I love Le Marrakchi. There, I’ve said it. It’s everything I shouldn’t love, in that it’s unashamedly targeted at tourists, and the guys at the riad have long found it hilarious that I go there to eat on the first night of every trip. It’s a tradition that’s become dangerously close to superstition.
However, I think that there are worse places to go for your first Moroccan meal: it’s beautiful and has all the Arabian Nights touches that make you think “I’m actually in Marrakech!”, the food is good (and not as expensive as some other restaurants nearby), it’s easy to find, and – and this is important! – it’s the only restaurant/cafe overlooking the square where you can have a glass of wine or a beer with your meal!
I have only ever ordered the tanjia, which is basically just slow cooked beef, served with couscous, and it’s absolutely delicious. I’ve had a lot of tanjia whilst in Marrakech and I’ve not found a better one.
As mentioned, it’s the only place to eat on the square where you can have a drink with your meal, and I generally have a half bottle of the Medaillon rouge, which is excellent (not that I’m terribly fussy) and comes in just the most beautiful bottle. One day I’ll get a decent photo, and/or remember to take the bottle away with me.
At some point in the proceedings, the music will suddenly blare and in come the belly dancers. I can’t stand the belly dancers. But quite a lot of people really enjoy it (that’ll be the wine…) and they’ll be up dancing and dragging the whole painful, awkward business out. Me, I just immerse myself in my meal/wine/phone and refuse to look up until it’s all over! You’ll also see the same ladies in various other restaurants in the vicinity if you’re (un)lucky. I would put money on not one of them being Moroccan, either.
That aside, the Marrakchi gets my vote. If you’ve never been to Morocco before, go!
Marion in Morocco 