Has anyone GF traveled to Marrakech? ... - Gluten Free Guerr...
Has anyone GF traveled to Marrakech? I've been to India and managed to eat alright, but not so sure how I'll get on in Marrakech!!
Hi Laura, have you come across these?
celiactravel.com/cards/arabic/
They are travel cards from celiac.com and you just print some off and show them to restaurant staff so language isn't an issue. I'd also print some off in French just to be on the safe side.
I'd buy a tagine if I went to Morocco, so lucky you and have a great time.
Thank you! I'll get some of those ordered, cant wait to go now!!
WOW thanks for this i have now saved this on my favourite websites we always have trouble explaining to the restaurants that myu wife is intolerant to wheat and gluten many many thanks
paul r
Hi Laura
Yes, I've been twice to Marrakesh and a few times to other places in Morocco. Marrakesh is brilliant, and I didn't have any problems at all. We ate in the American (maybe it's still blown up though?!) and in a few other restaurants around Jemaa'alFnar; Cafe Arab, Le Marrakchi, Cafe France. The best place we ate was in the Jewish quarter. We also stayed and ate at Les Jardins de la Koutoubia and Les Jardins de la medina.
I was hesitant about going but the food was really fresh and well prepared. When I didn't speak English, I spoke in (bad) French. The Marrakeshi are sooo hospitable, and although not aware of gluten free, were very accommodating.
However, when I stepped outside Marrakesh things got a little more complicated. In Imlil in the Atlas, I managed to eat GF but did have a rather dodgy looking salad. Further to the South near Essouira there was NOTHING for me to eat. The locals did not speak good enough French to understand my GF requests and I ended up walking away from one restaurant because they did not make me feel safe. One night I had some cheese and a tomato for dinner from the local shop! I also got glutened by my surf hotel, even though they tried really hard to help.
One word of warning about Marrakesh is that the milk is not always pasteurised. (It is in upmarket tourist establishments). I avoided that because I'm LF too, but my friend had the squits like never before after a yoghurt!
Happy travels! Marrakesh is a truly awesome city!
Still can't spell Marrakech though!
Inside the old city of marrakech there are beautiful old houses called Riads many of which have been converted into small hotels. These are great value places to stay and offer an opportunity to experience local culture (as well as food) at first hand. Typically a riad will have just four or five guest rooms so all meals are shopped for prepared to order. Gluten free or other special dietary requirements should be no problem at all when the hotel is notified in advance.
My wife and I own the Riad Cinnamon hotel in Marrakech, below is a link to a recent blog post about gluten free bread.
marrakech-riad.co.uk/2012/0...
A great many local specialities are gluten free including the classic simple breakfast based on butter beans
marrakech-riad.co.uk/2010/0...
Enjoy Marrakech!
