Have you ever wondered what a full day of eating in Marrakesh tastes like? Let me take you through everything I ate during one unforgettable day in Morocco's most vibrant city. From sunrise smoothies to late-night market treats, this is what I ate in Marrakesh—the good, the surprising, and everything in between.
Starting the Day with a Panache Smoothie
from left: mango-strawberry, panache, exotic, strawberry
The morning sun was already warm when I found myself at a small juice stand in the medina. The vendor recommended their specialty: a panache smoothie. Now, I've had plenty of smoothies before, but this one was different.
The blend had dates, watermelon, and avocado—a whole cocktail of flavors I never would have mixed myself. When the vendor handed me the glass, I wasn't sure what to expect. After my first sip, I understood why locals love this drink. It was very, very delicious. The sweetness from the dates balanced perfectly with the freshness of the watermelon, while the avocado gave it a creamy texture that made the whole thing feel like a treat rather than just a healthy drink.
A Moroccan Sandwich That Tested My Table Manners
Right next door, the smell of grilled meat pulled me toward a sandwich shop. They were doing a cracking Moroccan sandwich, and I had to try it. I went for the mixed meat option—a generous portion stuffed into fresh bread with spices and sauces.
Here's the truth: I tried my best at eating tidily, but I just couldn't manage it. Most of the filling ended up everywhere except in my mouth on the first few bites. But that's part of the charm of street food in Marrakesh. Nobody expects you to eat a properly stuffed Moroccan sandwich without making a mess. The flavors were worth every napkin I used.
Coffee Brewed in Sand: Beautiful Process, Unexpected Taste
After the sandwich, I needed my coffee fix. But Marrakesh doesn't do Starbucks the way other cities might. Instead, I found something far more interesting.
The coffee vendor had a large pan filled with hot sand. He buried small brass pots deep into the sand, where they heated slowly and evenly. Watching this process was very satisfying. The ritualistic way he pulled each pot from the sand, checked it, and returned it until the coffee was just right—it felt like watching an art form.
The coffee itself was mixed with different spices, giving it a complex aroma. But I don't really want to sugarcoat it: the taste actually wasn't very nice at all. It was too intense for my palate, with flavors I couldn't quite identify or enjoy.
The shop owner noticed my expression. Kindly enough, he offered me a much sweeter and tastier herbal tea instead. That tea went down an absolute treat. It had a gentle sweetness and warmth that felt like a hug in a cup. The vendor smiled when he saw me enjoying it—I think he knew the sand coffee isn't for everyone.
Moroccan Sweets: Pretty to Look At, Puzzling to Taste
With a craving for sweeter stuff, I headed to a display of colorful Moroccan sweets. They looked beautiful—golden, sticky, and dusted with nuts. This was my first time trying traditional Moroccan pastries, and I was surprised by the experience.
They were syrupy and sugary, but there was no real flavor beyond the sweetness. It felt like eating pure sugar without the distinct taste of honey, orange blossom, or almond that I expected. I may be a bit harsh, but I've got to be honest about my experience. The texture was nice, but something was missing for my taste.
At this point in the day, my expectations of Moroccan food had gone down slightly. I had started the morning with high hopes, and while some dishes delivered, others left me confused. I needed to try something I knew wasn't going to disappoint.
Underground Lamb: The Dish That Saved the Day
I did some research and found a place reviewed highly by some of the greats, including Gordon Ramsay. Their specialty? Lamb cooked for five hours underground. This traditional cooking method gives the meat that lovely tender texture and an incredible taste that you can't achieve any other way.
When the plate arrived, I understood immediately why this dish had such a reputation. The lamb fell apart at the touch of my fork. Each bite was juicy, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. This was a plate filled with a lot of lamb—a real task for myself to complete.
The meat had absorbed the earthy flavors from being cooked beneath the ground, combined with aromatic spices that made every mouthful different from the last. After some great efforts, I managed to finish the entire plate. My faith in Marrakesh's food scene was completely restored.
Louisa Tea: The Perfect Digestive
Feeling slightly full after that enormous lamb plate, I made my way to a night market as the sun began to set. Vendors were setting up their stalls, and the air filled with the scent of grilling meat and fresh mint.
I ordered a Louisa tea, known to aid digestion and basically designed to be consumed after a big meal. The warm cup arrived quickly, steam rising into the cooling evening air.
Wow. That first sip was a revelation. I must say, it's definitely better than Moroccan mint tea. The Louisa tea had a more delicate flavor, slightly sweet without being overpowering, with herbal notes that seemed to calm my very full stomach. It was exactly what I needed after such a big meal.
Sweet Ending: Honey Mesmen
To finish off my day of eating in Marrakesh, I couldn't resist grabbing a honey mesmen from one of the market vendors. Mesmen is a traditional Moroccan flatbread, folded and pan-fried until crispy on the outside but still soft inside.
When drizzled with honey, it becomes something magical. It was sweet and very tasty, with the honey soaking into the layers of bread. The combination of textures—crispy, soft, sticky—made each bite interesting.
I will definitely be coming back to grab one of them. Actually, I might come back just for the mesmen alone.
What This Day Taught Me About Marrakesh Food
Looking back on everything I ate in Marrakesh that day, I learned something important: not every dish will match your expectations, and that's perfectly fine. The panache smoothie surprised me in the best way. The sand coffee disappointed me, but led to discovering an even better herbal tea. The sweets confused my taste buds, but the underground lamb became one of the best meals I've ever had.
Food in Marrakesh is about the experience as much as the taste. It's about watching coffee brew in sand, even if you don't love the final product. It's about making a mess with a sandwich and laughing about it. It's about kind vendors who offer you something different when they see you're not enjoying their specialty.
If you visit Marrakesh, come with an open mind and an empty stomach. Try everything, be honest about what you like and don't like, and remember that every dish tells a story about this incredible city.
Have you tried any of these dishes in Marrakesh? What was your favorite food experience in Morocco? Share your stories in the comments below—I'd love to hear what you ate and what surprised you most about Moroccan cuisine!