Where Derb Dabachi is

"Derb" means a lane or a district of the medina. Derb Dabachi lies south-east of Jemaa el-Fna square, on the way to Riad Zitoun, Place des Ferblantiers and the Mellah. Allow about ten minutes on foot from the square. The quarter is dense, noisy and busy in the daytime; the side lanes are quieter and mostly residential. For general bearings in the old town (gates, orientation, taxis), read our guide to the Marrakech medina first.

The name also appears elsewhere in the medina, notably near the Ben Salah zawiya: if you are looking for a specific address, check on the spot with a shopkeeper or on your offline map which part you are in.

Eating in Derb Dabachi

This is the main reason to come. The street is known for its sandwiches of mixed grilled meats in hot bread, its briouats, its pancakes and its blended fruit juices, with prices generally displayed. A grilled sandwich costs around 10 to 15 dirhams. It is a good option for a quick, cheap lunch, often cheaper than on the square. For more on the dishes, see our article on what to eat in Marrakech; for other addresses around the square, where to eat near Jemaa el-Fna.

Practical tips: pick a stall that is busy and where the kitchen turns over quickly, check the prices before ordering, and keep small change. If you have a delicate stomach, avoid ice and juices made with water you do not know, drink sealed bottled water and prefer dishes served piping hot.

The everyday market and the craftsmen

Around the main thoroughfare, shops sell mostly what residents need: fruit and vegetables, spices, clothes, utensils, plain babouches. There are also craftsmen's workshops (carpentry, metal, leather), some of them working in view of passers-by. Prices are often lower than in the central souks, and haggling still applies, with more moderation: offer a reasonable price rather than a very low one.

For finer craft purchases, head instead to the souks of Marrakech or the Place des Épices; Derb Dabachi is more for watching neighbourhood life.

Combining it with nearby sights

The quarter suits a walk south from Jemaa el-Fna: Riad Zitoun, the Place des Ferblantiers, the Bahia Palace, then the Mellah. Our walk through the Kasbah and the Mellah suggests a route in that direction.

Tips and pitfalls

  • Fake guides: a young man who offers to "show you the way" will ask for money. A polite refusal is enough, or consult an offline map.
  • Two-wheelers: scooters and carts go everywhere, even in narrow lanes. Walk to the side and keep your bag in front of you.
  • Photos: ask before photographing a person or a workshop.
  • Fridays: some shops close early in the afternoon, during the main prayer.
  • At night: the street is lively in the evening, but the side lanes are poorly lit; it is better to return along busy routes.

Our article on scams to avoid in Marrakech details these situations and the right reflexes.

Going further

To eat differently near the Mellah and the Bahia Palace, see where to eat near the Bahia Palace. To set your travel budget, our budget for Marrakech gives price benchmarks.