My visit to Dar Essalam: what I saw and what I would tell a friend

My visit at a glance

Why I went

I went to Dar Essalam on a friend’s recommendation. I pay attention to atmosphere, architecture and the character of a place, and I like restaurants that let visitors discover a little of Moroccan culture and heritage.

I had already eaten at other traditional-style restaurants in Marrakech, including Ksar El Hamra and El Bahia. They share some architectural influences, but I found Dar Essalam distinctive in its overall atmosphere, its decoration and the way its different spaces come together.

To see how a night usually runs, read the evening step by step; menu and prices explains what each formula includes.

Booking and arriving

I searched online first and booked through GetYourGuide, which was among the first options I found on Google. The description gave me a reasonably clear idea of what to expect, and the booking itself was straightforward.

The entrance makes a strong first impression: walking in feels closer to entering a traditional Moroccan palace than arriving at a restaurant. Inside there is a small reception area surrounded by the dining spaces. The staff already had the details of my reservation and explained how seating works.

How seating works

Guests do not necessarily get to choose their dining room or table. According to the explanation I received at reception, priority goes to earlier reservations. Booking in advance may therefore improve your chances of a better position, but a particular table cannot be guaranteed.

If position matters to you, book early and ask about the available options when you reserve.

The dining spaces

These are the spaces I came across during the evening:

• Salle Marjan: one of the traditional dining rooms.
• Salon Kdim: another traditional room.
• La Grande Salle: the main dining room, where the musical entertainment makes the atmosphere lively.
• Bahja: another dining space.
• Douiria: a smaller, intimate area that recalls a little Moroccan riad.
• The rooftop: an additional space that is also part of the restaurant.

Our table in the Grande Salle

We were seated in the Grande Salle, right next to the musicians. For me this was an excellent position, because the music was an important part of what I had come for, and being close to the performers made the evening feel more connected.

Our waiter, Akram, was kind and welcoming. I also appreciated the warmth of Talib, the chef de rang, of Aziz, the cashier, and of Lamia, who welcomed us at the start. These are small details, but feeling welcomed by the people working there matters as much as the building.

How long it lasted, the volume and what I ate

On my visit the evening lasted almost 2 hours 45 minutes, in line with the roughly three hours given on the booking listing.

The music was rather loud, at the limit of what I would call comfortable. For a dinner show I find that normal, but expect a show rather than background music.

When I booked I chose the pack with one starter, one main course and one dessert. I had briouates to start, vegetable couscous as the main, and a pastilla in layered leaves with cream and almonds for dessert.

My overall impression

What stays with me is the whole experience rather than the idea of dinner in Marrakech: the architecture, the traditional atmosphere, the different dining spaces, the music and the hospitality. I would recommend it to visitors who want a traditional side of Marrakech in a setting inspired by Moroccan heritage.

This is my personal account of one evening. For timings, menus and prices, use the other guides on this site, which are based on the booking listing and the restaurant’s own information.

Frequently asked questions