El Fenn

Marrakech

Amid the brouhaha of the Red City’s medina, finding somewhere to eat that marries quality and tranquillity isn’t always easy. Enter riad El Fenn. A chic courtyard-strewn hotel, the restaurant here also doubles as the ideal sidestep lunch away from the bustle of the souk. Nestled along a back street near Jemaa el-Fnaa square, its hessian-shaded rooftop is our go-to for well-priced market fare. Each day a set menu is chalked up in line with what’s at its best. Expect seven meze dishes plus hearty plates coming in at a good-value £30 for two. Berber baskets stacked with flatbreads and local olive oil start things off before a heaving silver tray takes its place on the green-tiled tables. Cooling salads – Nicoise, feta and spinach and green – lead the charge followed by a moussaka-like aubergine gratin. Fragrant Moroccan lentils pair well with chicken escalope and are best washed down with a glass of crisp white wine from the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, which can be seen from your chair. A sweet nougat glacé to finish has us licking the plate, though the option of mint chocolate ice cream sandwich with saffron sauce was equally tempting. A feast for both the stomach and the eyes, this place shouldn’t be missed. elfenn.com/