What should you eat in Essaouira? Start with grilled fish or sardines, try a tagine, and leave room for amlou and a glass of mint tea. The pleasure is in mixing the flavours of the Atlantic coast with the wider traditions of Moroccan cooking, at your own pace.
You do not need a long list of reservations to make food part of your stay. A few dishes to look out for, a little curiosity and time around the table are a good starting point.
Fish and sardines: a taste of coastal Essaouira
Fish has a natural place in Essaouira’s cuisine: grilled, fried or cooked in a tagine. Sardine meatballs are another local preparation worth looking out for. These different ways of cooking offer a good reason to try fish more than once during your stay.
Before ordering, ask which fish is available, how it will be prepared and whether the price is per portion or by weight. Check what comes with it, too. A clear conversation at the beginning lets you settle in and enjoy the meal.
Tagine, couscous and vegetables: vary your meals
Tagine and couscous belong to Morocco’s broader culinary traditions; they are not exclusive to Essaouira. A tagine is slowly cooked and may contain fish, meat or vegetables. Couscous is another option for a leisurely lunch.
For smaller dishes, look for zaalouk, an aubergine preparation, and taktouka, made with tomatoes and peppers. If you are travelling with others, choosing several different dishes can turn a meal into a shared discovery. Ask about portion sizes before ordering a whole selection.
Amlou and culinary argan oil
The Essaouira region is associated with argan oil. In the kitchen, it also appears in amlou, a spread traditionally made with almonds, honey and argan oil. Try a little with bread to discover it simply.
If you would like to take some home, ask about the ingredients, storage and packaging. Choose a size that suits your trip, and check your baggage rules before buying liquids. A food souvenir is more enjoyable when it is easy to carry and use afterwards.
Mint tea and a sweet pause
Mint tea is a Moroccan tradition that lends itself to an unhurried break. Alongside it, you might try a ghriba or a gazelle-horn pastry. Choose one or two small sweets first: tasting slowly leaves room to notice the differences.
Make this a pause in your day rather than another stop to tick off. After a walk, sitting down without a fixed schedule can be as memorable as the next sight on your itinerary.
Begin the day with a Moroccan breakfast
Food discoveries can begin before your first outing. At Riad Chama, in Essaouira’s medina, a Moroccan breakfast is included in your stay. It is a gentle way to start the morning before exploring the city’s flavours.
If you are planning where to stay, you can discover Riad Chama’s suites. Leave some space in the day for a spontaneous lunch or a longer tea break, rather than arranging every meal in advance.
Plan a day around your appetite
Our suggestion: begin with breakfast, make lunch your main opportunity to try a new dish, then choose dinner according to your appetite. There is no need to sample everything in one day. You can combine these ideas with our three-day Essaouira itinerary.
Questions about eating in Essaouira
Can you eat vegetarian food?
Look for vegetable dishes and cooked salads. Ask whether the stock, sauce and preparation suit your diet; the name of a dish does not always tell you every ingredient.
Is Moroccan food always hot and spicy?
Spices and chilli are not the same thing. Ask how a dish is seasoned and whether a hot sauce can be served separately, especially if you prefer milder flavours.
Should you budget a fixed amount for each meal?
Prices depend on what you choose and how it is served. Check the menu or agree the total before ordering, including drinks, accompaniments and any preparation charge.
Further reading: Essaouira tourism — gastronomy and local produce; Moroccan National Tourism Office — Moroccan specialities; Moroccan culinary traditions.