Restaurant Bab Kasaba

Restaurant Bab Kasaba is a halal Moroccan restaurant on the main square of the Chefchaouen medina, in the Rif mountains of northern Morocco. The name refers to the kasbah, the fortress beside the square that is among the town's principal landmarks, and the restaurant benefits from that central position. The cuisine is Moroccan and halal, which is a practical point for Muslim travellers, though it carries no Michelin recognition or chef lineage; the offer is dependable regional cooking at accessible prices. Signature dishes are tagine and couscous, the two foundations of Moroccan cuisine, usually available with chicken, lamb or vegetables depending on the day. Couscous is traditionally a Friday dish, and tagines are cooked slowly to order, so service is steady rather than fast. The dining room character is casual and family-oriented, with relaxed dress and a moderate to lively noise level because of the activity on the square. The beverage programme is alcohol-free and built around Moroccan mint tea, coffee and fresh juices. Prices are at the budget end for the town, roughly 50-90 MAD (about $5.50-$10) per person for a set meal or tagine, although menus are not published and figures are indicative. Reservations are normally unnecessary and walk-ins are usually accepted; larger groups or those wanting a square-side table in the busy spring and autumn seasons can phone +212 6 93 65 97 72. The central location is simple to find and is within a few minutes' walk of the kasbah gardens and the Great Mosque, though the lanes leading in are cobbled and sloped.