Restaurant Bab Ssour

Restaurant Bab Ssour is a homely Moroccan restaurant at 31 Rue Benjelloun in the medina of Chefchaouen, close to the Bab Ssour gate in the Rif mountains of northern Morocco. It is among the most affordable sit-down options in the old town, with typical spending of about 60-130 MAD (roughly $6-14) per person. The menu focuses on homemade Moroccan food and includes a mixed seafood plate, a seafood tagine and a beef tagine, giving diners a choice between coastal and mountain dishes. Seafood in Chefchaouen is brought in from the Mediterranean coast, so the fish dishes are a departure from the beef and lamb that dominate inland menus. The tagines arrive in the traditional clay pots, served with bread and a salad, and the cooking is straightforward and generous. The restaurant's main draw is its rooftop seating, which looks out over the old city and the surrounding mountains, particularly pleasant in the late afternoon and early evening when the light turns the blue walls softer in tone. The atmosphere is informal and family-run, with a casual dress code and a conversational, unhurried pace. Noise is modest, although the rooftop can feel lively when busy. The beverage list is simple, centred on mint tea, juices and soft drinks. Reservations are not accepted, so visitors should expect a wait for tables at peak times, particularly for rooftop seats at sunset and during lunch in high season. Arriving slightly before the usual meal rush helps secure a table with a view. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. Its position near the Bab Ssour gate places it at the edge of the medina, a short walk from the main square and the kasbah, making it a practical stop on the way into or out of the old town. Budget travellers often favour it for value.