As someone who had the pleasure of calling Chefchaouen home for a year, I can confidently say that this blue-hued city is not just a feast for the eyes, but also a paradise for food lovers. Nestled in the Rif Mountains of Morocco, the best restaurants in Chefchaouen offer a delightful blend of traditional Moroccan flavors and unique local twists that will tantalize your taste buds.
During my time in this enchanting city, I made it my mission to explore every nook and cranny of its gastronomic landscape. From the bustling restaurants in the main square to hidden gems tucked away in the winding blue alleys of the medina, I’ve savored it all. What I discovered was a rich tapestry of flavors, where aromatic tajines, freshly baked bread, and mouth-watering pastries are just the beginning.
In this guide, I’m excited to share with you the best restaurants in Chefchaouen, one of the most incredible places to visit in Morocco. These are the eateries where I’ve enjoyed countless meals, from hearty breakfasts to late-night snacks, and everything in between. Whether you’re craving traditional Moroccan cuisine, international flavors, or simply a great cup of coffee with a view, this list has got you covered.
Keep reading to discover the 11 best restaurants in Chefchaouen.
11 Best Restaurants in Chefchaouen: Where to Eat in the Blue Pearl
1. Bab Ssour
Highlights: Tajines, small plates, Friday couscous
Pricepoint: $$
Location:
Bab Ssour is widely considered one of the best restaurants in Chefchaouen, and it’s certainly the most popular. With three stories of seating and a large rooftop terrace, this place is positively buzzing with locals and tourists alike. Expect all of the Moroccan classics like tajines and couscous, plus delicious small salads to start your meal with. Arrive early to secure a table, or call ahead and they might save one for you.
Read More: How to Get to Chefchaouen
2. Triana
Highlights: Best breakfast, upscale vibe, great terrace
Pricepoint: $$$
Location:
As one of the nicest restaurants in Chefchaouen, Triana draws in the town’s finest. The sprawling terrace welcomes diners for all three meals, serving up both Moroccan and western favorites. Choose between seafood pastas, heaping salads, and tajines, followed with luxurious desserts to end the meal. Sometimes there’s even live music in the evenings.
However, I find the true draw to Triana is breakfast. The restaurant offers set menus with eggs, fresh croissants, olives, and homemade jam for super budget friendly prices (between $2-4). They also have the best coffee in town. Coupled with the view from the terrace, it doesn’t get any better in the Blue City.
3. Morisco
Highlights: Generous portions, kasbah and main square views
Pricepoint: $$
Location:
Chefchaouen’s main square in front of the kasbah is overflowing with restaurants, making it tricky to discern where to eat, especially when you consider all of the guys thrusting menus in your face, trying to get you to choose their establishment.
Instead of getting caught in the crossfires, make a beeline for Morisco. I’ve tried every place in the square, and this is by far the best. Go straight to the rooftop terrace for sprawling views over the square and kasbah. The portions are huge, fresh, and positively delicious — the best beef tajine in the city, mark my words.
They also have an assortment of pizzas, burgers, pastas, and paninis, but it’s nowhere near as good as Morisco’s Moroccan offerings.
4. Cafe Al Baraka
Highlights: Huge roast chicken meals for super budget friendly price.
Pricepoint: $
Location:
If you’re rocking a tight budget, there’s a little block at the bottom of the medina for incredible cheap eats that you can find by searching for Cafe Al Baraka. I always grabbed takeout from the restaurant in the left corner, where you can have half a roast chicken, fries, salad, bread, and gravy for about $5.
It’s definitely more on the local side than the restaurants in the medina, and if you choose to eat on the terrace, you’ll get to rub elbows with true Chaounis.
5. Cremeri Elmaataoui
Highlights: Filling smoothies, omelet sandwiches, cheap eats
Pricepoint: $
Location:
Tajines and couscous can get heavy after a while, so if you’re hankering for a lighter meal, you can’t beat Cremeri Elmaatoui (also known as Khalfoun Cafe). This local institution sits on the cusp of the medina next to the Kasbah taxi stand. It’s well-loved by everyone in Chefchaouen for the super healthy and thick smoothies called Zazas.
Made from blending dates, avocados, bananas, strawberries, and an abundance of other fruits, Zazas are topped with thick whipped cream and are a filling choice for an afternoon pick me up. While my boyfriend ate a Zaza daily, I preferred the cafe’s omelet sandwiches, one of the cheapest, filling meals in Chefchaouen. Ask for it spicy!
6. Cafe Panorama Lopar
Highlights: Best tajine with a side of sprawling Chefchaouen views
Pricepoint: $
Location:
If you want to work for your meal, Cafe Panorama Lopar is by far the best restaurant in Chefchaouen. Sitting on top of a hill high above the city, you’ll need to hike uphill for 45 minutes to an hour from the medina to reach this hidden gem. You’ll likely be the only one here, making it a compelling break from the tourist crowds.
The local family who owns the restaurant are truly the nicest in the city, and will treat you to either a vegetarian or kefta tajine, with fruit and tea. Their young son may even join you for a bite or two.
I cannot recommend this place enough — out of all the places to eat in Chefchaouen, this is my favorite by a long shot.
7. Mandala
Highlights: Pizza, pasta, burgers
Pricepoint: $$
Location:
The Triana restaurant family owns Mandala, which should be your port of call for pizza, pasta, and salads in Chefchaouen. Whenever I craved fast food in Chefchaouen, I grabbed a cheeseburger from Mandala, and it hit the spot every time.
If you need a break from tajines, this is one of the best restaurants in Chefchaouen. It’s significantly better than the restaurants on the main square with similar menus.
8. Cafe Clock
Highlights: Brunch, camel burger, creative Moroccan cuisine
Pricepoint: $$$$
Location:
Cafe Clock, founded by Englishman Mike Richardson, offers something a bit different from other Chefchaouen restaurants. Housed in a former ancient riad, Chefchaouen’s Cafe Clock is a triplet, following Cafe Clocks in Fez and Marrakech.
The restaurant is famous for its camel burger (with a small portion of proceeds from every burger sold donated to local initiatives) and has a really great bunch, too. The service is slow so don’t eat here if you’re in a rush, but the view from the comfortable rooftop terrace more than makes up for it.
Aside from serving delicious food and drinks, Cafe Clock offers cooking classes, workshops, exhibitions, and cross cultural exchanges. They work hard to support the local economy and are even a hub for Peace Corps volunteers. It’s a really awesome concept that spans far beyond a simple restaurant.
9. Assaada
Highlights: Budget friendly Moroccan food in the medina
Pricepoint: $
Location:
Simple, no frills, and super budget friendly, Assaada is one of the best restuarants in Chefchaouen if you want to eat in the medina. The place is small with a cozy rooftop terrace, but the staff are extremely friend, portions are generous and the lemon chicken tajine is well worth the visit.
10. Sofia
Highlights:
Pricepoint: $
Location:
Sofia is tucked away behind Chefchaouen’s main square and is a longstanding shop for some of the best food in the city. Aside from Moroccan classics (the veggie tajine is beyond generous and to die for), the sandwiches are super delicious and very budget friendly. Given the central location, this is definitely one of the best restaurants in Chefchaouen.
11. La Petite Chengdu
Highlights: Real Chinese food in the heart of Chefchaouen
Pricepoint: $$$
Location:
It’s not really a challenge to find pizza and pasta in most Moroccan cities, but Chinese food? Now that’s a rarity. However, Chefchaouen has a sizeable Chinese restaurant owned by a mixed Moroccan and Chinese family.
The food is pretty hit or miss (I ate there about a dozen times, and the food quality was super inconsistent), but it does the trick if you have an Asian craving. They’ll even deliver if you call in advance.
What’s more, I’m obsessed with Chinese hot pot, and it turns out that this is one of two restaurants in all of Morocco that makes it (the other is in Casablanca, and I’ve also eaten there). I went for my birthday, and it did not disappoint.
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