Café Argana is a landmark building in the famous Place Jemaa el-Fna, it stands proud overlooking the busy square and is the best place to have a table view. Sadly this café had to be rebuilt after a bomb attack in 2011, which explains it’s modern facilities and high security.
Having tried the street food stalls on our first evening, I wanted something special for my birthday meal on our second night. We made a reservation for a front table at 6pm, if you want one of these tables you need to arrive early, ours was the only one left available at this time, and the rest were occupied for the sunset and well into the evening.
Café Restaurant Argana has three floors, offering a cafe service for snacks and drinks on the right hand side of each level and restaurant service on the left hand side. We both ordered virgin cocktails and tagines, I decided on the beef, prune, almond and egg dish, whilst Mike ordered the chicken with preserved lemons and olives. As is customary a dish of olives and basket of bread were delivered to the table whilst our food was prepared.
The atmosphere down in the square is like nothing else, thousands of people pour into this area each evening, as night falls it just gets busier.
Our sizzling tagines were presented as the sun was setting, both were exquisite, we enjoyed every morsel. My beef just fell apart, I loved the sweetness of the prunes and crunch of almonds. Mike’s chicken got stronger in flavour as he delved into the dish, we’ve bought the local spices and hope to recreate in our own kitchen.
As it was my birthday I ordered the assorted selection of Moroccan pastries and Mike the praline millefleur. Scrumptious! Mike had to help me out finish the various delicacies as it was enough for two people. To finish we ordered mint tea for two and an expresso as Mike doesn’t like to miss out but needs his caffeine shot too!
You might be wondering what all this cost? Under 400 dirhams which is approximately 40 euros, fantastic value for an incredible evening. Expect 5* service and fantastic value for money, this is definitely a place to visit during a stay in Marrakech.
Facebook: Café Argana Marrakech
Telephone: +212 654-789654
