5 Creative Restaurants You Absolutely Must Discover in Essaouira
Restaurant Le Soleil, Essaouira
The promise is clear from the start. Le Soleil describes itself as a Mediterranean canteen. And the promise is kept. The setting is charming, in an old Moroccan house in Ghazoua, on the road to Essaouira.
Just enough white paint to make you feel at ease, while preserving the raw character and layout that reflects traditional Moroccan living. The place itself is already a journey.
The cooking is homemade, as is often the case in Morocco, with dishes that may seem simple at first glance but are beautifully crafted and presented. Each week, Le Soleil offers one meat dish, one pasta recipe and one salad. The philosophy is quality over quantity, a short menu focused on creativity and freshness. It is always excellent, we go regularly and have never been disappointed, quite the opposite. For those who prefer something more familiar, there is also a pizza menu, equally excellent.
My advice: choose one of the weekly dishes so you can save room for dessert, always original and delicious, possibly among the best in Essaouira.
Restaurant Giugiu
For Sébastien, owner and chef at Giugiu, cooking is a game, he says so himself, with a playful smile. This is cuisine driven by inspiration, where nothing is off limits and new culinary paths are explored. It is never neutral, it is always delicious, and what you eat at Giugiu you will not find anywhere else. It is a remarkable culinary discovery, an unexpected and vibrant blend of flavours, with just the right touch of controlled madness.
The bread is outstanding, which is rare in Morocco.
The setting has a relaxed southern feel, with a consistently warm and smiling team. It is the perfect place to enjoy something beyond the usual brasserie classics found everywhere.
My advice: Giugiu is located in Ghazoua, on the road to the guesthouses and Riad Eucalyptus. If you wake up a little late and want a burst of energy before a day that will inevitably end late, head to Giugiu.
Le BAM
I rarely describe a restaurant as bistronomic, so as not to overuse the word. For BAM, I will make an exception, it truly deserves it.
BAM offers a lively, original and committed menu. You feel the chef’s passion, served in a simple seaside shack style setting, creating a joyful and slightly disruptive contrast. The dishes would not look out of place in a trendy urban restaurant, yet here they are served in a relaxed and unpretentious environment that is far more refined than it first appears, just like the cuisine.
At BAM, you do not overthink, you simply eat extremely well, in refreshing simplicity. The menu changes with the seasons and makes you want to try everything. Do not hesitate to choose dishes that may surprise you at first glance, they will delight your palate. At BAM, you taste, you discover, you indulge. It is the work of a passionate chef supported by professional and friendly service.
My advice: start your morning with a quad ride from Sidi Kaouki, then finish beautifully at BAM. By the end of the day, your memory box will be full.
Mimti
I first met the owner at a gastronomic evening at La Ferme Sauvage. He explained his philosophy, running a farm to supply his restaurant with organic ingredients that are then elevated in the kitchen. At Mimti, the recipe exists to enhance the product, not to treat it as a standard ingredient.
It is not the easiest path, but the result is exceptional, a refined and creative tasting style cuisine, composed of small plates designed to share. Each dish offers subtle, surprising and perfectly balanced combinations of aromas and flavours, mostly from seasonal produce grown on their farm.
The homemade bread and drinks are delights.
At Mimti, you taste and discover more than you simply eat. You step away from the classic starter, main course, dessert structure and allow yourself to be guided by the charming owner, who will happily tell you the story behind each dish.
My advice: perfect for lunch during a day exploring the medina. Mimti is located on a small terrace overlooking a lively square in the heart of the old town.
Triskala
Triskala is the perfect restaurant for an intimate evening, whether as a couple or with close friends. First, the setting. The restaurant is housed inside a former Anglican church, with numerous cosy corners. It is unusual, warm and tastefully decorated. The soft lighting invites quiet conversations.
The menu changes daily according to market arrivals and produce from their farm. It offers a complete culinary experience, with vegetarian options given proper attention. The cuisine draws inspiration from local flavours while presenting original and refined combinations. Quite simply, it is delicious. The service is simple, efficient and genuinely kind.
An essential address if you are looking for Moroccan inspired cuisine interpreted in a creative and passionate way. Speak with the owner, who will welcome you like a friend and share the story of this unique place.
A warm and intimate atmosphere where everything feels sincere and delicious. Special mention for the rock folk playlist.
My advice: Triskala is the perfect way to end a wander through the medina, after immersing yourself in Moroccan boutiques and the lively humour and kindness of their owners.
Riad Eucalyptus, Charming Hotel
Manager, Boutique Hotel Riad Eucalyptus, Essaouira