Chez Lamine Hadj Mustapha Jemaa El Fna — Restaurant in Marrakesh Prefecture

This place is a very down to earth and rustic - we saw many locals eating here too - which is a very good sign. So if you expect great service or 5-star hotel type atmosphere, you are not going to get that. The waiters are rushed as it's always super crowded but you will eventually get served - somehow...we see that as part of the character of this place. So we don't really agree with the low star reviews given here at all - it's inaccurate in our opinion.

it's one of the most memorable lamb dish we have had! super authentic meal and experience.

You need to pick a Q number and there may be some waiting to do. so don't come here if you are short of time. There is only 1 man chopping up the oven roasted lamb and he is constantly working non-stop. Even amongst the hectic & seeming 'chaos', he took the time to advised us to take the shoulder of the lamb. We truly appreciated that.

The lamb was soooo good, we could not leave Marrakech without going there a 2nd time. Even though it seems like it's been sitting there for ages on the counter, it was piping hot when we got it. Super soft and juicy. It runs out by 5pm or so. So go early.

The lamb goes by weight and the first time, we asked for 2 persons, it cost 30 euros. the 2nd time, we asked for less and that was 26 euros. It's a HUGE portion, unless you are super hungry. We could have had a third person sharing the meal with us.

The salad is chopped up tomatoes, cucumber, onions and parsley. Simple and yet refreshing. The salad ran out the first time but the waiter brought us 1 plate anyway. We saw him eating a plate himself after and so the portion he gave us was probably meant for staff - which was really nice of him. Even though their service is a bit rough on the edges, it was never mean and we never felt any bad vibes. They are just super busy.

Even after his long day of chopping up meat, the guy was still smiling and happy to take a photo with us. A very pleasant experience overall.

We highly recommend going there if you love lamb and are open to experience true blue local culture...

We decided to eat at Restaurant ‘Chez Lamine Hadj Mustapha today, having heard so much hype about it being one of the most traditional Moroccan restaurants in Marrakech, serving authentic Moroccan dishes. Having waited in a queue for over 20 minutes for a table. We were sent to the terrace level, which had some nice views of the medina. The table that we were sat at was dirty and hadn’t been cleared since the previous service, it then took another 10 minutes or so before we were brought a menu at which point we were told the chicken tagine was no longer available, nor was the beef feet. We decided not to order the Mechoui Lamb as there seemed to be a lot of bones and opted for the tangia Marrakechia. When the food arrived we were slightly underwhelmed. Firstly it was cold, not visually noticeable very appealing and slightly over-seasoned for our taste. However, the taste did surprise and was quite different to other Moroccan dishes we had tasted. The lamb did fall off the bone and I would likely order again. The reason for the bad review was the poor service and a lack of any awareness to the customers needs by the waiting staff and the relative lack of cleanliness. We had to ask twice for cutlery and for bread to accompany the tagina. There also seemed to be a different level of service for the locals as they did not seem to have the same issues we experienced. Maybe a communication issue on our part. I am of no doubt that the restaurant is well regarded by the locals and seemed to be very popular. Maybe we visited on a bad day or just had poor waiting staff. But either way we will not be repeating again. Try by all means, hopefully you won’t be as disappointed...

A Culinary Delight, with a Caveat

If you're looking for some of the finest lamb and beef dishes in Marrakesh, Mustapha Lamm is a must-visit. The roasted lamb is perfectly tender, flavorful, and cooked to perfection, while the beef tangia is a rich, aromatic masterpiece. Both dishes highlight the best of Moroccan culinary tradition.

One of the most charming aspects of dining here is the chance to meet Mustapha himself during the day. His warmth and passion for the craft add a personal touch to the experience, making it truly memorable.

A Word of Caution As much as I love this place, I feel obligated to share an important observation after several visits. During the afternoon, when Mustapha has left for the day, there have been instances of waiters taking advantage of foreign guests. I have seen, some waiters serving half portions while charging for full ones.

To avoid this issue, I recommend ordering smaller portions and multiples of them instead of opting for the larger sizes. This simple approach circumvents the unethical practice and ensures you get what you pay for.

A Note to Mustapha As someone who admires and respects the incredible food and service this establishment can offer, I urge Mustapha to address this issue. Such practices tarnish the reputation of Moroccan hospitality and detract from the otherwise impeccable dining experience. Ensuring transparency and fairness for all guests will only enhance the trust and loyalty of those who dine here.

Despite this hiccup, Mustapha Lamm remains a top-tier dining spot, and the food is undoubtedly worth the visit. With a bit more vigilance, the experience can truly live up to its...