Are you going to be gluten-free in Essaouira? If so then you might be a little nervous. I get it. It’s a foreign country, there is a language barrier, and you have no idea if people even know what gluten-free is.
Plus, the last thing you want to do is get violently ill because you ate gluten while traveling to Morocco. Yeah, no one wants that when they’re on vacation.
Well, luckily for you, a lot of Moroccan foods are naturally gluten-free. Omelets, bissara, zaalouk, tajine, loubia, tanjia, matbutcha, kefta/kefta tajine, brochette, mechoi, and amlou are all gluten-free.
So, do NOT panic. You will have a lot of options when it comes to eating gluten-free in Morocco. Essaouira is especially nice since it is a very Westernized city with a lot of expats.
Therefore, restaurants and hotels are more likely to have staff who are familiar with the concept of gluten-free food and who can cater to your needs.
Worst case scenario, just stop by Carrefour and pick up what you need. They have tons of gluten-free pasta and bread that you can enjoy while exploring Essaouira.
However, there are a lot of gluten-free restaurants in Essaouira where you can eat without an issue. I am going to detail them below so that you know exactly where to eat in Essaouira if you are gluten-free.
Yup, I know all about these epic places since I live in Essaouira and have many gluten-free friends who visit me. So, we are always on the hunt for new and exciting places to eat that offer a lot of gluten-free entrees.
Anyway, enough chitty chat. Let’s swan dive into this epic guide and learn all about where you can absolutely eat.
Local Tip: Many riads in Essaouira include breakfast in the price of your room.
If you would like a gluten-free breakfast, simply let the staff know and they should be able to serve you an omelet, fresh fruit, yogurt, bisarra, raib (a Moroccan yogurt), etc.
On the whole, Moroccan breakfasts tend to be very bread heavy with msemen, harcha, and beghrir typically being served. Just avoid the bread and you should be just fine.
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Important Phrases to Know If You Are Gluten-Free
Gluten can be hidden in a lot of things, So, it’s always important to let hotel and restaurant staff know that you have an allergy and cannot eat certain things.
I highly recommend carrying a few translations with you. This way, if staff do not speak English then you can still communicate your dietary needs.
I suggest carrying them in French and Darija (Moroccan Arabic) since not everyone speaks French but everyone does speak Darija.
My friends always use these before they sit down to eat at a local restaurant in Essaouira, or anywhere really,
To say “I am allergic to bread and flour” in French you would say, “je suis allergique au farine et le pain.” You could also say, “I do not eat flour, bread..” by saying, ““Je ne mange pas le farine, le pain…”
To say “I am allergic to wheat and flour” in Darija, just show them this, “Salam, Bghit nsowleq ana Andi Hasasiya mn ay haja katsaweb b Dgig Dyal Lgme7 wla Nekhala, Smida, ch3ir w Farina, w ila klit shi 7aja msawba mn hadshi ghanmred bzzf.”
Bonus: If you have a problem with dairy then just show them this, “Salam, Bghit Nsowleq ana Andi Hasasiya mn Ay haja msawba mn Lben, 7lib, Jben wla ay haja katsaweb mn Alban, w ila Klitha ghanmred bzzf.”
Best Gluten-Free Restaurants in Essaouira
Below is a list of great restaurants that can cater to the needs of anyone who is gluten-free in Essaouira.
1. Umia
I have been to Umia many times and highly recommend this amazing eatery in the Medina. It’s a super trendy, upscale spot where you can kick back at sleek wooden tables that are surrounded by massive candle holders.
The modern chairs blend perfectly with the chic beige walls and white shelves filled with lush plants. It’s super popular, so I recommend securing a reservation well in advance!
However, I love that it is a smaller restaurant with just a few tables. It makes the experience a bit more intimate. Additionally, the staff are absolutely fantastic and genuinely want to help you have the best experience possible!
When it comes to the menu, we started with their crispy potatoes and hummus, both of which were delicious.
Afterward, we had the seared tuna, clam risotto, and gnocchi. They were all out of this world! Just be prepared for a bit of a splurge since dishes cost between 100+ Dirhams ($10.00+) and 200+ Dirhams ($20.00) each.
The last time I was here I brought a gluten-free friend and the staff knew exactly what she meant by this. She was able to order a gluten-free dish with no problem and loved her meal.
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2. Pasta Baladin
I normally don’t eat Italian food in Essaouira since it can be kind of yucky. But, Pasta Baladin is the exception since the owner is from Turin and actually knows how to make amazing pasta.
The best part? They actually serve gluten-free pasta that doesn’t taste like rubber. Yeah, my friend ordered it and I couldn’t tell it was gluten-free. Plus, all the sauces are gluten-free as well.
Overall, I really liked eating here since the staff are lovely and the portions are generous. My only TINY complaint is that my pasta didn’t have enough sauce.
But, other than that everything was awesome. If you’re not sure what to order, personal faves include the veal ragu, the caprese salad, the carbonara, and the tiramisu. Yup, my partner just LOVES their tiramisu.
3. Mandala Society
Not gonna lie, this restaurant/cafe in Essaouira is seriously the BEST! They serve incredible food and have a fabulous brunch menu that is available until noon.
Just a heads up. Th dining room is a bit small. So, if you’re rolling up with a crew then you may want to make a reservation in advance for brunch in Essaouira.
We come here ALL the time and love their coffee. It’s super smooth and is served in a giant mug that seems to never end. The banana bread is also a fave since it is super moist and topped with amlou/chocolate sauce.
My partner loved it so much that he can’t stop talking about it and is always asking when we can come back!
I had the Farm Egg Toast, which is basically an omelet paired with avocado toast, and it was delicious. However, we’ve also popped in just for coffee and an epic piece of their carrot cake.
Just remember that they are cash only. So, exchange money in Morocco before stopping by. They also have tons of gluten-free entrees. Plus, the staff are fluent in English and know exactly what gluten-free means.
It’s also great if you’re a vegan in Essaouira or vegetarian in Essaouira since they have lots of plant-based options too.
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4. Breiz’in
I love crepes, you love crepes, we all love crepes…at least if you stop by Breiz’in.
Okay, I know this place is a bit out of the way. But, if you make the trek here then you’ll be rewarded with delicious crepes that taste like they are straight out of a Parisian bistro.
The best part? They cater to gluten-free diners too since they serve yummy buckwheat crepes!
Overall, I just love sitting in their light and bright, country-chic dining room. I like to order an amazing apple/salted caramel butter crepe and pair it with some of their amazing spiced coffee.
Now, I just have to drag my partner here since he LOVES anything sweet and will be super happy when he sees how reasonable the prices are.
5. Get Fresh Fish From the Port
Another one of my favorite things to do in Essaouira also happens to be totally gluten-free. Yup, I am talking about the one and only Essaouira fish market.
It sits by the Skala de Port and is where you’ll find countless fishermen pulling into the docks, unloading their fresh fish, and wooing hungry customers with their catch of the day.
So, get ready for a flurry of activity as you see cats trying to grab a snack while seagulls fly overhead and vendors yell out their daily specials.
Walk around and you’ll be tempted by a dizzying array of gluten-free seafood like sardines, pilchards, sole, crabs, lobsters, octopuses, flatfish, skates, eels, and sharks!
Once you’ve made your purchase. have your seafood cooked to order at a nearby open-air restaurant. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a long day in Essaouira. Just don’t expect top-notch service since this is a very low-key place to eat.
6. Domaine du Val d’Argan
If you’re looking for amazing gluten-free food and want to enjoy a cool day trip from Essaouira then try visiting Domaine du Val d’Argan.
This winery is basically the ONLY winery in southern Morocco and is about a 20-minute drive away from Essaouira.
It was also established in 1994 and currently grows 13 different varieties of grapes from the Rhône Valley, making it a great place to drink alcohol in Morocco.
All in all, the vineyards are spread out across 50 hectares, making this a great place to walk around, do a wine tasting, or try a cooking class.
You can even spend the night at their bed and breakfast or enjoy an amazing meal at their on-site restaurant since they serve gluten-free couscous made of corn.
I love coming here to walk through the gorgeous gardens and take a dip in the refreshing pool.
So, if you would like to sign up for a wine tasting, you’ll have to pay around 200 Dirhams ($20) per person. Just be sure to call ahead at +212 660-279024 to let them know you’re coming!
Then, get ready to sip on everything from whites and reds to rosés, since tastings last 30 minutes and typically happen at 11:00 am, 2:30 pm, and 3:00 pm.
7. Restaurant du Coeur
This restaurant may be small but the owner/chef/waiter is lovely and the entire place just feels super warm and cozy.
I also LOVE the way they plate their delicious Moroccan food here. It feels like you are at a Michelin-starred restaurant waiting to dig into your exquisite monkfish tajine.
Anyway, this place is kind of a hole-in-the-wall and the menu changes based on the seafood that is available that day. However, all of the dishes are bursting with flavor.
Plus, there are tons of gluten-free options on the menu like the monkfish tajine, the octopus tagine, the octopus salad, the shrimp and avocado salad, etc.
The last time I was here I think my fave was the shrimp and avocado salad. It was so good. I also liked the octopus salad and will definitely be back since both items were light and fresh.
The one downside is that there can be an issue with communication since the staff don’t speak fluent English. So, you may need to bring some translations to make sure you don’t get anything with gluten in it.
They also do not accept cards, so be sure to bring cash.
Conclusion
I hope you found this guide to being gluten-free in Essaouira useful. My goal is to make you feel less stressed out and to help you see that you will have TONS of options to choose from.
Trust me, there are a lot of foreigners in Essaouira and the concept of gluten-free food is becoming more and more popular.
So, don’t stress and use this epic to find all of the best gluten-free restaurants in Essaouira.
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