1-day itinerary

Meknes Imperial Food Day - Olives, Bab Mansour and El Hedim

Meknes, the imperial city of Sultan Moulay Ismail, is Morocco's olive capital and a calmer alternative to nearby Fes. This day threads the monumental Bab Mansour gate and El Hedim square with the olive stalls and tagines that define the local table.

City: Meknes
Length: 1 day
Style: Day-by-day eating plan

The plan, day by day

Follow it in order, morning to night — each day builds on the last.

Morning to Night - A Day in the Imperial City

1

Morning

Breakfast on msemen and mint tea at a cafe on Place el-Hedim, facing the great Bab Mansour gate.
2

Late morning

Browse the covered market off El Hedim, famous for its heaped olives, preserved lemons and spices.
3

Lunch

A kefta tagine or a chicken-and-olive tagine at a family restaurant near the square.
4

Afternoon

Visit the mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the Heri es-Souani granaries, then mint tea and pastries.
5

Evening

Dinner of a slow lamb tagine with a spread of olives and Moroccan salads.

Practical tips

Meknes is Morocco's olive capital, so the covered market's olive stalls are an essential stop.
Place el-Hedim and Bab Mansour are the city's monumental heart; base your food stops there.
Meknes is quieter and less touristy than Fes, so it is a relaxed place to eat well.
The nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis and the town of Moulay Idriss make an easy food-and-history day trip.
To arrange a guided food walk with a local host, message WhatsApp wa.me/212701664704 or call +212 701 664 704.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Meknes called the olive capital?

The plains around Meknes are prime olive country, and the city's markets are famous for their vast range of olives and olive oil, a cornerstone of the local table.

What should I eat in Meknes?

Chicken-and-olive tagine, kefta tagine, and a generous spread of the city's celebrated olives and preserved lemons, best sampled around Place el-Hedim.

Is Meknes worth visiting near Fes?

Yes. It offers imperial monuments like Bab Mansour, excellent olives and a calmer atmosphere than Fes, plus easy access to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.

Make it happen

Turn the plan into a trip — find where to eat, book a hands-on experience, or join a guided food walk.

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