The Ultimate Guide to Moroccan Food for Families
I think for the majority of families, one of the major concerns when travelling somewhere ‘different’ is thinking what you will feed the kids. We have one kid who loves pretty much all the food (except avocado), and gets real pleasure from trying new, exotic flavours. And then we have Beau, who is a big fan of chips, and crisps, and generally brown things (although broccoli is always a hit). She is also one of those kids that isn’t hungry until she is starving, just to add a little challenge to our food tour of Morocco, we threw in Ramadan!
Let me take you on a tour of Moroccan food for families with all the best bits, as advised by the kids.
Morocco is a great place to explore with your pallet. We didn’t have a bad meal in the 2 months we were exploring the country.
Moroccan cuisine is a melting pot of tastes from all over the world, thanks to Morocco’s past and location linking Africa and Europe; influenced by centuries of mingling with the Berbers, Arabs, Andalusians, and Ottomans.
Moroccan Food for Families
Morocco boasts a vibrant and diverse cuisine, a delicious tapestry woven over centuries through trade, conquest, and cultural exchange. While tagines (slow-cooked stews) and couscous are the stars of the show, Moroccan food offers so much more!
What you need to know about Moroccan Food
- Packed with flavour.
Head into the medina and you will see shops filled with herbs and spices. While spices are a cornerstone of Moroccan cuisine, this doesn’t mean spicy.
- Something for everyone
Tagines may be iconic, but Moroccan cuisine offers a lot of other great dishes. From flame-grilled skewers to savory stews and refreshing salads, there’s lots of choice available.
- Couscous
Unlike the pre-cooked stuff you might find at home, Moroccan couscous is a fluffy and light and usually served with stews and vegetables.
- Fussy kids?
Moroccan cuisine offers a surprising number of kid-friendly options.
Must-Try Moroccan Dishes
Here’s where the fun begins! We were excited to eat in Morocco. There was a great selection of food for everyone.
- Tagine
Veg or Chicken tagines are a safe bet, and many will have options for sweeter versions with prunes, apricots, or almonds.
- Brochettes
Essentially kebabs- chicken, lamb, or beef, often served with fries or couscous.
- Msemen Bread
This soft, flatbread comes in sweet and savory versions. Drizzled with honey or stuffed with creamy cheese, it’s delicious.
- Beghrir
These spongy semolina pancakes are a Moroccan breakfast staple. Top them with honey, jam, or cheese, or Nutella if feeling particularly wild!
- Pastilla
Also known as b’stilla, is your Moroccan version of the Cornish pasty. This pastry has thin layers of dough and is stuff with spiced meat, usually pigeon or chicken. They come in various sizes but the bigger ones are super filling!
- Kefta
Moroccan meatballs seasoned with herbs and spices.
The best Moroccan food for kids.
As voted by Beau (the more selective child 😊)
- Kefta Tagines- she wolfed done this meatball and tomato based stewed with bread, no one else got a look in.
- Cous cous- this is the kid who doesn’t like cous cous, outside of Morocco. So maybe that says something about our cooking or maybe it shows that Moroccan cooking hits differently.
- Harira- a common feature during Ramadan, this soup reminds me a little of minestrone, but it was a big hit
As voted by Indi (more exotic and flexible tastes)
- Beef and date tagine– I have to agree with her on this one. Soft and tender meet with stewed fruit. It’s delicious.
- Haricot beans– I don’t know what the name of this is but this bean stew was delicious.
- Pastilla – this little pie can be a great snack or a main meal. the sweet and savoury combination is very good.
HIKING WITH KIDS IN IMLIL – THE ATLAS MOUNTAINS
Food during Ramadan
Visiting Morocco during Ramadan was not as difficult as I anticipated. Arriving into Rabat, we found a limited number of restaurants open during the day but from mid afternoon the streets came to life with small stalls selling snacks. We would stock up and head to the promenade to eat when the sun went down. In other places such as Marrakesh and Essaouira, everything was open as usual. Things would close temporarily at sun down (F’tour) but would open up soon after.
While there isn’t necessarily a food strictly unique to Ramadan in Morocco, there are some dishes that hold special significance during this holy month. Here are a couple:
- Harira: This tomato and lentil soup is a staple for breaking the fast (ftour) in Morocco. It was also one of Beau’s favourites.
- Chebakia: These small deep-fried cinnamon flavoured pastries, drenched in honey or syrup, are a sweet treat typically enjoyed during Ramadan celebrations.
- Fried Fish: Fresh fish, especially sardines and mackerel, are a common sight during Ramadan, particularly for meals eaten near the coast. They smell delicious!
- Dates: Dates are incredibly significant throughout Ramadan, as they are traditionally used to break the fast according to the Prophet’s (PBUH) practice. Their sweetness provides a natural energy boost and is symbolic of breaking the fast with something pure and good.
What to drink in Morocco
A trip to Morocco wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the iconic mint tea. Sweet and refreshing, we developed a real taste for this tea, especially whilst in the chilly Atlas Mountains, but we even drank it on the beach is Essaouira! It’s also a fun cultural experience for the whole family!
Teach the kids how to poor tea the Moroccan way. I try to ignore the amount of sugar that goes into this tea but it tastes soooo good!
Depending when you visit, don’t pass up on the fresh juices. The orange juice is amazing!
Tips for Moroccan Food with Kids
- Portion Patrol: Moroccan portions are generous, so consider sharing dishes with your kids or ordering smaller plates to avoid overwhelm.
- Finger Food Fun: Embrace the Hands-On Experience. Many Moroccan dishes are perfect for eating with your hands, making mealtime an interactive and engaging adventure for little ones.
- Sweet Treats: Moroccan cuisine offers a variety of delicious sweets and desserts that kids will love, such as honey-drenched pastries and date-filled cookies. Treat your kids to these delights to keep the energy up as you wander the streets.
- Hydration Station: Stay refreshed with Moroccan mint tea, a traditional and refreshing drink that even the kids can enjoy. Alternatively, opt for fresh fruit juices or smoothies for a healthier option.
- Cultural Exploration: Use mealtime as an opportunity to teach your kids about Moroccan culture and traditions. Discuss the origin of the dishes, the significance of certain ingredients, and the importance of sharing meals with loved ones.
Try a Moroccan Cooking Class
Fancy trying your hand at cooking some of the delicious food you sample? Take a family cooking class! Learning to prepare traditional dishes together helps to develop a deeper appreciation for Moroccan cuisine. Many restaurants and guesthouses offer cooking classes too. We found the girls were often invited into the kitchen to help if they were looking particularly interested.
Recommended places to eat
You won’t find any fancy pants restaurants on this list but here are the best local, authentic cheap eats that we found.
Where to eat with kids in Rabat
No specific recommendations for Rabat as we didn’t get to eat in a restaurant. The street food is great, especially the cookies and desserts.
Where to eat with kids in Essaouira
Chez Fatima
This teeny-weeny street eatery is delicious. Having front row seats is great for the kids to watch, plus they can chase the street cats around if they get bored. The tagines are great as is the haricot beans.
Papaye Essaouira
This great little cheap eat place served the best beef tagging and Harra soup we had, great prices and friendly owners. The street is right by the beach and has a few other decent snack bars on it too.
Av. Princesse Lalla Amina, Essaouira 44000
Il Forno di Mogador
A no frills pizza place but the best pizza we had in Essaouira, they served a decent coffee too and there is a pasty shop next door with a fab selection of delicious cheap bakes.
Av. Princesse Lalla Amina, Essaouira
The Retro Corner
A good place for breakfast or brunch, very clean, nice food and a cool hideout in the middle of the Medina.
N, 05 rue abdelaziz Al fachtali, Essaouira 44000
The Kesh Cup
The closest Jak found to a proper cup of coffee, grab and go as you wander the Medina with the kids.
G67H+3FH, Rue Hajjali, Essaouira
Sidi Kaouki – Al Vent
Slightly cheating for this one but it is worth the 20 min drive down the coast. A great beach too.
9633+99V plage s/n, Sidi Kaouki 44125
Where to eat with kids in Marrakech
Amal Restaurant
Part of the Amal Women’s Training Center, is a social enterprise that provides disadvantaged women with culinary training and work experience. Offers both traditional Moroccan and international dishes. The menu changes daily based on fresh ingredients and chef inspiration. Fridays are special couscous days.
Gueliz neighborhood, Marrakesh (address: Angle Rues Allal ben Ahmad / Ibn Sina, Quartier l’Hopital Ibn Tofail, Marrakech 40000, Morocco).
Henna Art Cafe
Hit two birds with one stone here and grab some tasty food while you get some all natural henna tattoo work done. The Henna Art Cafe is located in the heart of the Marrakech medina, just a three minute stroll down from Djemma El Fna.
***Make sure you go natural for your henna in Morocco, the black henna can contain all sorts of nasties for your skin.
35 Derb Sqaya, Marrakesh 40000
Jemaa El Fnaa
We are a bit split on this one, there are loads of food stalls that spring up in the evening for food in this iconic square but we didn’t really rate it. They do have loads of great juice bars though and as you wander in and out of the souks they are on hand for a refreshing fruit blast.
Marrakesh 40000
But honestly, some of the best food we have had has been from the small stalls in the market of the backstreet ‘restaurant’, (and I totally recognise how dodgy that sounds!).
We haven’t eaten a bad meal in Morocco and also have all been feeling pretty good. The only small upset was due to a desperate Burger King during Ramadan after a day on the road. We learnt our lesson!
Where to eat with kids in Mirleft
There is a surprisingly good number of places to eat despite is petite size.
Restaurant Tayought Mirleft
Towards the end of the ‘blue street’ , you will know what we mean when you get there. We managed a vert rare date night here as Granny had joined us and was babysitting the kids. The food and atmosphere was good, there is more room upstairs if it looks full.
Tifawin Cafe
Probably our favourite for breakfast, lunch or a smoothie. Very friendly and great quality food and service.
Mirleft centre, 85352 Sidi Ifni, Mirleft
Tilila
An easy option serving good taco wraps, salads and pizza.
HXH8+R3Q, Mirleft
We will continue to add any more that are worth a shout out on our Morocco travels.
Why you should try Moroccan food with kids
When we came to Morocco, we had ideas of what the food would be like. We thought that for the first week maybe two, it would all be delicious but then boredom of the same tastes would start to set in. Honestly, we were prepared for dodgy bellies! But Moroccan food has surprised us, and probably more so the kids. Everything we have eaten has been delicious and no-one has suffered the typical traveller’s complaint.
The kids have given it a full thumbs up and so do we.
Meet the author
Lisa is the founder of Boston Tribe Travels. She has lived and travelled abroad for the last 15 years, visited more than 30 countries and has done most of that with her husband and two children. As a full time travel family, they like to travel slow, worldschool and seek new adventures. From living in Borneo for 5 years to backpacking South America, Lisa shares a wealth of travel experience to empower more families to travel and learn together.
