Top 5 Lively Restaurants in Essaouira: Our Favourite Places to Eat, Drink and Celebrate
Nos adresses coup de coeur
LOVE BY CARAVANE ESSAOUIRA
In Essaouira, Love by Caravane is one of those restaurants people hear about very quickly. Created over twenty years ago by painter and artist Didier Spindler — whose gallery is located on the main street of the Medina — the place reflects his vibrant, generous personality. Didier is someone who truly loves life, and that energy naturally flows through both his art and his restaurant.
From the moment you step inside, the decorative signature is unmistakable. Set within a traditional riad, the atmosphere is cosy and intimate, with refined, thoughtfully curated décor that immediately invites you to relax. But Love by Caravane is far more than just a beautiful setting.
The cocktails and dishes are generous, well-executed and full of flavour, served with genuine warmth and kindness. The experience is elevated even further by continuous live entertainment: a magician moving from table to table, musicians, a waiter who suddenly transforms into a singing guitarist, and of course Essaouira’s iconic Gnaoua dancers, who effortlessly draw guests onto the dance floor.
Our tip: perfect for a lively evening with friends or family. Not recommended for very young children. I celebrated my birthday here — a truly memorable night.
Le Ksou Essaouira
I discovered Le Ksou almost by chance, while searching for a good couscous. That spontaneous visit marked the beginning of Le Ksou’s story — at the time, a Berber tent made of camel hair had just been installed on the rooftop, already signalling a clear intention: to create a place with a strong soul, expressed both through its décor and its cuisine.
Alexandre, the founder, shared his passion and vision with me, and over the months we watched the venue evolve and grow, eventually earning its place among Essaouira’s top five most emblematic restaurants. The décor is rich, distinctive and remarkably coherent, creating a warm yet transporting atmosphere. Layers of drapes and carpets are enhanced by paintings on wood and soft, oriental-style lighting that gently envelops the space.
The food is excellent: Moroccan cuisine open to African and Mediterranean influences, with just the right touch of modernity — subtle but confident — setting it apart from what you’ll find elsewhere in town.
Dinner naturally turns into a performance, with a talented singer whose surprising repertoire ranges from reggae to Garou and classic variety, followed by an impressive fire-breather show. And of course, the evening would not be complete without the Gnaoua musicians, an artistic signature of Essaouira. No alcohol is served here, but the place is filled with other beautiful, uplifting vibrations.
Our tip: an essential address for a memorable evening immersed in a vibrant Moroccan atmosphere. Arrive early enough to enjoy the sea view bathed in the warm glow of sunset. A true journey.
DAR BABA ESSAOUIRA
Tucked away in the narrow streets of Essaouira, this is one of those places that feels like a well-kept secret. Dar Baba is not “typically” Moroccan in the traditional sense, with its refined, oriental flea-market–inspired décor set within an authentic riad, yet it beautifully combines elegance, quality and conviviality.
The entire team is genuinely welcoming, with service that is both impeccable and attentive. The cuisine strikes a confident balance between tapas and more traditional dishes, all beautifully executed with real attention to detail and outstanding product quality. A well-curated cocktail menu makes it the perfect place to start the evening.
Dar Baba is an address where you immediately feel at ease, carried by a professional and passionate team. Chic yet relaxed, the table shines within a truly remarkable setting.
Our tip: ideal for a romantic evening, especially if you feel like beginning the night with an excellent cocktail and indulging in life’s more sensual pleasures.
Le Mega Loft Essaouira
Mega Loft is a concept store, a true concentration of creativity that fits perfectly with the artistic spirit and vibrant energy of Essaouira. The decor is striking, the design bold and imaginative, with a strong, unmistakable personality that makes the place truly unique. It is a destination in its own right, one to explore as much as to savour.
The terrace is beautiful, and the food is of very good quality, served as is often the case in Morocco by a warm and genuinely pleasant team.
Our tip: at the very least, stop by for a drink and let yourself be carried away by the atmosphere and the decor. If it feels right, you can always stay on for dinner.
LE BEYTT ESSAOUIRA
Le Beytt is a hybrid venue combining a cocktail bar, tapas bar, restaurant and nightclub, all set on a rooftop overlooking Essaouira’s beach, with breathtaking views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Music is at the heart of the experience here. The evening usually starts with a DJ set, followed by a live band performing well-known classics infused with oriental influences. As the night goes on, another DJ takes over, keeping the dance floor alive until around 3 a.m.
The atmosphere truly comes into its own from 10–11 p.m., although we also enjoyed arriving earlier to sip a well-crafted cocktail with a selection of tapas, accompanied by an excellent DJ set and rewarded with a spectacular sunset.
Our tip: this is the place to go for late-night partying and mixing with the local youth. It is where you realise that while Morocco is deeply proud of its traditions, it also embraces other cultures with ease. Very much Souiri in spirit.
The Restaurant at Riad Eucalyptus Boutique Hotel, Essaouira
The restaurant at Riad Eucalyptus is open continuously from 1 pm to 9 pm, serving delicious homemade Moroccan cuisine made with fresh ingredients and a genuine respect for simplicity done well. Nothing more is needed — just the pleasure of feeling good.
Managing Director, Riad Eucalyptus Boutique Hotel, Essaouira