Your Guide to Eating in Morocco: 23 Delicious Moroccan Meals

Moroccan cuisine is a feast for the senses, blending a rich history of Mediterranean, Berber, Arab, and African influences into a vibrant culinary experience. Whether you're wandering through bustling markets, dining in a traditional riad, or enjoying street food, you’ll discover an array of dishes full of exotic spices, fresh ingredients, and intricate flavors. 

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to 23 delicious Moroccan meals that you simply can’t miss. From hearty tagines to sweet pastries, this list will help you navigate the must-try dishes during your time in Morocco.

1. Tagine

Tagine is perhaps the most iconic dish in Morocco. Named after the earthenware pot in which it's cooked, this slow-cooked stew combines meat, vegetables, and aromatic spices. Lamb, chicken, or beef are commonly used, along with olives, preserved lemons, and saffron. Vegetarian options are also popular.

2. Couscous

Couscous is a staple in Moroccan households, often served on Fridays as a traditional family meal. The fluffy grains of semolina are steamed and served with slow-cooked meat, vegetables, and a rich broth. It’s typically accompanied by chickpeas and sometimes raisins for a sweet touch.

3. Pastilla (B’stilla)

Pastilla, or b’stilla, is a unique dish that perfectly balances sweet and savory flavors. Traditionally made with pigeon or chicken, the meat is wrapped in layers of thin, flaky pastry and dusted with cinnamon and powdered sugar. It’s often served as a starter at special occasions like weddings.

4. Harira

Harira is a hearty soup traditionally eaten during Ramadan to break the fast. Made from tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas, and a variety of spices, it’s a warming and flavorful dish. Often served with dates and hard-boiled eggs, harira is a beloved comfort food in Morocco.

5. Zaalouk

Zaalouk is a flavorful Moroccan salad made from eggplant and tomatoes, spiced with cumin, paprika, and garlic. This smoky, savory dip is usually served with fresh bread as a starter or side dish and is a great introduction to Morocco's vegetable-based dishes.

6. Mechoui

Mechoui is a traditional Moroccan dish where a whole lamb is slow-roasted until tender. It’s typically enjoyed during special occasions and feasts. The meat is often seasoned simply with salt and cumin and then served with bread and sometimes a side of salad.

7. Bissara

Bissara is a simple but flavorful fava bean soup that’s popular in the northern regions of Morocco. It’s often served with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkled with cumin and paprika. This dish is typically enjoyed as a warming breakfast or lunch.

8. Rfissa

Rfissa is a celebratory Moroccan dish made from shredded msemen (a type of flatbread) layered with slow-cooked chicken, lentils, and a spiced broth. The dish is fragrant with fenugreek, saffron, and ras el hanout, and it’s often served during special family gatherings or after childbirth.

9. Msemen

Msemen is a Moroccan flatbread that is typically served for breakfast or as a snack. The dough is folded into layers and then fried, giving it a crispy outside and a soft, chewy inside. Msemen can be eaten plain, with honey and butter, or stuffed with savory fillings.

10. Tangia

Tangia is a slow-cooked dish traditionally prepared by men in Marrakech. It’s made by placing lamb, spices, garlic, and preserved lemons in a clay urn and slow-cooking it for hours. The result is incredibly tender, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth.

11. Briouats

Briouats are small, savory pastries that are often filled with ground meat, cheese, or vegetables and then fried or baked. They are a popular snack or appetizer and are typically served during Ramadan or at special celebrations.

12. Kefta

Kefta refers to Moroccan meatballs made from ground beef or lamb, mixed with spices like cumin, paprika, and garlic. These flavorful meatballs are often grilled or cooked in a tagine with tomato sauce and served with bread.

13. Makouda

Makouda are fried potato cakes, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They’re often served as street food or as a side dish. Makouda can be eaten plain or with a spicy harissa dipping sauce.

14. Khobz

Khobz is the traditional Moroccan bread that accompanies almost every meal. This round, flatbread has a slightly chewy texture and is perfect for scooping up tagines, salads, or dips like zaalouk.

15. Sardines

Morocco is one of the world’s largest exporters of sardines, and they play a significant role in the local diet. Grilled sardines, seasoned with chermoula (a mix of herbs and spices), are a favorite dish, especially along the coast.

16. Chebakia

Chebakia is a sweet Moroccan pastry made from dough that’s twisted into intricate shapes, fried, and then dipped in honey and sesame seeds. It’s a popular treat during Ramadan and often served alongside harira soup.

17. Sfinge

Sfinge is a traditional Moroccan doughnut, deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside while remaining soft on the inside. It’s often served with sugar or honey and is a popular street food snack.

18. Loubia

Loubia is a simple yet hearty white bean stew, cooked with tomatoes, garlic, cumin, and paprika. It’s a warming and satisfying dish, perfect for cooler days, and is often eaten with bread.

19. Seffa

Seffa is a unique Moroccan dish that can be either sweet or savory. It’s made from steamed couscous or vermicelli noodles, topped with cinnamon, powdered sugar, and almonds. It’s often served as a celebratory dish after special occasions.

20. Babbouche

Babbouche is a traditional Moroccan snail soup that’s a popular street food, particularly in Marrakech. The snails are slow-cooked with a mix of spices like anise, thyme, and licorice root, creating a unique and aromatic broth.

21. Fish Chermoula

Fish chermoula is a flavorful marinade made from parsley, cilantro, garlic, paprika, cumin, and lemon juice. It’s often used to marinate fish before grilling or baking. Chermoula brings out the fresh flavors of the fish while adding depth and spice.

22. Khlii

Khlii is a type of preserved meat, typically beef or lamb, that’s marinated with spices and then sun-dried. It’s later cooked in fat and stored. Moroccans often eat khlii with eggs for breakfast or as a quick meal.

23. Ghriba

Ghriba are traditional Moroccan cookies made with almond or coconut flour, flavored with sesame or other nuts. They’re crumbly, sweet, and often served with mint tea during social gatherings or special occasions.

Morocco’s culinary scene is as diverse as its landscape and history, offering a wide array of dishes that tantalize the taste buds with rich flavors and spices. From hearty tagines and fluffy couscous to sweet pastries and savory snacks, Moroccan cuisine is a true reflection of its vibrant culture. Whether you're exploring the souks of Marrakech or dining at a local riad, these 23 delicious Moroccan meals will give you a taste of the country's culinary magic.