A Guide to Essaouira’s Best Coffee
By Erin Deborah Waks
Beach haven and gem nestled on Morocco’s exquisite coastline, Essaouira is a paradise of pretty cobbled streets, markets, and picturesque beaches. It’s known as the windy city, a fact much loved by surfers and water sport fans alike - but what I loved most was its coffee culture.
Morocco in general has a fantastic cafe scene, and I’m yet to find a city that didn’t have good quality coffee. But what I’ve often noticed, as a solo female traveller, is that it takes a well trained eye to discern which coffee shops are best to sit if you’re a woman alone. Indeed, some are bound to make you feel so uncomfortable, you won’t make it past the foam of your cappuccino. I had one such experience in Tetouan.
Here, in Essaouira, is quite the opposite. I’ve spent hours pouring over my book and journal, sipping away at a coffee - and even a matcha latte. So, without further ado, here’s my guide to some of Essaouira’s best coffee shops - although I didn’t doubt I’ve missed a gem or two along the way. There’s only so much coffee a girl can drink…
Pumpkin
More of a bakery than a coffee shop, this cute little spot has some of the most delicious delicacies I’ve seen outside of France (where my patisserie loving heart lives). I tried the Banana Bread which was moist enough even for my picky taste in banana bread, and the Tiramisu was certainly something to write home about. With gorgeous pink interiors and an array of baked goods that’s sure to make you salivate, it’s absolutely worth a visit - make sure you go hungry, though!
Arabica
On the cheaper side, this spot is nonetheless a great option. I had an avocado toast and, while it was nothing to write home about, it was well worth its 40 dirhams (roughly £3.50). It also has an excellent selection of juices and looks right onto one of the medinas busy streets, which makes for a perfect spot to people watch and brunch away to your heart’s content.
Cafe l’esprit
An absolute hidden gem and unlike any other coffee shop I’ve ever visited, I fell in love with this place straight away. They keep their food menu simple yet delicious, but the quality of the coffee is incomparable. A sort of café littéraire mixed with a hole-in-the-wall eatery, it’s well worth the meander through the medina to locate it. Plus, the staff are super kind and accommodating, and the seating is so aesthetic and really makes the most of its unique location, with seats lining the wall of the old city. It’s slightly away from the hustle of the main streets, so is perfect to spend a few hours reading and daydreaming. My favourite coffee shop yet, I’d recommend this place with my eyes shut.
Mandala society
I loved Mandala so much I went almost every day, and then again when I visited Marrakech. A little on the pricier side (by Morocco standards, that is - for a Londoner, it would be considered reasonable!) it’s worth it for almost every single menu item. The breakfast burger makes my mouth water just thinking about it, and the chia pudding was the best I’ve had ever. The staff are so welcoming - by my second visit they were chatting to me in Arabic, asking me how my trip was going and how I was enjoying Morocco. The decor is really artistic, with books and art lining the walls, and the vibe is positively infectious. You can spot happy customers dining outside from halfway down the street. Their matcha latte isn’t too shabby either - and I’d know, having had about 6 there this week…
Picknick cafe
A Classic little coffee shop with outdoor seating, this is a great place to stop for brunch or lunch. It’s got a clean and pretty interior decor, and very good drinks options. Iced latte? Yes please. Flat white? Even better. Iced Oat Milk Matcha Latte? I’ll take two.
Sisterhood
Sisterhood is a real gem, and very different from all the others. Its shabby-chic mismatched aesthetic is immediately eye catching, and I was even more intrigued by the vintage store housed inside. I won’t even lie, I spent hours reading and shopping here, and certainly didn’t come away empty handed. The best part, though? Their végétalien toast. Im not stranger to ‘vegan’ options and their often disappointing nature, so I usually set my standards low, but I can safely say this was hands down the best vegan toast I’ve had in Morocco. Made with hummus and caramelised onion, it was moreish from the first bite, and even the bread itself was grilled or toasted to perfection. I’ve told almost every single person I met in Essaouira to head there to check it out - you’d better get there too.
Kefi coffee
A super cute little independent place that’s just been opened, they serve just black and milky coffee, but it’s well worth a drop by for a quick afternoon pick-me-up. It has a really homely vibe and provides a moment of refuge from the medina.
