcome.

    The lamb tagine with dried fruits was a  popular choice amongst diners.

    They serve excellent breakfasts with refreshing juices and good coffee, all reasonably priced.

    Delicious pancakes at Zeitoune Cafe.

    Zeitoune is in a strategic location, offering great views, and the service is very good.

    They are open all day until 1.00 am. and serve good cocktails.

    They do not accept reservations, so it’s first come, first served.

    They also accept card payments.

    There are vegetarian and vegan options available.

    There are steps up to the balcony and upper floors, but for people with limited mobility, there is outdoor seating available.

    Zeitoune Cafes’ address is,

    107 Place Jamaa El Fnaa

    40000 Morocco

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  • 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
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