Morocco had been on our bucket list for quite some time, and Fez seemed to exude something historical and less touristic than other areas. As we began scouting for a dreamy riad (or dar), Dar Roumana had something special. It exceeded all of our expectations from the very beginning. Upon our arrival in Medina, we were escorted by a friendly local attendant to the dar, where we walked past a couple of donkeys along the cobbled, narrow streets and could smell fresh bread from the communal ovens – only to be presented with the most unassuming building ever.
Jennifer Smith established the Dar more than 12 years ago when she took on restoring the building. It has been a magical place for guests to rest while exploring Fez for the last eight years. Simo is your host, a friendly and devoted duo that took over in 2016. They manage the dar and ooze Moroccan hospitality, paying attention to minor details after assisting previous managers Vanessa and Vincent. Younes is the head chef of the restaurant, masterminding an array of dishes on location. We recommend tucking into some tasty morsels that ring to the fine tune of grilled octopus, roasted lamb tenderloin stuffed with apricots, pecan nuts, oregano, and seasonal salads – most of which have been sourced locally. It is best to make a reservation to avoid disappointment, as this place is well known for its Franco-Moroccan cuisine in a fine dining setting.
