Friends — Restaurant in Meknes

Overall, there quality is good and the owners do their best when they are present. However, when they are not there, and after many frequent visits, I've taken note of three troubling occurrences.

Using my photo in their social media promotion without my permission. - I wouldn't mind this in a normal context, but, the fact that a picture was taken while I was trying to get work done and uploaded to their social media without even the slightest communication from them was, frankly, low and reprehensible.

Keeping track of customers - A few months ago, I had entered, said hello to the servers and went upstairs to the loft. The servers did not go upstairs until after 20 - 30 minutes to bring an order to another customer then they went back down stairs. 15 minutes after no reappearance, I decided to go down to take my own order. The two servers who were on duty were sitting down watching videos on their phones, completely in their own world.

Quality control in regards to dietary needs - Today, one of the servers took my order; I almost always get the vegetarian wrap. After three minutes, he came back to confirm the order... He brought me an order, placed it on the table and he realised that he had mixed up the order two minutes after bringing it out. Which wasn't a problem as I had just eaten a few fries. Then, he finally brought me the 'vegetarian' order. I took a bite and realised that it had meat on it. He apologised for the second mix-up. Thankfully, I'm not highly allergic (other than minor stomach problems) or have any religious restrictions when it comes to food. However, I do take my 22 year history of being a vegetarian seriously.

Moving forward, I suggest the following:

Clear communication with the customers when wanting to use their photos for promotion.

When servers are on duty, they need to be better with keeping track of customers, even those who use the loft.

Better quality control when customers have specific dietary limitations, allergies or...

Certainly the best cafe I’ve visited in Meknes! I started coming here regularly shortly after they opened to study or read, and the staff gave me a discount just a few visits after bringing new people!

The atmosphere is very cozy and welcoming, there are no harsh fluorescent lights. The biggest advantage to its neighboring counterpart Gili Kitchen (also a very lovely 5 star cafe) is the amount of space. There’s two entire floors plus an outdoor space, which never leaves me wondering if I’ll be overwhelmed.

One time the staff hand-crafted an iced matcha latte (technically off-menu) when service was slow and empty, and it reminded me of home in the United States. :) absolutely brightened my day!

The only improvements are maybe consistency of service. The first time I visited, I ordered a cookie and ended up with a cake slice, paying and eating more than I intended. There’s also been a handful of times the kitchen forgot my order, even after paying, but promptly brought it to me within a few minutes after asking again. Also, the restroom area has an odd (but not foul) odor that slightly puts off my appetite, but it could also just be a building plumbing issue outside of the staff’s control. I also appreciated seeing Native American dream catchers on display on the second floor, but please consider that these are very sacred items to first nations of the United States. Please reconsider the decor or maybe add a plaque card crediting the designs or origins of the art pieces. I’ve seen these as common decorations around Morocco, but it could be a good opportunity for visitors to learn something new :)

I almost never write reviews, but this cafe is so wonderful that I would recommend...

I'm so happy to share my experience at Friends Cafe, which my bff Genie and I stumbled upon on its opening day. As soon as we stepped inside, we were greeted by an inviting atmosphere that immediately made us feel at ease. The cozy eclectic decor, complete with plush cushions and warm lighting, created a sense of comfort that was hard to resist.

The iced coffee I ordered was hands-down the best I've had in Morocco. It was expertly brewed, with just the right balance of flavors and a refreshing chill that hit the spot on a hot day. Genie's iced tea was equally impressive, with a subtle sweetness that didn't overpower the delicate flavor of the tea.

What stole the show, though, was the sandwich we ordered. Made with authentic Italian ciabatta bread, it was a game-changer! The freshness and texture of the bread elevated the entire dish to new heights, and paired perfectly with the generous helping of savory fillings. It was clear that the cafe takes pride in using only the finest ingredients.

But what truly made our experience stand out was the staff. Friendly, attentive, and genuinely enthusiastic about their new venture, they went above and beyond to ensure we felt welcome and well taken care of. From refilling our drinks to offering recommendations and chatting with us like old friends, they truly made us feel like part of the Friends Cafe family.

In short, Friends Cafe is a must-visit destination for anyone looking for a delicious breakfast or snack in a warm and inviting atmosphere. We can't wait to return and try more of their menu offerings. Congratulations to the owners on a successful opening day - may it be just the start of many wonderful...