Where to eat near the Bahia Palace: Mellah, Riad Zitoun and traps

The Bahia Palace opens from 9am to 5pm: most visitors arrive in the morning and look for lunch right after. The area offers three options a few minutes away on foot: Rue Riad Zitoun el-Jdid, Place des Ferblantiers and the Mellah. This guide describes each zone, the kind of places you find there and the usual traps. It does not quote restaurant prices, which change from season to season: check the menu displayed before you sit down.

Three zones within ten minutes of the Bahia

Zone	Walk from the Bahia	Atmosphere	Best for
Rue Riad Zitoun el-Jdid	2 to 5 minutes	Busy street, small restaurants and cafés	Quick meal, tea
Place des Ferblantiers	5 to 8 minutes	Pedestrian square, terraces	Relaxed lunch
The Mellah and its alleys	5 to 10 minutes	Residential area, simple places	Local meal, pastry break

Rue Riad Zitoun el-Jdid

Rue Riad Zitoun el-Jdid in the Marrakech medina

Rue Riad Zitoun links Jemaa el-Fna to the Bahia. It has cafés, rooftop-terrace restaurants and cheap eateries. It is the most convenient spot after the visit, but also the most pushy: waiters hold out menus to passers-by. Choose a place with posted prices, and a high terrace to escape the scooter noise.

Place des Ferblantiers

South of the palace, Place des Ferblantiers is pedestrian and calmer than the souks. Its terraces serve tagines, salads, skewers and orange juice. It is a good place to sit for an hour between the Bahia and the El Badi Palace. Prices are those of a tourist area, higher than in a local street.

The Mellah

In the Mellah, the former Jewish quarter, places are simpler: small dining rooms, dishes of the day, grills. The streets are residential: be discreet with your camera.

What to order

Tagine (chicken with lemon and olives, lamb with prunes) and couscous, traditionally served on Fridays;
varied Moroccan salads as a starter;
skewers and grills for a quick meal;
mint tea and fresh orange juice: ask the price first on a terrace.

Our article what to eat in Marrakech details the dishes.

Traps to avoid

"The palace is closed, come and eat at my place": the Bahia Palace is open every day; check at the entrance.
A menu without prices: ask for the priced menu before ordering, and check the bill.
Touts who steer you to a restaurant: their commission ends up in your bill.
Bread, olives and nibbles brought without being asked: they may be charged; ask before touching them.

Our article on scams to avoid in Marrakech covers these situations.