If you’re anything like us, some of your favourite parts of travelling are the incredible food and drinks you get to taste along the way, especially in the Middle East and North Africa! From the heady scent of cardamom and the succulent taste of slow roasted lamb to the delicate fragrance of rose and orange blossom water, the joy of burning your fingers as you rush to tear off a piece of khubz fresh out of the oven, or the glorious sweetness of a cup of sage-infused tea sipped by a campfire in the desert, the tastes of the Middle East and North Africa are some of our most precious memories of travelling in the region.
Trying new dishes on your travels isn’t just tasty, it gives deep and meaningful insight into the culture and values of the country you’re visiting. From the social importance of coffee in the Middle East to the emphasis on providing generous (and delicious) hospitality to friends, family and strangers across the region, food is much more than just the sum of its ingredients!
Nowhere in the world is this more true than in the Middle East and North Africa, and the fabulous cuisine of Morocco is no exception. Whether you experience intricately painted tagine pots opened to reveal the treasures inside, pastilla dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar, fluffy baghrir pancakes, or artfully poured mint tea, the food and drinks of Morocco are a doorway to the country’s culture and history.
The rich variety of Moroccan cuisine invites you to take a trip through the past, tasting the influences of Persian cuisine brought centuries ago with Arab traders, the tang of pickles brought by Jewish communities in the first millennium, the sweet pastries influenced by the Andalucians, and of course the rich heritage of Amazigh food and hospitality.
With such a wealth of culinary experiences to discover, finding the best places to eat can feel a bit overwhelming, but Marrakech Food Tours has the perfect solution. No need to spend hours on the internet searching out the best harira or the restaurant that serves the ultimate mechoui – step off the tourist trail, immerse yourself in the experience, and let a knowledgeable local guide show you their favourite spots, tell you the stories behind what you’re eating, and guide you to places you couldn’t otherwise venture!
Each Marrakech Food Tour is tailored to both the seasons and the group, but each and every guest will find themselves immersed in the bustling life of the Medina through its food. You may meet the mother and daughter duo famous for making the best couscous in town, discover the inner workings of a hammam, or find yourself ushered into one of the traditional community bakeries at the heart of each neighbourhood to discover how they have carefully baked each family’s lovingly prepared and delivered bread dough every day for generations.
In between tasting succulent mechoui, a lamb dish cooked for hours and hours underground until it is meltingly soft, or trying rfissa, the wonderfully comforting dish traditionally served after a mother has given birth, you can snack on the best olives in the world at a stall in the heart of the souq, try a cactus fruit (yes, those iconic cacti also taste delicious!), or freshen your palate with a freshly squeezed pomegranate juice or avocado smoothie.
And of course, no Moroccan food experience would be complete without a delicious sweet treat – delight your tastebuds with flavours of almonds, cinnamon, rose, pistachio, honey and orange blossom in a traditional Moroccan pastry like chebakya, m’hanncha or kaab ghazl (gazelle’s horns).
You’ll end your tour with a full belly and a full heart, knowing that your time in Marrakech has supported the local community, directly benefiting all the businesses involved in your tour and fairly compensating everyone involved, from the attendants who heat the hammam to the bakers at the communal oven.
Marrakech Food Tours was founded by Amanda and her husband Yousef. Amanda fell in love with Morocco when she married Yousef and moved to Marrakech, setting up her website Maroc Mama to share her knowledge of the country and her passion for Moroccan culture and cuisine. Yousef and Amanda are both avid foodies and know all the best spots to eat in the Medina, and have personal relationships with all the traditional family restaurants and stalls.
The guides at Marrakech Food Tours are locals who know Marrakech inside out, and receive extensive training before they lead their own tours, resulting in the ultimate authentic Moroccan food experience! As well as their Artisan and Evening tours, they offer private tours which are carefully tailored to your group and they will make sure dietary requirements are catered for – yes, you can even get a vegan tagine! And if you’re heading to the coast instead of Marrakech, they also have tours in Essaouira. Head to Marrakech Food Tours to learn more and get planning your own delicious Moroccan getaway!
Photography by Ebony Siovhan
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like:
Dive into the World of Arabic Coffee
14 Middle Eastern And North African Food And Drinks You Have To Try!
5 Things You Can Do As A Traveller To Increase Your Cultural Awareness