Marrakech: Moroccan Cooking Class & Market Walk in Local Home

Summary

Cook Moroccan tagine in a real Marrakech home with Najla

You’ll wander Marrakech’s local markets with Najla picking out fresh ingredients, then cook classic Moroccan dishes step by step in her own kitchen. Enjoy homemade tea and pastries as you learn family recipes — plus plenty of laughs along the way. It’s not just cooking; it’s sharing stories over food you made together.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so at home so quickly in Marrakech — maybe it was the way Najla greeted us at her door, or how the morning air smelled like bread and cumin as we stepped out to the little shops nearby. She handed me a basket (I was nervous I’d pick the wrong tomatoes) and we wandered between stalls, greeting shopkeepers who seemed to know her by name. There was this one guy selling mint who pressed a sprig into my hand — my fingers smelled fresh for hours after.

Back in Najla’s kitchen, things got noisy fast: pans clinking, someone laughing about the way I tried to pronounce “za’atar” (Li laughed too — I probably butchered it). We started with tea, which felt more like a ritual than just a drink. She showed us how to pour it high so it foamed, and we sat around nibbling these tiny sweet pastries while she told stories about her grandmother’s recipes. The light in her kitchen was soft and yellowish, and there was something calming about kneading dough while listening to Arabic pop on the radio.

The main event was learning how to make a proper Moroccan tagine — I chose chicken with preserved lemon but kept sneaking glances at the lamb with prunes bubbling away on someone else’s stove. Najla moved between us, fixing our spice mixes (“more coriander!”), sometimes just watching us mess up and grinning. It wasn’t rushed; we took our time layering vegetables and tasting sauces until they felt right. By lunch, everything smelled rich and warm — I still think about that first bite of slow-cooked chicken with lemon peel melting into the sauce.

We ate together at her table, passing plates of salads (the eggplant one was my favorite), talking about where we’d come from and what surprised us most about Morocco. The whole thing felt less like a class and more like hanging out with friends — except you leave knowing how to make real Moroccan food back home. Hardest part? Saying goodbye when you’re still full of tea and laughter.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Morning shopping and cooking workshop

• Buy fresh ingredients locally
• Return home to start workshop
• Prepare authentic Moroccan tea
• Enjoy tea with Moroccan pastries
• Cook Moroccan salads starter
• Prepare main course tagine
• Share and enjoy the meal

Top questions

Is this Moroccan cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas including Najla's kitchen are wheelchair accessible.

Does the class include shopping for ingredients?

The morning class includes shopping at local markets; afternoon sessions do not.

What dishes will we cook during the workshop?

You’ll prepare Moroccan salads (like eggplant or marinated zucchini) and a main course such as chicken tagine or lamb with prunes.

Is bottled water provided during the class?

Yes, bottled water is included for all participants.

Are infants or small children allowed?

Yes, infants and small children can join; strollers are welcome.

Is public transport nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to Najla's location.

If I want to help buy ingredients, which session should I book?

Book a morning class if you want to join the market shopping part.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water throughout the experience, ingredient shopping at neighborhood markets (for morning sessions), hands-on cooking instruction from Najla in her Marrakech home, plus homemade Moroccan tea and pastries shared around her kitchen table before enjoying your own meal together.