Fes is Morocco’s oldest imperial city and a true haven for culinary enthusiasts. On our half-day Fes Food Tour, you’ll wander through the winding streets of the UNESCO-listed medina, sampling rich Moroccan flavors along the way. You’ll taste fiery tagines, fresh breads, fragrant teas, and sweet pastries – all while learning about the city’s history and food culture from a friendly local guide. Fes is often called the “Moroccan capital of food,” with a cuisine renowned for its blend of sweet and savory notes and centuries-old recipes. This tour is the perfect introduction to Fassi (Fez) gastronomy, offering bites of authentic dishes and visits to lively markets that even locals love.
Embark on this flavorful journey and discover why Fes has attracted food lovers for generations. You’ll navigate bustling market alleys and spice stalls, watch cooks at work, and hear stories about traditional ingredients. By the end of the day you’ll feel like a local – full and happy with memories of colorful flavors, aromatic spices, and warm hospitality. Whether you’re a devoted foodie or simply curious about Moroccan culture, this Fes food tour is a delicious blend of taste, history, and fun.
What to Expect in this Fes Food Tour
- Markets & Souks: Stroll through iconic marketplaces in the heart of Fes el-Bali (the Old Medina), such as the R’Cif produce market and the Attarine spice souk. These lively souks burst with sights and smells – think piles of bright oranges, pyramids of spices, olives on display, and jars of salted lemons. You’ll taste fresh trid bread – a thin, dome-shaped flatbread baked over a clay bowl – and tear into flaky meloui layered breads stuffed with caramelized onions, just like locals do.
- Street Food Tastings: In the maze of alleys, discover the city’s favorite street foods. Sample hot bissara (a hearty split-pea or broad-bean soup) and classic harira (a spiced tomato-lentil-lamb soup that is a Moroccan staple). Stop by tiny kitchens where women twist msemen pancakes or grill brochettes of lamb and liver over charcoal. Don’t miss the famous Fassi snails – tender, garlicky snail soup served in cups – for a daring taste of local street food.
- Signature Moroccan Dishes: You’ll savor bite-sized portions of chicken tajine with preserved lemons and olives, fluffy couscous with seasonal vegetables, and crispy briwat pastries filled with spiced meat and nuts. One highlight is the legendary pastilla (bastilla) – a layered pie of tender spiced chicken (or pigeon), eggs, and toasted nuts wrapped in paper-thin pastry, then dusted with cinnamon sugar. This dish perfectly showcases Fes’s love of marrying savory and sweet flavors.
- Sweet Treats: Moroccan desserts are a highlight of our tour. Try chebbakia (honey-sesame crisps shaped like flowers), which are popular snacks year-round in Fes. Savor pistachio-filled gazelle horns (kaab el ghzal) and halwa Fassi – chewy sweets made of caramel, nuts, and dried fruits sold near the Moulay Idriss shrine. Every pastry is paired with steaming Moroccan mint tea, poured from high above into small glasses – a sweet, minty brew that locals sip between bites and conversations.
Our passionate local guide will lead the way, sharing the history behind each delicacy. Along the tour, you’ll learn how dishes are made, what they mean to Fez’s heritage, and the stories of generations-old family recipes. As one expert guide notes, Fes cooks take pride in craftsmanship: “In Fes, even newly-invented dishes combine tradition and art, with creators focused on both taste and presentation”. You’ll have opportunities to ask questions and discover hidden gems – perhaps a tucked-away café where locals gather, or a spice stall off the beaten path – making this an authentic half-day experience.
