Best Restaurants in Essaouira, Morocco

Best Restaurants in Essaouira

After a few nights in Marrakesh, we made our way to the seaside town of Essaouira. It has its charms but perhaps one night is all you need. We spent a lot of time researching food before we visited, so here is our take on the best restaurants in Essaouira.

Domaine du Val d’Argan

An old article by Janice Robinson led us to the Domaine du Val d’Argan winery on the road to Essaouira. (Not too far outside Essaouira and closer to Essaouira than Marrakesh.) Boy was I glad we booked this. We sat poolside under the trees, next to a table of SERVE YOURSELF (!!!) Moroccan wines. The food just never stopped coming, and the presentation was beautiful. There was a small language barrier with the staff when it came to vegetarian offerings but service overall was sweet and friendly. Life doesn’t get much better than this, kids. (But keep reading because it might just.) I highly recommend a visit to Domaine du Val d’Argan. It’s a wonderful way to kickoff a weekend in Essaouira. Visit Domaine du Val d’Argan.

La Table by Madada

We swung a last minute table at La Table which appears on many of the “Best Restaurants in Essaouira”  lists and got a bit of a bonus — excellent live music. We started off with a platter of massive oysters. Then I did my thing and ordered the spaghetti vongole. (So predictable.) Great staff, great atmosphere, good food. This was fun. Visit La Table by Madada.

Heure Bleue Palais Rooftop

I forget which afternoon we did this but we wandered over here for lunch one day and the setting was lovely — a rooftop at the front of the media– if hot. Perhaps unintentionally — or perhaps intentionally — we polished off two bottles of Moroccan rose amongst the three of us. This is one of those places where you’re paying more for the atmosphere and the view than anything else. But it’s also one of those places where you kinda just think to yourself,, “Life is pretty good right now.” Note we stayed in an Airbnb (one I would not recommend so I’m not posting it here) but it’s worth looking at staying at Heure Bleue Palais. The public areas are gorgeous. Reserve a room at Heure Bleue Palais.

La Fromagerie

Saving what I think is one of the best restaurants in Essaouira for last. On our way out of Essouira, we stopped here for lunch before our flight back to London. I didn’t think it was possible, but this place was even more beautiful than Val d’Argan. Outbuildings painted in the whitest of white, decorated simply and beautifully. Strangely empty so we had the service all to ourselves. The cheese just kept coming as did the wine. We had a nice chat with one of the owners, an enviably elegant Frenchwoman. We were sad to leave so took as much cheese as we could with us when we left.  This was a wonderful way to end a weekend in Essaouira — really some of the best food we had. Visit La Fromagerie.

Shopping in Essaouira: Le Comptoir Oriental by Madada

I admired the napkin rings at dinner at La Table and our server told us that the shop sold them. Shop?? What shop? I could not figure out where this shop was anywhere, but the next day, Instagram helped me. Through an unmarked door and up a flight of stairs, into a lovely space artfully littered with Moroccan treasures. I wanted to buy it all. Instead, I kept myself to the napkin holders and a water bottle container.  You should go here. It’s a great shopping stop during a weekend in Essaouira. Buy me everything. Visit Le Comptoir Oriental by Madada.

Is Essaouira Worth Visiting?

Definitey, Essouira is worth visiting. It’s a cute little place. You will not go hungry in Essaouira, that’s for sure. Probably best for a short visit though. I think we saw it all fairly quickly. If you’re not doing any surfing, the best idea would be to drive to Essaouira (don’t forget to purchase travel insurance ahead of your trip) and have lunch at Val d’Argan, stay the night in Essaourra and have lunch at La Fromagerie the next day. Also, drink all the Moroccan rose while you’re at it. If there’s any left.

Tours in Essaouira