5 Hidden Restaurants in Fes Medina You’d Never Find on Your Own
The beauty of the Fes Medina is that its greatest treasures are always hidden behind plain, windowless walls. You could walk past a 14th-century palace or a world-class restaurant a dozen times and never know it was there.
While the main streets are lined with tourist menus, the real magic of Fessi cuisine happens in the quiet derbs (alleys). At Fez Cultural Tours, we believe the best way to understand our city is through its flavors. Here are five “secret” dining spots in the Fes Medina that offer an escape from the crowds and a taste of true authenticity
1. The Ruined Garden: An Oasis in the Rubble
The Secret: Tucked away in the remains of a 19th-century merchant’s house, this restaurant is a lush, wild garden filled with birdsong and orange trees.
Why it’s a gem: It’s a literal sanctuary. The “ruins” provide a romantic, rustic atmosphere that feels miles away from the bustling souks just outside the door.
What to order: Their slow-cooked Lamb Mechoui is legendary. It’s seasoned with saffron and cumin and melts off the bone.
Insider Tip: They also offer amazing sourdough bread and a variety of “tapas-style” Moroccan salads that change with the seasons.
2. Dar Roumana: Dinner with a View
The Secret: Located in a quiet neighborhood at the top of the Medina, this Riad restaurant is famous among expats but remains a mystery to most tourists.
Why it’s a gem: The architecture is breathtaking—original 19th-century tilework and soaring arches. Their roof terrace offers a panoramic view of the entire Medina as the call to prayer echoes across the valley.
What to order: The menu is a sophisticated fusion of Mediterranean techniques and Morocc
an ingredients. Try the seared duck breast with spiced lentils.
Insider Tip: Reservations are essen
tial as they only have a few tables to keep the experience intimate.
3. Cafe Clock is a famous “cross-cultural” cafe and community hub in Morocco
The Signature Dish: It is most famous for its Camel Burger, served with spiced ketchup and thick-cut fries. For those less adventurous, they offer plenty of vegetarian options, traditional tagines, and famous date milkshakes.
Cultural Hub: Beyond being a restaurant, it hosts a variety of workshops and performances, including:
Hikayat (Storytelling): Keeping the ancient Moroccan oral tradition alive with sessions in both English and Arabic.
Live Music: Sunset concerts featuring Gnaoua musicians and local jam sessions.
Workshops: Calligraphy, bread baking, and traditional Moroccan cooking classes.
Locations: * Fez: Housed in a 250-year-old medieval house near the Blue Gate (Bab Boujloud).
Marrakech: Located in the Kasbah district in a converted former schoolhouse.
Chefchaouen: A newer location in the heart of the “Blue City.”
Atmosphere: Known for its eclectic, artsy decor, multi-level seating, and rooftop terraces that offer stunning views of the surrounding medina.
4. RESTAURANT FEZ CAFÉ: A BOUTIQUE DINING DESTINATION
Andalusian Garden: The restaurant is centered in a sprawling, 18th-century garden. You dine under mature citrus and banana trees, surrounded by fountains, fragrant jasmine, and lush vegetation.
Artistic Decor: The interior features a “Moroccan Pop” style—a quirky blend of traditional architecture with colorful art, vintage textiles, and magic lanterns. It is often described as a “photographer’s paradise.”
Peaceful Oasis: It is located in a quieter part of the medina, offering a calm, sophisticated retreat from the city’s crowded alleys.
Culinary Style
Daily Market Menu: The chef uses a chalkboard menu that changes daily, or even between lunch and dinner, to ensure only the freshest ingredients from the local souks and the riad’s organic garden are used.
Moroccan-French Fusion: The cuisine specializes in creative pairings that blend Fassi traditions with Mediterranean techniques.
Signature Dishes: Highlights often include duck pastilla, inventive seafood dishes like swordfish with beurre blanc, and creative seasonal salads.
Refreshments: It is one of the rare spots in the medina with a full bar, offering a selection of Moroccan wines, local beers, and cocktails,which can be enjoyed on the garden terrace.
5. Mom’s Touch: Authentic Family Recipes in the Heart of the Medina
Mom’s Touch is a soul-warming culinary treasure that brings the true essence of a Moroccan family kitchen to the streets of Fes. As the name suggests, this restaurant is dedicated to the art of “home cooking,” where every dish is prepared with the patience, love, and traditional secrets passed down through generations.
Stepping into Mom’s Touch feels less like entering a business and more like being a guest in a private Fessi home. The menu focuses on the pillars of Moroccan comfort food, from exceptionally tender slow-cooked Lamb Tagines to the fluffiest handmade Couscous in the city. Using only the freshest ingredients sourced daily from the nearby souks, the kitchen prides itself on authentic flavors that haven’t been altered for “tourist palates.” For travelers seeking an honest, unpretentious, and deeply flavorful meal that tastes exactly like it came from a grandmother’s kitchen, Mom’s Touch is an essential stop on any Fes food journey.
Ready to Taste the Real Fes?
Finding these hidden gems is part of the adventure, but if you want to ensure you don’t miss a single bite, join us for a Customized Fes Food & Culture Tour. We’ll take you through the secret shortcuts, introduce you to the chefs, and help you navigate the menus like a local.
