1. Sahbi Sahbi
‘Soulmates’ is a modern Moroccan restaurant that celebrate the role of the ‘dada’, the much-loved Moroccan home cook, who is represented here by a collective of female chefs chosen for the breadth of their knowledge of regional dishes. They work in a central, open kitchen in a contemporary dining room designed by Studio KO which embraces you with its burnt umber tones and natural materials that honour Moroccan craftsmanship in cutting-edge style. Food here is deeply traditional but executed in sophisticated style by some very experienced cooks.
2. Pétanque Social Club
The faded blue door with peeling paint overhung by a froth of jasmine gives no clue to the huge garden that hides behind it replete with a vintage pétanque court and adjoining 1930s clubhouse. It’s a piece of Marrakech history rescued by Kamal Laftimi, restauranteur extraordinaire, and revived in superb vintage style by Ibizan design duo Diego & Alexeja. Now PSC is the go-to place for families, cocktail hounds and gangs of friends who come to dine on pizza and fab fusion food beneath the magnolia tree, hang at the bar with a Saharan spritz or test their pétanque skills on the storied terrain.
3. Maison Reine
This small terrace restaurant near the Bab Doukkala mosque is the creation of talented Naëlle. It’s chic blue-and-white decor and vintage crockery is reminiscent of her South of France background, which also influences the delicious vegetable-forward menu. Deceptively simple dishes such as heart of lettuce drenched in dressing and topped with pistachio dust are absolutely delicious. And, be sure to save space for her fabulous desserts like the towering grapefruit pavlova. Downstairs there’s a small concept store with a carefully curated collection of vintage Moroccan clothes and Naëlle’s own chic designs.
4. Naranj
One of the hottest spots in Gueliz is Cassie Karinsky’s bright, modern Medi-Moroccan fusion restaurant +61. Here organic, market-fresh ingredients are front and centre in dishes that play subtle herb and spice combinations. The results are simple dishes with sophisticated, punchy flavours. Don’t miss the delicate marinated sardines, the black rice and crab croquettes and the crowd-pleasing schnitzel with a super fresh mountain of shredded coleslaw.
5. Dar Yacout
This fabulous old-school palace restaurant is set in a huge riad beautifully designed by famed interiors designer Bill Willis (who decorated the homes of many Marrakech celebrities in the 1970s). It was one of the first Medina addresses to offer a fixed-price, multi-course gastronomic Moroccan diffa (feast) and 20 years on its lost none of its glamour. Take an aperitif to Dar Yacout’s panoramic roof terrace or the glowing first floor salon where musicians skilfully play the oud, then settle down for an extravagant feast in one of the lavishly decorated dining rooms where you’ll be served an array of salads, a richly flavoured tagine, couscous, sweet bastilla and finally tea and Moroccan cookies.