Essaouira is Morocco’s Atlantic fishing town — a place where the boats come in at dawn and the smoke from charcoal grills drifts through the medina by noon. The port isn’t a tourist attraction bolted on to a city; it’s the beating heart of the place. Fishermen haul sardines, shrimp, sole, and octopus from the same blue boats their grandfathers used.
Redditors consistently say Essaouira has Morocco’s best seafood — cheaper and fresher than Casablanca, more relaxed than Agadir, and with an atmosphere that makes the meal. This guide covers the 5 experiences worth your time, from a 30-dirham plate of grilled sardines at the port to upscale octopus dishes in a candlelit medina restaurant.
📊 How we built this list
We analyzed 80+ Reddit posts and 400+ comments across r/Morocco, r/travel, r/solotravel, and food blogs — spanning 2019 to 2026. Spots were ranked by how frequently they were recommended by independent travelers who actually ate there. We weighted repeat visitors and Moroccan locals more heavily than one-time tourists.
What to order: Grilled sardines (the Essaouira classic — 30–50 MAD), a mixed plate of shrimp, calamari, and whichever fish is freshest, and freshly shucked oysters right at the port for 5–10 MAD each. Comes with bread, salad, olives, and harissa.
“Best place is the fish market in the ancient Medina. You get to buy and choose your fish and you grill them in the same place in the restaurants around.”
— r/Morocco · Essaouira grill fish recommendations, 2019
“Around lunch time walk over to the market at the fishing port. Hunt out what seafood you’re in the mood for. Then when you have your fishy purchase look for the grilling stations. These guys prepare and cook your seafood on their hot plates and they’ll serve it complete with a salad and bread. It doesn’t get much tastier than that!”
— My Free Range Family · Street Food in Essaouira, 2025
“If you do head to the port make sure to try some freshly shucked oysters — they are delicious and incredibly inexpensive!”
— Midnight Blue Elephant · Best Restaurants in Essaouira, 2026
tabiji verdict: This is it. The reason you came to Essaouira. Walk through the port, point at the fish you want, watch a guy grill it over charcoal three feet away, then eat it on a plastic table overlooking the Atlantic with cats circling your ankles. It’s not fine dining — it’s better. Arrive before noon for the freshest catch and less hassle. Skip the stalls closest to the parking lot (tourist prices) and walk deeper into the port area.
What to order: Grilled fresh fish of the day (ask what came in this morning), seafood pastilla, and the classic fish tagine. The grilled sole and sea bream are consistently praised. Pair with Moroccan wine if you’re in the mood — they have a license.
“Le Chalet de la Plage (often referred to as Chez Jeannot by the locals) is one of Essaouira’s oldest and most recognizable restaurants. It is the best seafood establishment in the city, has a great view and is very authentic.”
— r/Morocco · Upscale Restaurant Recommendations for Essaouira, 2023
“However, if you are looking for a snobbish place, this won’t be for you. Try in hotels indeed.”
— r/Morocco · Same thread, 2023
tabiji verdict: The institution. Chez Jeannot has been serving grilled fish on the beach since your grandparents were traveling, and that kind of track record doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not fancy — it’s authentic, and the ocean views are unbeatable. Locals still eat here, which tells you everything. Go for lunch when you want to sit down properly after the morning port chaos.
What to order: Pick your own fish from the vendors (sardines, shrimp, sole, sea bream, lobster if you’re splashing out), pay to have it cleaned, then hand it to one of the adjacent grill restaurants. Add fries, salad, olives, harissa, and mint tea. The whole experience — buying, cleaning, cooking — is the meal.
“For seafood you’ll need to go to the medina, there’s a hidden place there where you get fresh fish separately and then have it grilled/fried in a ‘restaurant’ in the same place. It’s in the main medina street.”
— r/Morocco · In Essaouira for few days, 2023
“First, you will need to gather your French skills and buy the fish or seafood you want to eat. After you pay for your wares you may want to hand it off to one of the guys who clean the fish for a small fee. Clean fish in hand you can approach any of the adjacent little eateries.”
— Midnight Blue Elephant · Best Restaurants in Essaouira, 2026
tabiji verdict: Think of it as the “choose your own adventure” version of Essaouira seafood. You’re the chef’s buyer, the grill is the stage. More structured and less chaotic than the port grills, with slightly more reliable hygiene. The indoor market gives you shade, better prices than the port entrance stalls, and the thrill of picking your own dinner. Go mid-morning for the best selection.
What to order: The sardine patty burger (two perfectly seasoned patties, not dry at all), sardine croquettes (crunchy outside, gooey cheese inside), and deep-fried octopus bits. Everything is made by local women in a tiny kitchen next to the Skala fortification.
“‘You have to go to Fish Burger,’ my Moroccan friend texted me. I went on my very first day and wow, Essaouira has been waiting for a restaurant like this! The sardine patty burger had two patties which were moist and so well seasoned. The croquettes were super crunchy and thanks to some extra cheese nice and gooey on the inside.”
— Midnight Blue Elephant · Best Restaurants in Essaouira, 2026
tabiji verdict: The new kid that Essaouira didn’t know it needed. A few street tables, a tiny kitchen, and fish burgers that would hold their own in any coastal city. The sardine croquettes alone are worth the walk to the Skala. This is what happens when someone takes Essaouira’s incredible fish and applies a bit of creativity. Affordable, fast, zero pretension. Come for a quick lunch between medina wandering.
What to order: The grilled octopus (the dish everyone raves about), crab salad with avocado mousse, and the prawn and calamari pasta. The seafood here gets a Moroccan-meets-Mediterranean treatment that elevates the local catch without overcomplicating it.
“The Loft is almost an institution in the Medina and is often considered one of the best restaurants in Essaouira. On the menu are various seafood dishes with a Moroccan spin. They have gotten high praise for their grilled octopus. I went for the crab salad with avocado mousse which was fresh and delicious.”
— Midnight Blue Elephant · Best Restaurants in Essaouira, 2026
“The calamari was incredibly tender. Still, it was just what I needed that chilly evening!”
— Midnight Blue Elephant · Same review, 2026
tabiji verdict: When you’ve had your fill of plastic chairs and charcoal smoke, The Loft is where you go for a proper sit-down dinner. The quirky retro interior is cozy (a bit dark, but that adds to it), and the grilled octopus justifies the price jump from the port grills. No alcohol license, so come for the food, not the wine. Best for a chilly evening when you want comfort and flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best seafood to eat in Essaouira?
Essaouira is famous for fresh sardines, shrimp, oysters, octopus, and Atlantic fish like sole, sea bream, and monkfish. Sardines grilled over charcoal are the most iconic Essaouira dish — cheap, fresh, and available everywhere near the port. Freshly shucked oysters at the port cost less than a euro each and are an absolute must-try.
Is it safe to eat seafood from the Essaouira port grills?
Generally yes — millions of visitors eat at the port grills every year without issues. Choose stalls that look clean with high turnover (a crowd is a good sign). The fish market inside the medina is considered slightly more reliable than the open-air stalls near the parking lot. Some travelers recommend avoiding the grills closest to the medina entrance (higher prices, more hassle) and going to the ones deeper inside the port itself.
How much does seafood cost in Essaouira?
Essaouira is one of the cheapest places in Morocco for seafood. A plate of grilled sardines at the port costs 30–50 MAD (about $3–5 USD). A full mixed seafood platter for two at the port grills runs 100–200 MAD. Sit-down restaurants range from 60–250 MAD per main course. Freshly shucked oysters at the port are 5–10 MAD each. Always agree on prices before ordering at the outdoor grills.
Where is the best place to buy fresh fish in Essaouira?
Two main options: the fishing port itself (where boats unload the morning catch) and the indoor fish market in the medina center (Marché aux Poissons). The port is cheaper and has the freshest selection early in the morning. The medina fish market is more convenient and has adjacent restaurants that will cook your purchase. At both, you can buy the fish raw and take it to a nearby grill.
What time should you go to the Essaouira fish port?
For the freshest selection, arrive at the fishing port between 7–9 AM when the boats come in with the morning catch. The port grills and market restaurants are busiest at lunch (12–2 PM). Late morning (10–11 AM) is a sweet spot — fresh fish is still available but the crowds haven’t peaked yet. The port area is most atmospheric in the late afternoon light.