Moroccan Cooking Class in Marrakech
Highlights
- Morning visit to the souk to buy spices and fresh produce
- Cook a full 3-course Moroccan meal from scratch
- Learn the secrets of ras el hanout and Marrakchi spice blends
- Hosted by a local family in a traditional riad kitchen
- Sit down and eat what you cooked together
Cook Like a Marrakchi
Marrakech is one of the great food cities of the world, and the best way to understand its cuisine is to cook it yourself. This hands-on class is hosted by a local family in their riad home — the same clay pots, wooden spoons, and hand-ground spice mixes that have been in the kitchen for generations.
The session begins with a walk through the Jemaa el-Fna medina to the local market. Your instructor guides you through the spice stalls, explaining each ingredient — saffron from Taliouine, cumin from the High Atlas, preserved lemons, rose water, argan oil — and selecting the freshest produce for the day's cooking.
The Menu
Starter: Traditional Moroccan salads — zaalouk (roasted aubergine and tomato), taktouka (peppers and tomato), briouates (crispy pastry parcels filled with cheese or kefta).
Main course: Lamb or vegetable tagine cooked slowly with preserved lemons, olives, and a house spice blend. You'll build the layers of flavour from scratch and understand what makes a Marrakchi tagine different from those of other regions.
Optional: Chicken pastilla — the extraordinary Moroccan pastry of sweet-savoury pigeon (or chicken) with almonds and cinnamon, one of the signature dishes of Marrakech's royal cuisine.
Dessert: Sellou (sesame and almond paste) or fresh fruit with honey and argan oil, paired with traditional mint tea.
Spice Souk Visit
The souk visit at the start of the class is a genuine highlight. Navigating the narrow lanes of the Rahba Kedima spice market with a local guide who knows every merchant transforms a tourist attraction into a living classroom. You'll learn to identify dozens of spices by smell alone before you ever reach the kitchen.
Practical Notes
- Classes accommodate 2–8 participants in the riad kitchen
- Vegetarian and vegan menus fully available on request
- The class is conducted in English, French, and Arabic with seamless translation
- Children welcome (minimum age 8 for knife work)
- Private classes available for couples and honeymoon packages
Included & Not Included
- • Guided souk visit with spice and produce shopping
- • All ingredients and cooking equipment
- • Experienced local cook as instructor
- • Recipe booklet to take home
- • The meal you prepare (3 courses)
- • Moroccan mint tea and fresh orange juice
- • Alcoholic beverages
- • Hotel transfers (can be arranged separately)
- • Gratuities
Duration
Half Day (3-4 hours)
Price
From €45/person
Location
Marrakech, Morocco
Payment Methods
PayPal
Bank Transfer (IBAN)
Only 10% deposit required
Email:
[email protected]What Our Travelers Say
Real reviews from Google and TripAdvisor
We traveled to Morocco in a group of 6 adults, including my parents, who are already seniors, in the middle of summer. For my family it was a leap of faith to trust an agency we found online for the first time, but it turned out to be a wonderful surprise. Hamid, the trip organizer, was very kind and attentive both before and throughout the whole tour. It was a fully personalized tour - we got to do everything we wanted, from visiting the Sahara to enjoying the beach. He always looked out for our comfort, especially my parents': comfortable transport, well-timed stops at places with restrooms, beautiful air-conditioned hotels, and varied, plentiful food. Thanks to his organization we were able to enjoy the trip with real peace of mind. It was a great experience we would absolutely recommend.
Last week I did a self-drive trip from Fes to Merzouga, leaving the car rental, the riad in Merzouga, the desert camp, and the guided desert activities all in the hands of MerzougaWay and Hamid, and I can only say that everything was perfectly organized, right on time. Thanks to everyone at the riad we stayed at and the desert camp, as well as the guides who joined us for the 4x4 experience, Berber culture, and the camel transfer. Thanks to Hamid and MerzougaWay for that quad-bike ride back to the riad from the camp - what an experience, riding a quad across the dunes early in the morning. If you're thinking of traveling to Merzouga, I definitely recommend Hamid as the organizer of your adventure.
Excellent!! We loved the tour. Thank you Hamid for everything. Everything well organized, the guide Eljo (Elhousain) was very attentive, highly recommend. Everything super clean, we had a great driver, we felt very safe with him. Unbeatable desert excursion. Thanks MerzougaWay!
Trustworthy tour agency. I wrote Hamid what I wanted and he just made it happen. He arranged everything so quick and smooth. We had a 3-day Merzouga tour from Marrakech. Said was our guide and he made me and my wife very comfortable. He took us from our riad and carried us in his modern 4x4 Toyota to magnificent places. He gave us the confidence to ask him whatever we wanted to do and wherever we wanted to drive - like old friends. He is open-minded and respectful. I recommend asking the agency for Said to be your driver. In the 3-day tour you cross the Atlas mountains, stay one night in a perfect hotel in Dades with great food, then stay one night in Erg Chebbi dunes in a luxury glamp camp. One night wasn't enough for a real desert experience - if you have time, take two nights in the desert.
Unforgettable holiday. An 8-day itinerant tour in Morocco, including 3 days organized by Hamid - MerzougaWay: a route from Fes to Marrakech, spending a night in the desert and in Ouarzazate. Our guide Youssef, who drove us all along the way, was very professional and took us to try real experiences that not all tourists get to see. Breathtaking landscapes - Morocco amazed and fascinated us. We drove many miles but still traveled comfortably. Absolutely recommend it - they are a highly professional agency and managed to take us to unique places, like a Berber village in the desert where we were the only tourists. A spectacular, unforgettable experience.
Morocco from the heart with MerzougaWay. Heartfelt congratulations to Hamid, who organized our trip impeccably - present, correct, and extremely helpful. A special mention for our driver Ali, who was by our side through 3 intense days toward the desert: attentive, polite, discreet, and a genuinely good, nice driver. We found snow in the Atlas range and then sun in Ait Ben Haddou, visited women's cooperatives working argan oil and roses, saw the Dades Gorges, and finally reached the Sahara dunes by camel before sleeping in a tented desert camp. 3 intense and exciting days. Next time in Morocco I'll rely on you again, inshallah!
Read more reviews on
Ready to Start Your Adventure?
Contact us today and let's plan your perfect Moroccan desert experience
MerzougaWay Team
We are a passionate team of local guides dedicated to sharing the beauty and culture of our home, Morocco. Our journey began with a simple desire to offer authentic, memorable experiences that go beyond the typical tourist trails.
Complete Your Morocco Trip
Two more services from our team, based in Marrakech.
More Activities You'll Love
Explore more things to do in Morocco

4x4 Dunes Tour in Erg Chebbi
Conquer the Erg Chebbi dunes in a powerful 4x4. An off-road adventure that takes you deep into the Sahara's most dramatic landscapes.

Camel Ride in the Sahara Desert
Experience the timeless magic of the Sahara on camelback. Watch the sun set over Erg Chebbi's golden dunes on a guided camel trek.

Horse Riding through the Desert
Explore the Merzouga desert on horseback through dunes and palm groves. A romantic and graceful alternative to camel trekking.
Tours That Include This Activity

4-Day Cultural & Desert Tour from Casablanca (Private)
From €450

Merzouga 4x4 Desert Safari: Nomads, Khamlia, Sandboarding & Berber Pizza
From €30

Ultimate 5-Day Fes to Merzouga: Complete Sahara & Imperial Cities Experience
From €500