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

El Morocco Club

Just inside the gates of the kasbah, El Morocco Club lures diners with a stylish setting incorporating red leather seating and dim lighting. We were relieved to see the restaurant wasn’t just for tourists; locals and expats filled the tables around us. We started our meal with a salad of fresh arugula and savory taktouka (roasted tomatoes and bell peppers with garlic) topped with creamy burrata. Our main courses were just as good: perfectly cooked beef tenderloin with tangy béarnaise sauce and crispy french fries and a buttery saffron risotto served with a roasted fillet of John Dory and topped with lemon foam. The menu offered only a few wines by the glass, but we landed on our feet with some delicate Chardonnay from Château Roslane in the Meknes Valley. Unfortunately, the piano bar was closed for a private party. When I return to Tangier, I’ll plan to dine here on a night with live music.

El Morocco Club
Tabor Square, Kasbah. Tel. (212) 539-948-139

Nono Sea Taste

On the recommendation of a friend, we had a late lunch at Nono Sea Taste, an upscale seafood restaurant with panoramic beach views. We arrived without a reservation, and all the window tables were taken. (If it’s this popular on an off-season Tuesday afternoon, I can only imagine what it’s like here at the height of summer.) While the printed menu highlights a range of mostly French appetizers and meat-heavy dishes, a daily-changing chalkboard lists seafood mains and specials. Wanting something simple, I opted for a green salad and the lobster dumplings. Ordering a Cantonese dish at a French restaurant in Morocco sounds risky, bordering on foolhardy, but it turned out to be a fabulous idea. The dumpling wrapper was so thin as to be translucent, encasing perfectly tender lobster meat topped with fresh cilantro and spring onions and served with a sweet and zesty soy sauce.

Nono Sea Taste 
Bahia Azahar. Tel. (212) 539-306-275