Rabat isn’t just the capital of Morocco. It is a vibrant city that is home to a rich culinary scene filled with everything from traditional Moroccan cuisine to world-class Western fare.
Since I moved to Morocco, I’ve had the privilege of visiting Rabat countless times. Over the years, I’ve explored the city’s many hidden corners and have found some of the very best restaurants in Rabat.
I have a passion for finding the most authentic, flavorful cuisine that the city has to offer, and this quest has led me to countless spots where tradition and innovation seamlessly blend together.
From aromatic tagines to fresh seafood and incredible brunch fare, Rabat offers a dining experience unlike anything you’ll find in other Moroccan cities.
Regardless of whether you’re a local or a visitor, you’ll want to visit my favorite places to eat in Rabat. This way you can have the best food experience possible and leave with a very happy – and full – tummy.
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1. Marea
The first thing you need to know about Marea is that it’s primarily a seafood restaurant. So, just about every item on the menu will have seafood. They do have vegetarian linguini, but that’s about it in terms of non-fish dishes.
Overall, this place is a touch fancier than what I’m used to. It’s not fine dining by any means, but it is a bit more upscale and has higher prices than more local spots.
During my visit I thought the staff were really lovely. They quickly sat me down and served bread as well as a honey carrot salad, an eggplant salad, and a cucumber salad.
All of the complimentary salads were delicious, while the bread was just okay. It wasn’t awful, but it also wasn’t the freshest bread I’ve ever had.
In terms of the entree, I went with the fish tajine, which was made with the catch of the day. I LOVED the hot sauce that came with my dish and the red broth in which it was cooked.
I just wish there were fewer bones in my fish since I stumbled upon some while I was eating. Overall, a solid place to eat in Rabat. I think I paid 100 Dirhams for a tajine and a soda and I didn’t think that was too bad.
I also love that they actually accept cards. Yup. I always love it when I don’t have to use cash.
2. Hotel – Restaurant Le Musee
I know this place sounds a bit lame, but I pinkie promise I’ve been here twice for breakfast, and it was really good.
The last time I was here I ordered the Continental for 45 Dirhams. Real talk? It came with a ton of food. We’re talking a croissant, two chocolate croissants, yogurt, a basket of bread, OJ, two eggs, a cafe latte, water, olives, honey, and oil.
I basically couldn’t eat it all but loved everything. TBH, I was really impressed that the pastries were actually good. I also liked the eggs, although I wish they were cooked with less oil.
Overall, this is a great place to go if you want a nice, set breakfast served at a very reasonable price. They also have a nice outdoor seating area if you want to look out at the museum across the street.
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3. Dar Al Aarsa
Well-located right outside the Medina, this place is super informal and serves authentic Moroccan food. When I stopped by, they were super busy and had hardly any tables left.
So, the staff grabbed a table and put it on the sidewalk so that I could sit down. I ordered the vegetarian Rfissa and it was served with complimentary harissa that was super tasty.
I also really enjoyed my Rfissa since it was well-cooked and came with tons of flavorful lentils that filled me right up. In fact, I tried to eat it all since it was really good, but the portions were just too big.
I then went to pay, but they insisted that I stay for some complimentary mint tea.
So, I relaxed with my pot of sweet tea and enjoyed watching the people go by. Therefore, this is a great, inexpensive place to go for traditional Moroccan food and I will 100% be back.
4. The Kitch
Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with breakfast food. I could eat it all day, every day, and die a happy woman.
So, when I saw that The Kitch served all-day breakfast/brunch, I just had to stop by. TBH, the decor is a bit lackluster. However, the service is great, and the food more than makes up for the mediocre ambiance.
The last time I visited, I got the Istanbul brunch. It started with a giant bowl of bisarra that I gobbled right up. My only complaint was that the bissara was a bit too watery for me. Other than that, it was really good.
Next. I got my meal. It featured a giant plate of Shakshuka made with two eggs, delicious red sauce, and mozarella cheese. It also came with a latte, yogurt, fruit, a basket of bread, a salad, and OJ.
Yes, talk about A LOT of food for just 55 Dirhams. Overall, everything was super tasty, and I had zero complaints. I think the only thing that could be improved was the bread since it was pretty average.
Oh, and be sure to come with cash since they did not accept credit cards the last time I was there.
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5. Kasr al Assil
Located just around the corner from Villa de Arts, Kasr al Assil is a traditional Moroccan restaurant where you can find everything from tanjine to tanjia to seffa to couscous.
However, please note that vegetarian options are limited and that couscous is only served on Fridays. Yeah, I tried to order the veggie couscous on a Sunday and got shot down. I also did not feel like ordering a plate of fries, veggies, and rice.
Instead, I got the Seffa, without chicken, and it was really tasty. The Vermicelli noodles were well cooked and had just enough cinnamon and almonds to make the dish tasty.
I also liked that they served the sugar on the side so that I could add as much as I wanted.
Personally, I thought the prices were a little high since I paid 80 Dirhams for a plate of Seffa and 15 Dirhams for a Coke Zero. I also wasn’t overly impressed with the complimentary cucumber appetizer they gave me.
However, the decor is really lovely and adds to the overall charm of this place. So, overall, I think this is one of the best restaurants in Rabat and I would definitely come back. Just bring cash since cards are not accepted.
6. AZ Salon de The
Real talk? I ate at this cafe in Rabat because I was hungry AF and nothing else was open. Yeah, it was Ramadan in Morocco and basically no other places were open for breakfast.
I stepped inside and thought it would be equal parts expensive AF and terrible since it was part of a hotel and the decor looked super bougie.
Well, as you probably already guessed, I was totally wrong. Truthfully, I wish they had more than two breakfast specials, but I half heartedly ordered the Gourmand.
It came with a water, fresh OJ, a chocolate/cream croissant, a basket of bread, an omelet, and a salad. TBH, I thought the price was pretty steep since it cost 70 Dirhams.
However, everything was fantastic. The omelet was perfectly cooked, the bread was amazing, and the croissant was SO thin and flakey and good. It tasted awesome and I loved the sweet chocolate cream in the middle.
Seriously, they serve some of the best pastries I’ve had in a really long time. So, if you want to save some money, just head to the counter and order some of their delicious pastries to go.
PS: I do not have a picture of the croissant because I think my waiter forgot it and brought it out after I ate like half my breakfast.
7. Dar El Medina
I had heard rave reviews of this place and wanted to try it myself. Well, I can honestly say that for what you get, this place is MAD expensive.
I looked at the check; and it cost me 145 Dirhams for vegetarian couscous and 25 Dirhams for a small bottle of Oulmas. Yeah, Oulmas costs like 4 Dirhams at the store, so that is an insane markup.
Okay, to be fair, the 145 Dirhams was for a set menu that included two small salads, bread, and an entree. I got couscous, a carrot/honey/orange salad, and a cooked red and green pepper salad.
Both of the salads were good, although I preferred the pepper salad since the carrot salad was a bit too sweet for me. The bread was also nice and fresh and perfect with the salads.
However, most restaurants give you these types of things for free as a complimentary appetizer. So, I definitely felt calling that part of a “set menu” was a bit of a stretch.
All in all, the couscous was good. I like that it came with a ton of veggies on top and that the couscous was cooked but wasn’t mushy.
They also got bonus points for serving couscous on a day that is not a Friday. However, I still think this place is a bit overpriced, especially since the decor is nothing special and makes this place feel like a no-frills eatery.
8. Boho Cafe
I love this Western-style brunch spot near Rabat Ville station. Not only is the decor super stylish, but they serve an amazing brunch all day!! Seriously, what’s not to love?
I adore this place so much that I return every time I’m in Rabat. So, yeah, a lot. I adore the food and love sitting at an outdoor table as the world walks by.
My plan was to stop by and get some rad photos during my current trip to Rabat. But, Boho Cafe was closed for renovation during Ramadan and they won’t reopen until after I leave.
So, I do not have any epic photos to share with you. I know; I was gutted about this, too. But I can share that the last time I was here, my partner ordered the pancakes and loved them.
They were light, fluffy, and topped with yummy things like honey, fruit, and granola. The portions were also generous, and the pancakes cost a mere 70 Dirhams.
Meanwhile, I got the Avocado Toast for 55 Dirhams. The toast was made with the freshest bread and came loaded with fresh avocado, egg, haloumi, and more.
Basically, I come here every chance I get and highly recommend stopping by if you like brunch food. Just arrive early since this restaurant in Rabat is not a secret and can get pretty crowded.
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9. Pause Gourmet
This fun and funky outdoor (ish) cafe is a bit of a hidden gem. I love that you can sit at a table surrounded by a wealth of plants and order from a diverse, mostly healthy, menu that includes everything from lasagna to salad to crepes.
FYI, there are also some Moroccan classics on the menu if you’re dying for couscous or pastilla.
During my last visit to the city, I needed a break from Moroccan food and decided to go with the Vegetarian crepe. I didn’t expect much, but it was really good.
TBH, I thought the combo of eggs, mushrooms, beans, carrots, béchamel sauce, and cheese sounded a bit weird. However, it tasted great, and I definitely at the whole thing.
Overall, I thought my crepe was well-prepared, was served quickly, and had a nice texture. It also cost me a mere 46 Dirhams.
Are their crepes as good as the ones in France? Probably not. But my crepe was light and flavorful and hit the spot after a long day spent enjoying the best things to do in Rabat.
Like many places to eat in Rabat, this spot is cash only. However, it is a solid option if you’re near the train station since this place is right across the street.
10. Chaplin Crepes
The first thing I noticed about Chaplin Crepes is the decor. Yes, it is a small restaurant, but this place is packed with fun, movie-inspired memorabilia that pays homage to the one and only Charlie Chaplin.
Heck, there’s even a vibrant street art-style mural featuring an iconic image of this legendary movie star. I chose to sit inside the small dining room, however, outdoor tables are available and overlook a nearby square.
Once seated, I scanned a menu of around ten different brunch and breakfast items. But if nothing appeals to you, you can always order from their larger menu, which includes sweet and savory crepes as well as pancakes.
I opted for the tradtional. I was a bit disappointed because it said it came with msemen. However, I only got harsha and babtbout. Thankfully, both breads were good. The omelet was also good but a bit too well-done for me on the bottom.
Additionally, I liked that I got chocolate, jben, and olive oil to go with my bread. But I thought the yogurt was a bit too sweet.
It came with a super-sugary strawberry sauce, and I just ate the banana yogurt beneath it since it was too much for me.
Honestly, the real star of my breakfast was the mini Nutella crepe. When I come back, I will just get a crepe since it was really lovely. I just wish they had put a bit less Nutella on it because it was also quite sweet.
Oh, and the coffee was really good, too. I would just arrive early to avoid the crowds since the service can be a bit slow here. Also bring cash since credit cards are not accepted here.
11. Chez Lhaja
Tucked away inside the Medina, this low-key lunch spot serves tradtional Moroccan food at very reasonable prices.
While you can order iconic dishes like tajine and Moroccan salad, why not try something unique like Hargma? I heard it is really good and basically a hearty mix of cow’s feet and chickpeas.
However, the last time I was here, I stuck with the Loubia. It was super rich and flavorful and cost me 20 Dirhams. I also love that they served it to me with ample bread. Yeah, this made it a lot easier to sop up the delicious sauce.
So, I can highly recommend this spot if you are looking for a quick, easy, cheap, and delicious place to eat in Rabat. Just be sure to bring cash, and remember that they are closed on Sundays.
12. Restaurant Taghazout
Restaurant Taghazhout has a warm and inviting atmosphere that makes it easy to enjoy authentic Moroccan cuisine inside the bustling Medina.
It’s a cozy spot with a relaxed vibe and well-priced mains that start at 70 Dirhams each. Currently, menu highlights include flavorful chicken tagine, perfectly spiced couscous, fresh Moroccan salad, and harira.
For something truly unique, go for their seafood platter. It showcases the best seafood that Rabat has to offer and is a real delight.
However, the last time I was here I ordered the couscous. It was flavorful, well-cooked, and came with just enough sauce. I also tried the Harira and cannot wait to come back the next time I am in Rabat.
Map of the Best Restaurants in Rabat
Conclusion
Overall, Rabat is home to a very diverse culinary acene that will satisfy even the pickiest of people. Whether you’re looking for slow-cooked tagine, fresh seafood, or modern Western fare, Rabat has it all (and then some).
With each visit, I discover new flavors and incredible hidden gems that I didn’t even know existed. My only hope is that you can use this local guide to dine at some of these amazing spots during your next trip.
Because, trust me. Once you’ve tasted the best of Rabat, you’ll be counting the days until your next visit.
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