At times, Tangier feels more European than African  — that’s not surprising given its proximity to Spain. While there are traditional local restaurants throughout town, we found that most of the fine-dining establishments favored French and international dishes. The newly recommended Villa Mabrouka hotel served the best meals we had, but we also enjoyed lunch and dinner out.

The Dining Room at Villa Mabrouka

We greatly enjoyed our over-the-top breakfasts on the veranda, but evenings in the dining room were unparalleled. Soft jazz set the scene in the mirror-paneled space, where dressed-to-impress diners lingered over candlelit dinners. The menu kept mostly to classic French and Italian dishes, plus a few Moroccan staples such as a salad of smoked eggplant and tomato and a variety of tagines. We skipped meat dishes in favor of vegetable and seafood options, starting with a soft toasted bruschetta topped with peas and mint and a refreshing yet rich salad of crisp endive and creamy Roquefort with walnuts. Next came the savory green-hued risotto primavera made with asparagus and the flaky John Dory goujons with housemade fries and a rich tartar sauce — a gourmet take on fish and chips. Once we saw the dessert menu, we were relieved we’d ordered a relatively light dinner. A slice of towering meringue cake with a side of crème anglaise was an indulgent finish. It was such a lovely setting that we dined here two nights in a row. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted.

The Dining Room at Villa Mabrouka 
Villa Mabrouka, 1 Sidi Bouknadel. Tel. (212) 666-600-488