Wanderlust World Wanderlust World When in Fez, you must eat in the old medina. Head into this complex web for a light breakfast before you begin your explorations. Stop at one of the cheaper restaurants in the souk like Kasbah, with its great views of the medina, or Medina Cafe, which is a more comfortable option for women who are traveling alone.
If you’re traveling in a larger group, plan an evening at the Palais Jamai and attempt to tackle the Fassi specialty, which is the 12-salad starter. You really do need a large group in order to tackle this extraordinary Moroccan tradition, but if you can pull it off, you’ll be very pleased.
Don’t waste time on a big lunch. While exploring the ancient maze that is Fez, you’ll need to spend your daylight hours exploring. Stop at one of the street stalls or many vendors lining the medina and grab something to go. Maakoudas (spiced fried potatoes smothered in tangy tomato sauce between bread) are cheap eats at their very best.
For the best meal for your money, book a table at Dar Dmana in the Batha area. The Batha area is on the edge of the medina, so you’ll get a much-needed break from the busy streets of Fez. Dar Dmana’s chef, Hiatt, is a well-known chef in Fez, and his meals are prepared with a delicate respect for Fassi flavors.
La Maison Bleue is a converted family house and world-famous for its romantic setting. The menu here represents the best of the best from the Fassi cuisine. It is five-stars excellence. The menu changes daily, but each dish is authentic and well-prepared. La Maison Bleue is a more expensive option in Fez. Dinner for two will cost about $120.
Africa is well-known for its fresh fruits, and the fruit vendors in Fez will have you spitting on the fruit you have at home. There is nothing comparable to an African orange, and the fresh strawberries here are also sure to be coveted. After you cram yourself full of a maakouda, take your leftover change and buy some fresh fruit. You’ll never want to eat fruit anywhere else again.
For the gourmet in you, there are some wonderful cooking classes available. These classes take you into the heart of the medina to purchase fresh ingredients, and then teach you how to prepare traditional Moroccan meals in one of the beautifully restored guesthouses. You get the best of both worlds, a medina exploration and traditional Fassi food. After you’ve prepared your meal, you get to enjoy it in a beautiful Moroccan-styled patio or sundeck.
Honey probably isn't the first thing you think of when you enter the old city of Fez, but honey is exactly the thing you should seek, and in the sun-bleached courtyard of Fondouk Kaat Smen is where you’ll find your honey heaven. The wild honey here carries a bit of a price tag, but with over 17 rare varieties and the almost mythic quality of its purveyors, it’s well worth the extra penny.