Facing Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira is a lively seaside town with a varied culinary offering. From a beach restaurant with its feet in the sand to a rooftop overlooking the ocean, we explored the gourmet offerings of the Windy City. The local cuisine features seafood from its famous fish market, rooted in both Moroccan tradition and more international cuisine. Delicate pastries and a wide range of drinks, from refined cocktails to fragrant mint tea, also await you.
In this article, discover our selection of the best restaurants in Essaouira and find out about our experiences with all our advice in pictures.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Best bistronomic restaurants in Essaouira
1. Restaurant Le Jardin des Douars (refined local and Western cuisine)
Set in a magnificent hotel, Restaurant Le Jardin des Douars offers a refined culinary experience in an exceptional setting. The decor is truly superb, lending a chic atmosphere to the meal. We discovered carefully prepared European cuisine, but also tasty Moroccan specialties. For dinner, we enjoyed a heart of roasted sucrine with gribiche sauce, followed by a delicate fish pastilla and fresh fruit pavlova. Children’s menus are also available, making this a family-friendly address. You’ll appreciate the attention to detail, from the presentation of the dishes to the attentive service.
Why not come for dinner and stay for the night, as we did? Hôtel Le Jardin des Douars offers superb facilities in a beautiful, peaceful setting, ideal for recharging your batteries. And the breakfast is fabulous!
Practical information:
- Location: 15min drive from Essaouira
- Type of restaurant: bistronomic
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €25 and €50 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialities from Morocco: yes
- Child-friendly: yes (special children’s menu)
- Reservations recommended
2. Restaurant Umia (bistronomic cuisine)
In our opinion, Restaurant Umia stands out for its creative bistronomic cuisine in a sober, elegant setting. You’ll be seduced by the attention paid to the selection of local and seasonal ingredients, which sublimate each dish. The plates are also beautifully presented. The restaurant also offers an original cocktail menu, perfect for accompanying your meal or for a refined aperitif. Vegetarian dishes are also on the menu, so there’s something for everyone. You’ll love this establishment, which combines creativity and fine produce in a contemporary atmosphere.
Practical information:
- District: downtown Essaouira
- Restaurant type: creative bistro
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Terrace: no
- Price range: between €20 and €45 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialties from Morocco: no (but local ingredients)
- Suitable for children: no
- Reservations recommended
WHERE TO STAY IN Morocco
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Morocco (coming soon)
- The most beautiful riads in Morocco
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Best restaurants with sea view in Essaouira
3. Restaurant Salut Morocco
Right in the heart of Essaouira, Restaurant Salut Morocco has a pleasant rooftop offering a superb view of the ocean. We particularly appreciated the colorful decor and the warm atmosphere created by the welcoming staff. The menu gives pride of place to fish and seafood specialties, freshly caught from the waters of the Atlantic. We enjoyed an octopus salad with herbs, grapefruit and lime, followed by a tasty fish tagine. You’ll have a great time at this establishment, which combines traditional Moroccan cuisine with a pleasant setting.
To extend your experience, you can stay at the Hôtel Salut Morocco Luxury Boutique Hotel & Restaurant, which also offers rooms in a bohemian seaside ambience. See prices, photos and availability – and make a reservation
Practical information:
- District: downtown Essaouira
- Restaurant type: Moroccan and international cuisine
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes (rooftop)
- Price range: between €10 and €30 per person
- Specialities from Morocco: yes
- Suitable for children: yes
4. Restaurant Océan Vagabond
Right on the beach, opposite Essaouira’s famous surf spot, Restaurant Océan Vagabond has all the makings of a friendly beach restaurant. We loved the relaxed atmosphere, with our feet practically in the sand. The rather Western menu features freshly caught seafood and grilled meats, in a simple, generous style. You can also enjoy a cocktail at sunset, the perfect time to take in the exceptional view of the waves breaking on the shore. We recommend this place for its vacation atmosphere and privileged seaside location.
Surfing enthusiasts will also appreciate the place, which is also a surf and kite-surf school. Why not take a lesson and then have lunch? Find out more about Essaouira’s beach activities here!
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: beachfront (southern part), opposite the surf spot
- Restaurant type: beach restaurant
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes (open-air)
- Price range: between €12 and €30 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialities from Morocco: no
- Suitable for children: yes
- No reservation necessary
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Maroc
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Adapt your choice of vehicle to your itinerary!
- For more choice, book early.
Read our tips (coming soon)
5. Marché aux Poissons open-air restaurant
Directly in Essaouira harbor, the Marché aux Poissons open-air restaurant offers what we believe to be a very typical experience. Grilling and frying stalls are located directly opposite the fish and seafood stalls. You can watch as products bought directly from the fishermen are prepared before your very eyes. We loved the authentic atmosphere of eating from these tables and chairs set in the heart of the bustling port. The view of the port and its little blue fishing boats is like a postcard!
Octopus, squid, sea bream, oysters and other surprises find their way onto the plate, depending on the catch! Here you’ll discover seafood cuisine in a popular, friendly setting that reflects Essaouira’s maritime soul.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: in the port, at the Marché aux Poissons
- Restaurant type: grilled, fried fish and seafood
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes (open-air)
- Price range: between €8 and €20 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialities from Morocco: yes
- Suitable for children: yes
- No reservation
Best restaurants in downtown Essaouira
6. Restaurant Café Vera
On Place Moulay El Hassan, Restaurant Café Vera offers a beautiful view of the bay and the port’s sqala. This Essaouira institution is a large café-brasserie whose decor evokes the city’s history. We appreciated the diversity of the menu, which offers both traditional Moroccan cuisine served on large platters and Western cuisine. Something for every taste. The gourmet offer of hot drinks and cocktails is accompanied by beautiful pastries. Here you’ll find the perfect place to enjoy lunch in the sun or a cup of tea with cake, while watching the bustle of the main square.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: Place Moulay El Hassan
- Restaurant type: café-brasserie
- Capacity: more than 25 place settings
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €10 and €30 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialities from Morocco: yes
- Suitable for children: yes
- No reservation necessary
7. Café Kairos
Located opposite the ramparts of Essaouira, Café Kairos offers a fresh, healthy brunch. We also discovered a menu featuring fresh juices and a wide selection of hot drinks, perfect for a vitamin-packed or soothing break. The decor is modern and colorful, contrasting with the surrounding historic architecture. You’ll appreciate this address for its light, healthy cuisine, ideal for a gourmet break between two visits to the monuments of the walled city.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: facing the ramparts
- Restaurant type: brunch café
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Terrace: yes
- Price range: between €8 and €20 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialities from Morocco: no
- Suitable for children: yes
- No reservation necessary
A LITTLE MORE PATIENCE
All the photos, maps, information and addresses you need to make your stay at Maroc a success will soon be available in a single ebook!
Coming soon!
8. Restaurant Amira
Nestled in a small alleyway in the medina, Restaurant Amira is a pleasant surprise. We discovered this discreet establishment offering just a few dishes, prepared according to the day’s catch. Moroccan seafood cuisine is typical and traditional, respecting the ancestral recipes for which the local gastronomy is renowned. The intimate atmosphere of this family-run restaurant charmed us, as did the freshness of the products served. You’ll love this authentic address, where the simplicity of the dishes highlights the quality of the freshly caught fish and seafood. Breakfast is also available.
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: in an alley in the medina
- Restaurant type: traditional Moroccan, seafood cuisine
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Terrace: no (4 place settings only)
- Price range: between €10 and €25 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialities from Morocco: yes
- Suitable for children: yes
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Other good addresses in Essaouira
Restaurants of Place du Marché Aux Grains
The Place du Marché Aux Grains is home to several small, pleasant restaurants. We found it pleasant to take a break here during our exploration of the souk. Restaurant Carré Bleu is particularly well-suited to pastries and tea. Restaurant Chez Ahmed also offers simple, tasty cuisine in a friendly atmosphere.
Practical information:
- District: in the medina, Place du Marché Aux Grains
- Type of restaurants: traditional
- Capacity: less than 25 covers
- Terraces: yes
- Price range: between €8 and €20 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialities from Morocco: yes
- Suitable for children: yes
- No reservation necessary
Tent restaurants in Place Moulay El Hassan
The tent restaurants set up on Place Moulay El Hassan offer a friendly atmosphere and simple but typical cuisine. These temporary establishments allow you to enjoy traditional dishes or simply French fries in a popular atmosphere, right in the heart of Essaouira’s lively main square. We loved the atmosphere and the view over the bay!
Practical information:
- Neighborhood: Place Moulay El Hassan
- Restaurant type: street food
- Capacity: variable
- Terrace: yes (open-air)
- Price range: between €5 and €15 per person (excluding drinks)
- Specialities from Morocco: yes
- Suitable for children: yes
- No reservation
