Fez's dining landscape is as rich and varied as its history. The medina in Fez, Morocco, gave us some of the most peculiar yet delicious flavours ever experienced and exceeded our expectations. Today’s visitor to the Fez medina is presented with a wealth of dining options-for both authentic Moroccan dishes and for creative fusion cooking that blends local flavors with global influences. Happily, we re-discovered a vibrant culinary scene that caters to almost every palate and pocketbook.
Below are some of the best restaurants Fes el Bali has to offer. During a recent stay, my husband and I savored refined takes on Moroccan classics. We indulged in beloved traditional specialties. And we enjoyed casual bites in charming courtyards. Instead, we returned to several favorite local restaurants and visited a couple of new ones. We enjoyed rooftop terraces with sweeping views and visited a hidden garden retreat.
What was unexpected was also how to this day I believe that Moroccan food is some of the best food I have ever had in my life in terms of quality, quantity, taste, and cost. I want to share just some of the best restaurants & food in Fez, Morocco that made my experience so memorable.
Most restaurants in the Fez medina do not offer alcohol.
Fine Dining
Fes may be more synonymous with traditional Moroccan cuisine than fine dining restaurants in Morocco, but Dar Roumana challenges that narrative. Dar Roumana is a beautiful traditional dar located in the Fez medina. Our first visit was back in 2015, when we were ridiculously impressed by the team and size of the unassuming property.
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Dar Roumana
The Franco-Moroccan fusion restaurant is the total package-in addition to serving some of the city’s best food, the restaurant is housed in a stunning riad of the same name. During dinner, it’s difficult not to be distracted by the restaurant’s stunning Zellij-tiled walls. Each course we had was delicately balanced, rich with Moroccan flavor, with the grace of traditional French technique. Pair Dar Roumana’s seasonal menu with local Moroccan wine, or one of the restaurant’s cocktails.
Younes Idriss is the Head Chef at their in-house restaurant, masterminding an array of dishes on location. We recommend tucking into some tasty dishes that ring to the fine tune of grilled octopus, roasted lamb tenderloin stuffed with apricots, pecan nuts and oregano, and seasonal salads - most of which were locally sourced. Expect other popular dishes such as roast pumpkin salad with tahini, braised local rabbit with mustard seed sauce and more.
Dar Roumana’s prix fixe menu is priced at three courses for 400 dhs ($39.29 USD), or two courses for 300 dhs ($29.47). Intimate, Michelin-worthy, traditional with a gourmet twist, and a beautiful setting make Dar Roumana a must-try for any visitor in Fès. We highly recommend making a reservation before 2PM due to the limited number of tables available. This was one of the best meals Pat and I had during our 10 days in Morocco.
Dar Roumana, which means House of Pomegranate, is a restored traditional Fassi guesthouse. The Dar Roumana cuisine was made known among foodies by the renowned French Chef Vincent, a chef who has worked in several Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK, worked for legendary Chef’s in Australia, and catered to celebs on their yachts in the Caribbean and Mediterranean. Even one of my personal favorite celebs Jeremy Clarkson is a huge fan of Chef Vincent’s cuisine! Today, the kitchen is led by Chef Younes Idriss who worked alongside Chef Vincent for 7 years.
As I was just in Fes for a few days, unfortunately, I was only able to make it to Dar Roumana, Fondouk Baazar, Le Tarbouche, and Mom’s Touch.
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Like Dar Roumana, Restaurant La Maison Bleue is one of Fes’ few fine dining restaurants. La Maison Bleue’s prix fixe menu is set at 550 dhs ($54.02 USD) per person and includes a starter, first course, main course, dessert, coffee or tea, and house wine.
La Maison Bleue was a top contender for my boyfriend and I’s anniversary dinner, however, Dar Roumana ultimately won out as we never received a response to our reservation inquiry from La Maison Bleue.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that you’re dining in a palace at Dar Hatim. Restaurant Dar Hatim is strictly fixed menu-no à la carte options are available.
For those looking for an intimate dining experience, Palais Amani is a must. Amani’s Eden restaurant serves creative French and Moroccan food. Flavourful tagines, vibrant and seasonal salads and couscous dishes are served. Diners can enjoy a three-course menu at the stylish, traditional, decadent dining space opposite the leafy garden.
Eden offers a signature, three-course menu for 495 dhs ($48.55 USD). Tasting menus are available for a minimum of two people, at €85 per person ($91.06 USD). Reviews for Eden at Palais Amani signal that the restaurant may be overpriced for its quality (stellar, inexpensive Moroccan restaurants are a dime a dozen in Fes).
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Inside the medina of Fez, NUR Restaurant offers a gastronomic experience curated by rotating international chefs. Owned by former fashion director Stephen di Renza, NUR stands out with its black-and-white tiles, marble water wall, and minimalist décor featuring art by Keiichi Tahara and Maïmouna Patrizia Guerresi.
The chef-in-residence program, led by di Renza and project manager Tara Stevens, attracts talent from around the world. In February 2015, we dined under the care of chef Hector Ignacio Bracchiglione, a Mugaritz-trained talent from Chile.
Chic and elegant, Ishq, a contemporary gem at the Ain Zleten entrance to the Fez medina, is easily reached by taxi. The restaurant’s fine-dining menu of Moroccan fusion cuisine presents original takes on local flavors and Western dishes. Intriguing menu items include black couscous with caramelized pears and beef, and poached fish prepared with Sechuan peppers. The wine list is international, with Moroccan options. Ishq serves lunch and dinner on a rooftop terrace or in one of the restaurant’s atmospheric nooks.
Visiting Ishq with a friend, we were delighted to find several menu items suitable for sharing, which enabled us to taste more dishes. We enjoyed every bite, and the presentation of a warmed fois gras starter was remarkable. This relative newcomer is a stunning addition to the city’s fine dining scene.
With a wide selection of both Moroccan and French dishes, Restaurant MB gave us one of our most memorable meals during our trip to Fes. Situated in Ville Nouvelle, it is worth the short taxi ride from the Medina (historical centre of Fes) if that’s where you’re staying, and can be a nice contrast from the hustle and bustle of the centre.
Stepping into the restaurant, the lights were low and the decor was polished and modern. It gave the feeling of a glitzy, over-the-top, restaurant. There are two set menu options, as well as a la carte items. I started with the Traditional Pigeon Pastilla. I really enjoyed this dish. It was a new combination of flavours for me.
The warqa pastry (similar to filo) on the outside was perfectly crispy, but layered enough to have some heft. The pigeon filling was incredibly tender, and was mixed with almonds and sweet spices so there was a play of sweet and savoury flavours. My partner had the Ocean Roll of Shrimp and Fish. Much like my pastilla, the wrapper was perfectly crispy, with a tender and tasty filling.
For my main, I chose the Roasted Duck Breast with Caramelised Fruit and a Tangy Juice. I love duck and this had a perfect char on the outside. It was just slightly overdone for my liking, The server had asked if medium rare was ok and I should have asked for rare, so I can’t fault them.
On the side were precisely cut and caramalised slices of apples and pear. I also ordered green beans as a sides. Maybe it’s controversial, but I sometimes feel ordering simply cooked vegetable sides at classic French restaurants to be poor value. However, in this case, the green beans were seasoned and cooked perfectly.
My partner had the Roasted Sea Bass, Spinach, Potato for a main. The dessert menu was extensive, so I couldn’t resist. I had the Red Fruits Soup and Spiced Gingerbread, Basalmic Vinegar, Vanilla Ice Cream. The server gave me a nod of approval when I ordered it. There was a lovely contrast between the berries served hot and the cold ice cream. The pieces of gingerbread mixed in gave a good texture contrast as well.
Restaurant MB, situated in Ville Nouvelle of Fes, is well worth the short journey. The menu presents virtually unlimited options with its mix of French classics and Moroccan specialties. Every dish we had showcased technical expertise and quality ingredients. The price point is higher than average in Fes, but very affordable from a tourist’s point of view. Our meal came out to ~450 dihrams (£35, US$45) per person including drinks.
The restaurant is set in an intimate space at an eponymous riad. Prices aren’t inexpensive but are affordable for the restaurant’s banquet-style dining (à la carte dining isn’t the focus here).
Visiting a restaurant on this list? I’d love to see your adventure!
Kairaouine mosque's minaret stands out among the honeycomb rooftops of Fez medina. Photograph by ISTOCKPHOTO, GETTY IMAGES
Casual Dining
I stumbled on Fondouk Bazaar when wandering around Fes on a Friday. A mezze of three tapas is just 85 dhs ($8.35). We selected the Moroccan orange salad, baby zucchini salad, and Lebanese cheese and thyme cigars. There wasn’t a dish we didn’t like, each phenomenal in its own way. Though Fondouk Bazaar isn’t quite as inexpensive as stopping by a hole-in-the-wall snack (casual Moroccan counter service cafe), prices are still incredibly reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. The restaurant is understandably a tourist favorite, though reviews point to the restaurant’s menu being similar in quality to other traditional Moroccan restaurants in Fes.
A cozy rooftop restaurant in Fes, Mom’s Touch is an inviting, bohemian space. We ordered the Bida Matisha (shakshouka) to start, which was warm and comforting. Mom’s Touch isn’t a mind-blowing dinner choice, but it is a solid one.
Café Clock is the type of place you settle into for a casual but simply satisfying meal. Alongside the famous camel burger are Maghrebi and Middle Eastern favorites. The café’s name comes from the historic water clock facing Bou Inania Madrassa. Cafe Clock restaurants are located in medieval houses. Houses are restored by locals, providing employment and education opportunities.
A Fez icon, the original Café Clock (there are also Clocks in Marrakech and Chefchouen) rambles over several floors of a restored building at the upper reaches of Taa’la Kabira, the medina’s main shopping street. The restaurant’s fusion dishes please the palates of locals and travelers alike. The Clock offers a uniquely seasoned camel burger as the house specialty, and all the small bites and salads are delicious.
The Clock offers cooking and calligraphy classes, music and storytelling evenings, and other cultural activities. We can vouch for the restaurant’s consistently well-prepared light bites. The Clock’s welcoming atmosphere and the view from its upper terraces are always a welcome stop when we are near Bab Boujloud (the Blue Gate).
Café Clock in Fez, Morocco, has been setting the scene for the ancient city since its opening a few years ago. It’s a three-floor restored townhouse (250 years old) with funky aspects, including gems picked up from souks that make this place unique. Cafe Clock is the perfect spot to take a break from Medina’s traditional Moroccan cuisine. Instead, tuck into grilled sandwiches, falafels, milkshakes, delicious cakes, and other Moroccan dishes with a hint of fusion combinations.
We devoured the falafels, vegetable b’stilla, aubergine and goats cheese quiche, Moroccan salads and other dishes on our numerous encounters with this food house. Adjoining the hip scene is the ‘Clock Culture’ program which includes calligraphy and language exchange classes, movie nights, storytelling sessions, lecture programmes and sunset concerts on Sundays (cover charge around Dh20 / 2 euros), attracting a good mix of locals, expats and tourists.
Le Peroke Cafe Restaurant offers a variety of traditional Moroccan staples, alongside International fare with Moroccan flair.
Fez Café serves Moroccan and international cuisine accented by Mediterranean flavor. The picturesque restaurant’s menu is scrawled on a chalkboard, rotating daily. Tourists visiting Fes praise Fez Café for its kitschy decor and unbridled vegetation. However, travelers also site that Fez Café’s food is overpriced for its quality.
A tranquil oasis nestled in a Pasha’s old palace with an Andalusian-inspired garden. European and Moroccan fusion food with a twist, Fez Café is one of Fez’s more modern takes on Moroccan cuisine. We sit down outside on the outskirts of the garden and order a glass of their house wine from it’s neighboring town of Meknes known for its vineyards and dry climate. The menu here changes everyday based on what locally sourced ingredients are available each day.
Restaurant Almandar is open for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is easily accessible by taxi, and parking is a few hundred meters away. Almandar is a convenient option when visiting the Qarawiyyin and Andalusian neighborhoods. We enjoyed popping in for a late lunch or early dinner, a bit outside standard mealtimes.
Friendly waiters welcome guests to this rooftop restaurant near Bab R’cif in the lower medina of Fez. The menu includes tagines, pastilla, couscous, and a range of “fast foods” Moroccan style, such as paninis, burgers, and grilled roast chicken. Little bowls of olives, zalouk, a salad of smoky eggplant and tomatoes, and either loubia or lentils-are a lovely-and complimentary-start to a meal here. Drinks on offer include sodas, teas and delicious seasonal fruit smoothies.
Squid ceviche is just one of the speciality dishes prepared at fusion restaurant, Nur. Photograph by JAVIER PEÑAS
Unique Experiences
Planning a trip to Fes? Some say that the best Moroccan meals are those prepared and served at home, and this is mostly accurate in my experience. I’ve enjoyed many scrumptious meals in Morocco, and eating well in Fez has often meant savoring dishes made by home cooks following unwritten recipes passed down through generations.
When in the culinary hotbed of Morocco-Fès-one can’t help, but indulge in a private culinary class. We spent 3 hours on a Sunday in Fès learning all the ins and outs of traditional Moroccan cuisine with Mina from Riad Anata. Mina, whose lived in and around Fez, knew all the ins and outs of the Medina, where to find the freshest ingredients, and taught us how to cook not one but TWO local dishes. The service includes learning how to make Moroccan local cuisine, Tajine as your main course meal, and appetizers, but as we were cooking…one thing led to another…and Mina ended up being so kind as to teach us our favorite breakfast bread she served us the mornings prior.
If you want to truly immerse yourself in the culture and culinary world of Fez, I highly recommend you take this private culinary class.
At 10 am, The Ruined Garden’s bread-making class will teach you how to make five different Moroccan breads and show you how to hand-roll couscous.
This place isn’t so much “a hidden gem” in Morocco as it is a wide known staple and must-visit dining destination for their famous Camel burger. To be honest? Camel tastes like a very thick and condensed, chewy sausage. Their fries were quite amazing too.
Pat and I looked down a dark and narrow alleyway, deep in the outskirts of the Fez Medina, and questioned whether our restaurant could possibly be located in this desolate street. After speaking to a few locals, we were instructed that in fact yes, this is where the restaurant is located. This became a common theme throughout Morocco. The best restaurants & food in Fez, Morocco are always located in the most ominous of alleys that turn into the the most beautiful palaces and Riads. Truly unexpected.
Moroccan food is delicious and bursting with flavor, but like anything, there can be too much of a good thing. La Cave is a Moroccan and International restaurant in Fes’ medina. The restaurant’s tranquil dining room is among Fes’ most beautiful.
Riad Laaroussa welcomes diners to Bistro Laaroussa, for lunch, dinner, and brunch. Guests enjoy meals or drinks on a stunning roof terrace with a magnificent view or inside before a warming fire. The restaurant serves home-style Moroccan specialties and Mediterranean dishes, everything prepared with fresh and local ingredients. The wine list is a delightful tour through Morocco’s modern vineyards. The bistro is great for a break from tagines and couscous. We especially enjoyed pan-seared fish with vegetables and a glass of chardonnay from nearby Meknès.
The restaurant is set in the atmospheric ruins of a courtyard house a short walk from the medina’s Tala’a Seghira shopping street. At lunchtime, it serves small plates, cakes, pastries, and fresh juices. The Garden’s “Modern Moroccan dinners” include a seven-hour lamb ‘Mechwi’ or, my favorite, a yummy chicken pastilla. Dining is in the garden or the salon before a log fire. Guests can request an escort to and from medina guest accommodations. The unique garden setting is inviting, even in winter. The chicken pastilla we were served was the best we’ve tasted in Fez: beautifully spiced and “meaty,” it was a nice dish to share.
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