Cafés, Marrakesh

Situated opposite the Koutoubia Mosque - hence its' name!

Quite a pleasant cafe, with comfy wicker/rattan chairs and tables.

I stopped by for my mint tea fix, after a morning wandering around the nearby Cyber park, then the Ensemble Artisan.

I'm not sure if any food is served here, I didn't see anyone eating. The cafe is very popular with tourists who appeared to all be relaxing over a cooling drink - which appeared to all be non alcoholic.

It's a good place for people spotting, as this is one of Marrakeshes busiest areas.
I was here on Friday mid day, as the call to prayer reverberated all around. Afterwards, hundreds of men streamed out of the Koutoubia Mosque, rushing back to their work etc.

The only downside is that the fumes from the continual stream of traffic can sometimes be a problem.

Favorite Dish: I had a pot of mint tea - Very refreshing!

The Cafe is located next to Djemaa-Al-Fna square, opposite the Souk entrance. The roof terrace gives superb views on the Djemaa al Fnaa square as the evening spectacles unfold. Consummation is obligatory, but they don`t mind if you just sip a mint tea, take some photos, and then leave. The food is OK and really cheap (a filling chicken coscous for just 50 Dirham), but the service is lousy and orders can take some time. The waiters rather chat amongst themselves than take orders.

Favorite Dish: Chicken Couscous

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We ended up in this cafe every day, if not or lunch then for a cold drink and snack to hide from burning sun.
Cafe was tended to by young local people. The food was somewhat western, but with the local twist and local ingredients.
We usually had great refreshing salad, coffee, ice cold water, and orange juice.
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From the cafe we could watch little market with it's bustling life and "funny" tourists walking in large groups behind lady holding a stick, umbrella or any other object high in the air..... hm...

Favorite Dish: Salad was really good and erfreshing.

The Restaurant l'Etoile à Marrakech is yes a restaurant, but I guess it is more popular as a tea-room. It's just off Djema el Fnaa and has quite a nice decor inside - art deco, actually. Considering its location, it's frequented mostly by local people rather than tourists, which is normally a good sign.

Favorite Dish: We went there after dinner, in search of a mohallabia - and it was the only place where we found it near Djema el fnaa. Quite good mohallabia and delicious mint tea. Service is slow, don't go there if you are in a hurry.

This cafe on a small square next to the carpet souk has a terrace downstairs and on the roof. Great views, great place to stop for a drink at the regular touristprices (10 dh for tea or a softdrink). However, beware the sandwiches! Especially the 'vegetariana' is bad value at 40 dh for a dry piece of bread with a scraping of avocado and two slices of tomato. No really - nothing else included.
If you are hungry, walk for another 5 minutes until you reach the Jmaa el Fna and have a nice tajine, couscous or omelet at Chez Chegrouni, for the same price.

Favorite Dish: A Coca cola with rooftop views.

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This cafe was right on Derma El Fna and it was few story high. You have a great view from the deck at front of the cafe as well as from the last front.
People go to this cafe for the views and photo opportunities ( you can zoom in from the top floor on anything you want for free), or because they don't know any better. There are also people who follow the lady with the stick, umbrella or any other object held high......yeah...

The service, food, and prices are tourist oriented. The place is easy to find and it will feed you if you are hungry.
I am not recommending this place, but I also don't think you shouldn't go there. It is what it is. If you will get the table in the first raw on the deck or the last floor, it will make out for touristy food and you will be satisfied.

Favorite Dish: Oh, and we met few people who enjoyed the food......but yet.... we enjoyed the street vendors.....

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This place is firstly one of Marrakech's most famous or best regarded patisseries - (which is also what I like to check out when Ive visited places around Morocco) - been here a number of times and with my local connection without the influence of it being recommended in my copy of the Lonely Planet - and secondly a cafe -

with a nice sitting area out the back for a safe haven of peace away from the hustle and stressful bustle of the area! Prices for coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice - especially considering delicious orange juice is available a few minutes away at the main square Djma elFna for only 3 dirham - are a little dearer than elsewhere but its still a great price by any european standards - eg a grande noss-noss and a large orange juice together for 21 dirham is not bad being only £1.30 with a nice place to sit to relax as my breakfast before the rush off to my morning flight!

Coffee in Morocco is generally another wonder that I enjoy Morocco for - it almost always just tastes so much nicer than coffee anywhere back in the UK!probably comparable with most coffees that Ive enjoyed around Spain, France and Italy. Usually Ive ordered it as 'noss-noss' which is still milky enough but stronger with half the milk of usual coffee.

Favorite Dish: Famous for its patisseries - you can buy a pastry or something to eat there and then or you can dabble in the mouthwatering selections of little biscuits and cakes sold by weight ie price per 100g or per kilogram - which will be placed into whatever appropriate sized box and nicely wrapped with a ribbon which can make nice gifts to take home or if visiting family or friends in Morocco so you could get a number of boxes made up if you wish. - and one for you to eat while you travel around!?

(I will have to hunt out my sources to remind myself how the cost is on average and add this later)

And the coffee though there are a multitude of places around the area that serve just as good coffee at same or cheaper prices.

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Situated on the square, this cafe provides a relaxing escape from the heat of the afternoon & the crowds of the evening. Hot & cold drinks & snacks can be bought here, the view from the balcony is free as long as a purchase has been made. It also allows you to take some of the best aerial shots of Marrakesh.

Favorite Dish: The menu includes various dishes from local food to a standard pizza.