Where to Eat & Drink in Rabat: A Local Expert’s Guide
Rabat is UNESCO’s World Book Capital for 2026, home to 54 publishing houses, the third-largest publishing fair in Africa, and a thriving independent bookshop scene that reflects the city’s thoughtful, intellectual pace.
It’s also a capital on the rise. A flurry of new hotel openings — including the Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and the Waldorf Astoria Rabat (opened January 2026) — has quietly positioned Rabat as Morocco’s most refined city break.
Morocco’s confident but understated capital appeals to travellers who prefer fewer crowds, walkable neighbourhoods, and a seamless blend of modern life and deep history. And perhaps most underrated of all is Rabat’s food scene: regional Moroccan cooking preserved with care, alongside diplomatic-era elegance, design-led dining, and ambiance in neighbourhood restaurants.
Here’s my current guide to the best food and drink experiences in Rabat, from street food to palace-level dining. Please note, I have yet to visit all of these. I have them on my wishlist, and many come recommended by friends or colleagues in the city. Be sure to check opening times on the weblinks below. If you are looking for somewhere to stay in Rabat, check out this ‘Where to stay in Rabat’ blog, and for some of my favourite things to do in Rabat, read here.
🌯 Rabat Street Food
Thanks to its Atlantic coastline, Rabat has some of the best seafood in Morocco. Expect grilled sardines, fried calamari, and shrimp sandwiches layered with chermoula (fresh herbs, garlic, lemon, warm spices), harissa, and preserved lemon.
Follow the queues in the Medina, the Ocean District, and around Marché Centrale. One of my favourite discoveries is a humble sandwich stuffed with maakouda (potato fritters), crispy fried sardines, and warm khobz (bread), finished with harissa and lemon, cheap, fast, and deeply nostalgic Moroccan comfort food.
For breakfast, look for harcha and msemen cooked fresh on hot plates and served with honey, amlou (almond spread), soft cheese, mint tea, or nos-nos (half coffee, half milk).
And if you have a sweet tooth, Rabat’s patisseries shine. Millefeuille is everywhere, a legacy of French influence embraced wholeheartedly by locals.
🥘 Traditional Moroccan Cuisine, Done Well
Dinarjat (Kasbah des Oudaias)
https://www.dinarjat.ma/
Founded in 1990 and set inside a former palace, Dinarjat offers elegant Moroccan cooking in a stunning Arab-Andalusian setting. Come as much for the atmosphere as for the food. Pricier than some, check the current menu if on a budget.
Le Kalaa
https://rabatriads.com/restaurant-spa/
A candlelit riad tucked inside the Medina. Home-style Moroccan dishes served with warmth and care, a lovely place for a slow evening meal.
Dar Zaki
https://darzaki.com/
Casual, cosy, and delicious. Simple, hearty Moroccan dishes in the Medina. Cash only.
🌍 International Dining in Rabat
Sufra (Hassan District)
https://www.instagram.com/sufrarabat/?hl=en
Neighbourhood favourite near St Peter’s Cathedral, serving home-cooked Palestinian cuisine — tabbouleh, vine leaves, slow-cooked vegetables and meats.
Matsuri (Souissi)
https://www.instagram.com/matsuri_maroc/?hl=en
Excellent sushi and Japanese dishes in Rabat’s Embassy district.
Le Clubhouse Robuchon
https://jrobuchon.ma/
At Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. Come for the green views and long lunches, sandwiches, salads, and classic French dishes.
Yamal Acham
https://yamalacham.ma
Popular Syrian restaurant with several locations. Great value, generous portions, and ideal for takeaway.
Al Marsa (Salé Marina)
https://www.instagram.com/marsaresto/?hl=en
Riverfront dining with views of Tour Hassan and the Mausoleum. Known for seafood, paellas, and Mediterranean flavours.
La Mamma
https://www.instagram.com/lamammarabat/?hl=en
Classic Italian restaurant near Rabat Ville station — lasagna, steaks, wood-fired pizzas in a cosy, candlelit space.
Sa Caleta (Souissi)
https://www.instagram.com/sa_caleta/?hl=en
Excellent Spanish tapas bar with a lively crowd.
Cosmopolitan
https://cosmopolitanrabat.webnode.fr/
One of Rabat’s finest French restaurants. Seafood-focused menu in a beautiful villa setting.
Piccolos
https://www.instagram.com/picolos_rabat/?hl=en
Fun, atmospheric dining on Avenue Mohammed VI. French-Mediterranean classics indoors or on the terrace.
La Boqueria (Agdal)
https://www.instagram.com/boqueriafina/?hl=en
Spanish-influenced tapas. Walk-ins only. A favourite for lunch, after-work drinks, and lively dinners.
🍸 Where to Drink in Rabat
Le Dhow
A traditional wooden dhow moored on the Bouregreg River. Come for sunset views of the Kasbah, plus DJs, live music, and dancing on deck.
Le Deck Rooftop – Fairmont Rabat-Salé
Panoramic views over the Kasbah des Oudaias and Atlantic coast.
Vinart
https://www.instagram.com/vinart_restaurant/?hl=en
French bistro and wine bar in Souissi. Cheese boards, steaks, seafood, and seasonal dishes.
☕ Café & Brunch Culture
Café Maure (Kasbah des Oudaias)
Iconic mint tea stop overlooking the river. Simple menu, unforgettable setting.
Boho Café
https://www.instagram.com/boho_cafe_rabat/?hl=en
Great brunches and excellent cakes near Rabat Ville station.
The Kitch (Hassan)
https://www.instagram.com/thekitch_rabat/?hl=en
All-day brunch, focaccia sandwiches, waffles, eggs, and colourful, generous plates that draw Rabatis from across the city.
Ocean 17 (Ocean District)
Concept store café, ideal for a coffee break and stylish shopping finds.
🍷 Fine Dining in Rabat (2026)
Rabat’s new generation of luxury hotels has elevated the city’s dining scene. The Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and Waldorf Astoria Rabat all offer exceptional fine dining.
For special occasions beyond the capital, consider La Grande Table Marocaine at Royal Mansour Casablanca or Table III in Casablanca.
🍰 Sweet Stops & Pastry Culture
Traditional Moroccan Patisseries (Medina)
Almond briouats, chebakia, and gazelle horns remain proudly traditional — less experimental than Casablanca or Marrakech.
Amoud (Hay Riad)
https://www.instagram.com/lamaisonamoud/?hl=en
Modern Moroccan bakery-café popular with younger Rabatis. Excellent pastries, espresso, and a glimpse into contemporary city life.
Thank you for reading. I hope you will enjoy exploring Rabat, and if this blog leads you to a great food experience, or you discover something wonderful, please let me know.