Recommendations for Morocco: Fes, Meknes or Tangier?

[nkc]

Going to Morocco next week. The rule of thumb seems to be to just stay away from Casablanca and Marrakech and stick to restaurants that dont have German tour groups or laser light shows. Anyone have any other advice about specific restaurants in any of the above 3 cities?

[junglekitte]

I can understand why staying away from Casablanca is a good idea (nothing to see there really...) but why Marrakech? I enjoyed myself there much more than Meknes!

[thew]

marakesh is brilliant, and the open market in the medina is a food paradise. marakesh is not to be missed.

i liked tanger, but that's because i like sketchy interzones full of hustlers and an unsavory feel. so, it isnt for everyone

fez is a strange old medieval city, inside the walls, anyway. tiny winding streets, a maze that feels as dungeons and dragons as a real city. i had some not great experiences there, but i still really liked the place overall.

all of these cities have great old garden restaurants, upscale romantic, and amazing. I'm wracking my brains trying to recall the name of one i really had an amazing meal at, but im drawing a total blank. if i remember i'll post again

another good food town is essouira. it's a fishing town (as well as the center of gnoua music) so there is great seafood to be had there. and its a lovely place. (if you know jimi hendix's "castles made of sand" essouira is an essential stop)

[nicola toner]

I loved essouira too, again the fish was fresh off the boat and the "fish alley" reminded me of the "Company Shed" in Essex, UK. Fresh in, simply cooked and not over powered by side dishes! We stayed in a tiny riad in the heart of the medina, with cool rooms and a roof terrace with fantastic sea views, which was so cheap I thought they had got the length of our saty wrong! The town is a lot windier, it's called "wind city" and therefore cooler that marrakesh, which can be quite refreshing. The people are very freindly and warm and if you get chance try the tiny cafe at the crossroads of the 2 main medina streets for "Breakfast American", it will set you up for the day!

[nicola toner]

You can't possibly avoid marrakesh, the jema el fna is a world heritage site and needs to be witnessed at least once. At sundown head to the roof top terrace and watch the sun go down, hear the call to prayer, inhale the aromas drifting up from the stalls below and watch the people throng about to the beat of the drums. The food is simple, not over priced and not at all pretentious. Bstilla is fantastic and tagine is better to share unless you have a real big appetite, or simple olives, hoummus and salad is excellent.......ENJOY!

[junglekitte]

This is a really old post, but nice recommendations anyway! :-) I love the fish at the port in Essaouira. Only problem is how pricey its become! When I first went years ago to Morocco you could eat there like a king for pennies. Over the past few years Essaouira has gotten more and more tourists (especially European) which has risen the costs drastically.
Still tasty either way. :-)