Mandala

Mandala is an Italian pizzeria on Avenue Hassan II in Chefchaouen, close to Place Outa el Hammam, in the Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region of northern Morocco. Unlike the Moroccan tagine rooms that dominate the medina, it offers an Italian menu with pizzas, pastas, salads and hamburgers, plus chocolate fondue as a signature dessert. This variety is useful in a town that hosts many multi-day visitors who want a break from tagine and couscous. Pizza is the central dish and is the item most often associated with the venue; pasta dishes and fresh salads round out the menu, and the chocolate fondue is a notable sweet ending aimed at sharing. The setting is a casual pizzeria dining room in the newer part of town along Avenue Hassan II, a short walk from the medina walls, rather than the narrow lanes of the old quarter. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, with no dress code beyond modest everyday clothing, and the noise level is usually moderate, rising in the evening when families and groups arrive. Because Chefchaouen is a largely alcohol-free town, the beverage side centres on soft drinks, juices, mint tea and coffee, and visitors should not expect a wine programme. Pricing sits in the mid-range for the town, roughly 80-150 MAD (about $9-$16) per person, though the venue does not publish a complete menu. Reservations are generally unnecessary and walk-in tables are usually available; for larger groups or peak weekends the venue can be reached by phone on +212 5 39 88 28 08. Chefchaouen sits in the Rif mountains and fills with day-trippers from Tangier, Tetouan and Fes during spring, summer and national holidays, so evening dinner at weekends is the most likely time to wait for a table. Its location on Avenue Hassan II makes it more accessible by taxi or on foot than medina restaurants, which is helpful for visitors arriving with luggage or travelling with children. The venue is listed online at mandalapizzeria.com.