Restaurant
Al Fassia Guéliz
A long-established Guéliz restaurant run by an all-female team, serving traditional Moroccan cooking such as pigeon pastilla, tagines and a spread of cooked salads.
Terrasse des Épices
An open-air terrace restaurant above the souks with views of the Atlas and the Koutoubia, serving Moroccan-Mediterranean dishes with live music every evening.
At a glance
- Type
- Moroccan-Mediterranean
- Area
- Medina (Sidi Abdelaziz), Marrakech, Morocco
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
- Official site
- terrassedesepices.com
Good to know
- Open-air terrace
- Live music in the evening
- Bar
- Misting fans and heaters
Why we recommend it
Terrasse des Épices is set on a broad roof above the souks of Sidi Abdelaziz, in the northern part of the medina, and its open-air terrace is one of the largest dining spaces in the old city. Booths and tables are arranged in both sun and shade, and by day you can see the Koutoubia minaret and, on clear days, the peaks of the High Atlas.
The kitchen describes its cooking as a fusion of Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine. Marrakech specialities such as tanjia, the slow-cooked meat dish traditionally prepared in a clay jar, sit alongside salads, grills and lighter Mediterranean plates, and the chocolate pastilla is a playful take on the classic pie for dessert. The bar serves Champagne and seasonal cocktails, so it also works as a place for a drink rather than a full meal.
The terrace is a practical lunch stop in the middle of a souk walk, with misting units to cool the air in summer and heaters to take the chill off winter evenings. In the evening the mood shifts, with live music every night and the city lights below. The atmosphere suits couples and groups of friends, and families are welcome at lunchtime.
The restaurant opens daily for lunch from 12:00 to 17:00 and again for dinner from 18:30 until 00:30, with last orders taken 45 minutes before closing. Book through the reservation page on the website, particularly for sunset and evening tables. Allow an hour for lunch and around two hours for dinner. Reaching the terrace involves stairs.
Terrasse des Épices is in the souks north of Jemaa el-Fnaa, around ten to fifteen minutes' walk from the square. It lies close to the Mouassine quarter and Le Jardin Secret, and the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Musée de Marrakech are a short walk further north-east. Because the souk lanes can be confusing, follow the restaurant's signs from Souk Cherifia or ask a shopkeeper for directions. Leaving after dark, the main souk streets back to Jemaa el-Fnaa stay busy until late, but a map app with offline data is useful. Larger groups and anyone celebrating a special occasion should mention it when booking so the team can arrange suitable seating on the terrace.
Terrasse des Épices FAQs
What are the opening hours?
Daily from 12:00 to 17:00 for lunch and from 18:30 to 00:30 for dinner, with last orders 45 minutes before closing.
Is there live music?
Yes. Live music is played every evening.
What is the view like?
The terrace looks towards the Koutoubia and, on clear days, the Atlas Mountains.
What cuisine is served?
A mix of Moroccan and Mediterranean dishes, including tanjia and a chocolate pastilla.
Does it serve alcohol?
Yes. The bar offers Champagne and seasonal cocktails.
Is the terrace comfortable in summer and winter?
It has misting units for hot weather and heaters for cooler evenings.
How do you book?
Through the reservation page on the official website.