Travelling to Morocco and wondering about the local cuisine? If you have booked that first trip, prepare to get excited about the foods to try in Morocco.
Morocco is full of colourful and diverse culinary delights. From the famous Friday couscous to the slow-cooked Mechoui and Tangia heated on the fire of the Hammam. To deep-fried salty sardines and soft doughnut-Sfenj there is something for everyone.
Moroccans know their food!
The only challenge as a first time visitor is narrowing down the ever-growing list of food to try in Morocco.
- About Moroccan cuisine
- What to try?
- Vege or vegan food in Morocco?
- Tips for food-etiquette in Morocco
- Foods to try in Morocco
Savoury
Snacks
Sweets
Drinks - How to choose?
- More about Morocco
- Accommodation
About Moroccan food and cuisine
Morocco is part of North Africa. It is located on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coast of the African continent and is the westernmost part of the Islamic world.
There are many influences on Moroccan cuisine. Tastes and traditions of the Amazigh (Berber), Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Andalusian, Western European and sub-Saharan cultures are all present.
It is an exciting – and mouth-watering – blend of rich flavours, aromatic spices and dining experiences.
It is safe to say we LOVE the food in Morocco and know that you will too.
What are the most popular and ‘must-try’ foods to try in Morocco on your first trip?
The country is unarguably diverse. And so, seemingly, is every list you turn to for food to try in Morocco.
But these favourites of ours (and soon to be yours) are the dishes and treats most recommend for a first time.
They are foods that are easily recognisable and available pretty much anywhere you are traveling in Morocco on a first time, and with a heads up on where we recommend the best place to safely and enjoyably find these foods to try in Morocco.
Oh! I know we said we’d share 10 foods to try in Morocco. But there are a few more snacks, sweets and beverages that you definitely need to try too…
- Read our complete travel guide to your first time in Morocco.
What are vegetarian and plant-based options like in Morocco?
Moroccans do love their meat, and often serve meat in their main meals. But there are many delicious options for you as a vegetarian or finding vegan food in Morocco.
There are a lot of easily adaptable vegetarian options, including couscous with vegetables, vegetable tagines, Zaalouk (roasted eggplant and tomato salad), and Moroccan salads which are readily available in restaurants.
- Tip: There are a few popular cafes for vegetarian and vegan food in Morocco in Taghazout, Tamraght and Imsouane.
Tips for eating food in Morocco
To enjoy Moroccan food even more, there are a few tips on etiquette that will help you seamlessly feast like a local.
- Use your right hand. It is customary to eat with your right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean.
- Three fingers. When eating with your hands, use just your thumb and first two fingers (using your entire hand is a symbol of gluttony).
- Shared plates. Eat from the portion of the communal bowl or plate closest to you.
- Use bread as a utensil. Most people will use bread to eat tagine.
- Friday Couscous. After the Islamic noon prayers on Friday, Moroccan families gather to share a meal of couscous served with glasses of Lben (buttermilk).
- Grab the spoon. Couscous is served in a shared plate, but you will be given a spoon.
- Take tea. There is a strong culture surrounding tea, especially in the Sahara, as it is a gesture of hospitality.
- Wash your hands.
Otherwise, don’t panic too much. Morocco is very hospitable and Moroccans are welcoming to tourists and visitors.
Food is involved in every part of Moroccan life, from hospitality to celebrations. Enjoy!
- Read about travel to Morocco during Ramadan.
Mains – Foods to try in Morocco
In no particular order, here are the most famous (and findable) savoury and main Morocco foods to try on your first time in Morocco.
1. Tagine
Along with couscous, Tajine is the star of food to try in Morocco.
A Moroccan tagine is both the style of traditional North African cooking pot (with a conical lid) and the aromatic, slow-cooked stew that is traditionally prepared in it.
Traditional tagine is cooked slowly in the clay tagine, often featuring meat, vegetables, spices, and sometimes fruits.
- Tip: You can even buy a Tagine vessel to take home as a great souvenir or gift from Morocco for around 50 MAD (5 EUR). It costs a lot more from a homeware store back home!
2. Couscous
Couscous has been a staple of the Moroccan and North African diet for centuries.
Traditional Moroccan Couscous is proudly considered the national dish of Morocco.
It is a flavour-packed centrepiece that combines delicious sweet and savoury flavours embedded in Moroccan traditions. (It is a special honour to be invited to join locals for couscous on a Friday).
Traditionally, couscous is hand-rolled at home. This means that it is made from scratch with semolina flour and water.
It is flavoured with onions, carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, turnips, cabbage, and chickpeas and is served with a glass of Lben (buttermilk).
- Tip: In Morocco, couscous is traditionally served on Fridays. You will get used to seeing ‘Couscous Friday’ advertised at restaurants.
3. Tangia
It might sound like some kind of typo from the already-familiar Tagine you have been hearing about in preparation for your trip.
But a Tangia is in fact something totally different.
Whereas a Tagine is cooked over charcoal or a wood fire, Tangia relies on the lower heat of smouldering ashes. So it take longer to prepare a tangia.
Tangia in Morocco are often prepared on the heat of the fire for hammam(!). If you visit the Hammam Mouassine in Marrakech you might see clay pots of Tangia cooking on the ashes of the Farnatchi, the fire pit heating the hammam.
The opening of each clay pot is covered with a sheet of wax paper and tied on with a piece of string. When the Tangia is served, the wax paper is removed and the hot contents of the pot are tipped out entirely onto a tagine-base plate.
Before cooking, the clay tangia pot is filled with lamb shank, oil and salted butter (similar to ghee), preserved lemon, saffron, cumin and black pepper.
Interestingly though, despite the similarity of being cooked in a clay vessel, it is not comparable to the taste of a tagine.
The taste is entirely unique.
The combination of garlic and cumin and the tang of the preserved lemon is a full-on flavour. Somehow the seemingly ironic mixture of flavours compliments the slow-cooked meat that is quite literally falling off the bone.
- Read how to try Tangia at Chez Lamine (and dine where Gordon Ramsay did!).
- Read all about Moroccan Hammam Mouassine in Marrakech.
4. Moroccan Mechoui
Moroccan Mechoui is slow roasted meat (usually lamb). The meat is traditionally lowered into an underground wood-fired oven in the morning and roasted slowly. It takes three to four hours.
The meat is then pulled back up, cut and sold by weight.
The most famous place to try Moroccan Mechoui is at Chez Lamine in Marrakech. In the restaurant, the Mechoui dish is presented on a board with paper underneath and sprinkled simply with roasted, ground cumin.
- Tip: A half-kilo of lamb Mechoui at Chez Lamine costs 90 MAD and one kilo costs 180 MAD.
- Read how to try Moroccan Mechoui at Chez Lamine (and dine where Gordon Ramsay did!).
5. Kefta Tagine
This is a popular Moroccan dish that features meatballs cooked in a zesty, homemade shakshuka-like tomato sauce. It is a richly flavoured tomato-based tagine filled with meatballs, and with eggs poached in the sauce.
The Kefta, (or Kofta) is a meatball, usually made of lamb or beef.
- Tip: This dish is especially a hit if you are travelling Morocco with kids.
6. Kebab – Foods to try in Morocco
Shish kebabs—that’s chunks of marinated meat (or vegetables) grilled on a skewer—are really tough to get right, and when not right, they’re really tough. Kofte kebabs, on the other hand, are made with minced meat, and thus don’t have that problem.
The main difference between kofta and kebab lies in their form and method of preparation. Kofta typically refers to ground meat mixed with spices and herbs, shaped into balls or cylinders, whereas kebab generally involves chunks of meat or vegetables skewered and grilled.
7. B’ssara
Bissara (also spelled B’ssara or Bessara) is a traditional Moroccan soup, made from dried fava beans, garlic, and olive oil.
It is often served as a hearty breakfast or snack and costs just a few MAD (less than 1-2 EUR) in a café or roadside eatery.
- Tip: If you are in Asilah, try Bissara at Chez Farid for breakfast.
8. Harira
Harira is a traditional Moroccan soup, particularly popular during Ramadan. It is commonly eaten for the evening Iftar meal for breaking the fast.
Moroccan Harira is made with tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, fresh herbs, and spices like ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. It is – of course – often served with crusty Khobz bread and a slice of lemon.
- Tip: If you enjoy Harira you can also buy a packaged version from Carrefour to take home. (We got hooked on Harira during Ramadan in Morocco!).
9. Berber Omelette
Whilst it may not be first to mind when considering a Moroccan breakfast. But the always proudly promoted ‘Berber Omelette’ is a staple of breakfast hospitality in Morocco.
It is a simple omelette, full of flavour, and the perfect late breakfast.
It’s essentially a rustic and lightly spiced ragout made from tomatoes, peppers and lemon, and finished with some lightly beaten eggs. The omelette is served in the frying pan it is cooked in, and the aim is to break off pieces of Khboz (bread) and dip it in the omelette.
A Berber Omelette is usually served along with a traditional Moroccan breakfast, which otherwise consists of bread, olive oil, jam, honey and tea.
10. Moroccan salad
Moroccan salad is a vibrant and fresh salad often served complimentary (or in theory) with fresh bread to accompany a meal.
It is a staple in Moroccan cuisine, typically featuring chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicum, and onions, seasoned with lemon juice, olive oil, and spices like cumin, and herbs like parsley and coriander.
Snacks – Food to try in Morocco
These are the most famous (and findable) Morocco snack and street foods to try on your first time in Morocco.
11. Khobz (Moroccan bread)
Moroccan bread, also known as Khobz, is a staple part of any Moroccan spread. It is known for its distinguishable round, flat shape with lots of crust.
It is eaten throughout the day. For breakfast, bread is served with oil or honey and jam. Or during a traditional Moroccan meal, Khobz often replaces utensils such as forks or spoons as it is used to scoop up meat, vegetables, sauce, salads, dips and more.
In Morocco, a typical loaf of Khobz usually costs around 1-2 MAD (0.20c EUR).
- Tip: Travelling in Morocco by motorhome it is always a highlight when a motorbike calls by the campsite in the morning with a stack of fresh Khobz for delivery.
12. M’smen – Foods to try in Morocco
Msemen is a flaky, square shaped crispy Moroccan pancake or flatbread that’s made from a combination of plain wheat flour and semolina.
It’s buttery, flakey and light. But unlike the dainty crepe, Moroccan M’smen are perhaps the meatiest pancake I’ve ever eaten. If you’ve ever had paratha or roti, it’s very similar!
M’smen is often served warm and rolled up with honey or Amlou for breakfast. Or try it with a tomato-pepper jam for an afternoon snack from vendors on the street.
- Tip: You can typically find M’smen at a roadside café for around 2-4 MAD (approx. 0.20 – 0.40c EUR).
13. Habricha Sandwich
Habricha is a mixture of minced meat, onions, garlic, spices and eggs served in a piece of bread. Albeit this sandwich is a classic anywhere. But in Morocco it is a delicious and cheap go-to street food in the cities.
The minced meat is cooked on a hot plate with onions, herbs and spices, scrambled egg and served with masses of chilli sauce in a soft white roll.
As a slight disclaimer, I can honestly say I’m not sure how traditional this is or whether it is an official Moroccan food. But it is one of the tastiest street foods to try in Morocco!
14. Sardines
Did you know Morocco is the world’s largest exporter of canned sardines? Sardines are a staple in the Moroccan diet.
Fried Sardines are the most iconic dish in Moroccan cuisine. We had never really eaten sardines before. But fried they are tangy, fresh and super crispy!
They are a cheap but tasty lunch option anywhere on the Atlantic coast. Or find the small sardine vendors where they serve freid sardines in a fresh, soft white Kohbz (bread) sandwich.
- Tip: We particularly enjoyed the sardines in Safi, Essaouira and further down the coast in Imsouane and Sidi Ifni.
Sweets – Food to try in Morocco
These are the most famous (and findable) Moroccan sweet foods to try in Morocco on your first time.
15. Sfenj
If you haven’t already heard about it, Sfenj is the traditional Moroccan donut.
It is very similar to a typical donut you might see anywhere around the world. But Sfenj are best tried fresh, hot, and just plain.
They don’t even need a sprinkling of sugar or icing like a Dunkin’ Donut. The best thing about Sfnej and what makes it so particularly delicious is that they aren’t overly sweet.
Sfenj is a typically afternoon and evening treat. So don’t expect to find it cooking in the morning. But ask around. Or head out into the medina and let your nose lead the way.
To add one more reason to try this great Moroccan donut is that it comes served simply tied with a piece of flax grass. There is no plastic waste created. (An extra-sustainable reason just in case you needed any further donut-convincing).
- Tip: It costs around 2 MAD (20c EUR) for two Sfenj.
16. Chebakiya
There are all kind of Moroccan pastries that warrant trying at some stage in your Morocco itinerary. But we recommend some sticky, fresh Chebakiya as the essential place to start.
This is one of Morocco’s most iconic sweet treats and commonly served as a daily part of breaking fast during Ramadan.
It is literally a sticky pastry treat made from strips of dough rolled to resemble a rose and deep-fried before being sprinkled with a syrup made from honey and orange blossom water.
Oh, and to top it off they are sprinkled delicately with sesame seeds.
It’s a must-eat food to try in Morocco.
17. Gazelle Horns / Kaab El-Ghazal
Although Kaab el Ghazal literally translates from Moroccan Arabic as ‘Gazelle Ankles’, these crescent-shaped cookies are famously known as Gazelle Horns, or Cornes de Gazelle in French.
Gazelle Horns are a classic Moroccan pastry cookie made with an almond and cinnamon filling and thin pastry shell.
- Tip: You will find Gazelle Horns in any bakery or displayed on the pastry stands inside the medina of the cities.
Drinks – Food to try in Morocco
These are the most famous Moroccan drinks to try in Morocco on your first time.
18. Moroccan Tea
Tea is an important drink in Morocco and is usually served with breakfast, after lunch, and with dinner. For Moroccans, tea denotes hospitality and is typically served to guests.
However, don’t be thinking black tea with milk. In Morocco the tea is a green tea with fresh mint leaves and sugar.
Albeit we don’t drink tea with sugar in normally. But you can ask for the tea to be less sweet. In Morocco, it is much more about the hospitality – and the pour.
Wait ‘til you see how this tea is poured!
- Tip: Expect to pay around 10 – 20 MAD for a cup (or glass) of Moroccan mint tea.
19. Coffee
Contrary to expectations, Moroccan coffee is nothing like Arabic coffee. It is usually served at coffee shops (albeit likely filled with men) or from the back of a coffee-van that moves along the beaches and highway stops.
The most common Moroccan coffee is Café Noir (Kahwa Kahla) which is an espresso. Its tasty! Especially when the only other morning alternative is Moroccan mint tea, it packs a punch to start your day.
One thing that will surprise you in Morocco is the amount of sugar given with your coffee (or tea).
There is no such thing as small sachets or cubes in Morocco. Rather the sugar is broken off a huge sugar block using a slice of stone to break it into smaller(ish) pieces.
20. Laban / Lban
Laban (also spelled Lban) is a word that refers to a beverage of fermented milk.
Typically, in the parts of the Middle East that comprises Arabia and North Africa, this refers to buttermilk.
But before you write it off as one of the foods to try in Morocco that might not actually be worth trying. Hear me out!
In Morocco, Lban is a big part of the meal culture. Usually it is served with couscous on a Friday as a probiotic beverage.
We like it!
I recommend if you get the chance (and especially if you aren’t into sweet or sugary drinks) that you give Lben a try.
What are the absolute must-try Moroccan foods in Morocco for your first time?
It’s hard to narrow down. (We love Moroccan cuisine!). But if I had to choose from the list above to recommend foods to try in Morocco on your first visit, I would choose
- Tagine
- Couscous
- Moroccan mint tea
- Khobz (bread)
- Chebakiya
Albeit the bread is kind of a given, as you will be served that with pretty much every meal.
But don’t be put off trying Moroccan mint tea.
Even if you are a milk tea or black tea drinker. In Morocco, it is much more about the culture and hospitality.
Other Moroccan foods to try in Morocco
The list could go on and on! Moroccan cuisine is pretty darn incredible.
If you eat your way through the list above, there are plenty of other foods to try in Morocco.
- Zaalouk – eggplant and tomatoes
- Briout – triangular shaped pastry
- Rfissa – shredded pancake broth
- Baghrir – semolina pancake
- Babbouche – snails
- Bastilla – Chicken or pigeon pie
- Chermoula – fish marinade
- Merguez – spicy lamb sausage
- Cigars – minced beef wrap
- Faqqas – semolina biscuit
- Seffa – sweet couscous
The verdict on Moroccan foods to try in Morocco?
Enjoy these famous Moroccan foods and indulge in the country’s rich culinary heritage.
There’s no better way to experience the true culture and flavours of Morocco than by trying its national foods. There is something for everyone!
Where to stay in Marrakech
We highly recommend staying in a traditional Moroccan riad in the heart of the Medina in Marrakech. There are a range of options to suit all budgets.
Obviously, there are lot more destinations and accommodation options in Morocco to consider.
But here are some of the best rated riads in Marrakech to start with.
Budget riads in Marrakech:
Mid-range riads in Marrakech:
Luxury riads in Marrakech:
More about planning for travel in Morocco and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before embarking on any trips to try food in Morocco!