Where to Eat in Rabat: A Local's Guide to the Capital
Feta cake at Le Ocean 17 in Rabat
Rabat doesn't get the culinary attention Marrakech does. That's a mistake.
Morocco's capital rewards the hungry traveler with everything from hole-in-the-wall tagine spots to French fine dining in orange groves. Here's where we actually eat when we’re there—and where we send our clients.
For the Full Moroccan Experience
Dar Zaki You'll get lost finding it. That's part of the charm. Tucked inside a restored riad deep in the medina, Dar Zaki is the Moroccan dining experience you came for—pastilla dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, tagines that have been simmering for hours, couscous platters meant for sharing. The tiled courtyard, the aromas, the whole production. Make a reservation, triple-check your directions, and don't give up when you're wandering the medina wondering if Google Maps has betrayed you. It hasn't. Keep going.
Le Petit Beur This is where everyone eats—diplomats, locals, tourists who've done their homework. Hidden behind Hotel Balima in Centre Ville, it's been a Rabat institution for years and earns that status honestly. The tajine with preserved lemons and olives is the move: savory, bright, deeply satisfying. The couscous royale arrives steaming and enormous. Nothing fancy, just consistently excellent Moroccan cooking at prices that feel almost too reasonable.
When You Need a Break from Tagine
Il Giardino Yes, Italian. In Morocco. And it's genuinely good. This cozy Agdal spot does hand-tossed pizzas, properly al dente pasta, and an eggplant parmigiana that keeps us coming back. The wood-fired margherita is excellent, and the Italian wine list is a pleasant surprise. Grab a table in the small front garden—it's pure trattoria energy.
Sa Caleta Spanish tapas when you want something social and shareable. Catalan-style cooking, fresh paella, patatas bravas worth ordering twice, and chorizo sautéed in cider. The wine list leans Spanish (obviously), and the vibe is lively without being loud. Great for dinner with friends or a light evening with a good bottle.
Sushi House We know. Sushi in Morocco. But sometimes you need something clean and light after days of rich spices. This Agdal spot delivers solid nigiri, creative rolls, and calming minimalist decor. No judgment here—sometimes a bento box is exactly right.
Ty Potes Here's your secret: Ty Potes serves pork belly and wine and beer, which can be surprisingly hard to find in Morocco. It's a cozy French bistro tucked into a residential neighborhood, with wooden tables inside and a garden terrace out back. Crepes, tartines, good salads. Perfect for a long lunch or a quiet dinner when you want something familiar.
For the Morning & Afternoon
La Pause Gourmande You'll spot the sunny yellow awning on Avenue Fal Ould Oumeir. This is our morning stop—strong coffee, excellent pain au chocolat, and that neighborhood café feeling that makes you want to linger with a book. Their artisanal ice cream is worth a return trip in the afternoon. Friendly staff, locals reading newspapers, no rush.
PAUL The French bakery chain, yes, but the upper Agdal location does a proper weekend brunch. Sit on the leafy terrace, order the spread—fresh pastries, fried eggs, juice, coffee—and ease into your day. Family-friendly, reliably good, and grab a baguette or pain de campagne on your way out. They'll slice it for you.
Le Weimar This one surprises people. It's inside the Goethe Institute—a cultural center that happens to have a genuinely good casual restaurant. The "menu malin" lets you mix and match salads, pizzas, and desserts at smart prices. The outdoor terrace fills up with locals after 7:30 on weekends, which tells you everything.
Worth the Splurge
Golden Fish When you want polish. Located inside the Sofitel Rabat Jardin des Roses, Golden Fish does elegant seafood with French technique—butter-poached turbot, herb-crusted sea bass, that level of refinement. Floor-to-ceiling glass opens onto gardens and a pool, and it feels more like a countryside estate than a city hotel restaurant. Save this for a special night.
Villa Mandarine Our favorite splurge in Rabat. Set in a working orange grove in the quiet Souissi district, Villa Mandarine feels like dining at a private estate. Chef Wolfgang Grobauer's menu changes seasonally—duck breast with figs, lobster ravioli, whatever's inspiring him—and everything is beautifully plated without being precious. Book ahead, order wine, take your time. This is the kind of meal you remember.
Rabat rewards the curious eater. Start here, and you'll understand why we keep coming back.
