 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Restaurants, cafés and bars in Essaouira ...
Essaouira has numerous characterful restaurants serving good, freshly cooked, food in interesting surroundings. You should find something to suit most tastes and budgets within 10 minutes walk of the apartment. Most of the restaurants are clean and service is generally excellent. As many of them are small and have weekly and annual closures it is best to book in advance if you are keen to try a particular place. Please note that most restaurants do not accept credit cards – even if they have a sign saying that they do! Apart from the outdoor cafés which line Place Moulay Hassan, and some of the more traditional or budget restaurants, most restaurants serve alcohol. Moroccan wines come in red, white, rose and 'gris' - a sort of dark rose. The local ‘Mogador’ wines are among the best in Morocco, though they are relatively expensive and not often offered on wine lists.
We have compiled the list below from a number of sources, including word of mouth, the web, guide books and, most of all, personal experience. We haven't tried all of them yet but we are working it!
Recommendations and keys to symbols are at the end of the table. Click here for a copy of the table in printable form
Click on photo to enlarge
|
|
AFTASS Place Moulay Hassan Modest café on Place Moulay Hassan. Food is mainly French, Moroccan, Italian and seafood. Breakfast: 25 DH, One course: 10 – 45 DH, 3 courses 40 – 60 DH
|
 |
AIGUE MARINE 62 Boulevard Mohamed V Newly renovated restaurant/pub/tapas bar just across the road from the beach (beneath La Petite Aigue and next door to Casa Bella). You can eat in the main restaurant (pale wooden furniture, stone arches, subdued lighting and background music), at counters overlooking the sea or outside. Has live music at weekends. One course: 40 – 140 DH, tapas: 15 – 70 DH, 3 courses: 145 – 280 DH |
|
Restaurant ALI Place Chrib Attay (off Rue Laâlouj) Basic eatery on first floor gallery overlooking Place Chrib Attay. Serves omelettes (including Berber), salads, fish, tajines and couscous. One course: 10 - 30 DH, 3 courses: 35 - 155 DH
|
|
|
Les ALIZES DE MOGADOR 26 Rue Skala Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 68 19 L, R, T Hearty portions of excellent Moroccan home cooking served in a cosy, candlelit room with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Very good value set meals. Order in advance for the popular pastilla (100 DH per person). Booking advisable for dinner (usually has two sittings). 3 courses: 95 - 100 DH
We like it for: excellent value Moroccan food with
wine |
|
|
Maison des ARTISTES 19 Rue Derb Laâlouj Tel: +212 (0) 44 47 57 99 T Guesthouse with rather eccentric décor. Lunch or dinner can be served on the terrace overlooking the ocean – good on moonlit nights when it is not too windy. Non-residents need to book and choose their food in the morning. 3 courses: 200 DH
|
|
|
Dar BABA 2 Rue de Marrakech Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 68 09 R Italian food.
|
|
|
BAB LAACHOUR Place Moulay Hassan Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 66 70 R Roof terrace overlooking Place Moulay Hassan and the sea. One course: about 45 DH
|
|
|
Al BACHIR Place Moulay Hassan Open air café set slightly apart from the other cafés on Place Moulay Hassan. Popular with locals.
|
|
|
Café de la BAIE Boulevard d Mohammed V Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 40 76 Suntrap by the beach. Good for lunch (panini, omelettes, crêpes, tajines, salads, pasta, grills) and watching watersports (equipment hire and lessons available next door). Food is only served at set meal times and alcohol is not available without food. Breakfast: 30 DH, One course: 25 - 60 DH, 3 courses: 65 – 120 DH
We like it for: lunch by the beach |
|
|
BAR 1 Boulevard Mohammed V (on the south side of Chalet de La Plage) Simple local drinking den with a small terrace overlooking the beach. Good for a beer at sunset.
We like it for:
a beer at
sunset |
|
|
Riad Al BARAKA 113 Rue Mohamed al Qorry Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 35 61 L Courtyard restaurant with boho-chic décor, a huge fig tree and atmospheric music. A romantic spot for lunch on a breezy day. One course: about 75 DH
We like it for:
lunch on a
windy day
|
|
|
BELDY 6 Rue Ibn Toumerte Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 67 12 Berber restaurant serving a good range of tajines, couscous and pastilla as well as set menus. No alcohol but you can bring your own. Open every day. One course: 45 - 75 DH, 3 courses: 65 - 135
We like it for:
good value
Moroccan food
|
|
|
Casa BELLA Boulevard Mohammed V Tel: +212 (0) 61 47 55 70 Contemporary Italian restaurant just across the road from the beach. Both the décor and the food are light, fresh and modern. Pleasant terrace with views of the beach. Open for coffee and meals 12.00 to 23.00 every day except Monday. One course: 55 - 160 DH, 3 courses: 165 - 360 DH
We like it for:
modern Italian
food
|
|
|
BEN MOSTAFA Place Moulay Hassan Pavement cafe on Place Moulay Hassan. Good for breakfast or lunch. One course: about 60 DH
We like it for: breakfast,
people watching
|
|
|
Riad BLEU MOGADOR 43 23 Derb Bouchentouf We haven't tried it but it is said to be good, especially for desserts.
|
|
|
Au BONHEUR DES DAMES Place Marché aux Grains Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 59 68 Small café with outside tables in the peaceful former grain market. Serves a good selection of teas and coffees (including decaffienated), fruit and vegetable cocktails, snacks and icecream. Lunch is a daily-changing blackboard menu of light French dishes. Breakfast: 35 DH, One course: 30 – 40 DH
|
|
|
La CANTINA 66 Rue Boutouil Tel: + 212 (0) 24 47 45 15 T Friendly English-run café serving Mexican-style light meals, jacket potatoes, burgers etc. and, in the afternoon, excellent home-made cakes. Also does take-aways. Open 12:00-20:00 every day except Monday. Closes in January. One course: 25 - 50 DH, 3 courses: 60 - 90 DH
We like it for:
vegetarian
dishes, home made cakes, meeting people
|
|
|
CAVERNE ALI BABA 29 Avenue de l’Istiqal Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 53 54
|
|
|
CHALET DE LA PLAGE/CHEZ JEANNOT 1 Boulevard Mohammed V Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 59 72 R, T Long established (1924) and beautifully situated restaurant with a shady terrace jutting out over the beach (which is floodlit at night). Specialises in seafood. Gets busy at lunchtime and seats on the terrace go quickly so it is best to book. Closed Sunday evening and Monday lunch. Wine list includes some local specialities. One course: 100 - 120 DH, 3 courses: 135 - 250 DH
We like it for:
the beautifully situated terrace
|
 |
CHALET DE LA PLAGE CAFE 1 Boulevard Mohammed V Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 59 72 On the medina side of Chalet de la Plage is an open terrace which, on calm days, is a good place for drinks. Also does a limited breakfast menu. Breakfast: 30 DH
We like it for: breakfast
by the beach, a beer at sunset
|
|
|
Les CHANDELIERS 14 Rue Laâlouj Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 58 27 L, R Restaurant/lounge serving standard French, Moroccan and Italian food. One course: about 95 DH
|
|
|
Après CINQ 7 Rue Youssef El Fassi Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 33 49 L, T Chic restaurant and tea shop attached to the Madada Mogador Hotel. Modern purple and pink décor with giant lampshades. French and Moroccan food. Sometimes has music. WiFi. Open from 12:00 to 24:00. Closed on Tuesdays. One course: 60 - 140 DH, 3 courses: 170 - 280 DH |
|
|
The CORNER PUB Avenue Oqba Ben Nafia Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 58 28 Trendy bar at the back of Le Mechouar restaurant. MTV, loud music and disco lights.
|
|
|
Le COQUILLAGE/REST.DU PORT Le Port d'Essaouira Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 66 55 R Large restaurant with terrace overlooking the beach. Popular with coach parties. One course: 60 –230 DH 3 courses: 115 - 380 DH
|
|
|
COTE PLAGE Boulevard Mohammed V Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 90 00 L, T Next to the beach opposite Soffitel, by which it is owned. Continental menu with some good seafood dishes. Glass panels protect the outside terrace from wind. One course: 70 - 170 DH, 3 courses: 210 - 410
|
|
|
Le CREPERIE MOGADOR Rue Laâlouj Tel: +212 (0) 24 78 30 96 Cheerful little crêperie where you can eat at pine tables in the yellow interior or outside facing Place Chrib Attay. Serves a good range of savoury and sweet crêpes and jugs of cider (but no other alcohol). Open 12:00 – 15:00 and 19:00 – 22:20 Crepes: 20 – 60 DH, ½ jug of cider (Brevage de pommes) 55 DH
We like it for:
a light lunch
of crêpes
and cider
|
 |
La DECOUVERTE 8 bis Rue Houmman el Fatouki Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 31 58 www.essaouira-ladecouverte.com French-run restaurant with a small intimate interior and two outside tables. Serves a simple menu of Moroccan and French specialities with and emphasis on fresh local ingredients. Daily specialities such as royal couscous with camel meat are advertised on a blackboard at the end of the road. Desserts might include lemon meringue pie or Moroccan pastries. Open 10 am to 10 pm every day except Saturday. Closes in January. One course: 10 - 70 DH, 3 courses: 55 - 115 DH
We like it for:
a light lunch
|
|
Café/restaurant DIABAT Tiny brightly-painted 'hippy' cafe with tables overlooking the building site which is now Diabat beach (about 3 miles south of Essaouira, along the beach). Serves tajines etc. Also does camel rides.
|
|
|
DOLCE FREDDO 25 Place Moulay Hassan Tel: +212 (0) 63 57 19 28 L, T Café/gelateria on Place Moulay Hassan. Good for Italian coffee (including decaffinated) and icecream. Also offers a limited breakfast menu (or just order coffee and have a take-away from Patisserie Driss, followed by juice from the kiosk by the harbour).
We like it for:
coffee
|
|
|
Patisserie DRISS 10 Rue El Hajal R, T Patisserie founded in 1925. Serves croissants, tarts and cakes which can be eaten with coffee in the small sheltered courtyard, one of two picture-lined rooms or taken to one of the cafés on Place Moulay Hassan. Also does breakfast, including omelettes and pastilla (if ordered in advance). Breakfast: 19 - 30 DH, pastilla 70 – 170 DH for 2 people
|
|
|
ELIZIR 1 Rue d’Agadir Essaouira – Maroc Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 21 03 T ‘Idiosyncratic cool’ is Time Out’s description of the interior of this stylish first floor restaurant which the young owner has stylishly decorated with eclectic finds from Moroccan flea markets. Excellent and innovative Italian/Moroccan food includes home-made pasta, pumpkin gnocchi and camel tajine. Good selection of speciality teas and juices. Cosy fire in winter; roof terrace in summer. Probabaly the only restaurant in Essaouira which has a video on YouTube! Open from 19:30. Closes for 3 days at the start of each month for staff holidays. One course: 100 - 130 DH, 3 courses: 220 - 275
We like it for:
the cool decor and background
music, the innovative cuisine
|
|
|
ESSALAM Place Moulay Hassan Tel: +212 (0) 24 47 55 48 R Popular small terrace restaurant on Place Moulay Hassan. Budget set meals – soup or salad, then omelette, fish, couscous or tajine and dessert. Breakfast: 20 DH, 3 courses: about 40 DH
|
