Local’s Guide to the Best Restaurants in Marrakech New Town (Guéliz)

I often get messages from readers asking where to eat or go out in Marrakech. After living here for ten years – and choosing to live most of the time in Guéliz, the new town – I’ve collected the places I return to again and again. So here is my list of favourite restaurants, cafés, and night spots in the new town.

By the way, Medina of Marrakech is mainly for tourists; locals rarely go to eat there, as there is too much noise and hustle to reach restaurants, as cars cannot go inside the Medina.

AMAL 

Rue Allal Ben Ahmed et Rue Ibn Sina
Pusryčiai: 8.30-10.30 val.
Pietūs: 12-15.30 val
Stalo rezervacija: +212(0) 5 24 44 68 96

Amal is a non-profit organisation whose goal is to help local women (divorced, widows, single mothers, etc.) return to work and rebuild their lives through professional training in cooking and hospitality. They run two restaurants in Marrakech where you can come for a meal or take cooking classes. Women train there for six months, learning kitchen skills, serving, and all the basics of restaurant work.

The Amal restaurant in Guéliz has become very popular with tourists, but it is still worth visiting – they serve one of the best couscous dishes in Marrakech (around 50 MAD), available only on Fridays. On Fridays they serve couscous only; on other days the menu is more varied. Friday lunch is usually busy and advance booking is highly recommended, otherwise you will likely find a line at the door.

CHEZ BEJGUENNI 

Rue Ibn Aïcha
Atidaryta kasdien, 10-23.30 val 
(netinka vegetarams) 

If you ask a local in Marrakech where to find the best meat restaurant, they will probably send you to Chez Bejguenni. This long-time favourite is located close to Amal’s women’s centre and restaurant. There are several similar places on the same street, but most people still choose Chez Bejguenni, even if they have to wait for a table. The reason is simple: consistently good grilled meat.

The menu is straightforward: you choose the type of meat (sold by weight) and the sides – salads, chips, etc. You can also order tagines and tangia. At Chez Bejguenni you can try all kinds of cuts, including some that may be unusual for visitors: grilled liver, lungs and even brains, served either in a tagine or simply grilled.

In the evenings the restaurant is often packed, so you may need to queue for a table. Expect to pay roughly 50–70 MAD per person including tea and a few side dishes, depending on which meat and how much you order.

CHEZ OUAZZANI

Rue Ibn Aïcha 12
Atidaryta kasdien, 12-2.30 val. nakties 

On the same street as Chez Bejguenni, next to O’Tacos, you will find another local spot: Chez Ouazzani. I also recommend it for vegetarians, as the menu includes several good vegetarian starters and dishes.

The menu is very mixed – from classic Moroccan tagines to pizzas and Middle Eastern-style plates. My personal favourites are the mezze-style starters: Baba Ganoush (roasted aubergine dip) and Muhammara Harra (roasted peppers with nuts).

Before your main dishes arrive, they often bring a few small complimentary tapas plates. For dinner you will usually pay around 50 MAD, depending on what you order. Chez Ouazzani is a good choice if you are with a larger group of friends, as there are tables both inside and outside. On Fridays they also serve a very good couscous.

Grand Café de la Poste

 Boulevard El Mansour Eddahbi ir Avenue Imam Malik kampas
Atidaryta kasdien: 8-12 val. nakties
Savaitgaliais iki 1 val nakties

If you want to step into the colonial-era atmosphere of early 20th-century Morocco, head to the famous Grand Café de la Poste. It is a very popular place, so you should reserve a table in advance, especially if you want to sit on the terrace.

I usually go there a bit dressed up, when I want to feel a touch more elegant and sink into the French Art Deco mood. While most people choose the terrace, I actually like sitting inside, looking at the interior details: the staircase, lighting and furniture.

The menu is mainly French with Moroccan touches, and you can also order alcoholic drinks. Salads cost around 120 MAD and main dishes about 170 MAD. You can also come just for evening drinks and enjoy the historical setting.

Petanque Social Club

70 Bd el Mansour Eddahbi, Marrakech

Petanque Social Club – is a new place that opened in 2024 in the Guéliz district, not far from Comptoir des Mines Gallery. It is not easy to find: there is no sign on the door, so follow Google Maps and, once you arrive, ask which door to use.

I really like the garden and interior design at Petanque. The food is decent but the price–quality balance is not the best; I would say you come here more for the atmosphere, cocktails and the international crowd than for a memorable meal.

ESPACE FRUITS OTHMANE

Av. Moulay Rachid, netoli  Imperial Holiday Hotel  

Even if breakfast is included at your hotel, I recommend skipping it at least once and going to Espace Fruits Othmane – one of the best local breakfast spots in Marrakech, also on Avenue Moulay Rachid. Locals love this place; it stays open until late at night and weekend mornings are especially busy, so you might have to wait for a table.

They are famous for their omelettes, served in small metal pans. My favourite is the omelette with dried meat (khlia). Ask for a fresh juice (without added sugar) and a café Americano – that’s my idea of a perfect breakfast. Prices are very reasonable: a filling omelette is under 20 MAD and juices are about 10–15 MAD. Also worth trying are their “Beldi” breakfasts – an omelette served with a tray full of dips, spreads and olives.

 AL FASSIA 

55 Boulev. Mohamed Zerktouni, Gueliz
Atidaryta kasdien: 12.30 – 14.30 val.  / 19.30 iki 23 val. 

Al Fassia has been open for over 25 years and is a more upscale option for traditional Moroccan cuisine in an elegant setting. The restaurant is run by two sisters, and the servers are exclusively women – something still quite rare in Morocco, where most waiting staff are men. Al Fassia has two locations: one in Guéliz and another further out, at the Aguedal Fassia hotel.

Traditional Moroccan dishes start around 140 MAD. The signature dish is the slow-cooked shoulder of lamb. Most of the menu is classic Moroccan, but the kitchen gives the dishes a slightly modern twist. Alcohol is available.

As in many good Marrakech restaurants, it is best to reserve a table in advance, especially for dinner. Compared with simpler places in the city where you can find excellent Moroccan food for less, Al Fassia is on the expensive side – but sometimes you simply want to treat yourself.

LA TRATTORIA

179 rue Mohamed El Bequal, Gueliz
Dirba kasdien nuo 12 iki 1 val. nakties 

La Trattoria is an Italian restaurant divided into two main areas: a bar for drinks and a restaurant for dining. It is perfect for a romantic dinner or a quiet, elegant evening with friends.

The Art Deco-style bar feels like an old English gentlemen’s club: soft lighting, live musicians on some evenings, cigars, and a working fireplace in the cooler months. There is also a large outdoor terrace.

La Trattoria is very busy in the evenings, so it is wise to book a table in advance. Main dishes start at around 200 MAD, pasta from around 130 MAD.

Entrepotes

62 Tarik Ibn Ziad, Guéliz
Atidaryta kasdien, nuo 18 val iki 2 val. nakties

Entrepotes is a popular place for dinner, drinks and good music. It has a similar vibe to L’Envers or Point Bar, but is larger and feels slightly more polished.

My favourite part is the inner garden. If you plan to go, definitely reserve a table in the garden area specifically. Entrepotes is known for its tapas; I recommend ordering their tapas-and-wine sets for dinner. The cocktails are also worth trying – their presentation is so theatrical that you almost don’t want to drink them, just admire them. 

EPICURIEN

Rue Hafid Ibrahim
Dirba kasdien, nuo 20 val iki 4 val. 

If you want dinner, live music and dancing in Marrakech, Épicurien is a strong candidate.

I have never actually had a full dinner there – I usually go with friends around midnight, when the live band starts playing (before that there is a DJ). From Wednesday to Sunday a professional band and singers perform covers that quickly get everyone dancing.

Épicurien is located inside the Casino de Marrakech building, so to reach the restaurant you walk through the casino floor (or even stop for a quick game, if you like). The setting is chic, but you do not need to be overdressed. Still, if you packed a little black dress for your trip, this is a perfect place to wear it.

Main dishes cost around 200 MAD and a bottle of wine about 300 MAD. Prices are not low, but you are paying for a full night out with live music and a DJ. If you arrive by taxi, avoid saying you are going to “Casino de Marrakech” – drivers tend to push the price up to at least 100 MAD, even for short distances. Instead, mention a nearby hotel or be ready to negotiate firmly.

COMPTOIR DARNA  

Avenue Echouhada | Hivernage 
Restoranas dirba kasdien nuo 20 iki 1 val. nakties

For dinner with a full Moroccan-style show, head to Comptoir Darna, located in an Art Deco building in Hivernage. The venue includes a restaurant, a nightclub and a cosy terrace.

The menu mixes Moroccan and international dishes. Every night until 22:00 there is a live Arabic–Andalusian music performance. Afterwards, the show continues with dancers combining elements of ballet and belly dance. From Sunday to Wednesday evenings, a traditional Gnawa music group also plays.

Main dishes start around 200 MAD and cocktails around 120–150 MAD. I recommend Comptoir Darna more for the experience and the show than for the food alone – it is a good choice if you want to celebrate a special occasion in Marrakech.

BAROMETRE 

 Rue Moulay Ali, Gueliz
Atidaryta kasdien: 18.30 – 1 val. nakties

Baromètre is a hidden underground cocktail bar that feels like a small chemistry lab dedicated to mixology. This is not the place to go for beer or wine – you come here for cocktails.

Cocktails are not cheap (around 150 MAD), but they are very carefully made and worth trying. If you can, sit at the bar and watch the bartenders work: there is often a little show with fire, smoke and unusual glassware. The bartenders themselves are very charismatic and stylish.

Baromètre also has a separate area for dinner, but for me this is a cocktail-only spot. My favourite drink is the Churchill – quite strong, and one is usually enough.

La Taverna

La Taverna is a restaurant set around a small garden, with additional tables inside. I always choose the garden. You will find it in the new town, Guéliz. If you go by taxi, ask to be dropped near Cinéma Colisée.

La Taverna is a slightly quirky place and not for those who want a polished, luxury environment. It feels a bit like stepping into the 1980s: older waiters in white gloves, waterfalls playing on the TV screens, simple food, and the option to order wine or beer. It is a popular spot among locals and expats living in Marrakech who do not need luxury but appreciate good service and a relaxed garden setting.

Casa Jose Marrakech

8 Rue Oued El Makhazine, Guéliz
Open daily from lunchtime

Casa Jose is a Spanish-style restaurant (have the same name tapas restaurants in many cities) and bar in the heart of Guéliz, good for tapas, shared plates and a later dinner. The menu leans towards grilled fish, seafood and classic Spanish dishes, with a decent choice of wines and cocktails. It works well if you want something different from Moroccan food but still in a relaxed, local atmosphere.

laÔ Marrakech

14 Rue Oued El Makhazine / Place du 16 Novembre, Guéliz
Open daily: 19:00–02:00

laÔ is a rooftop restaurant and bar with wide, open views over the Guéliz skyline – one of the few places in Marrakech where you really see the modern city from above. The cuisine is contemporary and international, with a focus on well-presented plates and cocktails. Come for sunset or a late dinner if you want a city-view evening rather than a Medina rooftop. Booking is recommended, especially for terrace tables.

Les Jardins de Guéliz

Guéliz (check current opening hours; usually open for lunch and dinner)

Les Jardins de Guéliz is a quiet, sit-down restaurant with both French and Moroccan dishes on the menu. It’s an easy choice if you want a straightforward three-course meal at sensible prices, away from the more crowded terraces. Service is generally friendly and efficient, and it works well for a simple lunch or dinner with a glass of wine. Simple place.

68 Bar

Avenue Mohamed Zerktouni, Guéliz
Open daily from early evening until late

68 Bar is a classic Guéliz spot for a relaxed dinner-and-drinks evening, mixing a lounge atmosphere with a simple, crowd-friendly food menu. It’s not a fine-dining place, but a reliable option if you want a casual meal, a drink and a bit of a buzz without going to a nightclub. The menu includes straightforward international dishes, burgers, salads and grilled plates.

It’s popular with locals and Marrakech expats, especially on weekends, so it can get busy after 21:00. 68 Bar works well if you want an easy, central restaurant that’s open late and close to many of the new-town hotels. You can come for dinner or just sit at the bar for a drink before continuing your night in Guéliz.

Pasta Cozy (Palmeraie)

Palmeraie district – inside the Palmeraie / Pavillon du Golf / Palmeraie Rotana complex (about 10–15 minutes by car from the centre)

Pasta Cozy is an Italian restaurant in the Palmeraie, not in Guéliz, but worth the drive if you want to see the palm district and eat outside the city centre. The restaurant sits by the pools and golf course, with a terrace overlooking the gardens and water. The menu focuses on pasta, risotto and classic Italian plates, so it is a good option when you need a break from tagines and couscous and feel like a quieter dinner surrounded by palm trees.

               

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