Typical Moroccan food

16 delicious foods from Morocco

Wondering which typical Moroccan food to try? In this post, we’ll tell you about the 16 best we tried during you Morocco Tours

Thanks to the fusion of Arab, Berber and even French cultures, Moroccan food is full of exotic flavors!

Most dishes have spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cumin, ginger, saffron and paprika which are used to season meat or fish and make the dishes tasty, fragrant and colorful!

Mouth watering and curious to try Moroccan cuisine? Read on to find out which are the must-tries!

1. Moroccan couscous

First on our list is the most popular typical Moroccan food, along with tagine! It’s almost impossible to leave without trying this dish, no matter how many times you’ve eaten it in Brazil.

In case you didn’t know, couscous is a small ball of semolina, traditionally cooked in a steamer over a large metal pot filled with stew until it softens.

There, it is usually accompanied by raisins and a bowl of sweet buttermilk infused with orange blossom.

Moroccans usually prepare it on holidays and special occasions such as weddings and funerals, but fortunately it can be found in almost every restaurant all year round! Or take a 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to eat the best couscous with a nomad family.

2. Mint tea

Also known as Morocco’s national drink, mint tea is very popular in Morocco and you’ll find many people drinking it on every street corner at any time of day!

As this tea is also considered a symbol of welcome, you’ll be offered it in every situation, whether you’re checking into your accommodation, visiting a store or someone’s home…

Often described as addictive, it is made with lots of mint leaves and sugar.

3. Tagine

Third on our list is a typical Moroccan food that is just as popular as couscous and can be found almost everywhere, from food stalls to famous restaurants.

The name comes from the clay pot with a conical lid in which this dish is cooked and you can find it in a variety of options, including meat, lamb, chicken, vegetables, etc.

It is usually prepared with various spices such as cinnamon, cumin and cloves and served with a slice of bread on the side. A “classic” of Moroccan cuisine that you’re sure to try!

4. Stuffed Msemen

In a hurry? Then stuffed msemen might be a good typical Moroccan food to try!

It’s a flat, square-shaped dough kneaded with a mixture of peppers, onions and tomatoes. After being grilled and rolled up, it’s ready to be packed for the road.

5. Snail soup

Yes, you read that right! It may sound strange, but this is a very tasty typical Moroccan food.

You can easily find it in stalls all over the country, although it is best known in Jamaa El Fna, located in Marrakech.

To eat this Moroccan food, you need to use a toothpick to pull the snails out of their shells before taking a sip of the salty broth. We think it tastes a bit like mushrooms!

A curiosity is that many Moroccans believe this dish is good for digestion and in cases of fever!

6. Chermoula fish

Thanks to Morocco’s long Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines, many of the country’s typical foods come with national fish.

One of them is Chermoula, a dish made with the freshest catch of the day and lots of spices and herbs that are used to marinate the fish and act as a sauce!

7. Harira

Harira is a soup filled with the rich ingredients of lamb, chickpeas, tomatoes, lentils, chopped coriander and lemon juice.

This typical Moroccan food is usually served with a sweet, sticky pretzel known as chebakkiya.

During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which most Muslims practice their ritual fasting, it is common for the daily fast to be broken at sunset with a hot bowl of harira soup.

8. Zaalouk

Zaalouk is a typical Moroccan food that you’ll find in every corner of the country.

The main ingredients in this salad are eggplant and tomatoes, as well as olive oil, garlic, coriander, cumin and paprika.

It’s worth pairing it with a traditional Moroccan flatbread – it’s delicious!

9. Bastilla

Traditionally, Bastilla was reserved for special occasions and was sometimes made with pigeon meat! Today, this typical Moroccan food is easy to find and is prepared with more common meats such as chicken, beef or fish.

We think the pie is very tasty and unique! It’s made with layers of thin pastry and also includes parsley, onion, egg and cinnamon.

10. Lamb or Beef with Prunes

If you’re not used to mixing sweet and savory, this typical Moroccan dish may seem strange, but I guarantee it’s a good recipe!

The meat is cooked until tender and buttered with saffron, ginger and onion, then topped with prunes blanched in syrup with cinnamon and honey.

In addition, crispy fried almonds are usually served as a garnish.

11. Rfissa

Eating bread with broth and meat is a common custom in some parts of Brazil and you’ve probably already tried it. It’s simple and delicious!

In Morocco, this food has a wonderful version. Rfissa consists of: boiled chicken, lentils seasoned with fenugreek and saffron that are poured over a plate of bread.

It is a very famous food in Moroccan cuisine and is usually served to women who have just given birth, as it is considered beneficial for recovery from childbirth, as well as being offered to family or guests on special occasions.

12. Sardines

Sardines are a typical Moroccan food that can also be found in other parts of the world, including Brazil, but they taste even better in Morocco.

As the country’s coastline is extensive, this fish is abundant and very accessible.

It’s possible to eat it plain, just baked or grilled, but Moroccans usually stuff the sardine fillets with a spicy marinade called chermoula and then fry them. It’s wonderful!

13. Briouats

Briouats are basically a triangle of puff pastry and you can find both savory and sweet options.

If it’s savory, it’s usually filled with chicken, meat, cheese or vegetables. As a dessert, it’s filled with almond paste and dipped in hot honey!

Either way, it’s delicious!

14. Date

The date is not exactly a typical Moroccan food, but it is a fruit.

Going there and not eating it is like going to Italy and not eating pizza. It’s almost obligatory to try at least one!

There are more than 50 different qualities of dates in the country and they are rich in magnesium and iron. In other words, a powerful source of energy for your walks!

It is most common in the south of Morocco and there is even a Date Festival in the city of Erfoud in October all year round. But at almost any time of year, it’s easy to find them by the kilo in stalls and markets at a super-cheap price, To pass through this city you must take a 5 days desert  tour from Ouarzazate.

15. M’hanncha

M’hanncha is a traditional Moroccan dessert in which warka dough, which is similar to filo pastry, is filled with a delicious almond paste and then shaped into a snake.

Although there are numerous recipes for almond paste, it is generally prepared with almonds, sugar, cinnamon, mastic powder, butter and orange blossom water.

It is usually served on special occasions and festivals.

16. Sfenj

Last on our “typical Moroccan food” list is another dessert, the sfenj.

They are a Moroccan pastry similar to a doughnut, made from sticky dough without yeast.

Traditionally, the dough is shaped into rings and fried until it develops a golden, crispy exterior. The inside is fluffy, soft and chewy.

Did you find typical Moroccan food interesting?

Before you leave, check out this tip: on our trips to Morocco, we booked all our hotels with booking.com and we recommend that you do the same, since, through this platform, you can read the reviews of previous guests and even cancel your booking for free (in most hotels) if your plans change.

Do you still have any questions? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be happy to help!