Asking where to eat fish in Morocco has multiple answers: there are many cities with fishing ports where seafood delights are the order of the day, and increasingly so in the interior. The thousands of kilometers of coastline, spread across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, make Morocco a blessed country in this regard. And by extension, travelers who come here with the intention of tasting typical dishes in situ. Here are some ideas.
Fishing and Fish Consumption in Morocco
It is worth mentioning that both fishing and fish consumption in Morocco have undergone major changes (for the better) in recent years. Since 2009, the government’s policy has been to promote sustainable fishing, which has led to an increase in exports but also a greater availability of fish in the domestic market. And although Moroccans are far from the kg of fish per person per year that other peoples eat, such as the Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese or Norwegians, the availability and quality of this genre has grown lately, to the luck of travelers who love seafood.
Coastal Destinations to Eat Fish in Morocco
In this post we focus on some coastal destinations famous for the abundance and quality of their fish. But before getting into the matter, we want to remember that the cities of the interior can also be a good surprise in fish dishes, such as Marrakech or Fez, where by the way there are interesting markets where the local population is supplied, such as the Gros de Poissons Markets and the El Jdid Covered Market, respectively.
Tetouan
Opening the list, we chose the ‘most Spanish’ of the cities in northern Morocco: Tetouan. In fact, in local restaurants you will find similarities with many dishes served in southern Spain and Ceuta, due to its proximity. Battered squid and prawns (often in salads) are the order of the day, as well as grilled fish such as rooster fish.
Tangier
The city of Tangier, in the Strait of Gibraltar, is another of the epicenters of fish in Morocco. And the nice thing about this option is that many of the specialized restaurants are on the seafront, like beach bars next to the beach. Here you can find grilled and marinated seafood in different ways, such as mussels.
Essaouira
Numerous fishing ports are spread along the Atlantic coast where the sardine is one of the star catches. Precisely, that can be an interesting proposal to eat fish in Morocco and, specifically, in the beautiful city of Essaouira. But sardine is not the only option: octopus is also common.
Oualidia
For the most exquisite palates, a reference city is Oualidia, between Essaouira and El Jadida. This coastal city and its surroundings have a slightly rugged coastline, where you can capture delicacies as recognized as its sea urchins or its oysters. In addition, grilled fish is always present on the menus of restaurants, which clearly focus on the variety and quality of local fish.
Casablanca
Finally, we could not fail to mention Casablanca, the largest city and the financial center of the country. And not only for that, but also for being on the Atlantic coast, with its own fishing port. Many of the restaurants on the Boulevard de la Corniche use fish (and sea views) as a claim. In many cases, salads based on vegetables and seafood, seasoned with lemon and spices, and in other cases with dishes based on rice or couscous in tagine, where the fish provides the distinctive touch.
