Rabat Travel Guide

Eating Out

Seafood is also aplenty in Rabat, thanks to the Atlantic Ocean. You can find many special, fresh seafood dishes; or, you can go traditional with couscous, a wide range of tagines and Moroccan pastillas, which are normally served in every restaurant.

The city centre also sees a variety of restaurants offering French, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Mexican and Lebanese cuisines. Cafes, tea houses and ice cream parlours are favourites among locals who aim to drink a cup of well-prepared mint tea. Those with a sweet tooth will have to try Moroccan pastries, which are made of dried fruits and nuts, with your choice of cinnamon or orange flower water.

Local cuisine

Spices are used extensively in Moroccan cuisine, making every dish piquant, tasty and aromatic. Common spices include cinnamon, cumin, ginger, tumeric, pepper and paprika; while saffron and mint are also used widely.

A typical Moroccan meal starts with a plate of hot or cold salad, followed by a tagine. Bread is to be eaten with the meat, which is usually lamb or chicken with couscous on top. After a meal, a cup of sweet mint tea is served. Using hands and fingers is a traditional way of eating in Morocco, while bread is usually regarded as the utensil.