Where To Eat in Marrakech: Local Dining Guide (2026)

foodmarrakechcity

10 Mar

Marrakech has quietly become one of North Africa’s most exciting food cities. From traditional Moroccan kitchens serving slow-cooked tangia to contemporary restaurants led by international chefs, the dining scene is evolving fast.

Living in Agadir, I visit Marrakech often for its restaurants, shopping and cultural buzz. While co-authoring Time Out’s guide to the best restaurants in Marrakech, I realised there were several personal favourites I still wanted to share.

This guide highlights my favourite places to eat in Marrakech, from candlelit riads in the Medina to stylish dining rooms in Gueliz and hidden roof terraces in the Kasbah.

👉 You can also read my guide to Marrakech riads between €300–500 and Best Riads in Marrakech (under GBP250)

👉 Discover the best specialty coffee shops in Marrakech

👉 Planning a trip? Here’s my guide to visiting Marrakech in 2026

A Quick Introduction to Marrakech’s Food Scene

The city’s specialty dish and one of the most traditional Moroccan dishes is ‘tangia’, a melt-in-your-mouth stew slow-cooked on coal embers in a clay urn, best enjoyed at one of the street stalls in the Djemme el-Fna.

Whilst it is still possible to find hearty Moroccan cuisine: couscous, tagine, tangia, rfissa, and pastilla in Marrakech. In 2026, you’ll find tradition coexisting with modernity in Marrakech’s food scene, and the city is aglow with new openings and international chefs from around the world.

Locals and visitors are embracing the modern Marrakech food scene, found at stylish restaurants in the Medina, Kasbah, and Gueliz districts. Typically, I recommend visitors eat traditional Moroccan cuisine and street food at local restaurants and food stalls in the Djemma el Fna, and choose candlelit courtyard and rooftop dining in riads for something special. People on longer trips throughout Morocco, perhaps travelling in rural areas where international cuisine is less available, can try something different in Marrakech. Whether that’s a farm-to-fork sharing menu, a botanical cocktail menu, a lively rooftop bar, or a Sydney-style minimalist dining room.

New Restaurants in Marrakech for 2026

Marrakech Medinas’ new spot for 2026, Flowers, is a popular spot with North African & Mediterranean flavors, seasonal/ fresh/ floral, and botanical plates. It’s the latest opening by Chef Richard McCormick.

In the Kasbah district, Villa Aaron is modern and stylish, warm and lively, with the same team as the hugely popular Kabana rooftop bar. This traditional riad has been transformed into a visual masterpiece of the Belle Époque. An interesting menu blends Moroccan, French, and Italian influences.

Where to Eat in Marrakech: Best Neighbourhoods

Medina: Best for historic riads, rooftops, and Moroccan cuisine.

Gueliz: Best for modern restaurants and international dining.

Djemaa el-Fna (in the Medina): Best for street food, grilled to order & traditional dishes

Kasbah: Best for quiet courtyards and destination restaurants.

Where to eat in Marrakech: Best Restaurants

Looking for the best restaurants in Marrakech? Discover local favourites in the Medina, Gueliz and Kasbah, from rooftop dining to traditional Moroccan cuisine.

Kabana - Best Lively Rooftop Restaurant in Marrakech Medina

Looking for a lively rooftop for sunset and dinner after? Join the crowd at Kabana, where sushi and truffle fries are served alongside punchy cocktails. For drinks at the bar, no reservations required; for dinner, book a table online in advance. Website here.

Limoni - Best for Authentic Italian in Marrakech Medina

For a super cute Italian in a courtyard filled with candles, lanterns, and lemon trees. Good prices, food (they do Moroccan cuisine too), service and lots of ambience. Italian/ Moroccan menu, pasta, pizza, tagine, salads. Camel burger. Serves alcohol, including homemade limoncello. Website here.

Riad Kniza - Best for Intimate Moroccan Dining in Marrakech Medina

One of my favourite, authentic Moroccan riads invites a select few outside guests to join their residents for dinner. Creating a beautiful and delicious candlelit Moroccan dining experience. Book ahead to secure your spot at one of the best restaurants in Marrakech Medina. Details see website here

Le Trou au Mur - Best for Elegant Moroccan Cuisine in Marrakech Medina

Still considering where to eat in Marrakech, check out the innovative and popular Le Trou Au Mur. Contemporary decor and a menu that celebrates traditional Moroccan recipes, the owner saw disappearing from menus. Also, an international menu and a carefully curated wine list. Rooftop or courtyard tables. Close to the Ben Youssef Medersa and the Maison de la Photographie. Book here.

Plus 61 - Best for Sydney-style and Ambient Dining in Gueliz

My go-to place for delicious food, excellent service, and buzzing city dining ambience, one of the best restaurants in Gueliz Marrakech. Owner-run by Cassie Karinsky, an Australian chef who has been resident in Marrakech for many years. I always order the chicken schnitzel, served with shredded, mint fresh coleslaw. Selection of tapas to share with friends. Excellent wine list, Moroccan, French, and a few Australian. Book ahead online.

Sahbi Sahbi - Best for Refined Moroccan Cuisine in Gueliz

The name translates as “friends, friends”. A celebration of Moroccan cuisine and the talent of an all-female team. Stylish and warm Moroccan restaurant serving authentic recipes with elegance and flair. Pricier than street food, but a lovely treat. Reserve in advance here.

Pètanque Social Club - Best for People-Watching and Tapas-Style Dining in Gueliz

Tucked behind an unassuming door, at the entrance, it feels like a Speakeasy. The door opens into a spacious courtyard with simple tables under trees, an old-school pétanque court, and, inside, more tables. Caters to a trendy crowd seeking one of the most popular restaurants in Gueliz Marrakech. Go for brunches, tapas-style dishes, pizza, sandwiches and salads. Reasonable prices. Table reservations here.

Mizaan - Best for Modern Moroccan/ Middle Eastern cuisine in Gueliz

Beautiful aesthetics drawing on the city's pink hues with earthy terracotta and high (or sky) ceilings. Friendly service. Don’t be put off by the location on busy Avenue Mohammed V, you don’t notice this once inside. Tapas-style menu, Moroccan / Middle Eastern, with something for all dietary requirements. More info here.

Naranj - Best for Rooftop Middle Eastern Sharing Menu in Kasbah

A stylish Lebanese on Riad Zitoun el Jdid, the main street that runs from the Kasbah to the Djemma el-Fna. Choose from generous portions of delicious mezze and salads. Tables inside and outside on the rooftop, the latter are very popular, book ahead here, especially for outside tables in season.

La Famille - Best for Courtyard Dining and Vegetarian Menu in Kasbah

Also on Riad Zitoun el Jdid. Vegetarians and lovers of freshness will be in heaven at La Famille. Their pretty courtyard, where you can dine under the lemon trees, serves a daily menu that changes with seasons and the chef’s creativity. Choose from salads, pastas, and focaccia pizza, and homemade desserts, including argan oil-infused cakes. More info here.

FAQ: Restaurants in Marrakech

What are the best restaurants in Marrakech?

Some of the best restaurants in Marrakech include Plus 61, Sahbi Sahbi, Limoni, Kabana and Le Trou au Mur, offering a mix of Moroccan and international cuisine.

Where do locals eat in Marrakech?

For a treat, locals often dine in Gueliz, where modern restaurants such as Mizaan and Plus 61 are popular. For street food and simple Moroccan cuisine, look for busy tables in simple restaurants in the Djemma el Fna.

Is Marrakech good for food lovers?

Yes. Marrakech combines traditional Moroccan dishes like tangia, couscous and pastilla with modern international dining and innovative chef-led restaurants.

What is the most famous food in Marrakech?

Tangia is Marrakech’s signature dish, a slow-cooked meat stew prepared in a clay pot and traditionally cooked in charcoal embers.

Final thoughts