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 Place Djema el Fna by aaaarrgh
The name translates as "Dead Men's Square", but this was not because of the quality of the food!!
There are dozens of stalls, surrounded by tables and benches. The vendors are very imaginative and entertaining in the ways they try and encourage you to eat at THEIR tables.
But everyone seems to sell the same thing - kebabs, fish, meat, cous-cous, soft drinks, water etc. Our strategy was to try and find a stall which seemed to be popular with Morocans. But of course, as soon as we sat down, the number of Europeans grew!
The food was fine! As long as the food is freshly cooked and hot then it should be OK.
We found that the 'waiter' tried to give us every dish available, whether we asked for it or not. So we ended up trying a bit of everything. If you want to eat cheaply, I guess you will have to be firm but polite.
Don't forget the fresh orange juice stalls too. Perfect for the evening heat. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: Place Djema el FnaDirections: Centre of the city - everyone ends up there - near the Koutoubia Mosque tower.
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Places I DO NOT recommend:
*Le Pavillon- We read in Lonely Planet that Le Pavillon was one of the best restaurants with great ambiance; everyone ranted and raved about it. So when we got there (it was in a weird part of town) we were led to the courtyard for dinner. I was not very impressed with the place at all. Granted, there were candles and trees but still, the simple Riad I was staying in had better ambiance. Furthermore, the food wasn’t even that good. One of the dishes we had was like a slice of Pizza, but only WORSE and at 16.00 Euros!! The food was nothing special; I actually enjoyed my $0.80 salad at Chez Chegrouni alot more!! At the end of the night the bill came out to 80 euros for 2 appetizers and one entree; We didn’t even order wine. I was very displeased with the food and atmosphere. This place is totally overrated.
Places I recommend:
*Le Marrakachi- Very cute and trendy romantic restaurant overlooking the square. Great food. Bottle of wine and nice dinner for two for 60 euros.
*Chez Chegrouni- Nice, simple, but delicious restaurant overlooking Djemma el-Fna. Very cheap. Lunch for 2: 8 euros.
*Cafe Arabe- Nice, trendy, modern atmosphere. International cuisine, which is a nice break from Moroccan food. Relatively priced about 15 euros per plate.
*Hotel Ali- Tired the lunch buffet, had the spaghetti pomodoro which was DELICIOUS with real spices for 8 euros per person
*Riad Tamsna- Lonely Planet described this place as achingly stylish and it´s true. The moment you walk in, you are stunned at how beautiful this place really is. Kind of hidden away, you need to get detailed directions or just ask someone, this place is very nice and the food was great. Very romantic and nice atmosphere. Food relatively priced 19 Euros per plate.
*Cafe Argana- Food was just okay, nothing great. The service was sooo slow and they weren’t the friendliest. but they always let you use the restroom. The ice cream downstairs is really delicious and highly recommended. Theme: French
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 table 42 by jo-allyn
The servers here was infectious with their enthusiasm. There is a great competition in the square between all the tables, to attrack "eaters" The food has to be delicious and the food providers have to be entertainers. Table 42 was the best at both!
the crispy shrimp and delicious grilled eggplant Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: least expensiveAddress: table 42, jemaa el fna square marrakechPhone: say hello to bryan
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 1 of the groups that went from
table to table by girladventure
Waiters and waitresses dressed in their own tribal costumes also work as entertainers.
The food is plenty! They serve harira (soup) roasted lamb, or mechoui, vegetable-topped couscous, fruit, pastries and mint tea.
All throughout the dinner, various folklore groups pass through the tents and tables dancing, singing and animating the evening. For sure, if you want a quiet dinner, this will not be the place.
The highlight of the evening comes at the end of your meal when everyone had to move from their tables, sit down on a wooden bench around a large corral in the center of Chez Ali. Charging horsemen in their display of old tribal power with shouts and firing of rifles as the pull their horses to a halt. Then follows the horseback acrobatics, a belly dancer and then up in the night sky Sheherazade and her prince fly to the stars on their magic carpet, as around them fireworks explode.
A bit touristy but worth it!! I went there a couple years ago and we paid I think $40 or $45/person. Leave a Comment
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We had barely had time to drop off our bags at Riad Hamza when Ahmed suggested we might be hungry. In fact, I was ravenous and so we decided to accept Ahmed's offer of finding us a place to dine for the evening, particularly in light of his success at finding us a beautiful place to stay.
We walked back onto the main street and followed Ahmed's nimble silhouette to Riad Omar. The entrance and halls were similar to our accommodation's but on a larger scale. We were surprised to be shown to the terrace despite the pouring rain, but a marquee style canopy protected a luxuriously upholstered dining area from the elements. The terrace was crowded with French and Moroccan diners and we chose a corner couch with a discreet view of the room. There was no music but the constant cheery chatter gave the restaurant a lively atmosphere.
Looking at the menu, Ahmed helpfully selected two meals that we should try. I noticed they came in boxes with five lines each seeming to end in a separate dish - a five course meal...EACH??? Ahmed assured us the portions were small and his suggestion would be perfect for us. We must have looked hungry!
I know this sounds daft, but I must mention the toilets! They have the dearest little open air entrance with wash basin leading onto cubicles with swing-shutter doors that lock with huge iron bolts!
Due to the lack of alcohol at Riad Omar, Jonathan had started to sober up fast and it was lucky that several feline visitors kept his mind off his hangover. Thus we began the longest meal of our lives!
The five course set menus cost 250 dirhams each and could feed an army! Our evening commenced with cold salad dishes and bread. Spiced carrots, olives and pasta all featured and also very sweet honeyed dates which I found peculiar at the beginning of a meal. The next course was tagines of lamb and chicken which were beautifully prepared and presented. The lamb tagine was cooked with chicken livers which are a favourite of mine and Jonathan's.
Couscous was served next with many different root vegetables to compliment it. I found this quite bland but satisfying after the spicy tagines. A huge basket a fruit was brought to the table once the couscous was cleared. At this point we were beginning to feel uncomfortably full and then melon was soothing and refreshing. A word to the wise - don't fill up on that bread in the first course or you will explode!
When the mint tea was finally served we couldn't even look at the sweet pastries that accompanied it! Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: US$21-30 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: Rue Riad Zitoun El KedimDirections: Straight down the road from Djemma El-Fna, just before you get to The Tazi.
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 My afternoon tea @ La Mamounia by suvanki
This 'legendary' hotel was built on the site of an 18th century palace of Sultan Mohammed 111, opening as a hotel in 1923, it gained a reputation as THE place to stay in Marrakesh for the rich and famous of that era. Politicians, film stars and artists have resided here over the years, its most notable guest being Winston Churchill.
The 17 acre gardens surround this de luxe hotel (see my must see tips for more info)
The hotel is open from 1000-1600 for non residents, and is worth a look around. No shorts or other 'unsuitable' attire allowed entrance!
The Bar Soleil is a pleasant place to enjoy a drink or snack. It was just warm enough to sit out and enjoy the late afternoon winter sun, and is quite peaceful.
I was intending to have a gin fizz (120 dh) but realised I didn't have enough money on me for a drink and food.
Flag beer was 40dh (I was paying 15dh at my hotel) So I opted for Mint Tea (40dh) and a plate of Moroccan pastries(120dh)
The pastries were nice and the Mint Tea came in a larger pot than I'd been offered previously, but you're paying for the location etc. Leave a Comment Theme: OtherPrice: US$11-20 » Currency ConverterComparison: most expensiveAddress: La Mamounia, Ave Houmane el FetoukiPhone: 044 444409Directions: See my must see tip for directionsWebsite: www.mamounia.com Other Contact: fax 044 444660
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I visited this place after reading recommendations from other VTers. Good for cheap, good basic food.
My first visit, I had a tasty bowl of Harrira soup with bread for 8dh!
The food was lovely, but the service was VERY slow- I thought it was because I was a female on my own, but then realised everyone else was having to wait.
My second visit, I was with a friend I'd met during our tour. We both had tagines, which again were hot tasty filling and cheap. Mine was a chicken tagine with almonds and sultanas-Mmmmmmm!
My 3rd visit I had another tagine plus an avocado juice, which came sweetened.
I'd read on VT and in LP that the quirk of this place was that you wrote your order on the paper napkins, then this was returned as your bill. I'm afraid that I didn't see this happen.
Popular place with locals, Moroccan holiday makers and tourists- the front terrace was always full, so I sat inside - there was a fan overhead. There is an upper terrace too, but I didn't get to see this part.
The Tagines were hot, tasty and cheap- starting at 30dh for vegetable tagine, 50dh for beef or chicken tagines, (2006) Delicious bread to mop up the juices.
Avocado juice was a pleasant alternative to orange juice - something that I'd not tried before, but will look out for it again. Leave a Comment Theme: LocalPrice: less than US$10 » Currency ConverterComparison: less expensive than averageAddress: 4-6 Djemma El Fnaa, MarrakechDirections: Djemma El Fnaa, with the Bank-Al Maghrib behind you (the fancy building) walk along the right hand side of the square. Pass by the Cafe de France and La Marrakechi and You should see Chez Chagrouni.
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 by mafi_moya
It's a bit higher class than most of the local cafes - the waiters even wear shirt and tie. The meal was the most expensive I had in Morocco at about 10 dollars. Now if the food is great then I don't mind paying that bit extra but here it was very disappointing. In fact as well as the most expensive it was probably also the worst meal I had - not just worst value but worst for taste. The cous cous was extremely bland and the chicken was flavourless. Even the fresh orange juice wasn't that good, despite it being about 20 times the price on the stalls outside. And it was supposed to be a last night treat as well! Leave a Comment Theme: LocalComparison: more expensive than averageDirections: In the northwest corner of Djemaa el-Fna, above an ice cream parlour (which is much better by the way!)
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 Mint Tea by suvanki
Whether served in a glass, or from a silver pot, this refreshing drink has to be tried at least once. Mint tea is often offered by shopkeepers during the haggling process.
Chinese green tea, fresh spearmint (nanaa) leaves and sugar are infused in boiling water.
Berber pharmacies sell bags of dried mint and green tea to try at home.
I like my tea black and sweet, but some find it too sweet - just request your tea to be served shwiya sukkar for a less sweetened version.
The tea will often be poured from a height by your waiter to ensure a frothy top! Often the first poured glass is returned to the pot to 'improve' the brew.
Although not traditionally drank with meals, it is considered a digestive.
I had no problems with my stomach during my week, which might have been thanks to the copious amounts of mint tea I drank!
I got quite addicted to Mint tea, while in Marrakesh! I'll be growing lots of mint in my garden this year so I can enjoy this refreshing drink. Although I drank it hot in Marrakesh, I think I'll be making iced versions for summer.
Prices varied, Apart from many free glasses I was offered, I think the cheapest I paid was 7dh, the most expensive was 40dh at La Mamounia! Leave a Comment
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