Salam! If you're planning a trip to Morocco, get ready for a food adventure that will stay with you long after you've returned home. As someone who has lived in Morocco for years, I can tell you that one of the best ways to experience our culture is through our food. The dishes you should try in Morocco are not just meals – they're stories, traditions, and celebrations on a plate.
I still remember the first time I tried authentic Moroccan cuisine. It was at a small family-owned restaurant in Fez, where the owner insisted I try his mother's tajine recipe. That first bite changed everything I thought I knew about food! The mix of sweet and savory, the tender meat, the aromatic spices – it was like nothing I'd ever tasted before.
Today, I'm excited to share with you five amazing dishes you should try in Morocco that might not be on your radar yet. These aren't just tourist favorites – these are the foods that we Moroccans love and celebrate. Let me take you on a culinary journey through my homeland!
Tajine Barkok: A Sweet and Savory Delight
At the top of my list of dishes you should try in Morocco is tajine barkok. This incredible dish combines tender beef with sweet prunes and eggs in a way that might sound strange but tastes absolutely magical.
The first time I had tajine barkok was at my friend's wedding in Rabat. Her mother had been cooking it slowly for hours, and the aroma filled the entire house. When I finally got to taste it, I couldn't believe how the sweetness of the prunes complemented the savory beef. It was, as we say in Morocco, "crazy crazy good!"
What Makes Tajine Barkok Special?
Tajine barkok is cooked in a traditional clay pot (also called a tajine) with a cone-shaped lid that helps circulate steam and infuse the meat with incredible flavors. The slow cooking process makes the beef so tender it practically melts in your mouth.
The addition of prunes might surprise you – Moroccans love combining sweet and savory flavors. The eggs are usually added near the end of cooking and soak up all those wonderful spices and juices.
Where to Find the Best Tajine Barkok
For the most authentic tajine barkok, look for small family-run restaurants away from the main tourist areas. In Marrakech, many local spots around the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) serve excellent versions of this dish. If you're invited to a Moroccan home for dinner, you might be lucky enough to try a homemade version!
Mkila: Morocco's Breakfast Tradition
The second on my list of dishes you should try in Morocco is mkila, a breakfast favorite that most tourists never discover! Mkila is dried beef preserved in its own fat – similar to confit – and it's typically served with eggs for breakfast.
I grew up eating mkila with my grandfather on weekend mornings. He would wake up early to prepare it, frying it lightly before adding eggs and serving it with fresh bread for dipping. The smell would wake me up, and I'd rush to the kitchen to help (mostly just to steal little pieces of mkila when he wasn't looking!).
The Perfect Moroccan Breakfast
mkila is incredibly salty and flavorful, making it the perfect companion to fresh Moroccan bread and eggs. The saltiness means you'll want to have some sweet mint tea alongside it – the contrast is part of what makes this breakfast so satisfying!
Although I can't pronounce it perfectly either (don't worry, many Moroccans have regional accents that change how it's said), the taste is unmistakable. It's rich, salty, and incredibly satisfying.
Where to Find Mkila
Mkila isn't typically found in tourist restaurants, but many local cafés serve traditional Moroccan breakfasts that include it. Ask for "Mkila bel bid" (Mkiala with eggs) and you'll likely be rewarded with a puzzled but pleased smile – Moroccans love when visitors try our local specialties!
If you're staying in a riad or guesthouse, ask your host if they can prepare it for breakfast one morning. Many are happy to introduce guests to authentic Moroccan breakfast foods.
Harira: Morocco's Beloved Soup
No list of dishes you should try in Morocco would be complete without harira! This hearty soup is a staple in Moroccan cuisine and holds a special place in our hearts, especially during Ramadan.
Growing up, I remember my mother preparing huge pots of harira during Ramadan. After a long day of fasting, the entire family would gather around the table, say "bismillah" (in the name of God), and break our fast with this nourishing soup. The rich flavors and comforting warmth made the wait worthwhile!
What Makes Harira Special?
Harira typically contains a mixture of lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, and tender pieces of meat, seasoned with a unique blend of herbs and spices including cilantro, parsley, ginger, and cinnamon. The texture is thick and satisfying, and it's often finished with a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
What makes harira truly special is its role in Moroccan culture. During Ramadan, it's the traditional dish to break the fast, bringing families together at sunset. But you don't need to wait for Ramadan – harira is served year-round as a starter in most restaurants.
Where to Find the Best Harira
The good news is that harira is available in almost every Moroccan restaurant! It's typically served as a starter before the main course, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to try it.
For the most authentic experience, visit Morocco during Ramadan (if you're comfortable with the limited daytime dining options) and join locals at sunset when they break their fast. Many cafés and restaurants set up special iftar (fast-breaking) meals where harira is the star.
Moroccan Hawa: Sweet Treasures
The fourth item on my list of dishes you should try in Morocco is technically not one dish but a collection of sweet treasures – Moroccan hawa! These assorted pastries, cookies, and sweets are a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds.
My first memory of hawa is from my cousin's wedding. As a child, I was mesmerized by the elaborate boxes of colorful sweets arranged on beautiful platters. Each tiny pastry was a work of art – some dusted with powdered sugar, others drizzled with honey, and many featuring almonds or walnuts. I tried to taste one of each, much to my mother's amusement!
The Sweet Side of Moroccan Cuisine
Moroccan hawa includes a wide variety of treats, each with its own unique flavor and texture:
- Ghriba: Crumbly cookies made with almonds or coconut
- Kaab el Ghazal (Gazelle Horns): Crescent-shaped pastries filled with almond paste and scented with orange flower water
- Chebakia: Flower-shaped cookies soaked in honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds
- Fekkas: Twice-baked biscuits similar to Italian biscotti
- Briwat: Triangle-shaped pastries filled with almond paste and honey
What makes these sweets special is not just their taste but their significance in Moroccan social life. At weddings, family gatherings, and during holidays like Eid, hawa is always present. Offering sweets to guests is a symbol of hospitality and celebration.
Where to Find Authentic Moroccan Hawa
As mentioned in the document, you can buy hawa in boxes from street vendors or bakeries throughout Morocco. For the best selection, visit a traditional Moroccan patisserie in any city or town. In Marrakech, the bakeries around Jemaa el-Fnaa offer beautiful assortments of freshly made sweets.
If you're lucky enough to attend a Moroccan wedding, you'll experience hawa in its proper cultural context – as part of a grand celebration where sweets symbolize the sweetness of life!
Tangia and Meshwi: Marrakech Specialties
The final entries on my list of dishes you should try in Morocco are specific to my hometown of Marrakech: tangia and meshwi. These dishes showcase the unique culinary traditions of the Red City and are absolute must-tries if you're visiting Marrakech.
I'll never forget taking my first international friend to try tangia in the old medina. We walked through the narrow alleys until we reached a tiny restaurant with just three tables. The owner proudly brought out this enormous clay pot, removed the lid with a flourish, and the most amazing aroma filled the air. My friend's eyes widened, and before he even tasted it, he said, "Now THIS is why I came to Morocco!"
Tangia: Marrakech's Bachelor Dish
Tangia is a slow-cooked meat dish that has a fascinating history. Traditionally, it was called "the bachelor's dish" because it was so simple to prepare. Workers would place meat, preserved lemon, garlic, cumin, and saffron in a clay pot, seal it, and drop it off at the hammam (public bath) where it would slow-cook in the ashes of the fires that heat the baths.
What makes tangia special is its simplicity and the incredible tenderness of the meat after hours of slow cooking. The meat is flavored with saffron and other spices that create a rich, golden sauce perfect for sopping up with fresh bread.
Meshwi: Underground Lamb Feast
Meshwi (also called mechoui) is another Marrakech specialty that you shouldn't miss. It's whole lamb slow-roasted in an underground pit until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. The outside becomes crispy while the inside remains juicy and flavorful.
The best place to try meshwi is in Jemaa el-Fnaa, Marrakech's main square. There, you'll find several stalls dedicated to this dish. Just look for the ones with whole roasted lambs displayed!
The Marrakech Food Experience
Both tangia and meshwi are best enjoyed the Moroccan way – with your hands, using bread as your utensil. Tear off a piece of bread, use it to grab some meat, and enjoy! As we say in Morocco after a satisfying meal: "Allah abar" (God is great).
Practical Tips for Food Explorers in Morocco
Now that you know which dishes you should try in Morocco, here are some practical tips to enhance your culinary adventures:
When to Eat What
- Breakfast (8-10 AM): Try Mkila with eggs and bread
- Lunch (12-2 PM): The perfect time for a tajine bahok
- Dinner (7-10 PM): Ideal for tangia or meshwi in Marrakech
During Ramadan, restaurant hours change dramatically, with many places closed during daylight and opening only after sunset. This is actually a magical time to experience harira as part of the iftar (breaking of the fast) celebrations!
Food Etiquette in Morocco
- Say "bismillah" (in the name of God) before eating – Moroccans appreciate when visitors respect this tradition
- Eat with your right hand when sharing communal dishes
- It's polite to accept at least a small portion of food when offered
- Compliment the chef – saying "bssaha" (to your health) shows appreciation
Where to Find Authentic Food
For the most authentic food experiences, look beyond the tourist restaurants and seek out:
- Small family-run establishments in residential neighborhoods
- Food stalls in markets and around Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech
- Invitations to Moroccan homes (if you're lucky enough to receive one!)
Food Souvenirs to Take Home
Can't get enough of Moroccan flavors? Consider taking home:
- Spice blends like ras el hanout
- Preserved lemons
- Saffron from the Taliouine region
- Argan oil (for both cooking and cosmetic use)
Your Moroccan Food Journey
Morocco is a feast for all the senses, and these five dishes you should try in Morocco are just the beginning of your culinary adventure here. From the sweet-savory combination of tajine bahok to the rich traditions behind harira, each dish tells a story about Moroccan culture and history.
I hope this guide inspires you to step beyond the familiar and explore the true flavors of Morocco. There's nothing that makes me happier than seeing visitors fall in love with our food traditions just as I have throughout my life.
Have you tried any of these dishes before? Or perhaps you have questions about other Moroccan specialties? Drop a comment below and let's continue the conversation! I check comments regularly and love sharing more about my country's amazing cuisine.