Tourist can have very different eating experiences in Morocco, the most adventurous will taste the delicious traditional Moroccan dishes such as tajine, couscous and harira, the less inclined to try the local cuisine can find western food, mainly French cuisine, in hotels and restaurants in the new part of the city (ville nouvelle).
Moroccan food is based on meat, usually lamb or chicken, vegetables, couscous and a large selection of bread.
Soups are very popular and often a meal starts with a rich and spicy pulse soup called the harira; harira is also served in many cafes at breakfast time as well as the bisara, a rich chickpea soup with fresh olive oil poured over the top. Many cafes specialize in soups and they are usually recognized by the piles of cups on the counter.

Tomato & Mushroom Couscous

The other succulent Moroccan dish is the tajine that, like paella and casserole, takes the name from the dish rather than the food itself, a heavy ceramic covered dish. Classic tajines are usually made with meat, fruit and spices: the meat is placed in the middle with the vegetables around; it then cooks slowly on the fire with the lid on. Lamb tajines are usually cooked with almonds and prunes, while chicken tajines are made with green olives and lemon. If you happen to be invited for a meal in someone’s house, the tajine will be in the middle of the table and the custom is to eat the vegetables in front of you accepting the pieces of meat the host offers you.
Couscous is the most renowned Moroccan dish, coarse semolina steamed with vegetables and spices served with lamb or chicken. Traditionally couscous is not a dish you would find at restaurants, but it is the food the locals eat on special days and the best couscous you could have is at a Maroccan household. If you wish to eat it at the restaurant remember to order it a few hours before you go.
The mechoui is a goat cooked on a spit and is usually consumed in special occasions as well.
Moroccan bread is very interesting with many variations. Try the heavy crusty harsha, the melaoui or msimmen, which is crusty thin bread covered with olive oil or if you feel like something lighter the baghira is similar to a light focaccia.
Dates, yoghurt, fresh cheese and olives are popular snacks. Mint tea is the national drink and is often offered in sign of friendship and during negotiation over price in shops.
Alcohol is not readily available in Morocco in accordance with Islamic tradition, however beer and wine are served in some restaurants and bars in the new part of the city.