One of my favourite parts of living in Essaouira for a month was slowly working my way through its cafes.
Some became regular work spots where I’d spend hours writing, others were perfect for people-watching with a coffee, and a few I visited purely because the pastries looked too good to walk past.
If you’re looking for the best cafes in Essaouira, these are the ones I’d happily return to.
📍 Open my favourite cafes in Google Maps
| Café | Best for |
|---|---|
| L’Atelier | My favourite overall & working |
| Pumpkin | Cinnamon rolls |
| Mandala Society | People watching |
| Arabicafe | Friendly local owners |
| Patachou | Fresh pastries |
| Sisterhood | Coffee & shopping |
| The Nook | Quiet coffee |
| Koozina | Breakfast |
| Café L’Esprit | Casual coffee break |
| Le Panoramique | Beach views |
My Go-To Coffee Order in Morocco
If you’re visiting Morocco, you’ll quickly notice cafes often serve nus nus as your typical white coffee.
Nus nus literally means “half half”—half espresso and half milk—and it became my default order almost everywhere. I’d occasionally order a cappuccino if it looked like a more speciality coffee shop, but if I was trying somewhere new or somewhere more local, a nus nus was usually the safer bet!
L’Atelier – Café Boutique ⭐ My Favourite
If I could only recommend one café in Essaouira, it’d be this one.
L’Atelier has a beautiful boutique feel with excellent coffee, friendly staff and a calm atmosphere that made it easy to spend a couple of hours working on my laptop (note they do have time restrictions on when they prefer no laptops).
I saw they also offer cooking classes here also! I didn’t get to try myself but it looked like a beautiful kitchen space for the class!
Perfect for: Remote work, good coffee, delicious baked goods and a relaxed morning.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin became one of my favourite breakfast stops, largely because they make an incredible cinnamon roll.
It’s also located along one of the busiest streets in the medina, making it one of the best places to simply sit outside, enjoy your coffee and watch the world wander past.
Don’t miss: The cinnamon roll.
Mandala Society
Another fantastic cafe for people-watching in the heart of the medina, right across from Pumpkin.
The atmosphere is relaxed, the coffee is consistently good, and it’s an easy place to stop while wandering through the old town.
The Nook
A stylish little cafe tucked down a side street a bit outside the medina.
It’s a lovely place just a couple of blocks back from the beach with good coffee and smoothies.
Koozina
Koozina became another regular stop during my month in Essaouira.
The food and coffee were consistently good, I loved sitting outside in the garden setting, it’s a beautiful space!
Arabicafe Medina
One of the warmest welcomes I received in Essaouira came from the owner, Ibtesam.
The hospitality here genuinely stood out, and it’s exactly the sort of small local cafe I love supporting while travelling. Sometimes it’s the people who make a place memorable just as much as the coffee.
I also loved the location since it’s upstairs above the square, perfect for people watching in peace…
Café L’Esprit
A relaxed cafe that’s ideal for a casual coffee break while exploring the medina.
It’s a groovy little space if you’re looking for somewhere to pause between sightseeing without venturing too far from the main attractions.
Sisterhood Coffee & Shop
Part cafe, part boutique, Sisterhood is a lovely space to browse while enjoying a coffee.
If you enjoy supporting smaller independent businesses while travelling, this one is worth adding to your list.
Boulangerie Pâtisserie Patachou
This bakery ended up becoming part of my daily routine simply because it was only a short walk from my apartment.
Fresh pastries were coming out constantly, making it almost impossible to walk past without stopping.
If you’re staying nearby, it’s perfect for grabbing breakfast before heading to the beach or wandering through the medina.
Le Panoramique
Technically more of a beach club than a traditional cafe, but I still found myself coming here whenever I wanted a change of scenery.
It’s right on Essaouira Beach, making it a great spot to sit with a coffee or lunch while looking out over the ocean. If you’ve spent the morning wandering the medina, it’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the sea breeze before heading back into town.
I loved coming here when I wanted to escape the busier streets and just watch the waves for a while.
Perfect for: Beach views, a relaxed lunch or coffee, and unwinding by the ocean.
Final Thoughts
Some cities are all about ticking off attractions.
Essaouira wasn’t like that for me.
Some of my favourite memories were simply wandering through the medina, grabbing a nus nus, finding a sunny table outside and spending a few hours working or watching everyday life unfold around me.
If you’re spending more than a day or two in Essaouira, I highly recommend slowing down and cafe hopping – you’ll quickly discover why it became one of my favourite places in Morocco.
Continue Planning Your Trip to Essaouira
If you’re planning your trip, these resources might also help:
📍 Is Essaouira Worth Visiting?
📍 One Month Living in Essaouira: The Slow Reset I Didn’t Plan
🛏️ My Guide on Where to Stay In Essaouira
🚗 Book your Marrakech ↔ Essaouira bus or transfer here
Alexx
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