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Cafes and Brunch in Essaouira: The Laid-Back Coast
Essaouira runs at a different tempo from the rest of Morocco — a breezy, artistic, unhurried port town where the Atlantic wind keeps things cool and life slows to a stroll. That laid-back spirit makes it a natural for café mornings and lazy brunches, with a scene shaped by decades of artists, surfers and travellers alongside the working fishing town. Here is how to eat the slow side of the coast.
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- 19 July 2026
At a glance
- Essaouira's mellow, bohemian pace makes it ideal for slow cafe mornings.
- The brunch scene blends Moroccan breakfast with international touches.
- Fresh juice, good coffee and sea air are the local morning ritual.
- The medina squares and ramparts hold the best cafe terraces.
A coast built for slowness
Where Marrakech is intense and fast, Essaouira is calm and cool, its whitewashed medina swept by an Atlantic wind that draws surfers and kitesurfers and keeps the summer bearable. The town has long attracted artists and free spirits — its music festival and galleries are part of the fabric — and that bohemian layer sits atop a genuine working fishing port. The result is a café culture that feels more relaxed and international than most Moroccan towns, perfect for a long morning with a book.
Brunch, in the modern sense, has taken root here in a way it has not everywhere in Morocco, so you can ease into the day slowly rather than rushing off to sights.
What to eat and drink
The morning menu blends the Moroccan breakfast tradition with the international brunch the town's visitors brought.
- Moroccan breakfast spread: msemen, beghrir and bread with amlou, honey, olive oil and cheese.
- International brunch: eggs, avocado, pancakes and granola at the more cosmopolitan cafes.
- Fresh juice: orange, and the local argan-and-almond amlou smoothies worth seeking out.
- Good coffee: Essaouira has embraced proper coffee more than most Moroccan towns.
- Pastries and cake: Moroccan sweets and European-style bakes for a mid-morning pause.
Where to sit
The medina's main squares, especially around Place Moulay Hassan, and the terraces looking over the ramparts and the harbour are the classic café spots, catching the sea light and the passing life of the town. The lanes of the medina hide smaller, artsy cafés with courtyards sheltered from the wind. And the beachfront has its own string of relaxed spots for a brunch with sand and surf in view. Wherever you sit, the pace is unhurried and no one rushes you off your table.
Essaouira is a place to linger, so pick a terrace, order a slow breakfast and watch the town wake up. When you want the other half of the coast's food — the superb fresh fish — the seafood and port-side guides cover it, and a coastal cooking class teaches the argan and amlou that flavour the mornings here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Essaouira good for brunch and cafes?
Yes, it is one of the best towns in Morocco for it. Essaouira's breezy, bohemian, unhurried pace — shaped by decades of artists, surfers and travellers alongside the fishing port — has fostered a relaxed cafe culture and a real brunch scene that blends Moroccan breakfast with international touches.
What should I eat for brunch in Essaouira?
A Moroccan breakfast spread of msemen, beghrir and bread with amlou, honey and olive oil, or an international brunch of eggs, avocado and pancakes at the more cosmopolitan cafes. Pair it with fresh orange juice, an argan-and-almond amlou smoothie, and the good coffee the town has embraced.
Where are the best cafes in Essaouira?
The medina's main squares, especially around Place Moulay Hassan, and the terraces overlooking the ramparts and harbour catch the sea light and passing life. Smaller artsy cafes with sheltered courtyards hide in the medina lanes, and the beachfront has relaxed spots for brunch with the surf in view.
What is amlou and can I try it at breakfast in Essaouira?
Amlou is a rich spread of roasted almonds, argan oil and honey, a speciality of the argan-growing southwest around Essaouira. It is a classic breakfast treat, eaten with bread, and some cafes also blend it into smoothies. Being close to the argan region, Essaouira is a great place to try it fresh.