5 of the Best Food Tours and Experiences in Tangier
Looking for the best food tours in Tangier or foodie-related experiences? Discover five incredible ways to immerse yourself in Tangier’s unique cuisine and culture.
Moroccan cuisine is legendary around the globe and experiencing its complex flavours is an essential part of any visit. Before I arrived in the country, I had made packet couscous at home and knew about tagines.
But I had no idea about the staggering diversity of dishes those earthenware pots are capable of creating. And I didn’t understand the depth and breadth of what “Moroccan cuisine” actually means. I was about to have my mind blown!
Due to its unique setting at the northwestern tip of the country, Tangier’s culinary influences are slightly different than what you might find in Marrakech. This makes it a fantastic place to embark on a food tour or participate in a cooking class.
Not only does Spain lie just a stone’s throw across the water, bringing with it Andalusian flavours. But both the Atlantic and Mediterranean offer up a bounty of seafood right on Tangier’s doorstep.
If you’re someone with an adventurous palate who loves to learn about destinations through their cuisine, then a Tangier food tour or cooking class is ideal. It will take you beyond the tagines and couscous that are on every tourist restaurant menu. Instead, you’ll be introduced to ingredients, dishes and snacks that you might never have heard of.
While most tours in Morocco are led by men (and most front-of-house staff at Moroccan restaurants are male), cooking classes are a fantastic way to connect with Moroccan women. It’s a unique opportunity to gain a female perspective of life in Morocco and better understand the leading role they play in the family home.
Personally, I’ve had some of my most memorable interactions with Moroccan women in the kitchen. The best, of course, being with my mother-in-law!
In this article, I’ll share with you 5 of the best food tours and experiences in Tangier. These include hands-on cooking classes, food-focused cultural tours and private culinary adventures. Many hotels and riads can also arrange in-house cooking classes – ask your host at the time of booking.
Want to learn more about visiting Tangier? Check out my Essential Travel Guide to Tangier. It includes info on getting there, the best time to visit and the top things to do in Tangier.
If you want to learn more about Moroccan cuisine, discover 10 dishes not to miss while visiting the country.
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A Delicious Walking Adventure
Best cultural food tour of Tangier
Duration: 3 hours
Led by the amiable Anas, this Tangier food tour explores traditional bakeries, local markets and authentic eateries, all of which are frequented by locals. It’s a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in the city’s food scene. Plus, you’ll get to sample a diverse array of Moroccan dishes, snacks and specialties along the way.
What sets this Tangier food experience apart is the insider knowledge and stories that Anas shares. He peppers in historical tidbits while keeping things really engaging. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to engage with local vendors and friendly chefs, who are more than willing to share Morocco’s culinary secrets with you.
After meeting at Grand Socco and exploring its nearby market, you’ll continue to Petit Socco. Here, you’ll enjoy traditional Moroccan tea and pastries. This Tangier food tour also includes a seafood lunch overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Afterward, you’ll head up to the Kasbah to indulge in Moroccan sweets and desserts from a local patisserie.
The experience ends at a spice market. Here, you can purchase a variety of spices if you want to recreate some of the Moroccan dishes you’ve tried back home. This Tangier food tour is not only ideal for food enthusiasts and travellers seeking a culinary adventure, but can be tailored to families with children.
“What a memorable experience! Could not recommend highly enough.” (read more reviews here)
If you’re looking for an incredible stay in Tangier, discover 7 inspiring luxury hotels in this gateway city.
Cooking Class with a Local Family
Best cooking class in Tangier
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
With the wonderful Chef Latifa at the helm, this half-day cooking class in Tangier is a food experience you won’t soon forget. It receives 100% positive feedback on Viator (it’s five-star reviews all the way). Plus, it has been awarded the Badge of Excellence for its outstanding reputation.
On arrival, Latifa and her son Anwar will welcome you into their home. Pick up from your hotel or riad is also possible if you’re worried about getting lost. The experience begins with a visit to a local market to purchase fresh produce and meats/fish (depending on the type of tagine you want to prepare), as well as a bakery serving piping hot bread.
After returning to the kitchen, Chef Latifa will guide you step-by-step as you chop ingredients and measure out spices, ready to be layered into the tagine. Throughout this Tangier cooking class, you’ll enjoy bottomless cups of mint tea as you chat about life in Morocco and the traditions behind its globally-renowned cuisine.
What really adds to the experience is the setting. Latifa’s inviting family home boastsa wonderful rooftop terrace where you can relax. Once the dishes are ready, you’ll sit down to enjoy a memorable meal and revel in the fruits of your labour. Recipes are also provided for you to take home and recreate the dishes once again.
“Wonderful experience with warm welcome into a lovely home…Highly recommend this experience!” (read more reviews here)
Discover Tangier’s Flavours
Best female-led food tour in Tangier
Duration: 2 to 3 hours
This unique experience takes you off the beaten tourist path to discover the culinary culture and flavours of Tangier. I’d recommend coming with a bit of an appetite as you’ll be treated to lots of snacks and samples along the way. From freshly baked breads to delicious dates and hearty fava bean soup, there’s so much to try!
This Tangier food tour is led by Rabab, who receives rave reviews for her personable nature, gastronomic knowledge and overall kindness. She’s great at accommodating guests’ needs and interests, whether you’re really adventurous when it comes to food…or not so much.
Beginning at Place du Grand 9 Avril 1947 (also known as Grand Socco), this Tangier walking tour takes you through the historic medina and its colourful local food markets. Along the way, you’ll stop to sip on spiced coffee, taste flaky crepes drizzled with honey and goat’s cheese, as well as a myriad of different olives.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to converse with vendors and learn about traditional Moroccan foods, as well as gain insights into life in Tangier. The sit-down lunch is an added bonus. Trust me, you will go home full as a goose!
If you’re visiting during Ramadan, Rabab also runs a special Ramadan food tours, followed by an iftar (breaking the fast) meal with her family.
“The food was authentic and delicious, but even better was the opportunity to learn first-hand about life in Tangier.” (read more reviews here)
Taste & Explore Tangier
Best private food tour of Tangier
Duration: 3 hours
If you want to experience local markets and areas of the medina you might not discover on your own, then this Tangier food tour is for you. It’s led by Mohammed, who is really friendly and knowledgeable, as well as being fluent in multiple languages.
Over the years, Mohammed has built up relationships and rapport with many of the vendors and restaurant owners in Tangier. This really adds to the experience! Everyone wants you to have an incredible time and come away with a greater understanding of the breadth and depth of Moroccan cuisine.
Aside from sweet pastries, flavoursome olives and delicious dates, you’ll have the chance to sample pea soup, smoothies and local breads. One of the highlights? Sitting down to enjoy a quintessential Morocco meal featuring tagines and kebabs!
This Tangier food experience is completely private, so you can customise the itinerary to suit your interests. Aside from its culinary stops, it can include visits to artisan workshops and historical sites. In summary, it blends various aspects of Tangier’s cultural heritage into one.
“Mohamed was amazing! He took us through the areas and markets we never would have been able to discover on our own and was exactly what we were looking for in our tour. One of the best on our trip and definitely the best food tour we’ve taken.” (read more reviews here)
Small-Group Tangier Food Tour
Best small-group Tangier food tour
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
If you’re after a small-group food tour in Tangier, then this one comes highly recommended by lots of previous travellers. They comment not just on the knowledge of the local guides but also that they are loads of fun to hang out with. It’s like wandering the city with an old friend!
Plus, they can accommodate lots of dietary requirements. You don’t have to be an “I eat everything” person to join!
During this half-day Tangier food tour, you’ll stop at around six different tasting locations, from street-side vendors to hole-in-the-wall eateries and bustling local markets. At each one, your guide will explain how the food is relevant to Morocco’s culture or history. This is so much more than just a food tour!
Beginning at Grand Socco, you’ll taste several specialties at a nearby market. Then, enjoy wonderful views across the Strait of Gibraltar from the Kasbah district. As you wander its narrow streets, you’ll have the opportunity to sample seasonal fruits, Moroccan cheeses and sweet pastries, as well as stop for a steaming cup of mint-infused tea.
A three-course lunch or dinner is also included in this Tangier food tour, usually at a rooftop restaurant offering panoramic views. Dessert is sometimes enjoyed at Café Hafa. This iconic establishment was once frequented by members of the Beat Generation.
In summary, this small-group experience provides a fascinating insight into Tangier’s cultural heritage and how the city has lured travellers for centuries.
“The food was exceptional — we went to places and tried things we’d never have found had we not been with Muhammad!” (read more reviews here)
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About Me
I’m Malika, a global traveller who first visited Morocco in 2014 before marrying a local and settling down in a little village on the Atlantic coast. Over the years, I’ve developed an intense love for Morocco, its incredible landscapes, storied cities and the exceptionally generous hospitality of its people.
Malika in Morocco is a place to share my years of experience exploring the country, from north to south and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Sahara Desert. As a resource for travellers visiting Morocco, I want to encourage others to experience this captivating destination the way they desire, whether that’s independently or under the expert guidance of local tour operators.
I believe strongly in supporting responsible and sustainable tourism initiatives while inspiring travel experiences that are life-impacting and mutually beneficial for both travellers and locals.
