Fish Market — Local services in Essaouira

Restaurant is a SCAM ... We were looking for a more local expirience to eat some fresh fish/seafood. There is a simple seafood place in the corner of the market, which serves the locals as well as some tourists. We were seated and were shown some fresh caught fish/seafood and asked to choose. As there was no MENU with prices (first red flag) we chose the food and asked for the price (in English and French), which the waiter seemed to overhear. He already brought us some bread, mini salad and fries (without us even ordering it).We asked again for the price and got the answer yes yes (seemed as the waiter didnt suddenly know any foreign language). We had to ask the Chef directly as he then seemed to understand better english and he got us the price of 230 MAD as he calculated the 2x fries, 2 x salad, 1 x fish and a small amount of shrimps. As the fish was already cut and cleaned we then only took the fish, which still cost us 160,00 MAD. The fish tasted good and all in all the food preparation was OK. Unfortunately for this price and service (the food was served on dirty plastic plates and we got normal wrapping paper instead of napkins) the price was a SCAM. In the evening we ate at a real reastaurant where we payed less, for a much better service and food. I guess...

Now I know that I’m not in England. This is North Africa. So standards are different. I accept this. However, I have to say that unrefrigerated fish of questionable freshness is only a recipe for tummy troubles. Also, ‘tourist’ prices prevail here. For what you pay for the fish, you could get a meal in a restaurant. But if you want a wider selection of fish than is served in the local eateries then this place is an option. HOWEVER. Do NOT opt to have it cooked on site. The ‘restaurants’ around the edge of the market are dirty, smell of old fish, are gloomy and will try their hardest to rip you off. You’re much better off walking down to the fishing port. Then take your catch to Chez Karim (which is on the Main Street opposite the fish market) find it on Google maps under Chez Simo & Abdelkrim. Those guys will do a fantastic job of cooking it for you. You get bread, Moroccan salad and a drink for €3-4. Don’t be put off by the fact you’re the only tourist in the place. See...

I had a fish feast for 65dh, amazing! Authentic experience but not stressy: I really enjoyed my meal. I read some reviews about people who paid exorbitant prices... I was actually asked expensive prices in the beginning, so I changed stall and went in one in the back were locals were buying. If you are looking for European hygienic standards you are in the wrong place - but it still acceptable. Of course first you ask the price (not per Kg like in Europe, but something likr "how many sardins for 10dh?"), and if they refuse to tell it, you don't buy. I managed to buy a good amount for fish for 1 person (sardins, prawns and a bigger fish) for 35dh, which sounds like a very fair non touristy price! Then I went to a grill where I saw local people: grill was 10dh, olives 5dh, french fries 10dh and bread 5dh. Amazing. Although taste wasn't unforgettable (fish was superfresh but it's cooked just grilled and salt, maybe a bit dry), I totally recommend...