This unassuming restaurant cafe in the medina is undoubtedly one of the most popular amongst the locals in Marrakech.
The Guardian voted it one of the 10 best places to eat in the medina.
From the outside, it doesn’t look all that inviting, but the food is entirely another story.
There are a number of tagines on the menu, and most diners come just to sample those.
Choose from rabbit, fish, meat, or vegetarian options. They’re all cooked to perfection by the well-known and respected friendly chef.
This lively little restaurant has almost become an institution. It’s not just a meal. It’s an experience.
For travellers on a budget, the food here is cheap but not at the expense of its quality.
Upstairs, there is a small rooftop terrace overlooking the lively alleyways of the souk.
It is opposite Chez Bismillah Sand Coffee and impossible to miss with its colourful and quirky interior.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Somehow, Terrace Bakchich has managed to retain its authenticity amidst the growing tide of tourism.
It is not fancy. The food speaks for itself.
If you’re looking for good food in an environment that is charming, rustic, and cosy, this place is for you.
The experience of eating with the locals is the best way to get to know the culture of the city.
Terrace Bakchich is close to the vegetable and fruit markets, so ingredients are always bound to be fresh.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
With the most expensive dish on the menu being only 150 dirhams, eating here is kind to the pocket, leaving more money to spend on the wonderful things in the souks.
The restaurant accepts cash only, so make sure you have some if you’re thinking of visiting.
The location is 294 Rue Talaa Marrakech, and opening times are 10.00am until 10.00pm daily.
A few suggestions for healthier options than sweets and pastries.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Imagine walking around the medina, and you fancy something to tickle your tastebuds.
It’s too early for lunch or dinner, but you fancy a snack, something other than sweets and pastries.
Marrakech is full of street vendors selling delicious things, some you may know, some you may not be so familiar with.
Cactus fruit is commonly seen peeled and displayed on carts around the medina in Marrakech.
Cactus fruit or prickly pear is a popular, spiky, sweet treat in season from July to September.
The vibrantly coloured fruit is nutritious, refreshing, and packed with antioxidants.
Eating cactus fruit is a great way to hydrate. It’s juicy and full of vitamin C.
You can pick one up for 1 dirham, making them a great snack for travellers on a tight budget.
If you haven’t tried one before, I would give them a go.
They are absolutely delicious and a cheap, healthy alternative to sweets.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Nuts are central to Moroccan cuisine, and there’s a good variety available, including walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and peanuts.
Souk Kchacha in the medina is the best place to buy quality nuts.
Vendors in the main square also sell packets of mixed nuts in various flavours.
They are absolutely delicious and the perfect snack to take sightseeing or to fill a gap before your next meal.
Nuts can be filling and calorific, so bare that in mind.
Once you pop, you might not stop.
The problem for me was choosing which ones to buy from the huge variety on sale. Luckily, I was able to taste them before I purchased any.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
There are plenty of shops selling nuts all around the medina in Marrakech.
One I also recommend is Marche aux Espices in Tinsmiths Square, open from 9.00am until 8.00pm.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
Fruit is everywhere in Marrakesh, colourful, mouthwatering, fresh fruit all around the medina.
There is a fruit and vegetable market where the locals shop called Market el Kheir,if you want an authentic experience of buying fresh produce.
Its location is M233+FQG AV Ibn, Marrakech.
It closes at 11.00pm, and everything is fresh with a lively, bustling atmosphere.
There are carts all around the medina selling a wonderful variety of fruit, and Jamaa El Fna is abundant with fruit sellers plying their trade.
Image by Freebird Tracey.
One thing you really ought to try when you come to Marrakech are the dates.
Dates are a staple in Marrakech, with the most popular being the large sweet variety called Medjool and the popular Boufeggous, highly regarded by the local population.
Medjool dates, also known as ‘The King of Dates’, have a caramel like flavour and soft texture.
They are mainly grown in the Tafilalet region of Morocco and are rich in potassium, fibre, and energy.
So, if you’re flagging from all the walking and sightseeing, they’re the ideal pick me up.
The most common location for purchasing dates is from vendors in Jamaa El Fnaa or in the medina.
They are considered safe to eat but get them packaged if you’re taking them home to avoid issues with customs at the airport.
I was pleasantly surprised by the soft fleshy texture and the size of the dates in Marrakech.
They tasted really fresh, completely different from the ones I’ve had back home.
I was so impressed that I purchased some to bring back with me.
On average, at the time of writing, dates average at about MAD 99.57 and MAD 248.92 per kilogram.
Fruits still contain natural sugar, so moderate snacking is advisable for obtaining optimum health.
The Sound Of The Souks 