Lea GagnonYou won’t miss Marrakesh with these 11 best Moroccan restaurants in Montreal
So you’ve wandered the souks of Marrakesh and taken in the intoxicating aroma of slow-cooked tajine? Now you want to relive that experience by jumping on a quick flight – bags packed, stomach ready – but what if I tell you a secret?
Actually, you don’t need that plane ticket. All you need is this guide to point you to some of the best Moroccan restaurants in Montreal (and not to brag, but some of the best in Canada too!).
From cosy, family-run gems to famous, touristy diners, I’ve compiled it all here. Discover a new favourite by scrolling through these options!
1. Salon Mogador
Media credit everybitemtl
Website: http://www.mogador.ca/
Address: 310 Rue Beaubien E
Contact Details: +1 514-279-3530
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
Humble and comfortable, Salon Mogador really got my attention with its homely atmosphere and amazing service. The owner himself checks in with the customers, and I really appreciate how welcoming he is, which only elevated the experience.
And of course, the food is like no other. The chicken and lamb tajine were perfectly cooked – I enjoyed the chicken with apricot the most with its incredible aroma. It has a nice sweetness to it and a gorgeous texture thanks to the almond slices.
Every Saturday, there’s a dancer who performs at the restaurant, making the dining experience livelier. So if you want some entertainment, try to reserve for this day.
2. Darna Bistroquet
Media credit darnabistroquet
Website: https://www.darnabistroquet.com/fr
Address: 1106 Rue Beaubien E
Contact Details: +1 514-273-1106
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Friday: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM | Sunday: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Price: $$
For the most delectable dishes served in the most generous portions, don’t skip Darna Bistroquet. With reasonable prices on board, it’s definitely one of the best restos in the city that deserves a cult following.
Normally, I’d go for lamb or chicken, but the oyster mushroom tajine here was incredible. It has some nice drops of sesame seeds, almonds, and prunes, giving the dish this addictive, savoury and earthy flavour.
Just take note that some dishes may feel like they lack a bit of seasoning. But it’s nothing that a little add of salt can’t solve – it’ll bring the umami out!
The place is small and cute, with servers who also speak fluent English. It’s ideal for small groups who prefer intimate meals together.
3. L’Olive Noire
Media credit pedro_the_baby_kraken
Website: https://lolivenoire.ca/
Address: 4271 Ontario St E
Contact Details: +1 514-504-9484
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
If you prefer that no-rush approach to dining, I think you’ll love L’Olive Noire. The service is slow, though thanks to the excellent service, it’s not a frustrating pace. Plus, the resto only has about 6 to 7 people at most, making it perfect for those who love a bit of quiet.
As for the food, the lamb couscous has to be the one for me. The dried fruits used really burst in the mouth with flavours. The portion sizes are also generous enough to share – though anyone who loves a hearty meal will finish it just fine.
If you’re not used to Morrocan food, though, you may want to slow down a bit. It’s just that the dishes tend to have punchy, overwhelming flavours. Not for the faint-hearted, but perfect for the adventurous!
4. La Khaïma Cuisine Nomade
Media credit fofi_johnson
Website: https://www.restolakhaima.ca/
Address: 142 Av. Fairmount O
Contact Details: +1 514-948-9993
Operating Hours: Monday- Sunday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
If you’re ready to experience the full Moroccan food experience, head to La Khaima! They offer this three-part meal option, which is best if you want a filling meal of various kinds.
This one includes their delicious lentil soup and couscous. For the latter, you can choose vegetarian with chickpeas, chicken with olives, or beef with dates. You can also opt for a tater that has all of them.
When you dine, though, make sure you’re wearing nice socks because you have to take off your shoes! And if you can, be sure to sit next to the windows – the AC is not the strongest, and a bit of wind and view will help with that.
5. Menthe et couscous
Media credit menthecouscous
Website: https://mentheetcouscous.ca/
Address: 361 Rue Émery
Contact Details: +1 514-842-3717
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 10:30 PM | Friday – Saturday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: $$
This restaurant feels a bit more upscale than others, but it still has that intimate feel to it. Plus, with belly dancers performing in the place every Saturday, it really brings that true Moroccan dining experience to the table.
Their lamb with couscous is the absolute star here with its excellent tenders. Because it’s so delicious and filling, one person can simply order this one and call it a day!
Like most Morrocan restos, you can bring your own wine to elevate things a bit. Just take note that they won’t serve you a bucket of ice – only a small glass of ice for your drink.
6. Restaurant Au Tarot
Media credit yelpmtl
Website: https://restoautarot.ca/
Address: 500 Marie-Anne St E
Contact Details: +1 514-849-6860
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Price: $$
Restaurant Au Tarot also has this fine-dining feel to it, with its upscale decor and Moroccan-inspired interior. Still, it’s the ideal spot for family dining, especially for those with members who want to dive in.
Everything you can think of is here: there’s a large service of cucumber and tomato salad, as well as hearty meals like chicken over rice. The veggies are super fresh, especially those used in their vegetable soup.
If you’re not used to spices, though, you may want to hold back a bit as it can be too much for the average diner. Alternatively, you may enjoy their veal tajine which is perfectly seasoned and has a nice melt-in-your-mouth texture to it.
7. Rumi Restaurant
Media credit restaurantrumi
Website: https://www.restaurantrumi.com/
Address: 5198 Rue Hutchison, Outremon
Contact Details: +1 514-490-1999
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Thursday, Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM | Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
If you want a nice mix of cultural cuisine, Rumi is your best bet. This restaurant not only features Moroccan food but also Turkish and Middle Eastern classics.
Their lamb is super delicious, with a gamey profile and a beautiful tenderness to it – definitely tastier than the chicken. Still, I also want to say that the chicken was also a standout, even though it’s simply a standard grilled version with olive oil and seasonings.
The food here is slightly priced higher than in most restos (don’t worry – it’s not crazy, though!). Plus, you might appreciate the music that fills the space as you dine – the volume is comfortable and won’t interfere with your conversations.
8. Moul Chouaya
Media credit moulchouayamtl
Address: 854 Decarie Blvd, Saint-Laurent
Contact Details: +1 514-437-6363
Operating Hours: Sunday – Tuesday: 12:00 AM – 11:30 PM | Wednesday – Thursday, Saturday: 12:00 PM – 12:00 AM | Friday: 12:30 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: $$
If you haven’t had Moroccan BBQ yet, you’re missing out! Moul Chouaya is the best place to grab grilled Moroccan at the best prices – and yes, at the highest quality too!
All the meat here is perfectly cooked – think juicy kebabs that burst in your mouth with each bite. Their lamb also has this nice tenderness, which really allows you to enjoy the aromatic spice.
The chicken is just as good as it has a nice hint of citrus to it. So it’s savory but the extra flavor really surprises.
Other than the BBQs, they carry other signatures as well, including the beloved couscous and tajines. If you have time to sit down, though, please do – the ambience is very reminiscent of typical restos back in Morocco.
9. Restaurant SAFIOT
Media credit restaurantsafiot
Website: https://www.safiot.ca/
Address: 4304 Saint Denis St
Contact Details: +1 514-755-5550
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 3:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Price: $$
If you’re looking for quality food, I think you’ll love Restaurant SAFIOT. Dine in here and enjoy Moroccan food that’s made fresh daily – the best part is that they charge reasonable prices, too!
Speaking of prices, I love that they offer food discounts of up to 35%. This depends on the types of dishes you get, though, and the number of diners in your group.
Because every meal is made fresh, the service tends to be a bit slower than most restos. But really, it’s worth the wait!
The menu has about 50 options, including their famous couscous and delicious merguez sausage.
Pro tip: you may want to check their site and social pages every now and then for events. The restaurant hosts various cultural activities from time to time, so it’s a great way to culture as you enjoy good food.
10. Restaurant Méridional
Media credit restomeridional
Address: 1155 Boul. de Rome
Contact Details: +1 450-679-4242
Operating Hours: Wednesday – Saturday: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Price: $$
Restaurant Meridional might be one of my favorite places now to grab a salad. Their confit salad takes the cake – the duck is super tender but the outer layers are crispy, which is a nice texture. The strips of veggies and dressing really wrap this meal up.
As with most options, the tajines here were super good, with chicken that’s spiced up at just the right level. I do enjoy having their soup, though, which was creamy (I found out from the owner that they actually didn’t use any cream here, which was surprising).
Speaking of the owner, his welcoming personality really sets the tone at this restaurant. He speaks five languages too – who knows, if you’re coming out from Canada, he may be able to chat with you in your mother tongue (secret – he’s part Vietnamese!).
11. Bab Kech
Media credit bab.kech
Website: https://babkech.com/
Address: 30 Saint-Catherine St W
Operating Hours: Sunday – Monday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM | Tuesday – Thursday: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Friday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 10:30 PM
Price: $$
For the best merguez sausage wrap you’ll ever have in your life, you can’t miss Bab Kech. This meal is very reminiscent of the ones you’ll find in Djemaa el-Fna. In food terms, it simply means it’s as authentic as it can get.
The beef tajine is seriously crazy – tender, so the meat bursts with spices at every bite. The boeuf facon tajine combo with potatoes and salad was also a standout – the flavors are complex, but I loved being able to taste so many flavors.
