Vegan Guide to Marrakech: best places to eat, stay, and things to do

Vegan Guide to Marrakech: the best plant-based restaurants for lunch and dinner

 

1. El Fenn

Ambiance

By far one my favourite meals in Marrakech was at El Fenn. So it’s top of the list on my Vegan Guide to Marrakech. This riad operates as a hotel (as many do), but you can eat on the rooftop restaurant as a non-guest. And the ambiance? Absolute perfection. It gives warm and breezy vibes, with its terra cotta hues, giant green planters, and pops of colourful decor.  It certainly feels like a luxury boho oasis. All-in-all, dining at El Fenn will blow you away.

The food

Dinner at El Fenn is a tad more pricey than other restaurants in Marrakech, but the meal and ambiance is worth it. If you’re looking to save a bit of cash I’d recommend to go for lunch instead of dinner. Now, let’s talk food because it was outstanding. The menu is fixed (common practice in Marrakech), but they are able to adapt to dietary restrictions, including vegan.

The meal arrives on a giant round serving platter with sharing plates. And I loved this style of eating. They had an array of different salads, which I particularly enjoyed – Think herby quinoa salads, cucumber and tomato, and mixed greens. The meal was light and refreshing, yet full of taste and flavour. At first glance we didn’t think it possible to finish the entire platter, although it went down all too easy. Another bonus is that El Fenn is one of the only places in the Marrakech with a liquor license, so you can enjoy your meal with a glass of local wine.

The service

The staff was very friendly and attentive, and the service was pretty quick for Marrakech (service is generally slow in this city). Taking photos of the hotel (apart from the restaurant) is frowned upon, so as not to bother the guests staying at the hotel.  So just enjoy meandering out slowly to absorb its beauty.  It’s a truly elegant riad. (And if your wallet allows it, I’d recommend booking a room).

El Fenn is a popular restaurant, so it’s best to book in advance. Especially if you want to dine for dinner. If you’re not into big crowds and really want to enjoy the space, I’d recommend going for lunch.

2. Le jardin

Ambiance

A must visit when you’re in Marrakech is Le Jardin. The restaurant is exactly as the name alludes: a beautiful garden cafe/restaurant exploding with lush greens and loads of outdoor seating. Le Jardin is so tranquil.

The food

We went for lunch and ordered an abundance of food! The menu is not fixed, which is great if you’re a group with mixed preferences. It’s more rare to find restaurants without a set menu, so if you’re looking to customize your order this is a great place to do so.

I ordered their avocado, date and banana smoothie to start – which was sweet and fresh. To eat, I took the lentil eggplant and fennel salad. And I loved it!! It was fresh yet hearty. Mitch had the vegetable tagine (a very traditional Moroccan dish). And we split the cauliflower hummus with flatbread. All-in-all the food was awesome! So fresh and homey.

The service

The staff at Le Jardin were ultra friendly from those seating us, to those taking our order. They all seemed generally interested in where we came from, and were so warm and welcoming. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

3. Riad BE Marrakech

The food

Riad BE is where we stayed during our holiday in Marrakech. And it had to be included on my vegan guide to Marrakech.

They’ve got a gorgeous rooftop restaurant open to non-guests. However, you must book in advanced to go. The riad offers a fixed menu of traditional Moroccan cuisine – starting with aperitif (potato, beetroot, zucchini, olives and flatbread) and tagine for the main. And the meal was delicious. Like El Fenn, they are very open to dietary restrictions and happy to make adaptations to the menu. Just let them know in advance when you’re booking. Finish your meal with a traditional Moroccan mint green tea. It’s a bit bitter so my recommendation is to add a teensy scoop of sugar to cut the bitterness.

The service

I must point out that service is a bit slow here – so expect a relaxed style dinner. And in this pretty space it’s easy to do so.

Ambiance

I might be biased, but I find the Riad BE to be one of the most picturesque riads in Marrakech. The rooftop terrace for dinner is beautifully styled, peeling off into different sections for dining, and reading nooks with jumbo floor pillows for a more relaxed visit. Billowy linen curtains, and candles make the ambiance so enjoyable. The owners of the riad are Moroccan and Swiss, and they do a stellar job blending the two worlds with well thought design in colourful Moroccan flare.

If you’re having dinner, it’s worth going down to quickly check the two riads, or book a room to stay here as a guest.  (We stayed in their infamous tiled Oasis riad, but they also have a newer riad on the opposite side in calm yellow tones, which is equally stunning. More on that to come in, “Where to Stay in Marrakech” below.

4. La Famille

Ambiance

La Famille is one of the only 100% vegetarian restaurants in Marrakech, and a popular favourite with tourists. And isn’t it great to see a veggie restaurant in such high demand!  It’s in your best interest to book a reservation in advanced, even for lunch, as this place gets packed.

And walking into La Famille you can see why it’s such a popular restaurant. The inner courtyard is beautiful enough for a fairytale garden wedding. With giant teak tables lined in fresh flowers down the centre. Convivial vibes warm this space as you sit at the large teak tables with other groups of diners.

The food

The food at La Famille is lovely. The menu boasts modern day french cuisine. Which could be a welcomed break from Moroccan if you’re tiring of tagine. Grab yourself a detox water while you wait for your meal, and take in the beautiful ambiance of the garden courtyard.

To eat, we started with the flatbread and tartine, Mitch got the pates du jour (pasta of the day) – a pesto based pasta with mushroom and parmesan. I took the veggie salad, which was a mix of hearty greens, chickpeas, citrus fruits and dried figs. We both enjoyed our meals. However, next time I would ask for the sauce on the side, as I found it the salad too saucy for my liking. Although, what’s really worth the trip is the abundance of french desserts and pastries. Take in the beautiful dessert table offering traditional french pastries, and fruit tarts. And make sure to order with your meal to ensure you get one!

The service

I will say that the staff at La Famille are not as friendly as most other restaurants we dined at. In fact. it reminded us most similar to service in France. But it could have just been because it was very busy.

Don’t leave without checking their concept store near the entrance. Where you can purchase some pretty souvenirs. This is a great place to go for lunch before shopping the souks nearby.

5. L’hotel Marrakech ($$)

Ambiance

Last on the eating list for my Vegan Guide to Marrakech is L’hotel Marrakech. If you’re looking for an unforgettable dining experience than it’s worth checking out L’hotel Marrakech. What looks like a modest entrance from the outside, but opening up into a gorgeous riad, L’hotel Marrakech will take your breath away.  It’s got to be one of Marrakech’s most stunning luxury Riads.

The ambiance offers an old-world 1920s feel in style and decor. With low seat, white fabric dining chairs, and staff dressed in formal attire – there is an attention to detail for the preservation of old world luxury travel. Enjoy one of the large rooftop terraces for a mocktail, while you wait to be called down for dinner in the dining room. Which looks into the lush green garden in the middle of the Riad. The menu offers a 3 course fixed meal, and the staff are happy to modify for vegans if you request ahead of time. You might imagine a hotel like this to be stuffy, but the staff couldn’t be kinder and more welcoming.

The atmosphere at L’hotel Marrakech is romantic and intimate. With only three tables in the entire dining room. (The entire riad only holds 5 rooms). The dining room is beautiful, with candle lighting, large wall paintings,  and floor to ceiling windows looking directly into the garden. It’s impossible not to be moved by this space.

The food

For starters we had a mix of dishes, from herby green salads with dates (my fave), to quinoa and curried cauliflower. All-in-all the food was AMAZING! I could have noshed on the starters all night and left a very happy customer. But boy was I pleased with vegetable tagine that came as my main. Every dish felt so authentic, and traditional. Hands down, it was the best meal we had in Marrakech.

What to expect

If you haven’t already guessed, the L’hotel Marrakech is an upscale joint – and a place to dine if you’re willing to splurge. Voted one of the best hotels in the world for 2019 by Conde Naste you can only imagine the caliber to which this hotel operates. So consider it a place to celebrate for a special occasion, like an anniversary or engagement.

It’s also important to know, like many places in Marrakech that L’hotel Marrakech doesn’t hold a liquoir license. So if you’re someone who likes to celebrate with a cheeky drink, this might be a deal breaker. (Things could have changed since our visit, however, it’s worth looking into if that’s important to you).

Where to stay in Marrakech

This takes me to the next stage of my vegan guide to Marrakech: Where to stay!

It’s no doubt there are dozens of beautiful places to stay in Marrakech. But I recommend to pick a riad style hotel to get a real taste of the culture. Riads are traditional Morrocan homes or palaces, with a peaceful garden in the centre, and rooms along the outer four walls.

Riad BE

We stayed at the Riad BE, which was a wonderful experience. We stayed in their Oasis riad (seen in picture above and below). However their newer riad The Essence, with calm wood and yellow tones is just as stunning. The owners of the riad are Moroccan and Swiss, and they do a stellar job blending the two worlds with thoughtful design in colourful Moroccan flare. There is no bad view in these Riads.

Design is both a pro and con, as many will come by just to take photos, which can sort of kill your holiday zen vibes. However, they do offer daily yoga classes, which is an awesome way to get the zen vibes flowing. We went daily! You can also book their hammam for a Morrocan spa experience.

In terms of location, this is a great place! Located within in the medina you are close to the souks and lovely restaurants. We were able to walk everywhere. The staff is friendly and generous in providing recommendations on what to do and where to eat, and will even call ahead to book your reservations. They will also book your transfer to and from the airport to make your travels as seamless as possible. If you have any questions regarding your stay, activities, or anything – they are always willing to help.

Also, be sure to check out their concept store on the top floor of The Oasis where they boast brands by local designers. I bought a sweet skirt by Ke’ch Creations.  A swiss designer that works with disabled women in Marrakech  ( who have a difficult time finding work due to their disability). Best of all, is that proceeds from sales go back to these women.

Other riads to consider

If the Riad BE isn’t available there are tons of other riads in Marrakech that are worth checking out. And they’re all amazing! With a little research you really can’t go wrong. El Fenn would be a lovely stay if your budget allows it. (See restaurant recommendations above for more details about that stunning riad).

Here’s a list of some of the best Riads to stay.

What to do in Marrakech

This vegan guide to Marrakech wouldn’t be complete without providing a list of my favourite things to do. Apart from stuffing your bellies full of delicious Morrocan food, there’s lot of activities to fill your days. Here’s some of my favourites:

• Le Jardin Secret – a famous historical palace in Marrakech. Tour the gardens and palace, and take in its art and architecture
• Souks – Get a taste of the lively streets of Marrakech, by shopping at the souks in the medina. You can find everything from interior design, to clothing, cooking spices and beauty products. Be prepared to bargain, and be bargained with!
• Musee YSL Marrakech – Learn more about fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and how Morocco influenced his work. You can also tour Le Jardin Marjorelle, a place where YSL found much inspiration, and later purchased.
• Mustafa Blaoui – A beautiful interior design store in the medina. Explore the multiple floors of his store, and get inspired to redecorate.
• The desert – We didn’t have time to go into the desert, but it came highly recommended. Talk to your hotel or Riad about booking an excursion, and even sleeping in the desert for the night if you’re adventurous enough
• Essaouira, Morroco – A seaside town near Marrakech that came highly recommended for a day trip. You can bus there. We really wanted to do this but didn’t have enough days in Marrakech.

In closing…

So there we have it! My Vegan Guide to Marrakech with the best places to eat, stay, and things to do in this vibrant city. Enjoy Morocco to the fullest. And eat your heart away!

And if you do check out any of my recommendations on this Vegan Guide to Marrakech, let me know your thoughts in the comments below! I love hearing from you.

And, for more travel/food recommendations. Check out my latest travel posts:

• vegan guide to paris: the trendiest breakfast, lunch, coffee and dinners
• european farm-to-table travel: são lourenço do barrocal

Bon voyage!