Fes: A Culinary Journey Beyond the Plate
Fes is not merely a city; it is a living document of Moroccan history, and its cuisine is an essential chapter. The culinary tradition here, often referred to as Fassi cuisine, is celebrated as one of the most refined and complex in the country, a distinct blend of Arab, Moorish, Jewish, French, and Amazigh influences refined over centuries.
To dine in Fes is to step off a labyrinthine alley and into a private world—be it a restored riad, a lush garden courtyard, or a rooftop with a view that spans a thousand years. The atmosphere is half the meal. You are not just eating a tagine; you are soaking in the history carved into the intricate cedarwood and the silence of the courtyard. This selection of restaurants, chosen for their commitment to authentic flavor, superb settings, and visitor appeal, offers a comprehensive look at the city’s gastronomic soul.
Here is a guide to where to experience the best of Fes, organized by ambiance and dining experience.
The Traditional Setting: Riad and Dar Dining
These restaurants offer the quintessential Fassi dining experience, serving exquisite, authentic cuisine within the breathtakingly beautiful, traditional architecture of a restored house or palace.
Restaurant Dar Hatim
This family-run establishment is consistently praised for serving delicious, authentic homemade Moroccan cuisine. Visitors frequently highlight the incredible warmth and genuine hospitality of the owners, noting that dining here feels less like a restaurant and more like being welcomed into a Moroccan home. The food is celebrated for its authenticity and rich flavor, with the Lamb Tagine and the owner’s signature Chicken Pastilla often being called the best in the city. With generous portions and beautiful traditional decor, Dar Hatim delivers exceptional value and a personal, cozy atmosphere.
Darori Resto
Darori Resto is considered a hidden gem that delivers an elegant yet warm dining experience. Set within a beautifully decorated riad with authentic Moroccan architecture, the ambiance is frequently described as “magical” and “breathtaking.” Guests rave about the flavorful, well-presented traditional dishes like the seafood pastilla and kefta tagine. While perhaps slightly pricier than a street-side meal, reviewers agree the exceptional quality, artistic decor, and impeccable, kind service make it an excellent value for a truly special, unforgettable evening.
Restaurant Palais Bab Sahra Fes
Located in a historic setting, Bab Sahra offers a grand, authentic Moroccan dining journey. Known for its traditional decor and warm ambiance, the restaurant provides a comprehensive taste of classic Fassi cuisine. The menu focuses on beloved Moroccan dishes such as tagines, couscous, and pastilla, all prepared with fresh, local ingredients. This is a solid choice for those seeking a formal, culturally rich meal in a historic palace setting.
The Ambiance & View Seekers: Rooftop and Garden Escapes
Fes is a city best viewed from above or enjoyed in a tranquil, shaded courtyard. These spots combine quality food with a spectacular, relaxing setting that provides a welcomed break from the medina’s bustle.
The Ruined Garden
A unique and immensely popular venue, The Ruined Garden lives up to its name, offering dining within the beautiful, atmospheric ruins of a courtyard house. It provides a peaceful, shaded escape from the medina, serving a mix of traditional and modern Moroccan dishes, along with fresh juices and street food favorites. Reviewers appreciate the focus on fresh, local produce (some grown on-site) and the inventive yet familiar cuisine. It’s an appealing combination of high-quality, fresh fare and an utterly distinctive, relaxed setting.
Restaurant Dar Hammad
This family-run gem is highly recommended for its superb authentic Moroccan cuisine and its fantastic rooftop terrace view over the medina. Visitors consistently praise the food—especially the best-of-the-trip Chicken Pastilla—as being fresh, flavorful, and genuinely home-cooked. The atmosphere is cozy, the service is friendly and efficient, and the prices are noted as reasonable for the high quality and scenic setting. It’s a perfect spot for an affordable meal with a millionaire view.
Fondouk Bazaar
Situated above one of the medina’s main thoroughfares, this contemporary café-restaurant features inviting roof terraces perfect for people-watching. The menu playfully blends Moroccan, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern flavors, offering options from breakfast-friendly shakshuka to simple pastas and popular vegetarian choices. Reviewers highlight the relaxed, contemporary atmosphere and its ease of access just off the Talaa el Kebira. It’s an easy-to-find spot that offers moderate prices and a sought-after roof terrace vibe.
Fez Café
Tucked away in the beautiful Jardin des Biehn, Fez Café offers an elegant yet relaxed setting with a lush, green terrace. The chef is celebrated for blending traditional Moroccan flavors with Mediterranean accents, creating an inventive and refined menu that changes daily based on seasonal, fresh market products. It’s ideal for those seeking a refined, fusion take on local cuisine in a tranquil garden oasis. Reservations are highly recommended.
Casual & Contemporary: Modern Vibes in the Old City
These spots are perfect for a relaxed meal, offering a mix of traditional and international fare in a more modern or casual environment, often serving as cultural hubs.
Café Clock
More than just a restaurant, Café Clock is a cultural institution and a popular gathering spot for both tourists and locals. Housed in a funky, three-story converted townhouse, it offers a great escape with a famous Camel Burger alongside a menu of all-day breakfasts, smoothies, and Moroccan dishes. Beyond the food, it hosts cooking classes, concerts, and cultural workshops, creating a vibrant, social atmosphere. Its lively, young staff and unique, artsy decor make it a refreshing pause from the medina’s sensory overload.
Le Peroke Cafe Restaurant
Billing itself as the first cultural café in Fes, Le Peroke is a hub for book discussions, poetry readings, and social events. It serves traditional dishes like lamb tagine, plum tagine, and harira soup. Its appeal lies in its double role as a casual eatery and a genuine cultural space, making it an excellent choice for visitors looking to engage with the city’s contemporary intellectual and social life alongside a meal.
Mom’s Touch
Mom’s Touch is lauded for its superb traditional Moroccan food, often praised by reviewers as some of the best they’ve had in Morocco. High-rated dishes include the pigeon and chicken tagines, the unique Camel Burger, and the harira soup. While reviews on the price-to-portion size can be mixed, the sheer quality and unforgettable flavor of the food—described as both authentic and featuring some inventive combinations—make it a culinary standout.
Chez Rachid
Located near the iconic Bab Boujloud, Chez Rachid is a bustling, no-frills local spot known for good-value, simple Moroccan fare. It’s especially noted for its affordability and reliable vegetarian/vegan options, including a well-received vegan tagine and couscous salad. This is a practical, well-located choice for a satisfying meal where the focus is on traditional flavors and quick, friendly service.
La Cave
La Cave is a unique blend, offering a menu that combines the richness of Moroccan cuisine with a dash of Haute French and Turkish influences. The setting is noted for its sophisticated ambiance, blending traditional decor with modern touches, and it features an inviting terrace. Reviewers suggest their seafood specials and local wine pairings for a memorable meal. It stands out as an excellent choice for visitors seeking a sophisticated, fusion dining experience in the medina.
Honorable Mentions: Reliable Quality and Local Flavor
These final restaurants offer consistent quality and authentic menus, cementing their place as reliable choices for a traditional Moroccan meal.
La Morille
La Morille serves traditional Moroccan dishes, with many praising the friendly staff and the delicious vegetarian appetizers and various tagines, like chicken with raisins and caramelized onions. While some past reviews have noted small portions, its commitment to authentic flavor and reasonable pricing in a pleasant atmosphere make it a solid choice for a good traditional meal.
Restaurant Almandar
Often referred to as L’Amandier, this restaurant is located at the Palais Faraj and is consistently cited as a premier Fes dining experience. Known as the “crown jewel” of the palace, its elevated position features refined contemporary decor and a “dizzying” terrace with expansive views. The Moroccan menu is inspired by the city’s highest gastronomic traditions and offers classics with creative flair, including heritage dishes like Rfissa and Dafina. It’s a top-tier choice for a refined, upscale meal.