Zahra's Grill Gastrobar by Hôtel Riad Zahra — Restaurant in Essaouira

We ordered a paella for 3 but what was provided was not suitable for human consumption. We were presented with extremely salty rice apparently soaked in soy sauce with a meager portion of sea food. A shame when you are located in seafood rich and affordable area. The pan was beautifully decorated though. On the way out of the restaurant, my wife was asked by the owner about the food. She answered simply and honestly: it was not good and we did not eat it. The response from the owner was shockingly condescending. She told my wife she didn’t like the paella because she doesn’t know what a good paella is. Not only we paid for food we could not consume but we also were insulted on the way out. Enough said, I wouldn’t recommend this place in Essaouira. There is an abundance of better choices in town.

Regarding your response below, a professional way to request feedback is at the table and not in condescending way when the customer is walking out the door. You knew there was an issue with the food because the server told you the paella was not consumed. Also, please don’t claim what you served is a paella made in a traditional way. It is an embarrassment to the Spanish cuisine which we love! Bottom line, the disrespectful manner the situation was handled is at the end what...

Restaurant inside a hotel (Riad). Services was fast, and they recommended some good wine pairing options. I was disappointed by the food and service.

We had the ocean menu. I found the food to be very greasy, too fried. Clams to start (baby clams, nothing really to chew on, very small portion), the next starter was a platter with calamari, gambas, octopus and fish briouat) to share, everything greasy. The main course was overcooked fish and the desert a flan that I didn’t finish (sorry, the taste wasn’t there).

The waiter was overly busy (I get it it’s a national holiday today (Eid), but don’t take on too many clients if the service doesn’t follow.)

We asked for lemon to squeeze on the fish and the answer was : it already comes with lemon… we said we still wanted lemon, and received half dried lime.

I left dissatisfied based on my expectations when going in. The manager was...

Hands down the best place to have seafood in Essaouira. We have been here three times over our four day stay in Essaouira. They happily organised some lobsters and monkfish for my birthday lunch after we had talked with them the night before . My partner and I live in Sydney Australia and I am a chef . The clams , octopus, and ceps causoulet is a must do, house made white anchovie are the best I have ever had. A big thank you to the whole team at Riad Zahra the service and hospitality is incredible. I would recommend this place to any lover of...