Paris has some really good Moroccan restaurants and having lived in Paris for over 8 years, I know exactly where to go.
From fluffy couscous to rich, fruity and well spiced tajines, Moroccan food is awesome and luckily Paris has plenty of great Moroccan restaurants. It’s easily one of my favorite North African cuisines and luckily I’m spoilt for choice here!
Restaurants are listed in no particular order.
404
404 is a gem of an authentic Moroccan restaurant nestled in a pretty side street in the heart of the Marais.
When you step into the small restaurant it’s like stepping into a Riad (oh and they do have a garden terrace in the back).
It’s beautifully ornate with original stone walls and Moroccan style window shutters. It’s dark, moody and really warm.
As in Morocco the service is top notch. The servers, hostesses and even Chefs (yep there’s an open kitchen) are friendly and incredibly hospitable.
Spiced olives and carrots come as a snack as you sit down which are delicious. Entrees are classic and include Harira soup (a traditional chickpea soup), Moroccan salad and a selection of Mezzes.
Personally, I’d share a few entrees and focus on their killer mains. Their couscous is incredible. Fluffy, light and perfectly seasoned. They have quite a few options but I go for their Couscous Mechoui every time. Slow cooked lamb shoulder is finished on their charcoal Josper grill and is fall off the bone.
Their tajines are killer too. There’s the classic lamb and prune tajine which is rich, sweet and so well spiced. I also love their chicken and pear tajine which is an awesome flavour combo.
Be aware that the servings here are extremely generous. One order of couscous can easily be shared for two – especially if you have an entree.
What to know before you visit
- Most of the seating is rather communal – expect to be sat right to other groups
- You can reserve online
- They serve brunch on weekends but I’d advise you skip this and go for the main menu
- They’re open every day for lunch and dinner
Address: 69 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003
Tel: 01 42 74 57 81
Website: https://www.404-resto.com
Le Tagine
Le Tagine is a great little Moroccan restaurant in the 11th arrondissement that’s been feeding locals for over 40 years.
The tiny restaurant is really homely with warm lighting and colourful cushions on their blue banquette.
Kick dinner off with their excellent grilled merguez sausages and Moroccan salad. I’d also recommend sharing some of their grillades (grilled meat) – especially their Keftas.
As you’d expect there’s the usual tajines and couscous on the menu. Interestingly they have a salmon tajine which works really well – it’s moist and perfectly spiced.
Their version of a méchoui couscous uses a leg of lamb sourced from the Pyrenees mountains. It’s slow cooked, juicy and falling apart.
Worth mentioning that they have a great wine list with plenty of bottles of natural wine on offer. You of course have to finish the meal with a mint tea – it’s delicious.
What to know before you visit
- They’re only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
- You can reserve online
Address: 13 Rue de Crussol, 75011
Tel: 01 47 00 28 67
Website: https://www.letagine-restaurant.com
Timgad
Timgad is an old-school but firm favorite of mine. Located in the 16th arrondissement, it’s mega traditional but consistent in service and in the quality of their food.
The service is very classical with the friendly servers wearing tuxedos. Distinctive Moroccan decor feels again like you’re in a Rihad – it’s all very traditional.
Their menu is large with a huge variety of options. I’d recommend picking various options and sharing (depending how big your group is).
Start with the Assiette Timgad which is a mix of salads, zâalouk (a kind of Moroccan ratatouille), briouates and merguez.
For mains i’d go for their legendary Couscous. Of course I’ll be choosing the couscous méchoui which comes with a massive chunk of slow roasted and grilled lamb shoulder. The vegetables, broth and seasonings (house made harissa) feel almost unlimited with servers coming round constantly to top you up.
They also have a killer Moroccan wine list and I’d definitely recommend finishing with their awesome Moroccan home made pastries.
What to know before you visit
- Come hungry!
- It’s relatively formal compared to the other restaurants in this list
- They’re open daily for lunch and dinner
- You need to call to reserve
Address: 21 Rue Brunel, 75017
Tel: 01 45 74 23 70
Website: https://timgad.fr
Chez Younice
This is one genuine ‘hidden gem’ that you most likely won’t find in social media. It’s a small, unpretentious, family run restaurant in the east of the city in the 20th arrondissement.
A 6 minute walk from the Place de la Nation its actually rather easy to get to and not far from the charming (and authentic) Place de la Réunion.
It’s (according to one of my colleagues) the most authentic spot in the city and in my opinion, it’s very, very good. Oh it’s also the cheapest option in my list.
Entrees are classic – Zalook is lovely and perfectly seasoned. The €5 Harira soup is delicious and the perfect size before the mains.
My favorite dish at Chez Younice is their marinated lamb brochette cooked over a ripping hot grill. It’s tender and perfectly seasoned.
Go for lunch and you can get an entree and a main course (including their lovely Tagjines and Couscous) for only €14.50.
What to know before you visit
- They’re closed on Sundays
- Service is rapid so if it’s full you won’t need to wait long
Address: 13 Rue d’Avron, 75020
Tel: 01 43 56 84 38
Website: http://www.chez-younice.fr
Choukran
Choukran is a fantastic Moroccan restaurant located in the 9th arrondissement run by Chef Abdel Alaoui. It’s the most modern option in my list with plenty of riffs on the classics.
The interior decor is distinctly contemporary with a very Parisian influence. Stools are the only seating option so don’t expect a long comfortable sit-down dinner.
Entrees are modern and very vegan and vegetarian friendly. Their beetroot hummus is killer – smooth and perfectly seasoned. It comes with a freshly baked Batbout – a Moroccan flatbread.
Their Couscous are offered in different forms including a veggie version. Their Royal version comes with Merguez sausage, chicken and Kefta meatballs.
There’s also two unique (‘casseroles’) dishes which are almost a hybrid between a Tajine and a Couscous. Lemon chicken is braised in a Tajine and served with house Couscous – killer.
Finally serve hybrid sandwiches if you’re in a hurry at lunch time. There’s their ‘Bledwich’ which include a pulled beef Tajine option.
What to know before you visit
- Open every day for lunch and dinner
- You can reserve online
Address: 29 Rue Saint-Georges, 75009
Tel: 01 48 74 54 57
Website: https://choukran.fr
