Madada Mogador
Essaouira, Morocco [view map]
Guestbook
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Having just retuned from a great stay at Madada Mogador, I feel that I have to share the secrets of Essaouira! Madada Mogador was great, a little weather-beaten since the photos were taken, but a wonderful base all the same. The owners' recommendations for dinner were right on the ball – they are French and like their food!
Normally I like to wander around a new place and see what I like the look of. If you were to do that in Essaouira you may be a little disappointed. On the surface, there are lots of pizzeria/bog-standard seafood/tourist fare, but after being pointed in the right direction by our French foodies, we were being constantly delighted by hidden gems!
Le Patio was our first suprise, tucked down a little alleyway in the throng of all manner of souvenirs. We pulled the velvet curtain back in the entrance to be confonted by a vision of dark cosy corners and candles ablaze. This I did not expect: Marrakech, yes, but sleepy little Essaouira? The menu was exceptional; if you want seafood you want Le Patio, that's all there is to say! Taros was also a pleasant surprise, on a rooftop overlooking the main square. Amazing fish dishes, tangines and desserts to die for! The roof terrace was fabulous for lunch and people watching but the dining room for dinner was an altogether more intimate affair, with daily specials adding to an already-great menu. It's the perfect excuse to make it for both lunch and dinner!
And finally, there's the Madada Mogador resturant: fabulous French with a Morrocan twist. So good we went twice! All this leaves me with great memories and a few pounds to lose…