Restaurant Il Mare — Restaurant in Essaouira

Went to dinner last night after suggestion from locals. This place is absolutely NOT a place locals go. This is 100% for tourists. We prefer to eat more local places but we’re told they have a great view (which they do) and good seafood (they do not).

First, let me start off by saying our server was great. He was attentive, timely, and truly felt bad when our food came and we told him we didn’t like it.

Appetizers: My friend and I split the harira soup, honestly was fantastic.

Main: My friend ordered the swordfish, I ordered steak with mussels. I had been looking for mussels for a few days so I was excited! The mussels arrived to our table cold, but also overcooked, rubbery, and absolutely no seasoning/flavor. I had my friend try just to make sure it wasn't just me. She agreed with everything I mentioned. She also said her swordfish had no flavor, and was basically inedible. This is our first experience in Morocco where the food was terrible. The steak was mediocre at best, but not terrible. We told our server about the mussels because we weren’t going to eat them. He came back with the “manager” who right away was very condescending and rude.

The manager asked what was wrong, we told her our problem with the mussels and general disappointment with the rest of the food besides the soup. Instead of saying “I’m so sorry, I hadn’t heard any previous complaints, I’ll fix it” She proceeded to tell us that essentially there’s nothing wrong with the food, and nobody else in the restaurant has any complaints, and if we come upstairs and look around we will see everyone enjoying everything. She took the mussels of the check, but prior to leaving our area, went to the table next to us and asked them, extremely loud and a bit sarcastic if they enjoyed the food as she glanced at our table, trying to make a scene, which she did.

Absolutely do not recommend this restaurant to anyone. The top floor vibe is cool if you want a drink (they have a bar- again, for tourists) and listen to music and watch the sunset. But apart from that there’s endless amount of other restaurants that are far superior and have managers who act their role. When we went upstairs to pay, the manager was sitting at a table in the back on her cell phone. Not helping the waitstaff, not checking on tables. Find another place, especially if you’re from out of town looking for authentic...

We had been trawling the beautiful town of Essaouira for a nice restaurant to end our day with, and came across Il Mare tucked away by the city wall. No menu was outside to view, so we climbed 2 flights of stairs to find one to see if it met what we were after. Seemed a bit pricey but we gave it a shot as the window view of the ocean was nice. If you don’t like horror stories, stop reading here.

We were dealt with by a rude, patronising and slightly tipsy (by the odor of him) waiter, who, even though we were the only customers on our entire floor of the restaurant, delivered our food after a 45 minute wait and was argumentative when we queried where the food was after 40 minutes had passed. The fish dish I had was oily, which again was argued by the waiter when this feedback was given. While we ate, the waiting staff gathered around the nearby counter and chatted away loudly, removing any possible ambience the same 2 songs on repeat over the tinny speaker system could have possibly provided.

Seriously, save your money (it was a complete rip-off) and your time and, let’s face it, your holiday experience and go somewhere - anywhere - better. It won’t be...

So far it is are favorite restaurant in Essaouira and maybe Morroco. Here is why ... first the location, inside the Medina, the view, the Atlantic Ocean and the Skala, just beautiful. The service is impeccable. We always eat outside but the decor is beautiful inside and the restaurant is over 3 or 4 floors. The food just amazing. I took a few times the pageau (type of white fish) made Morroco style ... out of this world. We had seafood salad as an entrance ...wow. One important thing to mention is that the price may look more expensive than other restaurants but the Il Mare is serving full plate so be careful when you are comparing the price of this restaurant with other restaurants where they will serve you small tagine for 10 $ . For the quality of food, the quality of service, the quality of the location and view, for the quantity of the food, for the large selection on the menu ... this place is amazing. We always went there for a late lunch but I do know they ate doing dinner with live local musicians, we will certainly try it. The hostess is very friendly and knows are to make people feel welcome and...