Moroccan cooking class in Marrakech medina: Market to table

Shop the souk, cook in a riad, eat what you made

A four-hour cooking class held in a traditional riad in Marrakech's medina where you shop for ingredients at the local market with your chef, then prepare and eat a full Moroccan meal together. The class runs in English, French or Arabic, welcomes children from age 12, and includes welcome mint tea, all cooking equipment, and recipes sent by mail after the lesson. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available on request.

The experience

The class starts with mint tea in the riad courtyard, then you walk into the Mellah cover market with Chef Aicha to buy the day's ingredients. You'll move through the souk's spice stalls and vendor calls, picking out tomatoes, peppers, preserved lemons, olives and whatever else goes into the menu you've chosen. It's a working market, not a tourist loop. You're shopping the way a Moroccan family does.

Back at the riad, you cook alongside Aicha in the kitchen. The riad sits near Bahia Palace in the old medina, and you'll prepare a full menu: a salad or soup (taktouka, zaalouck or bissara), a main course tajine or kefta, couscous, and a dessert like chocolate briouattes or apple rolls. You handle the chopping, stirring and layering while Aicha guides you through the techniques and the stories behind each dish. All materials and equipment are provided. Water is included.

Lunch or dinner is served on the terrace with a view over the medina, or in the courtyard depending on the time of day. Within a week, Aicha sends you the recipes by email so you can cook these dishes at home. The group is small and shared. You may cook alongside other guests staying in the riad, which is a traditional Moroccan family home, not a hotel.

What’s included

• Welcome mint tea.
• all cooking equipment and materials.
• one large bottle of water per two people.
• a traditional Moroccan lunch (for morning classes) or dinner (for afternoon classes).
• recipes sent by email within one week.
• live guide in English, French or Arabic.

Information

Lasts 4h, runs every day at 10:30 and 17:00, from US$ 52 per person, with a live guide in English, French and Arabic, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:30 and 17:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate12 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, French and ArabicOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.1 with pickup ›

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 80 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Wheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Monriad

Is this one for you?The riad is in the medina itself, walkable from the main square and accessible by public transport or taxi, so you don't need a car or a hotel outside the old city to join. The market trip and cooking happen in the same half-day, which means you get both the ingredient hunt and the full meal without splitting the experience across two visits.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

What dishes do I actually make in the cooking class?

You prepare a full meal: a starter (Moroccan salad, taktouka with peppers, zaalouck with eggplant, or bissara soup), a main course (chicken tajine with preserved lemon and olives, beef sbib with onions and raisins, or kefta tajine with eggs), couscous (vegetable, tfaya, or gluten-free on request), and a dessert (chocolate briouattes, apple rolls, or Moroccan pancake).

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the riad?

The riad is in the heart of the medina near Bahia Palace, close to the main square. Public transportation options are available nearby, and you can arrange a taxi or use a ride-sharing app. Private transportation is not included with the class.

Can I do this class if I have dietary restrictions?

Yes. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available. When you book, the riad will contact you to discuss your diet requirements and any allergies so they can adjust the menu and ingredients.

How long does the whole experience take?

The class runs for four hours, including the market trip, cooking, and eating the meal you've prepared together.

Will I get the recipes after the class?

Yes. Within a week of the cooking lesson, Chef Aicha sends you all the recipes by email so you can recreate the dishes at home.