Overlooking the historic Spice Square, Café des Épices is one of Marrakech’s most beloved café-restaurants, offering traditional Moroccan flavors, relaxed rooftop dining and an authentic atmosphere in the middle of the bustling souks.

Nestled in Rahba Kedima, commonly known as the Spice Square, Café des Épices is a popular gathering place in the heart of Marrakech’s historic Medina. Spread across several floors, the café offers a welcome respite from the lively market stalls below, where vendors display colorful pyramids of spices, dried herbs, woven baskets and traditional handicrafts.

The interior design, created by French designer Anne Favier, draws inspiration from traditional Moroccan craftsmanship, featuring deep red Marrakech tadelakt walls, rough wooden tables, woven reed furniture and suspended hammam buckets repurposed as decorative lighting. Traditional beldi drinking glasses and understated furnishings add to its relaxed character, while the rooftop terrace provides an inviting setting with low wooden tables, Berber-style cushions and panoramic views across the Medina. On clear days, the Atlas Mountains can be seen in the distance, making it an especially appealing place to pause between shopping excursions.

The menu combines Moroccan specialties with casual café fare, making it suitable for everything from a leisurely breakfast to a light lunch. The traditional Beldi breakfast is a popular morning choice, offering an introduction to Moroccan staples alongside fresh bread, eggs, olives, honey and tea. For lunch, the menu features a variety of salads, sandwiches and Moroccan tagines. One of the restaurant’s distinctive dishes is its sardine ball tagine, prepared with seasoned sardine balls, peppers and carrots in a flavorful sauce.

Other options include kefta and eggs tagine, lamb with prunes and caramelized carrots, and a vegetarian tagine featuring seasonal vegetables. The café’s sandwiches and burgers offer a more casual alternative, while Moroccan pastries provide a sweet finish. Fresh seasonal fruit juices, traditional mint tea and the house spiced coffee are particularly enjoyable accompaniments, especially after spending the morning wandering through the souks.

More than simply a place to eat, Café des Épices captures the everyday rhythm of Marrakech’s Medina, offering a front-row seat to the movement of merchants, shoppers and travelers passing through the Spice Square. Whether stopping for a refreshing drink, enjoying lunch above the market or watching the afternoon light settle over the terracotta rooftops, the café provides a relaxed perspective on one of the city’s most atmospheric neighborhoods.