Before traveling to Marrakech, I admittedly knew very little about Moroccan cuisine. But now that I’ve visited and ate my way through the “red city”, I’m here to tell you about 10 delicious and authentic local foods to try in Marrakech! Plus some tips for food safety.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND ON MOROCCAN CUISINE
Before we chow down, let me tell you a little bit about Moroccan cuisine so you can know what to expect for the foods to try in Marrakech. Moroccan cuisine is influenced by many different cultures including Arab, Berber, Mediterranean, Andalusian, and some European and sub-Saharan.
Foods are often filled with spices (which doesn’t necessarily mean spicy) which makes them very rich in flavor. Many of the meals contain lamb (or other meat other than pork), vegetables, and dairy. Desserts usually involve flaky pastries and/or sticky sweets, which make for a perfect way to finish off a hearty Moroccan meal.
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AUTHENTIC FOODS TO TRY IN MARRAKECH
One of the best ways to get your fill of local, authentic foods to try in Marrakech and learn about the cuisine is through a guided food tour. Here is the exact one I did (and I definitely recommend) but there are many others you can book through GetYourGuide. Now, let’s dive in to the best authentic foods to try in Marrakech.
#1. Tajine
Tajine (also spelled tagine) is a dish originating in North Africa named after the clay pot in which it is cooked. The dish itself is a slow-cooked stew made with meat or fish, vegetables, spices, nuts, and dried fruit. Commonly used spices include saffron, cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric. It’s a very comforting and savory dish and often served with bread. During my week-long trip to Marrakech I had this delicious dish three separate times, and every time it tasted unique!
#2. Harira
Harira is a tomato-based soup made with lentils or chickpeas, herbs, and spices. It often thickened with rice and meat (beef, chicken, or lamb). It’s a very warm and satisfying dish, often served as a starter, especially during the month of Ramadan. The dish I had didn’t have that strong of a flavor, which was preferable for a starter to get my taste buds warmed up. I enjoyed a bowl from a street-food vendor during my guided food tour, but you can also find this dish in sit-down establishments.
#3. Couscous
Say hello to the national dish of Morocco – couscous! Couscous is a staple in Moroccan cuisine and can be eaten alongside tajine and other meals, or on its own. It’s certainly one of the most important authentic foods to try in Marrakech. Couscous is very light and fluffy, often cooked by the steam from a boiling pot of vegetables. Not only is it delicious, but very healthy, too!
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#4. Mint tea
You really cannot go a day in Marrakech without being offered a cup of mint tea. It has a very important place in the social infrastructure of the entire country. Mint tea is the drink of friendship and hospitality, which is why you’ll be offered it at many shops and restaurants. The person serving the tea often pours it from a height as this is thought to cool the tea and give the tea a bubbly texture.
#5. Dates
Dates are widely used in Moroccan cuisine and the country has over 100 different types of the fruit. The most popular ones are Medjool dates, which are soft and sweet, and used to be reserved for royalty. It is common to eat dates on their own, oftentimes with milk. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of dates, but you need to have them at least once when in Marrakech!
#6. Olives
Did you know Morocco is referred to as the “Land of Olives”? There are so many different flavored options to try it’s hard to keep up. In Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech’s main square, there are numerous shops dedicated entirely to olives. If you want to taste before you buy, be sure to ask for permission. Or even better, join a guided food tour!
#7. B’stilla
B’stilla (also called pastilla) is a poultry pie traditionally made with pigeon but now commonly made with chicken, eggs, and almonds. The flavorful meat is covered with flaky pastry and topped with cinnamon and powdered sugar. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and savory and is often served on special occasions.
#8. Msemen
My favorite food to have for breakfast in Marrakech was msemen! Msemen (also spelled msemmen) is flatbread folded into square pancakes usually eaten with honey, jam, nutella, and other toppings. On the day we did a guided tour to the Atlas Mountains, we had msemen for breakfast along with some mint tea and it was super satisfying. They are prepared on a griddle which gives them a nice crispy feeling. You can find street food vendors selling msemen throughout the city of Marrakech.
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#9. Baklava
While baklava does not originate from Morocco, it’s a very common dessert all over North Africa. Baklava is made with layers of pastry baked then soaked with syrup and filled or topped with nuts. It’s such a rich and delicious dessert, and the baklava I ate in Marrakech was some of the best I’ve had in the world.
#10. Chebakia
Now for a more Moroccan-style dessert: chebakia. Chebakia is a Moroccan sesame cookie folded into the shape of a flower then fried and dipped in a syrup made from honey and orange blossom water. Since it is sweet it’s often consumed with tea, but sometimes with spicy foods as well. It is typically consumed during Ramadan and religious celebrations. It needs to be at the top of your list of foods to try in Marrakech!
TIPS FOR FOOD SAFETY IN MARRAKECH
When visiting Marrakech it’s important to take precautions to avoid foodborne illness. While locals drink tap water and it is generally safe to drink, I recommend consuming bottled water and avoiding ice if possible (personally I drank ice that was in cocktails and was totally fine). You should also avoid fresh juice sold at stalls as it is likely made with tap water. I was so tempted by the juice but decided it would not be worth the risk of getting an upset stomach.
In terms of street food, be sure to avoid stalls that do not have any other customers and consider eating at stalls that are busy with locals and tourists alike. Before eating from any stall, be sure to observe the cleanliness conditions. For example, are there any flying insects around the food? Are the cooking area and utensils clean? As I mentioned, I recommend booking a guided food tour as this will be more likely to ensure you are eating at reputable places.
Otherwise, just be generally cautious and don’t eat anything you think looks undercooked or unclean. A lot of people online recommend avoiding fresh fruits and veggies but I did consume them at the hotel and a few restaurants and did not have any issues. But of course, this was just my personal experience, so you should be sure to determine what is best for you based on a variety of factors.
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Well, now you know 10 authentic local foods to try in Marrakech. I hope you have the most amazing trip, all the while enjoy Marrakech’s delicious food scene!
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