Marrakech is undeniably a city for aesthetes. Home to incredible Islamic architecture, the city is a riot of colours, intricate design, and boutique experiences. Nowhere is that more evident than in its dining scene, with the city hosting countless beautiful restaurants. There are restaurants for rooftop sunset views over the medina, romantic restaurant experiences for a couples date night, and so much more besides.
As a lover of all things Moroccan design, I made it my mission to discover as many of the city's beautiful restaurants as possible. As such, I've put together this guide to some of the best restaurants in Marrakech for dining in aesthetic surrounds. Whether you're looking for an Instagram photo opp, or simply want to appreciate the most beautiful restaurants in Marrakech, scroll down for plenty of interiors inspiration...
The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Marrakech
Le Salama
Marrakesh holds its own when it comes to rooftop restaurants. Le Salama, in the heart of the bustling old town just off Jemaa el-Fnaa, is arguably one of the most beautiful. Spread out over three floors, the covered rooftop level offers panoramic views of the surrounding red roofs of the city. However its the interiors that really stand out, with chic modern Moroccan design details sitting pretty under a canopy of green foliage.
I popped in for a light lunch of mezze dishes, paired with happy hour aperol spritzes. Everything was light, fresh, and packed with flavour. A favourite was the cheese "cigarettes" wrapped in pastry with a sweet chilli dipping sauce. Cheese and pastry are just an elite combination. Visit at sunset and later into the evening when the restaurant really comes to life, to enjoy a traditional show as you dine.
Folk Marrakech
The second I stumbled across a photo of Folk Marrakech, I was on the website booking a table. Whilst many of the restaurants on this list offer a more modern interpretation of Moroccan design, Folk leans into tradition, with interiors inspired by the Morocco's craft and local heritage. Jewel toned furnishings vie for attention alongside potted cacti and the classic Moroccan lanterns. Tables and chairs feature painted folk motifs. It's a riot of colour and print, but done with an elegant touch.
The food itself is traditional Moroccan, with a focus on mezze and tagines. There are also a number of set menus. We did the Yalla 3 course menu at 370 dirhams (around £30) per person, which was more than enough food as portion sizes are ample. Paired with a local wine, it was one of the loveliest experiences of Moroccan food. I'd seen reviews that alluded to inattentive service, however we were thoroughly well looked after. The party gets started later in the evening, with live music and dance shows.
Les Jardin de Lotus
La Trattoria
If you’re looking for a romantic restaurants in Marrakech, look no further. Elegant Italian spot La Trattoria is one of the most beautiful spots for a date night dinner in the city. A bit further out of the old town, however its absolutely worth the journey. A dramatic canopy of lanterns overlooks diners around a large pool in the main dining area, whilst cosy Art Deco corners and a 1920s-inspired bar are steeped in nostalgic elegance. We were lucky enough to nab a table overlooking the pool from the balcony above - a great spot to people watch with a spritz.
Food-wise, the menu is largely comprised of fish, meat and pasta dishes. We chose from the latter, tucking into fettuccine with prawns and zucchini, and Ravioli "alla tanjia" with olive tapenade. Though both very tasty, if I was to nit-pick I'd say the former was light on the prawns, and the latter a tad too salty. Though not my favourite meal in Marrakech, it was still so worth it for the experience and ambience.
Le Table du Souk
On our last night in Marrakech, we moved from our traditional Riad to spend a night in luxury at the opulent La Sultana. One of the city's most beautiful luxury hotels, we knew we had to book into one of it's many dining experiences. I decided on Le Table du Souk, the hotel's rooftop lunch restaurant overlooking the Saadian Tombs. The theme is green, with bold zellige tiles and rows of tropical cushions sitting pretty under a canopy of traditional wicker lampshades. It's an oasis of calm after the business of the Old Town streets.
The menu focuses on Morrocan flavours and local producers, with dishes inspired by the Market and Moroccan street food. This was probably one of my favourite meals, with simple yet rich flavour combinations, that let the freshness of the ingredients shine. It's on the pricier side relative to the portion size, but for a peaceful respite in beautiful surrounds, well worth it.
Le Table du Souk serves lunch from 12:30-4pm, and booking is essential for non-hotel guests.
Dar Dar Rooftop
Marrakech has so many incredible rooftop restaurants, that it can be a bit daunting trying to decide where to go. I know I was overwhelmed when researching! However one of my favourite rooftop restaurants in Marrakech is Dar Dar Rooftop, in the heart of the Old Town. Though the interiors themselves aren't as picturesque as some of the others in this guide, it's one of the best places to watch the sun set in Marrakech. Get here at golden hour, and watch the sky slowly turn pink, paired with a delicious menu of tapas and classic Moroccan dishes. Oh, and a solid cocktail menu. It's also one of the vibiest spots, with a DJ spinning tunes to hype up punters as we dined. I can see it being quite the place to party once the sun goes down (personally, I was tucked up in bed by this point, so can't comment..).
Atay Cafe
I stumbled across Atay cafe by chance whilst wandering the Old Towb, in search of somewhere to break for coffee. Though fairly unassuming from the street, head upstairs to discover a lovely rooftop high above the bustle of the souks. With rustic wicker details and cosy striped cushions, it's laidback Moroccan boho aesthetic makes it a quintessential Marrakech rooftop terrace experience. It also offers some of the best views over the rooftops of the Medina. I popped in for a morning coffee, but I imagine its at its very best at sunset!
Nomad
Bringing up the rear, a Marrakech rooftop stalwart. Nomad is a bit of a Marrakech institution, with a bustling rooftop terrace overlooking the spice market. With some of the best views out over the Medina, it's the place to be at sunset and into the night. Book in advance for a table on the rooftop terrace. I didn't actually eat here, so can't comment on the food - but considering it's popularity, I have no doubt that it must be good!
I'd recommend booking in advance, particularly for dinners, as many of these restaurants are extremely popular. I hope this guide to the most beautiful restaurants in Marrakech is helpful - let me know in the comments if there's any spots I've missed! I'd also love to know any other questions or Marrakech guides you'd be interested in seeing. Feel free to DM me on Instagram, and follow for plenty more travel content.