Are you planning to visit Morocco and want to know more about its Moroccan cuisine?
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Read below our extensive guide about what to eat in Morocco during your stay, and learn everything about the most famous dishes of Moroccan cuisine. Then choose one of our private tours and get ready for a “real treat” trip to Morocco!
Morocco is a dreamy destination known for many things. Some of these are the bustling souks in Marrakech, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, villages forgotten by time such as the unique Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the snow-capped mountains of Atlas, and the vast expanses of the Sahara desert.
It is also known for its multidimensional and quality cuisine. Spices such as saffron and cinnamon play a leading role and make dishes emit unique aromas. Finally, coastal cities such as Essaouira, are full of fresh seafood, while the country’s bazaars offer great street food.
With influences from Andalusia, Arabia, and France, Moroccan cuisine is characterized by unique flavors and combinations. Moroccan cuisine is not that spicy.
Characteristic flavors such as lemon pickle, coriander, argan oil, olives, dried fruits, and spices are used extensively.
What to eat in Morocco for Foods?
Tajine is the most legendary dish in Moroccan cuisine, so popular that it is almost impossible not to try it. From outdoor street stalls to expensive restaurants, it is on all menus in every corner of the country. A savory stew made with meat, chicken, or fish together with vegetables.
Tajine is cooked over low heat and is very tender and flavorful. Spices are a key ingredient, including cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cumin, and saffron. Some recipes also contain dried fruit and nuts. The most common versions of tajine are with chicken, vegetables, or meatballs with a fried egg.
Proverb about the Moroccan cuisine
“When the stomach gets full it tells the head to sing”
Moroccan Proverb
Couscous is cooked in a couscoussier, a traditional double-chambered food steamer. Traditionally it is prepared on Fridays (the Muslim holy day) and served with meat and vegetables. Moroccans usually eat couscous with their hands by forming it into balls, a technique that takes a bit of practice before you try it in front of people!
Kefta is Moroccan meatballs. Minced lamb or beef are often grilled or barbecued and seasoned before cooking, with salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, coriander, parsley, and onion.
Pastilla is a special Moroccan dish that you have to try if you like sweet and salty all in one package. Stuffed with pigeon or chicken, this flaky pie is served piping hot and dusted with powdered sugar.
Tangia is a local dish from Marrakech and takes its name from the type of urn-like pot that it is cooked in. The pot is stuffed with meat, lemon, salted butter, garlic, and spices, before being slow-cooked in coals.
Fish Chermoula is a combination of herbs and spices used as a marinade before grilling the fish and as a sauce.
Zaalouk is a smoked aubergine dip, seasoned with garlic, paprika, cumin, and a little chili powder.
Bissara is a rich soup of dried broad beans and is traditionally served for breakfast. Topped with a swirl of olive oil, a sprinkling of cumin, and fresh bread.
Brochettes are essentially meat skewers. Chunks of lamb, liver, lamb sausage, chicken or fish are speared and grilled.
Try the playful maakouda for an appetizer. A fried mashed potato mix. Yum!
Harira is a delicious, thick, creamy soup, made of chickpeas, noodles, lentils, and tomatoes. This soup is of Berber origin and takes its name from the Arabic word “harir” which means “silky”.
What to eat in Morocco for Sweets & Treats?
Although desserts are not very popular in Morocco, in several restaurants you will have the opportunity to try some of the more traditional ones.
The most common are seffa (sweet couscous) and the type of rice milk. Both can be flavored with cinnamon, raisins, almonds, or flower water. Let’s see what other sweets you can eat in Morocco:
- Kaab el Ghazal (gazelle horns), is a crescent-shaped pastry filled with lightly flavored marzipan and powdered sugar.
- M’hancha is a flat disk of baked dough with toasted chopped almonds, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.
- Briouat, triangular pieces of dough wrapped like a cigar, also known as Fatima’s fingers.
Beghrir is the Moroccan version of the classic pancake. It is spongy and so soft it melts in your mouth.
If you wonder what to eat for breakfast in Morocco, M’semmen is the answer. M’semmen is a flatbread that looks like crepe, eaten warm with butter, sugar, honey, or cinnamon, and is super yummy!
Amelou is a thick and nutty dip that is made from almonds, honey, and argan oil.
With over 100 different varieties of dates, it would be a shame not to taste at least a few of them while visiting Morocco.
Moroccan mint tea is made of green tea, a handful of fresh mint leaves, and sugar. It is served in small glasses and the teapot is held aloft while the tea is poured into the glass, allowing the air to mix with the tea. It’s generally consumed before meals, after meals, with every meal, and anytime throughout the day and night.
Now that you know what to eat during your stay in Morocco, we invite you to choose one of our private tours, visit beautiful destinations and try local recipes with exotic flavors and unique combinations of ingredients.
