A practical guide to Moroccan food: 15 classic dishes, street food, drinks, table etiquette, vegetarian tips and a cooking class in Marrakech.
Written by the Highlights Morocco Tours team in Marrakech
In this guide
The short answer
Moroccan food is built on slow-cooked stews, steamed couscous, fresh salads, flatbread and mint tea. The 15 dishes to try first are tagine, couscous, pastilla, harira, tangia, mechoui, rfissa, zaalouk, taktouka, kefta, briouats, msemen, baghrir, chebakia and khobz. Eat with your right hand and bread, try street food at busy stalls and, if you can, take a cooking class in Marrakech to learn the flavours.
Food is one of the best reasons to visit Morocco. This guide explains the classic dishes, what to drink and how to eat like a local. For a day with a local cook, see our Moroccan cooking class in Marrakech.
15 Moroccan dishes to try
| Dish | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Tagine | Slow-cooked stew named after the conical clay pot | Chicken with preserved lemon and olives, or lamb with prunes |
| 2. Couscous | Steamed semolina with vegetables and meat | Traditionally eaten on Friday |
| 3. Pastilla | Layered pastry with chicken or pigeon, almonds and cinnamon | Sweet and savoury, often a festive dish |
| 4. Harira | Tomato soup with lentils and chickpeas | Often served to break the fast in Ramadan |
| 5. Tangia | Meat slow-cooked in a clay urn with spices | A speciality of Marrakech |
| 6. Mechoui | Slow-roasted lamb | Served at celebrations and in market restaurants |
| 7. Rfissa | Chicken with lentils and fenugreek over pieces of msemen | A dish for celebrations |
| 8. Zaalouk | Cooked aubergine and tomato salad | Eaten with bread |
| 9. Taktouka | Salad of peppers and tomatoes | Usually part of a starter selection |
| 10. Kefta | Spiced minced meat, grilled or in a tomato tagine with eggs | A popular, family-friendly dish |
| 11. Briouats | Small pastry triangles, savoury or sweet | Fried or baked, with meat, cheese or almonds |
| 12. Msemen | Layered square flatbread | A breakfast favourite, with honey or olive oil |
| 13. Baghrir | Spongy pancake with many small holes | Served with honey and butter |
| 14. Chebakia | Sesame and honey cookies | Very popular in Ramadan |
| 15. Khobz | Round Moroccan bread | Used to scoop food from the shared dish |
Ask your riad or guide for the best places to try each dish. A good restaurant is one where local families eat.
Want food experiences in your trip?
Tell us your dates and we add a cooking class, a market visit or a dinner in the desert to your private tour.
Street food and markets
- Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech: at night, the square fills with food stalls serving grilled meat, soups, salads and snacks.
- Markets and souks: olives, dates, spices, fresh bread and pastries are everywhere.
- Tips: choose busy stalls, eat hot food and agree the price before you order.
You can combine food with sightseeing on our Marrakech activities, or read about Morocco for more on the country and its culture.
Drinks to try
- Mint tea: sweet green tea with fresh mint, served as a sign of welcome.
- Fresh orange juice: sold from carts in every city.
- Almond milk and avocado shakes: popular in cafes.
- Coffee: strong, often with spices, in traditional cafes.
How to eat in Morocco
- Wash your hands before eating, and eat with your right hand.
- Use bread to scoop food from the part of the dish in front of you.
- Accept the first glass of mint tea, which is a sign of hospitality.
- Leave a small tip in restaurants if you are happy with the service.
Vegetarian, vegan and halal
Morocco is a Muslim country, and most meat is halal. Vegetarians can eat well, with vegetable tagines, vegetable couscous, salads and soups. Tell your hotel or restaurant that you do not eat meat, because some soups and sauces use meat stock. Alcohol is available in licensed hotels and some restaurants, mainly in tourist areas.
Learn to cook Moroccan food
A cooking class is one of the best ways to understand Moroccan food. In Marrakech, you can visit the market with a local cook, learn to prepare a tagine, salads and pastries, and then eat what you cooked. See our Moroccan cooking class in Marrakech and ask for a free quote.
If you are planning a longer trip, see our Morocco tour packages, from 249 euros per person.
Ready to taste Morocco?
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Moroccan food: frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Moroccan food?
Tagine, a slow-cooked stew named after the conical clay pot it is cooked in, and couscous, steamed semolina with vegetables and meat. Pastilla, a sweet and savoury pastry, and harira, a rich soup, are also very popular.
What do Moroccans eat for breakfast?
A typical breakfast includes khobz or msemen (flatbreads) with olive oil, honey, jam or cheese, mint tea or coffee, olives and sometimes eggs. Baghrir, a spongy pancake, is also popular.
What is couscous day in Morocco?
Friday is the traditional day for couscous after the midday prayer, often shared with family. Many restaurants and riads serve it on Fridays, and it is a good moment to try it.
Is Moroccan food spicy?
Moroccan food is flavourful and aromatic, with spices such as cumin, ginger, turmeric, paprika and cinnamon, but it is usually not hot. Harissa, a chilli paste, is often served on the side, so you can add it yourself.
Can vegetarians eat well in Morocco?
Yes. Many dishes are vegetable-based, such as vegetable tagine, couscous with seven vegetables, zaalouk, taktouka and lentil soup. Tell your hotel or restaurant that you do not eat meat, because some soups and sauces use meat stock.
Is it safe to eat Moroccan street food?
Most visitors eat well at busy stalls with a high turnover, where food is cooked in front of you. Choose places with many local customers, eat hot food, drink bottled water and wash your hands.
Is alcohol available in Morocco?
Morocco is a Muslim country, but alcohol is available in licensed hotels, some restaurants and bars, mainly in tourist areas, and in some shops. Many riads and restaurants do not serve alcohol.
How do you eat a tagine?
The tagine is shared from the middle of the table. Locals use bread, torn into pieces, to scoop the food, and eat with the right hand. In tourist restaurants, you can also ask for cutlery.
What drinks should I try in Morocco?
Moroccan mint tea, served sweet and poured from a height, is the national drink. Also try fresh orange juice, almond milk and, in winter, hot spiced drinks sold in the markets.
Can I take a Moroccan cooking class?
Yes. In Marrakech you can learn to prepare a tagine, salads and pastries with a local cook, usually after a visit to the market. See our Moroccan cooking class in Marrakech for details and a free quote.
How do I book a food experience with Highlights Morocco Tours?
Send us your dates and number of travellers with the contact form, by WhatsApp or by email. We reply with a free, no-obligation quote and, when you are happy with it, we confirm the booking.
Taste Morocco with a local team
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