5 Best Food Tours and Experiences in Fes - the Home of Fassi Cusine
- Malika
- Aug 10, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 7
Looking for the best food tours in Fes or foodie-related experiences? Discover five incredible ways to experience Fassi cuisine and culture in one of Morocco's oldest cities.
Home to one of the world’s oldest cuisines, Morocco is a deservedly popular destination for foodies and a destination I've been lucky enough to eat my way through. There are incredible culinary experiences on offer throughout the country, from fireside tagines in the Sahara Desert to cooking classes in the Marrakech medina and freshly grilled sardines at Essaouira's port.
But if there’s one city foodies shouldn't miss, it’s the “Moroccan Capital of Food”, Fes, which boasts a cuisine all its own.
Fassi cuisine is said to have originated in the city's funduqs (historic inns once used by travelling merchants) and combines cultural influences from the Amazigh, Moors, Jews and French. Over the centuries, the ingredients and cooking traditions introduced by these various groups have combined to create dishes that are distinctly “Fes”.
In this article, discover 5 of the best food tours and experiences in Fes, from hands-on cooking classes to food-focused cultural tours and authentic family dinners.
Want to learn more about visiting Fes? Check out my Ultimate Travel Guide to Fes, which includes info on getting there, the best time to visit and the top things to do in Fes.
If you're looking for affordable accommodation in Fes, discover 10 of the best budget-friendly hotels and riads here.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best private food tour in Fes
Best Fes food experience in a local home
Best foodie tour in Fes
Best professional cooking class in Fes
Best family-run cooking class in Fes
Best private food tour in Fes
Awarded the Viator Badge of Excellence for its consistently amazing reviews, this three-hour private food tour of Fes receives praise for its knowledgeable and endearing guide. It begins at Bab Boujloud gate, where Fatima will be waiting to whisk you away on a culinary journey through the city's streets and alleyways.
As you wander through the bustling medina, she will provide a fascinating glimpse into the local food culture, taking you to see traditional wood-fired ovens and leading you down hidden backroads that most tourists never discover. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to sample an array of Moroccan dishes, including specialties you might have never heard of before.
Throughout this Fes food tour, Fatima will share insights into the history and preparation of these beloved dishes, allowing you to develop a deeper appreciation for Morocco’s culinary traditions. Her personable nature and the ease with which she converses only add to the experience.
If you’re looking for a captivating culinary adventure with lots of cultural and historical insights peppered in, then this Fes food tour is for you.
"Fatima was our guide and she was wonderful - very knowledgeable and so accommodating!” - Mehrnoosh (read more reviews here)
Best Fes food experience in a local home
If you’re all about authentic cultural experiences and escaping tourist traps, then this highly-rated Fes food tour is for you. Over the course of three hours, you’ll be invited into a local home to share an incredible Moroccan meal featuring tagines, couscous and pastilla, as well as a local version of apple pie.
While the food is delicious, it’s the experience of sharing a meal with a Moroccan family that is the standout here - you can even help Najiya prepare some of the dishes in the kitchen. It’s an opportunity to enjoy Morocco's legendary hospitality and ask any questions you might have about life in this part of the world.
The reviews for this Fes food experience speak for themselves (they’re five-star all the way) and you couldn’t ask for a more welcoming family. Previous participants always comment on how freely the conversation flowed, giving the sense of being in the home of close friends. And the home-cooked cuisine - it’s something you just can’t experience in a restaurant!
"Abdou and his family gave phenomenal customer service. The food was unforgettable, conversation was delightful whether I was trying to speak English or Moroccan Arabic. Anyone who is trying to have an authentic cultural experience I highly recommend this dinner.” (read more reviews here)
Best Fes food tours and experiences
Best foodie tour in Fes
If you want to explore some of the top cultural and historical sights in Fes AND sample street food along the way, then this guided tour is for you. It includes a visit to the Royal Palace, the Jewish Quarter and the Jnane Sbil Gardens, as well as a ceramic school where you’ll learn about the art of making traditional mosaic tiles.
As you’re guided through the narrow laneways of Fes el Bali, you’ll get to sample everything from dried meats to spiced sardines and delicious pastries. The tour then continues to an authentic tapestry and weaving workshop, where you'll witness the ancient process of creating Moroccan rugs. You’ll also visit the impressive Chouara Tannery, one of the largest and oldest of its kind in Africa, and marvel at the 14th-century Bou Inania Madrasa.
During this full-day cultural tour of Fes, you’ll stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant to savour local Fassi dishes - for me, this is a highlight of the experience! Additionally, you'll visit several cooperatives where beautiful Moroccan handicrafts are created.
All in all, this Fes foodie tour provides a wonderful overview of what makes the city such a fascinating destination, from its historic treasures to its cultural wonders and gastronomic specialties.
"Guide was knowledgeable and was open to our suggestions. The food tastings were spot on for the tour.” - Jennifer (read more reviews here)
Best food tours and experiences in Fes
Best professional cooking class in Fes
Situated near Bab Boujloud, Palais Bab Sahra is a renowned culinary destination in Fes el Bali. It not only runs highly-rated cooking classes but serves gourmet meals in the most exquisite setting.
If you sign up for one of Palais Bab Sahra's small-group Fes cooking classes, you’ll discover the rich flavours, aromatic spices and culinary traditions of Morocco under the tutelage of their experienced chefs.
This Fes food experience begins with a guided tour of the local souk, where you’ll have the opportunity to handpick the freshest ingredients and seasonal produce to use in your dishes. Back at the restaurant's state-of-the-art kitchen, you’ll learn how to masterfully prepare Moroccan classics such as tagines and couscous while discovering the cultural significance of these beloved dishes.
Whether you opt for a lunch or a dinner session, this Fes cooking class culminates with a shared feast, accompanied by the lively conversation and camaraderie of your fellow participants. Palais Bab Sahra's small-group cooking classes consistently receive rave reviews, not only for the experience itself but the gorgeous setting.
**Top tip**
If you’re doing a cooking class at Palais Bab Sahra, don’t miss a visit to the rooftop terrace to take in the panoramic medina views!
"This was by far the best cooking class we have taken anywhere.” - Lyle (read more reviews here)
Best Fes food tours and experiences
Best family-run cooking class in Fes
For many travellers, the best experiences are not so much tours but genuine cultural connections and that’s exactly what this cooking class in Fes offers. It’s led by Fatma and her grandmother, who really go above and beyond to offer a welcoming and immersive experience while ensuring you get your hands dirty in the kitchen.
After visiting a local market to source your ingredients, the cooking class itself takes place in a rooftop kitchen, where you'll be treated to wonderful views across Fes. Over the course of five hours, you’ll have the opportunity to make a range of salads, pastries and your choice of main dish, as well as fresh bread, which is taken to be cooked in a community oven.
Far more than just being one of the best cooking classes in Fes, this is an opportunity to forge genuine connections with locals and gain a deeper appreciation for the culinary culture that is so central to Moroccan identity. It’s perfect if you want an intimate Fes food experience in a relaxed family setting - these really are warm and kind people you’ll never forget!
"We absolutely loved this! It was wonderful to have a grandma again, if only for a few hours." - Shelley (read more reviews here)