Toward the end of my time in Marrakech, I honestly needed a break from tagine. Moroccan food is good, but after several days of stew, I truly found myself needing something fresh and different. That’s how I ended up at La Trattoria, and it was easily the best non-traditional meal I had the entire time I was in Morocco.

La Trattoria is located in the “new city” area of Marrakech in the Gueliz area, which is about a 10–15 minute taxi ride from the medina depending on traffic. It’s very easy to get to by taxi, and I would definitely recommend making a reservation in advance, especially for dinner and if you want to be in seated in the indoor dining area. You can make reservations online here.

When you first arrive, you walk into a beautiful courtyard garden, which is where I originally made my reservation, but when I arrived, the host told me, “We actually have better seating I think you’ll like,” and he took me inside to the indoor dining room, which was absolutely gorgeous.

The interior is designed like many traditional Moroccan buildings and riads, with a small pool in the center of the room, tables arranged around it, fresh roses on the tables, and soft, soulful music playing in the background. It feels grand and elegant but also very calm and intimate at the same time.

Before your meal, they bring out rolls and an eggplant salad for the table, which is a really nice touch while looking over the menu. For my meal, I ordered the Spaghetti alle Vongole and added scallops, and the portion was very large—easily big enough to share if you’re not dining alone. The food tasted fresh and light, which was exactly what I was looking for after eating heavier Moroccan dishes for several days. I would also recommend the lemonade if you want something refreshing to drink.

I went during lunch, which meant the entire space was filled with beautiful, soft natural light, and it made the whole experience feel very relaxed, but I can only imagine how beautiful this restaurant is at night with candlelight, lanterns, and the large glass roof above the dining room.

If you’re visiting Marrakech and want a break from traditional Moroccan food for a meal or two, I would absolutely recommend La Trattoria. It’s a beautiful setting, the food is delicious and flavorful, and it feels like a little escape from the medina for a couple of hours.