We will meet at 6 pm at Hotel Restaurant Café de France at the main square, Jma Fnaa, where I will welcome you and we will all have some mint tea together.  The guide will introduce himself and give you an overview of what to expect during the next three and a half hours. The tour is limited to a maximum of 8 guests in order to ensure a personalised experience for everyone. Then, we are on our way into the maze of the Medina to begn the tour and the tastings.

The key elements of the tour are –

• eat where locals eat deep inside the maze of the Medina, in its backstreets and alleyways, off the beaten track.
• immerse yourself in a unique cultural experience, away from the tourist traps, in the heart of real neighbourhoods and communities to experience street food prepared in a centuries-old traditional way.
• accompanied by a fun and informative local guide whose passion it is to share with you his personal stories and experiences and to explain the food, its method of preparation and to expand upon the interwoven nature of Morocco’s food and culture, whilst navigating your way through the Medina and its unique evening atmosphere.
• a minimum of 8 one of a kind tastings and stops, some seated and others standing,  which will include –
  • the ‘ classic’ moroccan dish, Tangia, a centuries old staple of Moroccan life cooked in an earthenware pot deep in the furnace of the hammam.
  • 3  truly ‘exotic’ meat stops to experience how Marrakchi people eat on the fly, grabbing a snack, incredibly fresh fast food as you have never imagined nor seen before. See how nothing, literally nothing, goes to waste!
  • a visit to the underworld of the Medina, the Farnatchi, the traditional underground wood fired oven transporting steam and hot water to the hammam, the culinary engine room of the Medina. The hammam, as well as the local mosque, are the two most significant places in each neighbourhood. Not only are one’s ablutions performed at the hammam,  but the hammam also serves as the communal oven to where families early in the morning bring food in earthenware pots, and patisseries and bread on trays, to marinade, to cook and to bake in the underground oven for collection in the evening. This is a custom unchanged for centuries.
  • ‘ the ‘ french ‘ stop –  taste these beautiful fresh crepes but crepes with a twist. An example of how the fusion of moroccan and french culture has created its own take on a french favourite.
  • a second ‘ french ‘ stop,  a shellfish delicacy which has interestingly endured as a part of Marrakech’s street food culture. Either eaten traditionally or in a soup, the choice is yours!
  • the ‘ pièce de résistance ‘, couscous, the world famous dish, slow cooked to perfection, eaten communally and in our carefully selected restaurant, a very small family affair hidden away deep in the Medina.
  • something fresh and something sweet – try an exotic fruit such as cactus fruit, carefully and expertly peeled by the seller, and then a ‘sfinj’ stop, a traditional donut sprinkled with sugar or soaked in honey. Watch them being made and eat them fresh from the pan.
  • And finally, if you still have room, a traditional ‘smoothie’ made from ginger and herbs to aid digestion!
    

    (some seasonal changes may occur)

The Tour

• Every day of the week
• Groups of 8 maximum ( private tours are available. Please email for details )
• Start time – 6 pm
• Duration of tour – approximately 3.5 hours
• Meeting point- Hotel Restaurant Café de France, Jmaa el Fnaa ( the main square )
• Finishing point – Jmaa el Fnaa
• Total walking distance – approximately 4 km but on totally flat terrain
• Tickets to be bought online in advance

(stops can vary due to seasonal availability)

What’s included

• All food and drink at all of the tastings
• A fun, informative, foodie and english speaking guide licensed by the Ministry of Tourism of Morocco. (french is also spoken)

What’s not included

• Food and drink that do not form part of our tastings
• Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange hotel/riad pick ups

Who can take the tour

• Everyone
• Children from the age of 5
• Unfortunately, due to the narrow and often uneven streets of the ancient Medina, it is not advised that those with limited mobility participate in the tour.

Food allergies

Unfortunately, we are unable to arrange replacement tastings for those with dietary allergies and restrictions. Also, the tour, due to its carniverous nature, may not appeal to vegetarians. However, that said, there are various non meat stops and a vegetarain couscous can be prepared with prior notice.

What to wear and what to bring

• Comfortable shoes and clothing is recommended due to the walking nature of the tour.
• In the autumn and winter, the nightime temperature can drop and it is advisable to bring an extra layer of clothing.
• If rain is forecast, please do bring an umbrella with you as not all of the Medina is totally covered.

Useful tips

• Bathrooms during the tour – in very limited supply and not always where you want them to be. That said, we will do our utmost to accommodate every need.
• Any question or query, please do email us on marrakechstreetfoodexperience@gmail.com
• Arrive hungry and be ready for an unforgettable food and cultural experience.