Le Foundouk. Fantastic Outdoor Eating In The Heart Of Marrakech

Outdoor eating in an iconic city and high up on the roof terrace of Le Foundouk Marrakech means you can just about tick every box.

There is something really wonderful about outdoor eating, it’s one of the things that makes a holiday so special. Le Foundouk lies deep in the heart of the Medina, Marrakech’s wonderful old town, a chaotic melting pot of traditional living and modern day entrepreneurism. Where on one hand you can luxuriate in a five star Riad and right next door experience family baking traditions going back centuries. The twisty narrow streets teeming with scooters, vendors and ancient courtyards.

A foundouk was literally an open courtyard where travelling merchants sold their wares off the backs of donkeys and camels, and whilst the camels have long gone, this is still a place where you can experience something exotic, but in this case you’ll be eating it.

Le Foundouk is an excellent restaurant offering a menu of Moroccan and French choices, either of which impress the palate. Whether you go for the avocado millefeuille with crab meat (£7.50) like me, or a selection of Moroccan salads (£6.75) as a starter, or perhaps chopped sardines with green peppers, lemon and tomato sauce (£4.60) or a cannelloni of prawns and salmon with a prawn tempura (£9.90) you won’t be disappointed.

The mains were equally tempting, my grilled beef tenderloin with sautéed zucchini, dauphine potatoes and gratin sauce was a steal at £13.85 as was my partner’s Moroccan choice of beef tagine Makfoule with cinnamon confit, onions and tomatoes (£11) . I did peek longingly at the table opposite who were tucking in to a pile of couscous laden with chicken and seven vegetables which for £9.50 also looked excellent value.

The desserts were intriguing too, my gratinated apples with almond ice cream was a triumph as was my partner’s poached spicy pear.

Up on the terrace was the prime spot for me, the warm breeze an occasional welcome visitor, although there was plenty of inside space on the three floors below. The service was excellent, a smooth well oiled machine where all the moving parts performed their respective roles perfectly.

You will never be short of eating choices in Marrakech that’s for sure, but if you want to enjoy the sights and sounds of the old city cocooned within the sanctuary of a well heeled restaurant which offers outstanding value and food quality, then Le Foundouk Marrakech should be right at the top of your list.