Most Delicious Foods to Try on Your Morocco Vacation

Moroccan Cuisine: Foods You Have To Try While Visiting Morocco

Morocco, an Arab country that is located in North Africa, has some of the best cuisine in the world.  This should be no surprise as it was  colonized by not just the French, but also the Portuguese and the Spanish civilizations as well.  The clash between these different cultures had a major effect on Moroccan cuisine, making it what it is today.  With their variety of spices and ingredients,  Moroccan recipes are a must-try while visiting this beautiful North African country. Here are our recommendations for the most delicious must-try foods to try on your vacation to Morocco.

Moroccan Food: Tajine

We start off with one of the most famous dishes in Morocco. 

This Moroccan recipe is very popular among tourists.  People find it very interesting because it’s slow-cooked in the traditional cooking vessel with the same name: Tajine.  What’s very interesting about it, is that you could use any ingredients. For example, you could make a vegetarian Tajine using any vegetables you like.  Or you could use meat, chicken or even fish if you prefer. But that is not what makes it special. What makes this recipe stand out is the way you eat it. Straight out of the cooking vessel with pieces of Moroccan bread or “Khobz” as it is common to call it in Morocco.  And this is what makes this Moroccan food very loved by most people.

Moroccan Food: R’fissa

This Moroccan Cuisine dish is very tasty and interesting.

R’fissa is known to be a ceremonial dish. Moroccan families make it when they have a family gathering for a celebration such as a wedding, a newborn party, or any type of family and friends gathering.

They make it with a stew cooked with lentils, chicken, fenugreek seeds, and of course the mixed spices that Morocco is famous for.  This stew is presented on top of shredded traditional Moroccan crepes, known as “Msemen”.  It is full of flavour and has an interesting texture. It’s common for people to eat R’Fissa from one large communal dish made out of clay. known as “Qessria”.

Bastilla

Morocco’s ceremonial dish is none other than Bastilla. 

This is basically a pie often served at weddings or special occasions.

They traditionally make Bastilla with pigeons, but you could also use fish if you prefer salty to sweet. The gourmet chefs of Morocco fill the layers of the pastry with honey or the fish sauce they personally make. And that gives this Moroccan recipe an utterly amazing fusion of flavors and textures.

Couscous

This is what makes Moroccan cuisine so special. Couscous is a fans’ favorite.

Couscous is a weekly dish enjoyed by Moroccans and served on the Muslims Holy-day that is Friday. This Moroccan specialty is very famous for its variety of vegetables.  They either use lamb, beef, or chicken in the stew along with the veggies. This gives a healthy soup that they use to give the tender steamed couscous grains some taste.

As with many other Moroccan dishes, everyone gathers around the table to eat from one super-sized communal plate and with bare hands.  If you’re not a big fan of veggies then you would love “Tfaya” Couscous. This tasty dish is presented with a topping of caramelized onions and raisins, over couscous steamed grains with meat or chicken.

Eggplant Zaalouk

You may find it a bit weird, but this Moroccan recipe is very popular. 

Moroccan cuisine is famous for side dishes and Zaalouk is one of those amazing dishes.  It’s made with smoked eggplants, tomatoes, olive oil and of course Morocco’s most famous spices. Some people even add chili powder to spice this Moroccan recipe up a little.

Moroccans always starts their feasts with many salads and this one is no different. You will be served “Zaalouk” with some bread, first thing you sit in any restaurant.  This is also an amazing dish for you if you are a vegetarian visiting Morocco for the first time.

The Moroccan Soup: Harira

The dish that will always be found on the table of Moroccans is definitely Harira.

Harira is a very popular dish in Moroccan cuisine. Just like a normal soup, it has everything you need for a well-balanced meal.  Based on tomatoes, it has many other ingredients such as chickpeas, lentils, other veggies and of course meat as well. But it’s not necessary for the soup.

During the Muslims’ Holy month Ramadan, they break their fast with a steaming delicious bowl of Harira soup.  This nourishing soup is often accompanied by sticky sweet pretzels called “Chebakkiya” and some dates.  You have the choice to make it tastier and add some lime juice, vinegar or even chili powder.

Moroccan Mint Tea

It may not be Moroccan food, but it is a staple in Moroccan cuisine. So it’s a must-taste if you ever visit Morocco.

Moroccan cuisine considers tea very important. It’s Moroccans’ favorite drink. And much like the Brits, they take tea-time very seriously.  They have tea for breakfast, for brunch, for a picnic, with guests, alone… Moroccans consider mint tea as a symbol of gathering and welcoming. They either serve it alone or with Moroccan sweet pastries.

What people call ‘Moroccan whiskey’ is a teapot filled with gunpowder tea that is steeped with a few sprigs of spearmint and some sugar. They pour it into a tea glass from a height to create a froth called the crown, which is considered the best part of the teacup.

In conclusion, if you ever visit Morocco you have to taste all the beautiful dishes on this Moroccan cuisine list.