You will be well fed on board, but a port day in Morocco is a chance to taste something you cannot get on the ship: slow-cooked tagine, flaky msemen straight from the pan, amlou with fresh bread and a glass of sweet mint tea. The good news is that you do not need a whole day to eat well in Agadir.
This guide, written by our local team in Agadir, lists what to try, how to fit food into a few hours ashore and a few simple tips for eating well on a port day.
What to taste in Agadir
Classics of Moroccan cooking
- Tagine: meat, chicken, fish or vegetables slow-cooked in the conical clay pot that gives the dish its name.
- Couscous: steamed semolina with vegetables and meat; traditionally a Friday family meal.
- Harira: a rich soup of tomatoes, lentils and chickpeas.
- Bastilla: a flaky pastry pie that mixes savoury and sweet.
- Briouats: small crispy pastries with savoury or sweet fillings.
- Refissa: shredded msemen with chicken, lentils and a spiced broth, a dish often made for special occasions.
Flavours of the Souss region
- Amlou: a spread of argan oil, almonds and honey, a speciality of the Souss region around Agadir. Delicious on bread at breakfast or with tea.
- Argan oil with bread: culinary argan oil, made from roasted kernels, has a nutty taste and is used for dipping.
- Fresh fish: Agadir is an important fishing port, and simple grilled fish and seafood are local favourites.
Everyday snacks and drinks
- Msemen: square, layered pancakes, eaten with honey or butter, or with a savoury filling.
- Mint tea: green tea with fresh mint, usually sweet; it is a sign of hospitality, so accept a glass if you can; you can always ask for less sugar.
- Fresh juices: orange and seasonal fruit juices are easy to find in cafés.
Three ways to eat well on a port day
1. A guided food tour
The easiest way to taste a lot in a short time. Our authentic food tour in Agadir runs in a small group and includes more than ten tastings, from street food to classics such as refissa, bastilla, harira and briouats, with a guide who explains the stories behind the dishes. Fresh juices and Moroccan tea are included, and gluten-free options are available on request.
2. A cooking class
If you would rather cook than just taste, a class lets you shop for ingredients and prepare a tagine and mint tea yourself, then eat what you made. See the Moroccan cooking class from Agadir, or the cooking class with a market tour, which starts with a guided visit to Souk El Had to choose spices and fresh produce (Souk El Had is usually closed on Mondays; our Souk El Had guide for cruise passengers has more on the market).
3. A relaxed lunch with your tour
On a city tour or a countryside trip, a simple lunch stop can be part of the day. Paradise Valley, for example, includes a Berber-style tagine lunch on our tour. Ask your guide for a recommendation that fits your schedule.
Whichever you choose, our tours are planned around your ship's published schedule. Check the tour page for the current itinerary and duration, compare it with your hours ashore, and remember that being back on board on time is the passenger's responsibility.
Tips for eating well on a port day
- Drink bottled water and be careful with ice in places you do not know.
- Choose busy places, where food is cooked fresh and turnover is high.
- Tell us about allergies and diets when you book a food tour or cooking class.
- Carry a little cash in dirhams: small cafés and snack stalls usually do not take cards. Tours themselves are paid online in advance by card or PayPal.
- During Ramadan, many local cafés may be closed or quieter during the day. Places used to visitors usually stay open, but check with us before your call.
- Taking food back on board: cruise lines often restrict bringing food onto the ship. Check your ship's rules before buying anything to take back.
For tipping and money in general, see what to wear, bring and pay with on a Moroccan shore day. For distances, taxis and the port itself, see our Agadir cruise port guide.
Hungry for Morocco? Book the authentic food tour or a Moroccan cooking class, browse all Agadir shore excursions, or send us your ship name and date. When you book, give us your ship and date: pickup at the Port of Agadir cruise terminal is available for the food tour too, and your driver waits with a name sign. Tours are paid online by card or PayPal.
Frequently asked questions
What is the one dish I should try in Agadir?
A tagine is the classic choice. If you can, also try amlou, the local spread of argan oil, almonds and honey, with fresh bread and mint tea.
Can I fit a food tour into a port day?
Yes, if your call is long enough. Check the tour duration on the tour page against your hours ashore, and tell us your ship and date when booking so the tour is planned around your ship's published schedule.
Are vegetarian or gluten-free options available?
Vegetable tagines and vegetable couscous are common. Gluten-free options are available on our food tour; tell us about any diet or allergy when you book.
Is street food safe to eat?
Use common sense: choose busy stalls, food cooked in front of you and bottled water. On a food tour, your guide chooses places locals trust.
