Street food & casual
Best Orange Juice and Smoothies in Marrakech
Few things say Marrakech like a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice from the carts on the Jemaa el-Fna, cheap, cold and bright against the heat. Morocco grows superb citrus and tropical fruit, and beyond the famous orange carts the city has a rich culture of fresh juices and thick fruit smoothies. Here is how to drink the best of it and what to order through the seasons.
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- 7 min
- Guide
- Street food & casual
- Updated
- 19 July 2026
At a glance
- Fresh orange juice from the Jemaa el-Fna carts is a Marrakech ritual, cheap and cold.
- Morocco grows excellent citrus, so the juice is genuinely superb.
- Avocado smoothies and mixed-fruit blends are local favourites.
- Ask for it freshly squeezed with no added sugar or water.
The orange-juice ritual
The rows of orange-juice carts on the Jemaa el-Fna are a Marrakech institution, squeezing fresh juice to order for a few dirhams a glass all day and into the night. Morocco is a major citrus producer, and in season the oranges are sweet and fragrant, making this some of the best-value fresh juice anywhere. It is the perfect antidote to the heat and the dust, and watching the carts work is part of the theatre of the great square.
A couple of small precautions keep it perfect: ask for it squeezed fresh in front of you rather than from a pre-poured jug, and request it without added sugar or water if you want the pure fruit. The carts compete hard, so prices are low and quality is easy to find.
Beyond oranges: the smoothie scene
Marrakech's fresh-drink culture goes well beyond citrus, drawing on the country's abundant fruit and a local love of thick, milky smoothies.
- Avocado smoothie: a Moroccan favourite — blended avocado with milk, sugar and sometimes almonds, rich and dessert-like.
- Orange and mixed citrus: the classic, plus blends with grapefruit or lemon.
- Banana and date shakes: thick, sweet and filling, a meal in a glass.
- Seasonal fruit: pomegranate in autumn, prickly pear in summer, strawberries in spring.
- Panaché: a mixed-fruit smoothie layering several fruits and juices in one glass.
How to get the best glass
For the freshest, purest drink, favour busy stalls and juice bars with high turnover, watch your juice being made, and specify no added sugar or water. Seasonality is your friend — the sweetest oranges are in the cooler months, while summer brings prickly pear and melon — so ask what fruit is best right now. The dedicated juice bars in Gueliz and the health cafés offer more elaborate blends and cleaner setups, while the Jemaa el-Fna carts win on price and atmosphere.
Fresh juice is a cornerstone of the city's healthier eating — see the healthy and organic restaurants guide — and the juice carts are a classic stop on the medina food-tour route.
Frequently asked questions
Is the orange juice on Jemaa el-Fna safe to drink?
Generally yes, if you choose well. Ask for juice squeezed fresh in front of you rather than from a pre-poured jug that may have sat out, favour busy carts with high turnover, and request it without added water. Morocco grows excellent citrus, so a freshly squeezed glass from a busy cart is one of the great cheap, refreshing pleasures of the city.
What is a Moroccan avocado smoothie?
It is a thick, sweet blended drink of avocado with milk, sugar and sometimes almonds or dates, treated as a treat or dessert rather than a savoury drink. Rich and filling, the avocado smoothie is a beloved Moroccan favourite found at juice bars across Marrakech, and it surprises many visitors who think of avocado only as a savoury ingredient.
How much should fresh orange juice cost in Marrakech?
It is one of the cheapest treats in the city — just a few dirhams a glass from the Jemaa el-Fna carts, which compete hard on price. Juice bars in Gueliz and health cafés charge more for elaborate blends and cleaner setups. Wherever you buy, ask for it freshly squeezed with no added sugar or water for the purest, best-value glass.
What seasonal juices should I try in Marrakech?
Let the season guide you: oranges are sweetest in the cooler months, while summer brings prickly pear and melon, autumn brings pomegranate, and spring brings strawberries. Ask the stall what fruit is best right now. Beyond citrus, try the avocado smoothie, banana and date shakes, and the mixed-fruit panaché that layers several fruits in one glass.