Il Giardino — Restaurant in Hassan حسان

To preface this review, I’m American and I was craving pasta and pizza so I found this place on google. My husband is Moroccan from Rabat, hence, why I’m here. This place is a bit hidden so don’t be confused when you don’t see it right away. It’s super cute next to the Italian cultural center I believe.

We were seated right away and our request to switch tables was accommodated as there were mosquitos outside so we preferred the inside. It’s not air conditioned but wasn’t too hot inside. The service was very good, servers were friendly, and quick. The chef is Italian from Rome. We asked for his recommendations and ordered based on that. We ordered fried calamari. This was good and came with lemon. I don’t know if it’s the American in me but I would’ve loved more salt which I did add as it was available at the table and a dipping sauce or two like aioli and marinara. That is how I’m used to it in America but I can see how that might not be authentic. We also ordered the ravioli Al limone and tagliatelle frutti di mare and both were delicious. Again, the American in me would’ve loved to top it off with freshly grated parm cheese lol. We also ordered two pizzas the pizza Bella Napoli which I added capers too. This was my favorite out of everything I ordered, and then the pizza alla parmigiana which was good but not amazing. I would’ve added parm cheese.

I haven’t tried other Italian restaurants in Rabat, but I feel like if you’re looking for authentic Italian food in Rabat, I highly recommend trying this out. I’d...

I had lunch there today, I am originally from Rabat but had never heard of it, apparently this restaurant opened 11 years ago. It is not bad, we ordered grilled vegetables for 2. the 1 spaghetti carbonara, and a diavolo pizza. The vegetables (antipasta) were soso, I expected more than 3 pieces of eggplant, 3 pieces of tomato, 3 pieces of zucchini 1/2 a potato cut in 8 pieces some shredded lettuce and oil and vinegar on the side...I was expecting mushrooms, tomato confit, olives, etc... The carbonara was for novices, no guanciale, just some form of low grade bacon, I suspect that he used cream (which is a big no no for carbonara) the pizza was OK, nothing to die over... but it was cheap 335 dhs (30€) drinks was a bottle of flat water, desert was a chocolate mousse (not bad) and two expressos... Would I try it again, yes probably, but i will talk to the...

3.5 Stars : very good meal in a very authentic-looking restaurant, but nothing more. This is often known as « the best italian in Rabat » which brings so many questions to my mind. Either this is overrated, or authentic Italian is not as good as I thought. It has to be one or the other cause in no way can this be « THE BEST » yet taste so... normal. It’s not bad, again, if you are in the area and you want some good italian, this is the place to go. But don’t go in there with all the hype you have heard, you just might get...