Moroccan food: 17 yummy dishes you should eat in Morocco

I love Moroccan food and it’s one of the best parts of visiting Morocco if you ask me.

The cuisine is so diverse and vibrant in color and flavor. The flavor combinations, aromatic spices, and exotic ingredients make even the most basic dishes amazing.

Are you ready to hear about the best Moroccan dishes? Here are a few of my favorites.

What is Moroccan food?

Moroccan cuisine is healthy, at least in general.

Most dishes contain vegetables and rely on whole grains, freshly prepared food, spices and sweet fruit rather than refined sugar and deep-frying.

They use lamb which is leaner than red meat, and couscous which is healthier than rice.

Influenced over thousands of years by Berber, Jewish and Arab cultures, today’s Moroccan food is an exciting blend of spices and textures.

The Berber influence is seen in the mobile way of cooking: grilled or slow cooking over hot coals, and breads and dips you can eat with your hands.

Arabs introduced lamb, sweets and dates, while Jews brought their pickled lemons and the olives.

The best food in Morocco

1. Tagine

Tagine is a traditional Moroccan dish, and it’s one of the best things to eat in Morocco!

Tagine is a clay cooking pot with a conical top, and it’s also the dish that is cooked in said pot. 

The unique shape of the tagine and the slow-cooking method make the ingredients (beef, lamb, chicken, veggies, etc.) tender and luscious. Definitely don’t leave Morocco without trying one.

2. Couscous

Morocco’s national dish is couscous. It’s typically served with meat or vegetables, and like tagine, it comes in a number of varieties.

Berbers usually add raisins and a bowl of buttermilk. Another way of serving is covering the meat with a pyramid of couscous and the vegetables pressed into the sides.

Either way, expect to be served a massive portion you won’t come close to finishing.

3. Harira

Harira is a classic Moroccan soup, blending tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and sometimes lamb.

It’s thick, flavorful, and often served during Ramadan to break the fast, but it’s just as loved any other time.

4. Kefta

Kefta is a tasty Moroccan favorite, where ground beef or lamb gets a kick from spices, onions, and herbs. These ingredients are mixed, shaped into balls or skewers, and then grilled.

It’s similar to kofta in Turkish cuisine.

5. Mechoui

Mechoui is all about slow-roasting lamb until it’s super tender, seasoned with saffron and garlic.

It’s a go-to for big celebrations in Morocco, bringing everyone together over some seriously good eats. If there’s a special occasion, you can bet Mechoui is on the menu, making it a real highlight of Moroccan cooking.

6. Zaalouk

Zaalouk is a Moroccan eggplant salad that’s both smoky and flavorful, mashed up with tomatoes, garlic, and spices like cumin and paprika.

It’s often served as a dip with bread on the side. Super versatile, it can be a starter, a side, or just a tasty snack.

If you’re diving into Moroccan cuisine, Zaalouk is a must-try—it’s simple, delicious, and totally brings out the rich flavors of Morocco.

7. Brochettes

The tasty Moroccan kebabs, also known as brochettes, are found on almost every street corner.

The chicken, lamb, or beef kebabs are rubbed in salt and spices and then grilled over a charcoal fire. Ooooh….that taste. You have to try the kebabs.

8. Rfissa

Rfissa is this hearty Moroccan dish where you’ve got shredded msemen, which is like a flaky pancake, layered with tender chicken, lentils, and heaps of spices, all soaked in a savory broth.

It’s a comfort food that’s often shared during special occasions, really showing off the warmth and richness of Moroccan family meals.

9. Mrouzia

Mrouzia is a sweet and savory Moroccan lamb tagine.

It’s made with tender lamb, raisins, almonds, and honey, all spiced up with things like Ras el Hanout and cinnamon.

It’s typically served during special festivals, especially Eid, making it a standout dish that’s rich in flavors and traditions.

10. Fish Chermoula

Fish Chermoula is this awesome Moroccan dish where fish gets a big flavor boost from chermoula—a zesty marinade made with herbs, garlic, lemon, and spices.

You marinate the fish, then grill or bake it, and boom, you’ve got this incredibly flavorful, slightly tangy dish. It’s a staple in Moroccan cuisine, especially along the coast.

11. Sfenj

Sfenj is basically the Moroccan version of a doughnut, and it’s yummy. Imagine grabbing a hot, airy, slightly chewy pastry that’s deep-fried and then sprinkled with sugar or dipped in honey.

It’s street food at its best, often enjoyed as a breakfast treat or a snack with mint tea. If you’re wandering around Morocco and you spot these being made, definitely stop and get one.

12. Moroccan mint tea

Talking about mint tea… Guys, I’m telling you:

You can’t visit Morocco without trying the deliciously sweet mint tea – it’s practically the national drink.

It’s a green tea base with lots of mint leaves and sugar. No one actually knows how much sugar Moroccans put in their tea, but it’s a lot.

Warning: This tea is borderline addictive.

13. Fresh seafood

Morocco’s position by the coast means there are lots of fresh fish.

Sardines represent more than 62% of the Moroccan fish catch, but anchovies, prawns, and mackerel are also common at the fish markets and on the menu cards.

The best place to get fresh fish is by the coast, like in Agadir and Essaouira.

14. Moroccan sweets and cakes

Moroccans have a serious sweet tooth and if the sugary, delicious cakes weren’t enough, they often come with a glass of hot, sweet mint tea. Here are some  of the best desserts:

• Date truffles (my favorite!) – a delicious blend of dates, nuts and cocoa powder
• Sugared peanuts – buy them at street stalls
• B’stilla – a pigeon pie with almonds and eggs wrapped in paper-thin pastry leaves
• Briouats – deep-fried sweet puff pastry triangles stuffed with almond paste
• Gazelle horns – with almond paste, orange flower water and cinnamon

Calories don’t count on vacation, right?

15. Baba ganoush and hummus

Baba ganoush is cooked eggplant mixed with tahini, olive oil, garlic, cumin, and black olives, and it’s a common side dish typically served with bread.

And so is humus, which I absolutely LOVE.

The flavor combination of mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and garlic is awesome, especially when served with a pile of fresh pitas. Yum!!

16. Moroccan mixed salad

Salads in Morocco are different from what you would expect and are generally served with lots of bread.

The vegetables are either raw or cooked, hot or cold, flavored by herbs and spices, and served with a main course such as grills, tagine, or couscous.

A popular salad is zaalouk, which is eggplant, tomato, and garlic. The carrot salad and tk’touka made of peppers, tomatoes, and spices are also common in Morocco.

17. Dates and figs

So, one big thing. If you go to Morocco, you’re going to see dates for really cheap, everywhere.

I’m a total sucker for dates both fresh and in cooking. Just this weekend we made bacon-wrapped dates in the oven, and oh my gosh, talk about wow!

They’re such a versatile food, and if you’re a date connoisseur like me, you’ll definitely get a kick out of trying these.

A thousand thanks to Moroccan National Tourist Office and Marokko Eksperten for hosting me. I was a guest on this press trip, but all opinions are my own as always.

FAQ – Best Moroccan food

What is the most popular food in Morocco?

The most popular food in Morocco is couscous.

It’s a staple dish made from steamed semolina grains, often served with a stew of meat, vegetables, and spices on Fridays, symbolizing a communal and celebratory meal across the country.

What is Morocco’s national dish?

Morocco’s national dish is couscous, a versatile dish made from steamed semolina grains, usually accompanied by a stew of meat, vegetables, and spices.

Is Moroccan food one of the best?

In my opinion, yes. Morocco food is some of the best food in the world.

What is the most popular street food in Morocco?

The most popular street food in Morocco is Sfenj, a type of Moroccan doughnut. It’s a deep-fried pastry, light and airy, often served with sugar or honey.

Does Morocco have vegetarian food?

We’ve talked a lot about meat, but fear not vegetarians and vegans of the world. Morocco may be known for its (ah-mazing) slow-cooked meat and kebabs, but it’s also famous for its veggie dishes.

Every meal is served with salad (cooked or fresh), and most dishes can be cooked without meat, like harira (Moroccan soup), vegetarian tagine, and couscous with vegetables.

Straight vegetarian dishes include lentils (known as addis) and loubia which is white kidney beans cooked in a tomato-based sauce. It’s similar to lobio bean soup from Georgian cuisine.

Read more posts about Morocco

• How to plan a perfect day trip to the High Atlas Mountains
• 14 amazing things to do in Agadir
• 17 best souvenirs from Morocco
• 10 best things to do in Taroudant
• 30 cool fun facts about Morocco for kids and travelers

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