Marrakech offers a great deal of dining options, whether it be in or around the Medina or within its opulent hotels. You will never be stuck for an idea of where to eat!
My personal favourite is PEPE NERO, an Italian owned restaurant . I have been visiting Marrakech for some time now and this restaurant never fails to deliver.
Situated in the Medina walls, the easiest way to direct people to Pepe Nero is to look for Cafe de France, which is in the centre of Place Jemaa El Fna and go left past here. Follow the signs and the road as it naturally curves around, walking for about 5-10 mins. you will then come to a mini square and the restaurant is down the path to the left.
Once you step into Pepe Nero, you step out of the old medina and into a palatial setting of pure elegance. The restaurant itself is located in Riad Al Moussika. As you enter behind the large wooden door, you see the pool adorned with pretty flowers and seating assorted around it, then onto the next room. The Moorish Court, this room sees plenty of tables scattered around a central fountain offering a beautiful ambience with the music playing in the background. Above are the riad’ rooms and living quarters, including a lounge that you can have a drink in, while you wait to be seated at your table.
The chef Khalid dishes follow two different roads, “exploring ingredients, tradition and seasons”, a selection of Italian dishes {II Bel Paese} and the essence of great Morrocan dishes revisited {La Ville Rouge]. Pepe Nero provides you with a first class service, excellent food and a beautiful ambience that makes you want to return time and time again…
The food itself is to a high standard, both in taste and presentation. My party was greeted with complimentary mimosa cocktails and served with an amuse bouche of tomato and mozzarella in a small pot, a taste sensation. I ordered the King Prawns with Diced Tomatoes and Cocktail Sauce to start, the prawns comes in a filo pastry with a tomato based sauce, followed by the Free Range Chicken Tangine with Saffron. This comes as two chicken breasts with potatoes and assorted vegetables sprinkled with some olives marinated in a Morrocan spice combination. Served steaming hot in the traditional clay tangine. Due to it being my husbands birthday, the restaurant kindly made a cake for the occasion. You can notify them when you book your table, for birthdays or anniversaries. The cake was a delightful chocolate sponge with a cherry layer, nice and light, full of flavour.
Price wise it is very reasonable, three courses with an alcoholic drink and coffee is around 30 pounds per person. All that is left to say is Pepe Nero deserves all the praise and it is a must visit whilst visiting Marrakech.
To visit Pepe Nero site click here
NOMAD is a restaurant I visited for the first time last week, located by the Place des Epices in the Medina. This was an unexpected find, as you walk through the main souk to locate it. It is modern and sleek in appearance , but it still manages the traditional morrocan charm.
As you enter you are greeted on the door by a member of staff, there is a shop Chabi Chic located to the left. This stocks cooking aprons, spices, dried mint and knick knacks associated to the restaurant. I couldn’t help but purchase some dried mint for home! As I made my way up the stairs you pass the open kitchen with the chefs busy at work and come into the main part of the restaurant, where you are greeted again by friendly staff. I was then taken out to the terrace area and seated in a comfy corner cushioned seat. Above me is the roof terrace, there is substantial seating along with a very relaxed vibe. The twinkling lantern lights that surround Nomad’ terrace offer a welcoming and warming atmosphere to the alfresco dining.
Nomad’ menu is presented to me on a wooden clipboard, its offering is clear, cool and concise. I opt for the Mezze plate of the season, with marinated olives & homemade yogurt bread. This is perfect to start with as it is light and fresh. For main I decide on the Nomad Couscous, this dish is to die for! As its a slowly braised beef, preserved with lemon and spices, served over fresh seasonal vegetables and a buttery couscous. The beef melts in your mouth and the portion is clearly enough for two people. However.. I still have room for a pud, the Flourless Orange Cake with a caramelised orange zest & whipped cream. The cake is so moist and full of flavour, delicious bite after bite.
Overall Nomad hits the spot, location, food and price point. It was £22 pounds for my three courses and a soft drink, certainly nothing to grumble about! No alcohol is served at Nomad as it is inside the Medina, this however did not bother me or alter the lovely evening I enjoyed here.
To visit Nomad site click here
Eating out has always been a joy of mine, but finding restaurants in Marrakech such as these two makes it even more exciting!!