List of the Best Street Food Dishes in Fes – 12 Best Recipes

Fes, the spiritual and cultural heart of Morocco, is a city known for its centuries-old medina, vibrant artisan scene, and, most deliciously, its irresistible street food. From the smoky aromas of sizzling brochettes to the comforting warmth of a bowl of bissara, street food dishes in Fes are an unforgettable part of any travel experience.

Street food in Morocco isn’t just about grabbing a quick bite, it’s a social tradition, deeply woven into everyday life. Whether you’re exploring the narrow alleyways of Fes el Bali or wandering near the bustling gates of Bab Boujloud, you’ll find locals gathered around food stalls, sharing stories and flavors passed down through generations.

In this guide, we’ll take you on a flavorful journey through the best street food dishes in Fes, what they are, where to find them, and how to enjoy them like a local. From iconic snacks to hearty meals, these street delicacies capture the spirit of Fes and its rich culinary heritage.

What Makes Fes Street Food Unique?

The street food dishes in Fes are as diverse and historic as the city itself. Influenced by centuries of cultural exchange, Fes boasts a blend of Arab, Berber, Andalusian, and Jewish culinary traditions. This rich mix of influences gives Fassi cuisine a distinct identity that sets it apart from other Moroccan cities.

One of the key features of street food in Fes is the masterful use of local spices and age-old cooking techniques. You’ll find cumin, paprika, cinnamon, saffron, and preserved lemon giving each dish depth and character. Many vendors use charcoal grills, clay pots, or handmade flatbreads to prepare dishes right in front of your eyes, offering both a sensory and cultural experience.

What also makes the street food dishes in Fes special is the setting. Most food stalls are tucked into the medina’s labyrinthine streets or set up in lively markets like Place Rcif or around the University of Al Quaraouiyine. Here, food isn’t just consumed, it’s shared, discussed, and celebrated.

Whether you’re sampling a crispy maakouda or sipping snail soup under a mosaic-tiled archway, you’ll quickly discover that street food in Fes isn’t just a meal, it’s a window into the soul of the city.

12 Top Street Food Dishes You Must Try in Fes

If you’re looking to truly experience the culture of Morocco, you must taste the street food dishes in Fes. These 12 local favorites are not just delicious, they tell stories of heritage, flavor, and community.

Maakouda (Fried Potato Cakes)

If you stroll through the medina of Fes around lunchtime, you’ll likely spot vendors frying up golden discs of goodness, maakouda. These savory potato cakes are a staple among the most loved street food dishes in Fes, offering a perfect blend of crispy texture and soft, flavorful filling.

Made from mashed potatoes, garlic, parsley, cumin, and sometimes a hint of turmeric, maakouda is formed into small patties and deep-fried until golden brown. The result is a crunchy outer shell with a creamy, spiced potato interior. While delicious on its own, many locals enjoy maakouda stuffed into khobz (traditional Moroccan bread) with a spoonful of harissa or grilled green peppers for an added kick.

In Fes, maakouda is both an affordable and filling choice, ideal for travelers on a budget who still want to experience authentic local cuisine.

📍 Where to try it: Look for street vendors around Bab Boujloud and Place Rcif.
🕒 When to eat it: Best enjoyed as a snack or quick lunch.

2. Harira (Traditional Moroccan Soup)

No list of street food dishes in Fes would be complete without the iconic harira, a nourishing Moroccan soup that’s deeply tied to family and tradition. Although it’s famously eaten to break the fast during Ramadan, harira is available year-round in Fes, especially in the evenings when the city winds down.

This rich, tomato-based soup features lentils, chickpeas, vermicelli noodles, and tender bits of lamb or beef. It’s flavored with a medley of spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric, giving it a hearty, complex flavor. Fassi harira is known to be thicker and more intensely seasoned than versions found in other cities, making it a local favorite.

Harira is typically served with slices of lemon, sweet dates, and chebakia (honey-soaked sesame pastries), striking a delicious balance between sweet and savory.

📍 Where to try it: Found in evening food stalls, especially near Rcif and old medina entrances.
🕒 When to eat it: Perfect for dinner or a comforting nighttime snack.

3. Bissara (Fava Bean Soup)

One of the most underrated yet soulful street food dishes in Fes is bissara, a velvety soup made from dried fava beans. Popular among locals for breakfast, especially in colder months, bissara is the ultimate comfort food, served steaming hot and topped with a generous swirl of olive oil.

What makes bissara unique is its simplicity and the way it’s eaten. Vendors typically serve it in deep bowls with a side of crusty bread. Diners sprinkle cumin, paprika, and sometimes chili flakes on top before scooping it up with hunks of bread. Despite its humble ingredients, bissara is highly flavorful and incredibly filling.

It’s also one of the most budget-friendly dishes you can find in Fes, making it a favorite among students, workers, and anyone needing a warm start to their day.

📍 Where to try it: Small morning cafés and stalls around Seffarine and Bab Ftouh.
🕒 When to eat it: Early morning breakfast or mid-morning snack.

Ready to Taste the Real Flavors of Fes?

Join a guided street food tour and dive into the city’s most authentic street food dishes in Fes! Explore bustling markets, savor hidden gems, and experience the vibrant culture bite by bite. Don’t just visit Fes—taste it!

Book your unforgettable street food adventure today!

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4. Msemmen (Layered Flatbread)

Msemmen is a classic Moroccan flatbread that holds a special place in the lineup of street food dishes in Fes. Made from simple dough folded and layered with oil and semolina, then pan-fried until crispy, msemmen is both a snack and a meal, depending on how it’s served.

In Fes, you’ll find both savory and sweet versions of msemmen. The sweet version is drizzled with honey and paired with mint tea, while savory variations are often stuffed with onions, ground meat, or a spicy harissa blend. Some vendors even offer cheese-stuffed msemmen, cooked to crispy perfection on hot metal grills right before your eyes.

The bread is incredibly flaky, with a satisfying chewiness that makes it a favorite street-side breakfast or afternoon bite.

📍 Where to try it: Found at stalls in Talaa Kebira and street corners near Boujloud.
🕒 When to eat it: Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or an early evening snack.

5. Khlea (Preserved Meat)

Khlea, sometimes spelled khlii, is one of the most distinctive and traditional street food dishes in Fes. This rich, preserved meat is a specialty of the Fassi kitchen, made by marinating strips of beef or lamb in a blend of spices, then slowly drying and preserving them in rendered fat. The result is intensely flavorful meat with a long shelf life, ideal for quick cooking and powerful flavor.

In Fes, khlea is most often eaten at breakfast or brunch, fried lightly and then scrambled with eggs to create a robust, protein-packed meal. The combination of savory, spiced meat and fluffy eggs is served with warm bread and mint tea for a hearty local start to the day.

Its preparation method is centuries old and speaks to the city’s deep-rooted culinary traditions. Khlea is not something tourists find easily elsewhere in Morocco, making it a truly authentic Fassi delicacy worth trying.

📍 Where to try it: Traditional breakfast cafés in the medina or local family-run eateries.
🕒 When to eat it: Best enjoyed in the morning or early afternoon.

6. Brochettes (Grilled Meat Skewers)

When wandering the medina of Fes, the mouthwatering smell of sizzling meat on charcoal will eventually guide you to a brochette stand. These grilled meat skewers are among the most accessible and satisfying street food dishes in Fes, perfect for meat lovers and hungry explorers.

Brochettes can be made from tender lamb, spiced chicken, or even marinated liver. The meat is skewered and grilled over open flames until charred and juicy. Vendors often serve brochettes with fresh khobz, a small dish of cumin salt, harissa, and grilled vegetables. Locals break off pieces of bread and use them to pull the meat from the skewers—no forks needed!

Part of what makes brochettes so popular is the social element. You’ll often find groups of friends or families gathered around tiny tables, sharing plates of freshly grilled skewers, chatting and laughing as smoke curls into the medina air.

📍 Where to try it: Food stalls along Talaa Sghira, near Bab Boujloud, or in local souks.
🕒 When to eat it: Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a quick bite on the go.

7. Snail Soup (Babbouche)

A true Fassi delicacy, babbouche (snail soup) is one of the most iconic and adventurous street food dishes in Fes. While it might seem unusual to visitors, it’s a beloved local snack that’s deeply rooted in tradition and even believed to have medicinal benefits.

Snails are slowly simmered in a rich, spiced broth made with more than 15 herbs and spices, such as anise, thyme, mint, pepper, and cloves. The result is a warming, aromatic soup that’s as flavorful as it is unique. Locals extract the snails with toothpicks, slurp up the spicy broth, and chat with the vendor, turning it into a social and sensory ritual.

In addition to being a flavorful dish, babbouche is said to help with digestion and colds, making it a go-to snack during cooler evenings in Fes.

📍 Where to try it: Popular nighttime stalls in Place Rcif and near Boujloud.
🕒 When to eat it: Best enjoyed in the evening or at night.

8. Sfenj (Moroccan Donuts)

If there’s one sweet treat that captures the essence of Moroccan mornings, it’s sfenj. These fluffy, deep-fried donuts are a favorite breakfast item among locals and an essential part of the street food dishes in Fes.

Made from a simple dough of flour, water, and yeast (with no sugar in the mix), sfenj is hand-shaped into rings and fried until golden and crisp on the outside. Inside, they remain airy and slightly chewy. You can enjoy them plain, dipped in sugar, or even drizzled with honey. Served hot and fresh from the oil, they pair beautifully with a glass of mint tea.

You’ll often see locals lining up early in the morning to grab sfenj fresh out of the fryer, wrapped in brown paper, still warm to the touch.

📍 Where to try it: Morning stalls near Bab Ftouh, Seffarine, or local bakeries in the medina.
🕒 When to eat it: Breakfast or morning snack.

9. Stuffed Camel Spleen (Tihal)

For adventurous eaters, stuffed camel spleen, locally known as tihal, is one of the most intriguing and rare street food dishes in Fes. Though not for the faint of heart, tihal is a beloved delicacy among locals who crave bold, rich flavors.

The preparation is a true culinary art: camel spleen is carefully opened and stuffed with a flavorful mixture of minced meat, camel fat, spices (like cumin, paprika, and coriander), garlic, and sometimes chopped liver. Once filled, it’s sewn shut and slow-cooked or baked until tender. Vendors then slice the cooked spleen into thick rounds and either grill or reheat them before serving inside fresh bread.

The flavor is intense, earthy, and smoky, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes it an unforgettable experience. Tihal is also known for its high protein content and is considered a delicacy passed down from Berber traditions.

📍 Where to try it: Butcher stalls and traditional sandwich vendors near Rcif or Bab Ftouh.
🕒 When to eat it: Late morning or early afternoon.

10. Fresh Juices & Avocado Milkshake

Street food in Fes isn’t only about savory dishes—you’ll find refreshing beverages too, especially during warm months. Fresh fruit juices and the famed avocado milkshake are among the healthiest and most satisfying street food dishes in Fes.

Juice stalls are a common sight in busy areas like Talaa Kebira or Bab Boujloud, where vendors display piles of seasonal fruits, pomegranates, oranges, apples, bananas, and watermelon. These juices are squeezed or blended on the spot, served cold, and sometimes mixed with sugar or a hint of orange blossom water.

The avocado milkshake (jus d’avocat) is particularly popular in Fes. It’s a thick, creamy blend of ripe avocado, milk, sugar, and often almonds or dates. It’s not just a drink, it’s a meal in itself, packed with nutrients and flavor.

📍 Where to try it: Juice stalls along the main medina roads or next to fresh produce markets.
🕒 When to drink it: Midday refreshment or as a post-snack pick-me-up.

11. Fakkas (Moroccan Biscotti)

Fakkas are crunchy, twice-baked Moroccan biscuits that are a popular sweet treat sold by weight in many spice and pastry stalls throughout the medina. Though often enjoyed at home, they’re also sold as ready-to-eat street snacks, making them a sweet addition to the list of street food dishes in Fes.

Made with flour, eggs, sugar, and a variety of mix-ins like sesame seeds, almonds, or anise seeds, fakkas are baked into long logs, sliced into thin rounds, and baked again until crisp. Their satisfying crunch and subtle sweetness make them a perfect snack on the go.

In Fes, you’ll find fakkas in several varieties, some made with raisins, others dusted with sugar, and some flavored with orange zest or rosewater. Locals often pair them with mint tea, especially during family gatherings or street-side tea breaks.

📍 Where to try it: Pastry shops and dried goods vendors in Talaa Kebira or near Boujloud.
🕒 When to eat it: Afternoon or as a sweet travel snack.

12. Rziza (Coiled Fried Dough)

Among the lesser-known treasures of Fassi cuisine is rziza, a beautifully coiled fried pastry made of ultra-thin strands of dough twisted into a bird’s nest shape. This intricate and eye-catching delicacy is both a culinary and visual delight, making it a standout among street food dishes in Fes.

Crafting rziza is a labor-intensive process: the dough is stretched and folded into thread-like strands, then spiraled into a coil and deep-fried until golden. Once cooked, it’s often served warm with honey drizzled on top, or sprinkled with powdered sugar for a sweet, crunchy treat. Some variations are enjoyed plain, highlighting the pastry’s texture.

In Fes, finding rziza is a special treat, as only certain vendors specialize in it. It’s often reserved for special occasions or weekends when local families and visitors are out enjoying the medina.

📍 Where to try it: Morning pastry stalls or specialty vendors near traditional bakeries in the old city.
🕒 When to eat it: Breakfast or late afternoon with tea.

Best Places to Try Street Food in Fes

Finding the best street food dishes in Fes isn’t just about what you eat—it’s also about where you eat it. The medina of Fes is a labyrinth of flavors, scents, and history, and knowing the right places to explore can make all the difference in your culinary adventure. Here are the top spots where locals and savvy travelers go to enjoy authentic street food in the city:

1. Boujloud Square (Bab Boujloud)

Bab Boujloud, the famous Blue Gate of Fes, is more than just a photogenic entry point—it’s a central hub for some of the most accessible and delicious street food dishes in Fes. From here, you’ll find vendors grilling meat skewers, frying fresh sfenj, and selling sweet treats like fakkas.

By day, the square is bustling with tourists and locals alike; by night, it transforms into a lively outdoor kitchen where the scent of brochettes and maakouda fills the air.

📌 Must-try nearby: Maakouda sandwiches, grilled brochettes, sfenj.

2. Rcif Market (Place Rcif)

Place Rcif is the beating heart of the medina and one of the best spots to experience traditional Fassi street food. This busy square connects several important streets and alleys, making it a crossroads for daily commerce—and delicious food.

Here, you’ll find a wide variety of options, from hot harira served in steaming bowls, to snail soup bubbling in large copper pots. Vendors are generous with samples, and the area is known for its mix of locals and travelers enjoying quick, satisfying meals on the go.

📌 Must-try nearby: Harira, babbouche (snail soup), fresh fruit juices, stuffed spleen sandwiches.

3. Around the University of Al Quaraouiyine

Deep in the medina, near the oldest continually operating university in the world—Al Quaraouiyine—you’ll discover some of the most authentic and hidden street food dishes in Fes. This area is frequented by students and professors, making it ideal for finding affordable, flavorful dishes.

While walking the narrow lanes, you’ll stumble upon vendors serving steaming bowls of bissara, fresh khlea omelets, and warm msemmen, often prepared right in front of you.

📌 Must-try nearby: Bissara, khlea with eggs, sweet or savory msemmen.

4. Join a Street Food Tour with Locals

For first-time visitors or foodies who want to dive deep into the culinary culture of Fes, a street food tour with a local guide is an unbeatable option. These tours help you navigate the maze-like medina, discover hidden gems, and taste dishes you might otherwise miss—like rziza or freshly baked camel spleen sandwiches.

Many guides are born-and-raised Fassis who can explain the history behind each dish, take you to family-run stalls, and ensure you’re eating at the cleanest and most authentic places.

📌 Benefits: Insider access, local knowledge, hidden recipes, and no tourist traps.

Modern Interpretations and Global Influence

Today, Moroccan pottery and mosaic are being reimagined by contemporary designers, architects, and interior decorators around the world. From luxury hotels in Dubai to boho-chic apartments in New York, Moroccan tiles and ceramics have become global design staples.

Modern artisans are also collaborating with architects to integrate traditional techniques into minimalist or industrial settings, proving that these ancient crafts are as relevant as ever.

Whether it’s a tiled swimming pool or a handmade mosaic backsplash, Moroccan design adds texture, story, and soul to any modern space.

Is It Safe to Eat Street Food in Fes?

Eating street food in Fes can be a fantastic way to experience authentic Moroccan cuisine and culture, but safety is a common concern for many travelers.

The good news: Street food in Fes is generally safe, especially if you follow some simple precautions. Many street vendors have been serving locals for generations, and their high customer turnover usually means the food is fresh and prepared daily. Popular stalls with lots of local customers are often the safest bets.

However, to stay safe:

Always choose busy stalls where the food is freshly cooked in front of you.
Avoid raw or undercooked dishes if you’re unsure about hygiene.
Stick to bottled water and avoid ice cubes unless you know they’re made from purified water.
Wash or sanitize your hands before eating, if possible.
If you have a sensitive stomach, start slowly with small portions.

By using common sense and paying attention to these tips, you can enjoy the rich flavors of Fes’s street food culture without worry. Many travelers find eating street food one of the most memorable and rewarding parts of their trip!

Tips for Enjoying Street Food in Fes Safely

Exploring the vibrant world of street food dishes in Fes is an unforgettable adventure, but it’s important to stay safe and comfortable while you indulge. Here are some essential tips to ensure your street food experience is delicious and worry-free:

1. Look for Crowded Stalls

In Fes, a busy food stall is usually a good sign. High turnover means the food is fresh and popular among locals, which reduces the chance of stale or poorly handled ingredients. Follow the crowds—it’s often where you’ll find the best and safest eats.

2. Drink Bottled Water

To avoid any stomach issues, always opt for bottled water, which is widely available throughout the city. Avoid tap water or ice cubes from unknown sources, as street vendors might use non-purified water.

3. Ask Locals for Recommendations

Fassis are proud of their culinary heritage and happy to share their favorite spots. Don’t hesitate to ask shopkeepers, your riad staff, or even fellow diners for their top street food recommendations. Insider tips can lead you to hidden gems you won’t find in guidebooks.

4. Mind the Spice Levels

Moroccan food often features bold spices, and Fes is no exception. If you’re sensitive to heat, ask vendors to go easy on the chili or harissa. Many dishes can be customized to suit your palate, so speak up to enjoy the flavors without discomfort.

Final Thoughts

From sizzling skewers and hearty soups to unique sweets and bold meats, the street food dishes in Fes offer something for every palate. Each dish is more than just food, it’s a bite of history, culture, and tradition that brings you closer to the heart of Moroccan life.