Zaytoona Moroccan Restaurant — Restaurant in Portsmouth

An excellent late afternoon/early evening meal & venue.

We were looking for an experience that wasn't the usual 'gastric' pub style that sadly so many are these days. Southsea used to have a good selection of world cuisine but most has become the stereotype of this land which is a real pity if you are looking to experience a more genuine multicultural opportunity. Zaytoona gave us a lovely opportunity to have a more traditional Moroccan meal which was well worth it. As a group Jehovah's Witnesses, we were looking for a venue to take three of our dear friends who had just graduated from pioneer school and wanted to make it a special place for such an occasion, to enjoy a good meal, conversation, and a wholesome environment.

The hospitality and service was excellent, and the manager Eissa was the complete host together with his staff, something that can be very lacking these days. He was happy to rearrange furniture, and take into account our needs which puts your mind at rest when dining out. It's one thing to have an authentic meal but it's even better when the ambience, décor and utensils are served as they would if you were in that land - nice touch. We had seen the clay pots used in scenes from Morocco and wanted to try this, so thank you to our host for making the experience more authentic.

Did the authenticity stop at this? No. My wife comes from a coastal village where the fish is so fresh it you can tell if it has been 'iced', so she chose the seabass tangine. She was very happy with the dish and noted how the heat of the food is retained for longer when served in the claypot. As for myself, although I am not a vegetarian I chose the vegetarian tangine which was lovely. Those with us tried the lamb tangine and were very happy with their choices. We accompanied this with almost the entire range of side dishes to make the experience more enjoyable. Although there is nothing unscriptural about drinking alcohol and we do on occasion enjoy a good wine or porter for a meal, my wife and I decided to try the mint tea to make the experience even more authentic. It was a lovely accompaniment to the meal. It should be mentioned that Eissa has an interesting range of alcohol to go with your dining experience and it's worth having a chat with him when you dine.

Back to the food. Eissa explained to us more about the ingredients used by his parents who were working hard in the kitchen catering for those dining. The sea bass tagine had fish that was fresh that day and was a dish that is only available in the coastal parts of Morocco. My wife was very happy with the freshness of the fish and you can notice the difference when a restaurant uses 'old' ingredients. If the ingredients are picked too soon and not allowed to ripen or are stored for a long time then the food becomes 'dead food' - as in no taste, no real nutrition. Not so with that served at Zaytoona as Eissa himself is a chef and takes pride in the ingredients and food served. As regards the lamb, it was explained that this too was very fresh which helps with the texture and softness of the meat.

We were so happy with the meal that we were not going to have any dessert. Normally we don't tend to as the sugar load and dryness of many desserts makes them 'manufactured' and unappealing. But our youngest pioneer kept asking Eissa about the desserts and he very kindly placed a complementary plate of desserts on the table for us to try. I am not normally a dessert person as the dryness of many and the oversweetness I find difficult to swallow, but these samples Eissa gave us we actually in no way dry and were not overpowered by the sugar content. Well worth the sampling and if you dine, we can recommend them.

We are very glad to have experienced dining at Zaytoona and hope to have the opportunity again for another special treat.

Our thanks to Eissa, his mother and father, and...

A mixed experience - some promising flavours, but let down by inconsistent execution and confused identity in places.

We tried two dishes: chicken shashlik and chicken couscous.

The chicken shashlik had a well-balanced marinade, with flavour that clearly came from good seasoning and preparation. The rice it was served on was well-cooked, and the Moroccan salad on the side was excellent. However, the chicken breast was inconsistent: one end was juicy and spot-on, while the other was dry and over-charred. It was also served off-skewer, circling the rice, which made the dish feel more like grilled chicken and rice than a true shashlik. That presentation choice diluted both the visual impact and cultural feel of the dish.

The chicken couscous was more uneven. While the couscous itself was well-prepared, the overall dish lacked depth. It felt slightly bland and didn’t carry the warmth or aroma you'd expect. The carrots & courgettes on the dish were undercooked, which undermined the dish. In a couscous, the vegetables should be soft and infused with flavour not firm or resistant. The inclusion of potatoes also felt slightly misplaced - not necessarily wrong, but they didn’t seem fully integrated or justified in this context.

However, the experience faltered outside the kitchen. We ordered two Moroccan soft drinks, listed separately from the standard ones with a clear label, but neither was available. We were only told this after ordering, and ended up with a Pepsi Max and a Sprite. For a restaurant that leans into cultural identity and ambience, keeping key regional drinks in stock (or at least informing guests early) matters. These small details contribute significantly to the sense of place: That feeling of sitting with family on the beach in Casablanca, or enjoying a casual meal in a Moroccan home. When those details fall short, the immersion breaks.

There’s clear care behind the scenes. With more consistency in technique, a closer alignment to traditional structure, and attention to the overall dining experience, this could become a genuinely...

We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Maraken Zaitoon. The food was not only delicious but also beautifully presented, with a freshness you could taste in every bite. The table setup and overall presentation were impressive, making the dining experience feel special from the very start.

The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, which made us feel comfortable throughout our visit. The restaurant was clean and well-maintained, with neat and tidy facilities including spotless toilets. Parking was also available, which added to the convenience.

One of the highlights was the stunning art and interior design — truly mesmerizing and eye-catching. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy a meal.

To make things even better, we were served complimentary baklava, which was a delightful surprise. The prices were very reasonable as well — we spent just £50 for two people and enjoyed a complete meal with drinks. Speaking of drinks, there’s also a good selection available, including cocktails, wine, and soft drinks.

Overall, this place is a hidden gem with no real substitute. Great food, amazing service, beautiful ambience, and excellent value for money. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be...