Top 10 Moroccan Dishes You Must Try
A quick guide to what to order, from tagine to mint tea
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10 Dishes to Order in Morocco
From street-side stalls to family kitchens, these are the dishes that show up again and again on any trip to Morocco. This quick list is your what-to-order cheat sheet: what each dish is, what it tastes like, and when you are most likely to see it on the menu.
Want the full picture, including drinks, spices and dining customs? See our complete guide to Moroccan cuisine.
Couscous
Steamed semolina grains, usually piled with vegetables and a meat stew (lamb, chicken or beef) and seasoned with cumin and cinnamon.
When to order it: the classic Friday family meal, so many restaurants feature it especially then.
Tagine
Both the cone-shaped clay pot and the slow-cooked stew inside it. Look for lamb with prunes, chicken with preserved lemon and olives, or fish with tomatoes.
How to eat it: scoop it up with fresh bread rather than cutlery.
Pastilla (Bastilla)
A savoury-sweet pie of chicken or pigeon, almonds, egg and spices, wrapped in flaky pastry and dusted with cinnamon and sugar.
Good to know: often served as a starter at celebrations and special dinners.
Harira
A hearty soup of tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas and meat, finished with herbs and spices.
When to order it: the traditional dish for breaking the fast during Ramadan, but available year-round.
Mechoui
A whole lamb, slow-roasted until it falls off the bone, seasoned simply with cumin, garlic and salt.
Where to find it: a centrepiece for celebrations rather than an everyday café dish.
Moroccan Mint Tea
Green tea brewed with fresh mint and plenty of sugar, poured from height into small glasses.
Good to know: offered as a sign of hospitality almost everywhere you go; accepting a glass is polite.
Zaalouk
A smoky, cooked salad of eggplant and tomato with garlic, cumin and paprika, usually served as a starter or side.
How to eat it: scooped up with bread, alongside other small salads.
Briouats
Small, crisp, deep-fried pastries filled with spiced meat, cheese or almonds.
When to order them: a common starter or snack, especially for special occasions.
Kefta
Seasoned ground beef or lamb, grilled as skewers or simmered in a tomato sauce, often with an egg cracked on top.
Good to know: a reliable, widely available choice if you want something simple and familiar.
Rfissa
Shredded flatbread (msemmen) layered with chicken and lentils, seasoned with fenugreek and saffron.
When to order it: traditionally served to new mothers and at family celebrations, so it can be harder to find on standard menus.
Taste Morocco on Tour
Ready to taste these for yourself? Every one of our tours includes home-style meals along the way, from tagines in the Atlas Mountains to a Berber dinner in a Sahara desert camp. See our tours in Morocco or read our full guide to Moroccan cuisine for spices, drinks, sweets and where to eat in each city.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular dish in Morocco?
Tagine and couscous are the two dishes most closely associated with Morocco. Couscous is the traditional Friday meal, while tagine is eaten throughout the week.
Is Moroccan food spicy?
Moroccan food is aromatic rather than hot, built on spices like cumin, cinnamon, ginger and saffron. Harissa chilli paste is usually served on the side if you want extra heat.
What should I try first in Morocco?
Start with a tagine and a glass of mint tea, both widely available and a good introduction to the cuisine. See our full list of Moroccan dishes and drinks.
Can vegetarians find good food in Morocco?
Yes. Vegetable tagines, zaalouk and couscous with seasonal vegetables are widely available; see our guide to Moroccan cuisine for more.
Ready to Taste Morocco?
Tell us your dates and interests, and we will build a private tour around the food, culture and landscapes you want to experience.
Email: travelstomorocco@gmail.com | Phone: +212 6 62 38 50 95