Moroccan Food Guide: What to Eat in Morocco
A Culinary Journey Through Morocco
Moroccan cuisine is a feast for the senses – aromatic spices, tender meats, fresh vegetables, and sweet pastries combine to create one of the world’s most flavorful cuisines. Here’s what to eat and where.
Must-Try Dishes
Tagine
Morocco’s signature dish, named after the conical clay pot it’s cooked in. Slow-cooked combinations include:
- Chicken with preserved lemons and olives
- Lamb with prunes and almonds
- Kefta (meatball) with tomato and egg
- Vegetable tagine with chickpeas
Couscous
The Friday lunch tradition – steamed semolina topped with vegetables, meat, and flavorful broth. Traditionally eaten communally from one large plate.
Pastilla (B’stilla)
A stunning sweet-savory pie of shredded pigeon or chicken, almonds, and spices wrapped in paper-thin warqa pastry and dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
Harira
A hearty tomato-based soup with lentils, chickpeas, and meat. Traditionally served to break the fast during Ramadan, but available year-round.
Mechoui
Slow-roasted whole lamb, seasoned with cumin and salt. A celebratory dish often found at festivals and special occasions.
Street Food Favorites
- Msemen: Square-shaped flaky flatbread, often with honey
- Sfenj: Moroccan doughnuts, crispy outside, fluffy inside
- Brochettes: Grilled meat skewers
- Snail soup: A Marrakech specialty (more delicious than it sounds!)
- Fresh orange juice: Found everywhere, incredibly cheap
Sweet Treats
- Moroccan cookies: Often served with mint tea
- Chebakia: Honey-soaked sesame cookies
- Cornes de gazelle: Crescent-shaped almond pastries
- Moroccan mint tea: The national drink, poured from height
Regional Specialties
Fes: Pastilla, refined palace cuisine
Marrakech: Tangia (slow-cooked meat), street food scene
Essaouira: Fresh seafood, grilled sardines
South: Berber cuisine, simple but flavorful
Eating Tips
- Eat with your right hand (left is considered unclean)
- Accept tea when offered – it’s rude to refuse
- Friday lunch (couscous) is a family affair
- Breakfast is typically light – bread with olive oil, honey, cheese
Want to dive deeper into Moroccan food? Try our cooking classes and food tours!
