Best Restaurants in Meknes 2026
The imperial city that tourists skip — and where Moroccan food might be at its most authentic. Meknes serves the best olives, the finest pastilla, and Morocco's only wine country dining, at prices that make other cities look expensive.
Meknes: Morocco's Most Underrated Imperial City
Meknes is the imperial city that tourists drive through on the way to Fes or Volubilis. Their loss. The city that Sultan Moulay Ismail built to rival Versailles has a food culture that rivals any in Morocco — and at prices that haven't been inflated by tourism.
Three things make Meknes special for food: olives (the surrounding region produces Morocco's finest, in over 50 varieties), wine (the Guerrouane and Beni M'Tir appellations produce Morocco's best wines), and traditional cooking that hasn't been adapted for tourists.
The medina is smaller and calmer than Fes, making it easier to explore on foot. Place el-Hedim — Meknes's grand square — faces the monumental Bab Mansour gate, creating one of Morocco's most impressive dining backdrops. And the wine country, just 20 minutes outside the city, offers vineyard lunches that no other Moroccan city can match.
Quick Reference
| Restaurant | Cuisine | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riad Bahia | Traditional Moroccan | 150–350 MAD | Best traditional Meknes food, pastilla, special dinner |
| Collier de la Colombe | Traditional Moroccan | 150–300 MAD | Views of Bab Mansour, sunset dinner, atmosphere |
| Château Roslane (Wine Estate) | Moroccan-French with wine pairing | 200–450 MAD | Wine lovers, vineyard lunch, unique experience |
| Restaurant Zitouna | Moroccan | 60–150 MAD | Square views, convenience, first meal |
| Aisha's Kitchen | Home Cooking | 80–120 MAD | Home cooking, authenticity, unforgettable meal |
| Café MTM | Café / Light Meals | 20–60 MAD | Morning coffee, quick breakfast, local vibe |
| Sandwich Stands (Bab Mansour Area) | Street Food | 10–30 MAD | Budget, quick lunch, street food |
| Restaurant Omnia | Moroccan-International | 80–180 MAD | Grilled meats, families, Ville Nouvelle |
| Medina Olive Market | Olives / Market | 5–30 MAD | Olive tasting, edible souvenir, Meknes specialty |
| Ryad d'Or | Traditional Moroccan | 100–220 MAD | Couscous tfaya, set menu, medina atmosphere |
Fine Dining & Wine Country
Riad Bahia
Traditional Moroccan
A beautifully restored riad in the medina serving Meknes's finest traditional cooking. The pastilla here — made with locally raised pigeons — is considered among the best in Morocco. Intimate courtyard dining with zellige tiles and carved cedar.
Signature Dishes
- Meknes pastilla (pigeon or chicken)
- Lamb tagine with Meknes olives
- Seven-vegetable couscous Friday
Insider tip: Pre-order the pastilla when you book — it takes 3 hours to prepare. Friday couscous lunch is a local tradition. The riad also hosts cooking classes.
Collier de la Colombe
Traditional Moroccan
One of the most atmospheric restaurants in Meknes. A rooftop terrace with views of the Place el-Hedim and Bab Mansour — one of the most impressive gates in Morocco. The food is traditional and well-executed, but it's the setting that makes this unforgettable.
Signature Dishes
- Rooftop terrace with Bab Mansour view
- Lamb mrouzia (sweet lamb)
- Meknes harira
Insider tip: Book the rooftop table for sunset — watching the light change on Bab Mansour is magical. The lamb mrouzia (a sweet, honey-spiced lamb) is a Meknes specialty you won't find easily elsewhere.
Château Roslane (Wine Estate)
Moroccan-French with wine pairing
Morocco's wine country experience. A vineyard estate in the Guerrouane appellation, 20 minutes from the city, where you can tour the vineyards, taste wines, and eat a French-Moroccan lunch paired with their production. Meknes is Morocco's Bordeaux — and this is the best way to experience it.
Signature Dishes
- Wine-paired tasting menu
- Grilled lamb with Meknes wine reduction
- Estate-grown rosé
Insider tip: Book through your riad or call ahead. The rosé and the gris (a Moroccan specialty) are excellent. Combine with a visit to the Roman ruins at Volubilis, which is nearby.
Mid-Range & Character
Restaurant Zitouna
Moroccan
The most convenient restaurant on Meknes's main square. A terrace overlooking Place el-Hedim and Bab Mansour, with reliable if not spectacular Moroccan food. The location makes it a natural first stop. Good for watching the square's evening activity.
Signature Dishes
- Terrace overlooking Place el-Hedim
- Mixed Moroccan salads
- Chicken tagine with olives
Insider tip: Good for a drink and people-watching, but the food is better in the medina. If eating here, stick to the tagines and the Moroccan salads. Avoid the pizza.
Aisha's Kitchen
Home Cooking
A tiny, family-run restaurant in the medina where Aisha cooks what she bought at the market that morning. No menu — she tells you what's ready. The food tastes like being invited to a Moroccan family's home for lunch. Three tables, no English, and the best home-cooking in the city.
Signature Dishes
- Daily changing menu
- Chicken rfissa
- Bessara (fava bean soup)
Insider tip: Go at lunch (12–2 PM) when the cooking is fresh. Point and nod if you don't speak Arabic or French — Aisha will feed you well. Cash only. Expect to share a table.
Restaurant Omnia
Moroccan-International
A Ville Nouvelle restaurant popular with Meknes families for weekend lunches. The grilled meats are the strength — generous portions at fair prices. Less character than the medina restaurants but more comfortable, with air conditioning and a varied menu.
Signature Dishes
- Grilled meats
- Mixed grill plate
- Mechoui lamb
Insider tip: The mixed grill plate is the best value — enough for two. Good for families who want a break from medina intensity. Parking available.
Ryad d'Or
Traditional Moroccan
A riad-restaurant in the medina that strikes the balance between traditional character and tourist-friendly comfort. The couscous tfaya — topped with sweet caramelized onions and raisins — is a Meknes specialty. Good set menu options make choosing easy.
Signature Dishes
- Couscous tfaya (sweet caramelized onions)
- Beef tagine with prunes
- Mint tea ceremony
Insider tip: The set menu (around 150 MAD) is the best way to try several dishes. The couscous tfaya is the must-order. Smaller and more intimate than Riad Bahia.
Casual & Street Food
Café MTM
Café / Light Meals
Meknes's most popular café on the main boulevard of the Ville Nouvelle. A classic Moroccan café — men drinking coffee, watching football, reading newspapers. Good for a morning coffee and msemen before visiting the medina. Air-conditioned in summer.
What to Order
- Café crème
- Msemen with honey
- Light lunch plates
Insider tip: A good starting point for the day. The café is on Avenue Hassan II, Meknes's main modern street. Cheap coffee (10 MAD) and a good croissant.
Sandwich Stands (Bab Mansour Area)
Street Food
The sandwich counters around Place el-Hedim serve the cheapest and most satisfying food in Meknes. Kefta sandwiches stuffed with grilled meatballs, salad, and harissa. Students and workers queue at lunch — the line is the quality signal.
What to Order
- Kefta sandwich (15 MAD)
- Merguez brochettes
- Fresh orange juice (5 MAD)
Insider tip: The stands closest to Bab Mansour are slightly pricier. Walk one street back for better prices. The kefta is the best value — always fresh off the grill at lunch.
Medina Olive Market
Olives / Market
Not a restaurant but essential eating. Meknes's olive market has over 50 varieties — green, black, red, cracked, herbed, spiced, stuffed. Each vendor lets you taste. Buy a bag of mixed olives (10 MAD for a generous portion) and eat them with bread from a nearby bakery. This is Meknes at its edible best.
What to Order
- Meknes olives (50+ varieties)
- Olive oil tasting
- Preserved lemons
Insider tip: Ask to taste before buying — every vendor expects this. The red olives spiced with harissa are a Meknes specialty. Buy olive oil from the press shops in the medina — it's among Morocco's best.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meknes famous for food?
Meknes is famous for its olives (the Meknes region produces Morocco's finest), its wine (the Guerrouane and Beni M'Tir vineyards produce Morocco's best wines), and its traditional Moroccan cuisine. The city is considered one of Morocco's best for authentic home-style cooking — tagines, couscous, and pastilla are exceptional here.
Is Meknes cheaper than Fes for food?
Yes. Meknes is 20–30% cheaper than Fes and significantly cheaper than Marrakech. A good tagine costs 40–70 MAD. Street food is 10–25 MAD. Fine dining is 150–300 MAD per person. Meknes sees fewer tourists than Fes, so prices reflect what locals pay.
Where should I eat near Bab Mansour?
Place el-Hedim (the grand square near Bab Mansour) has several restaurants with terrace views of the gate. Restaurant Zitouna on the square is reliable. For better food, walk into the medina — Riad Bahia and the small restaurants on Rue Rouamzine serve excellent traditional food without the square's tourist premium.
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