What are the must-try dishes at a Moroccan souk food stall?

[agenceideo]

I’ll be visiting Marrakech next month and I want to make the most of the famous Djemaa el-Fna square and the food stalls in the medina. I’ve read so many conflicting opinions about whether the square stalls are tourist traps or genuinely good.

What should I order? And are there hidden food gems in the souks that most tourists miss?

Any advice on what to avoid food safety-wise?

[agenceideo]

I’ve visited Marrakech four times and here’s the real insider guide!

Djemaa el-Fna square: Yes, the main stalls are touristy and can be overpriced, but the experience of eating there is unique. Go at sunset when the atmosphere is magical. For food quality, focus on:

• Snail soup (Babbouche) — a local delicacy you won’t find back home, served from big pots
• Merguez sandwiches — grilled spiced lamb sausages, incredible
• Orange juice stalls — the freshly squeezed orange juice is famous and very cheap (about 4 dirhams)

Hidden gems most tourists miss:

• Café des Épices area in the souk — try the pastilla (sweet pigeon pie with almonds and cinnamon)
• Mechoui Alley near the Djemaa — slow-roasted lamb sold by weight, absolutely divine
• B’ssara (fava bean soup with olive oil and cumin) — a traditional breakfast at small stalls in the medina, costs almost nothing and is delicious

Food safety tips: Stick to freshly cooked, hot food. Avoid raw salads at street stalls. The smaller stalls deeper in the medina are often fresher than the tourist-facing ones.

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