Seafood
by iwys
Essaouira is a great place for every type of seafood, ranging for sardines to lobsters. I must say I never rated sardines much until I came here, but the ones served at Chez Sam are delicious.
You can see the fishing boats bringing in their catch in the harbour, then see it being sold in the fish souk and, finally, go to one of the fish grill foodstalls or restaurants to eat it.
Sunday market at Had Daraa
by pep2
Sundays there is a big market in a small town near Essaouira, Had Daraa. It is really a fine experience to spend a day visiting !
To get to Had Daraa you can take a grand taxi from the place beside the bus-station, it will cost you about 10 dh (1euro). Normally there will be 5 - 6 passengers sharing the taxi.
In the market you will find, in different places, donkeys, dromedaries, cows, sheep and a lot of other things --- and it is rather interesting to see, what is going on -- and nice, just to enjoy the atmosphere.
There are a lot of small restaurants in tents, where you can have a nice lunch for a very reasonable price. All included it might be something like 15 dh (1,5 euro) for one person.
Freshest Seafood Ever
by Underjules about Fish Grills along the Port
If you want REALLY fresh (watch the fisherman bring them in that morning) seafood, head to the fish vendors along the port.
They let you pick out your catch and then prepare it for you right there.
Sit on picnic tables, breath in the sea air and enjoy! The crab was great. As was the shrimp and everything else we ordered.
The Harbour
by khalid_2
Essaouira’s history as a maritime trading center dates back to the time of Hanno, a Carthaginian Admiral circa 465 B.C.
The harbor sits on the jetty that stretches from the beginning of Avenue Okba Ibn Nafi.
To reach it, you pass the customs house or you lead through the Marine door, which was built in 1764.
The area around the harbor is one of the liveliest in Essaouira. In the afternoon the activity reaches a frenzy, as the fishermen return to unload their catch.
Arrive around 4pm and, with a bit of bargaining, you can bring home some of the day’s catch for yourself. There is also a fish auction in the late morning. In June, the sardine fishery opens in Essaouira.
Perhaps the most fascinating is to watch the fishermen at their craft. Seeing them building their boats or repairing their nets makes you feel like time has stopped.
Heading back towards the medina, you will find a number of open-air restaurants that serve seafood grilles over hot embers.
They are open from midday to sunset everyday.
visit or eat at the fishmarket grills
by angiebabe
just immediately southwest of the medina or town centre heading for the port you will see the numerous stalls each with its number geared up to feed the hungry - with fresh fish and seafood tantalising and almost picturesquely arranged right in front of you - you can see and choose what you want.
There are easy to signs at the entrance of each walk way taking you along the stalls telling you that a fish and seafood meal can be cooked for 60 dirham per person.
I guess when we compare that to our western prices thats a really good deal for friesh fish and seafood - but like i said to the guy we used to regularly sit and have a huge platter for 2 at 33 dirham each - 66 dirham for two people with almost too much food!
but anyway at least the tourists are protected with clear signs of set prices and the fish is supposedly as fresh as it can be!
and right there in the hive of activity of the Essaouira fishmarkets and port!