Best Restaurants in Fez
The medina in Fez, Morocco, gave us some of the most peculiar yet delicious flavours ever experienced and exceeded our expectations. The decadent, authentic Moroccan recipes and new cooking methods are buzzing in the ancient city's backstreets. There is much to offer, from hole-in-the-wall establishments serving popular family-cooked food to cute cafes and traditional restaurants housed in dars and riads, to fine dining in more Moroccan European restaurants.
Dar Roumana
Dar Roumana is a beautiful traditional dar located in the Fez medina. Our first visit was back in 2015, when we were ridiculously impressed by the team and size of the unassuming property. Younes Idriss is the Head Chef at their in-house restaurant, masterminding an array of dishes on location. The hotel coin the food as Franco-Moroccan fusion, with a nod to the style of cooking found at a Parisian bistro paired with traditional Moroccan food.
We recommend tucking into some tasty dishes that ring to the fine tune of grilled octopus, roasted lamb tenderloin stuffed with apricots, pecan nuts and oregano, and seasonal salads - most of which were locally sourced. Expect other popular dishes such as roast pumpkin salad with tahini, braised local rabbit with mustard seed sauce and more. Best to make a reservation to avoid disappointment, as this place is very well known for its Franco-Moroccan cuisine in a fine dining setting.
Ruined Garden
As we approached the restaurant, the air was thin, and we could already smell the Fassi cuisine from the chef's kitchen before we even reached the front door. Upon entering the restaurant, we found ourselves in a nature lover's paradise with lemon and orange trees and fully bloomed jasmine and roses. The floral decor and exotic plants in the ruined setting work delightfully.
Robert Johnstone, the owner, explained how he and his business partner John first found this crumbled space and converted it into Riad Idrissy to make it the boutique hotel stay it is today. The Ruined Garden came after the riad concept, and the owners take great pride in providing delicious and traditional Moroccan cuisine in the old city. This food house also hosts cooking classes for anyone who wants to indulge even more in Moroccan culture.
Once a grand house that was abandoned over the last century as merchants left for the new capital of Rabat or the sprawling port city of Casablanca, leaving the house with new neighbours. Luckily, expats Robert and John had a greater vision. The Kefta Mkaoura is delicious; from the moment the plate hit the table, the aroma had us drooling. The monkfish and salmon were equally tasty and had a strong core flavour, thanks to the added spice. With food this great, we wanted to take advantage of the dessert. We tried the salted lemon cheesecake, which surely did not disappoint.
Every day of the week, you can expect different dishes the chef recommends. If you are in luck, you will come across the lamb or vegetable (vegetarian's choice) b'stilla or the vegetable and chicken with caramelised onions with hand-rolled couscous. Whatever your preference for food, you will be devouring authentic Moroccan cuisine.
Café Clock
Café Clock in Fez, Morocco, has been setting the scene for the ancient city since its opening a few years ago. It's a three-floor restored townhouse (250 years old) with funky aspects, including gems picked up from souks that make this place unique. Moroccan hip hop followed by belly dancing grooves, free wi-fi access and the much talked about camel burgers from head chef Tariq Taza, give this culture hub all the hype it deserves.
Cafe Clock is the perfect spot to take a break from Medina's traditional Moroccan cuisine. Instead, tuck into grilled sandwiches, falafels, milkshakes, delicious cakes, and other Moroccan dishes with a hint of fusion combinations. We devoured the falafels, vegetable b'stilla, aubergine and goats cheese quiche, Moroccan salads and other dishes on our numerous encounters with this food house. When the heat gets intense, order their famous fresh mint lemonade.
Adjoining the hip scene is the 'Clock Culture' program which includes calligraphy and language exchange classes, movie nights, storytelling sessions, lecture programmes and sunset concerts on Sundays (cover charge around Dh20 / 2 euros), attracting a good mix of locals, expats and tourists. Whether you choose to lounge on the terrace, the red room, the courtyard, or the balcony, you will learn quickly how spoilt and comfortable you can be in this place.
NUR
Inside the winding medina of Fez, you can find an archaic restaurant that brings a rotating cast of international chefs into a gastronomical haven for foodies. Owned by a former fashion director, Stephen di Renza, who has a keen eye for details, has made NUR Restaurant stand out with its black and white tile floorings, strikingly marble water wall and two handsome birds in a cage. The walls are serenaded with limited, large-scale prints and bring a sparsely embellished, bright, airy feel to the place. The prints created by Japanese artist Keiichi Tahara and Italian Maïmouna Patrizia Guerresi bring traditional Morocco into today's current world. The restaurant communicates with Riad nº9, an 18th-century classic home run as an intimate, boutique guesthouse by the same owner.
Stephen di Renza and project manager Tara Stevens are the brain and brawn behind the chef-in-residence program that is doing so well. Brilliant chefs from all corners of the world have created a fusion between Moroccan produce and their creative dishes. The residencies are for a period of between one and four months. During this time, chefs interact with local farmers and producers and interpret cuisine through their culinary philosophy. The fantastic team in the restaurant itself and the fabulous chefs engaging in Restaurant Numero 7 has made the concept an overall success.
We had the absolute pleasure of reserving a table in early February 2015 to eat at the hands of chef-in-residence Hector Ignacio Bracchiglione, who has a proud history with Restaurant Mugaritz in San Sebastian, Spain. Originally from Puerto Varas, Chile; Hector learned from the best in renowned restaurants Michel Bras in France and Restaurant Kichisen in Kyoto, Japan. This is the type of talent that creates incredible cuisine at NUR.
Palais Amani
For those looking for an intimate dining experience, Palais Amani is a must. From the moment you step inside, the discreet riad, orange trees, and fountains greet visitors as they walk past those fortunate to stay. There is the option of heading to the pretty rooftop to enjoy an aperitif, complemented by breathtaking views of the medina and the gentle sound of the birds in the trees.
Amani’s Eden restaurant serves creative French and Moroccan food. Flavourful tagines, vibrant and seasonal salads and couscous dishes are served. Diners can enjoy a three-course menu at the stylish, traditional, decadent dining space opposite the leafy garden. Foodies and wine enthusiasts can also book a memorable wine-tasting experience featuring a 5-course menu designed by chefs to match a flight of the finest Moroccan wines.
