We’ve eaten our way through Marrakech twice now, once on a shoestring budget staying in the Medina, and once with the luxury of a resort base and more time to explore. What we found is that the food scene here is genuinely incredible, and even the pickiest little eaters at our table found something they loved.
Whether you’re looking for a rooftop with a view, a hidden garden café, or a proper Moroccan food tour to kick off your trip, this guide covers the best restaurants in Marrakech’s Medina and beyond, all tested by our family of five.
What to Know About Eating in Marrakech
Moroccan cuisine is a beautiful mix of Berber, Arab, Moorish, and Mediterranean influences, shaped in part by the country’s position on the old trade route between Europe and Africa. You’ll find slow-cooked tagines, fluffy couscous, fresh-pressed juices, and street food that’ll stop you mid-stride. Alcohol is not widely consumed by locals, so most restaurants lean heavily into mocktails, fresh juices, and mint tea, which for traveling families is actually a win.
A few things worth knowing before you sit down anywhere in the Medina:
- Skip street-level vendors near the main square for sit-down meals. The quality and hygiene vary wildly and the upsell pressure is intense.
- Head to the rooftops. The best views, the best breezes, and often the best food are one flight of stairs up.
- Moroccan food is genuinely kid-friendly. Breads, fresh juices, kebabs, and tagines are all crowd-pleasers. Our kids, including our pickiest eater, found something they loved at every stop.
The Best Restaurants in Marrakech We Actually Tried
Table de La Medina
If you want one restaurant in Marrakech that does everything right, this is it. The menu balances traditional Moroccan dishes with more contemporary options, and the setting, an outdoor terrace with views over the Medina, gives it an atmosphere that feels special without being stuffy. We ordered the couscous Royale, a heaping traditional dish of couscous with vegetables and meat, and it was exactly what you want after a morning in the souks. The chicken kebabs are worth ordering too, and if you’ve never tried Moroccan Pastilla, a savory pie made with chicken, eggs, and almonds, this is a great place to start. The service is warm and the welcome is genuine.
Café de Espices
Be prepared: the hummus here will ruin all other hummus for you. Café de Espices is tucked right into the spice market in the heart of the Medina, which makes the whole experience feel wonderfully immersive. It’s small, only a handful of tables, so getting there early is worth it. On hot days they run misters on the patio, which feels like a miracle when you’ve been walking the souks. Their specialty drinks and mocktails are fantastic, and the views of the Medina from their terrace are some of the best you’ll find at this price point.
Lotus Jardine
One word: Instagrammable. Lotus Jardine is the kind of place that makes you slow down. We sat under the shade of lush greenery sipping Moroccan mint tea and honestly didn’t want to leave. The menu has a strong international influence, Italian, French, and some unexpected Mexican undertones woven into the Moroccan base, which makes it a great pick if you have kids who aren’t fully adventurous eaters yet. The beet salad is outstanding, and the chicken tagine hits every time. Good food, good people, good vibes.
L’Mida
L’Mida is a rooftop restaurant with one of the best views in the Medina, the sprawling market below and the Atlas Mountains in the backdrop. The menu is extensive, covering everything from traditional tagines to salads to burgers, so it works well for families with mixed preferences. They have a dedicated kids’ meal (mini burgers with vegetables and potatoes) which is a small thing but makes a big difference when you’ve got hungry, tired little ones. I ordered the chicken skewers and every bite was worth it. The Moroccan lanterns and outdoor seating make it feel like a proper occasion even on a casual evening.
Le Jardin Du Lotus
A 1960s Riad turned restaurant, Le Jardin Du Lotus has an intimate charm that’s hard to find in a city this busy. The setting is small and peaceful, with an outdoor seating area and a menu that blends Moroccan and European dishes well. The tagine here is worth trying, and their mocktail menu is one of the most creative we came across. The kids loved working their way through it. If you want a quieter meal away from the noise of the Medina, this is a great option.
DarDar Rooftop
DarDar quickly became one of our favorite spots. It’s family-friendly in the best sense, relaxed, open-air, with enough space for kids to breathe while parents actually enjoy a meal. The views of the Medina and Atlas Mountains are breathtaking, the atmosphere is vibrant without being overwhelming, and the menu has solid kid-friendly options alongside the more traditional fare. This is a great spot for a longer lunch or an early dinner when you want the rooftop experience without a formal setting.
You can make a reservation directly at rooftopdardar.com, worth doing in peak season.
Bacha Coffee at Dar El Bacha Palace
This one is a little different, less a restaurant, more an experience. Bacha Coffee is located inside the stunning Dar El Bacha Palace and serves over 200 varieties of coffee alongside pastries and light bites. The setting is elegant and historic, but the atmosphere is genuinely welcoming to families. The trick is timing: after paying museum entry, head straight to Bacha Coffee to put your name down and get a pager. The wait can be up to two hours, so use that time to tour the museum. Start your timer the moment you arrive and don’t browse the gift shop first.
Should You Do a Marrakech Food Tour?
If it’s your first time in Marrakech and you want to understand the food scene before navigating it solo, a food tour is absolutely worth it. A good guide will take you through the Medina’s spice markets, introduce you to vendors they trust, and let you taste things you’d never find on your own, including msemen (Moroccan pancakes), chebakia (sesame cookies), fresh-squeezed orange juice from the square, and more. For families, it’s also a great way to ease into the Medina without the overwhelm of navigating it yourself on day one.
Book a Marrakech Food Tour here.
Planning Your Marrakech Trip
Looking for flights to Marrakech? We use Skyscanner to find the best deals.
Need a place to stay? Browse family-friendly hotels and riads in Marrakech here.
Renting a car to explore beyond the city? Find the best rates here.
Tips for Eating Out in Marrakech with Kids
- Go early for lunch. Most spots fill up fast and the heat peaks midday. Being seated before the rush means faster service and a cooler table.
- Carry cash. Many smaller restaurants and cafes in the Medina are cash only. Moroccan Dirham is what you need, and small bills are useful for tips.
- Don’t be afraid of the food. Moroccan cuisine is far more kid-friendly than most families expect. Breads, pastries, kebabs, fresh juices, and tagines are all great starting points.
- Mint tea is everywhere and it’s always sweet. Kids love it, especially watching the theatrical high-pour.
- Ask about kids’ menus. They’re not universal, but spots like L’Mida have them and it makes a real difference.
