Chefchaouen travel guide: where to stay, what to do and where to eat in the blue-washed medina and the Rif mountains.
Chefchaouen cooks Rif mountain food: tagines of lamb with prunes, vegetable couscous, baysara and bissara soups, goat tanjia, and fresh local dairy including jben goat cheese, with honey, figs and olive oil. Sfenj doughnuts and msemen are cheap breakfast staples.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Chefchaouen.
Jben (goat cheese) with honey and bread
Fresh goat cheese from the Rif, sold at Ras el-Maa stalls for about 10-15 MAD (~$1-1.60).
Lamb tagine with prunes
A slow-cooked sweet-savoury tagine offered at Restaurant Bab Ssour; typical dinner tagines run 60-80 MAD (~$6.50-8.50).
Baysara
A thick fava-bean soup eaten for breakfast or supper.
Goat tanjia
Slow-cooked goat in a clay pot, a regional dish.
Sfenj and msemen
Fried doughnut (3-5 MAD, ~$0.30-0.55) and layered flatbread (5-10 MAD, ~$0.55-1.10) for breakfast.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Moroccan
Food tours & tastings in Chefchaouen
Eat your way through Chefchaouen with a guide.
Browse food experiences in ChefchaouenWe may earn a commission from bookings made through these links.
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Bab Souk lanes
Cheese, olives, bread and produce sold in the lanes south of the main square.
Hours: Daily mornings; hours vary
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Dinner is usually served around 8-9pm.
Rooftop terraces fill at sunset; arrive early.
Most places serve no alcohol; Restaurant Triana and a few others have a bar menu.
Tea refills are often free; ask for tea without sugar if you prefer.
Carry cash for small cafes.
Vegetarian dishes are widely available: vegetable tagines and couscous, root vegetable soup. Vegan options exist at Cafe Clock and Bilmos. Halal is the norm; pork is rarely served.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |