Forget your knife and fork and settle into an exotic oasis of romance.
(503) 766-4981
1201 NW 21st Ave
(Northrup Street)
Portland,
OR
97209
45.5314
-122.6946
Neighborhoods: Neighbors West - Northwest, Northwest District
What People Are Saying About Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant
The Owner
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant
Owner
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant is a traditional Moroccan restaurant that has been serving the Portland area since 1989. As you walk into the restaurant you will feel as though you have entered into a different world. When you enter this cozy oasis adorned with richly textured Moroccan rugs, ornate silver urns and tapestries you will feel like royalty as you are treated like a King & Queen in the Sultan?s Tent. Once you are seated your hands will be washed before & after your five course meal. Your five course meal consist of soup, salad with homemade bread, Pastilea (which is shredded chicken…
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short – Guests sit on long couches or firm pillow-stools before low tables, surrounded by the room's colorful, ornate patterns. Traditional music forms a soothing aural background as they use bread or fingers to eat. A traditionally garbed server bathes diners' hands in warm water before bringing five aromatic courses: lentil soup, salad, an appetizer called B'stellela Royale (a slightly sweet pastry with meat filling), the main course and dessert of fresh fruit with fragrant mint tea.
11/22/09
Great time had by all
by pinkginger98 at Citysearch
We went here saturday with 2 kids and 2 adults. We had a great time. The food was good and the waitress was very nice and fast. She explained each plate/dish to us and what it was before we ate it. The pastilea was my favorite. The kids liked the food also and they are picky eaters. We loved eating with our fingers too. Everyone was very nice to us. Some people might be extra picky about the food but we liked it. We liked the belly dancer too. We will be back.
- Pros: food, atmosphere, belly dancer, no utensils
- Cons: none
11/22/09
Soso everything
by valhansa at Citysearch
Marrakesh has been a Portland staple for years and years......and sadly it's starting to look the part.
We came as a party of seven for the "Royal Feast" on a Saturday night.
Exotic is good, when it is fresh, clean and tasty, but I didn't find much of this at this visit to Marrakesh. The hassoks (sitting pillows) were all dirty, torn, ripped.....the carpet FILTHY, and the couches and wall decor...old and tired.
It's great to have a good thing and run with it, which Marrakesh has for years, but I did not feel as though I was in an exotic or special or certainly "royal" experience - more a tired old carnival ride that has seen better days.
Some of the food was good, but most of it was very stewed and unceremoniously plopped on a big plate with little garnish and NOTHING fresh.
Moroccan cuisine can be vibrant and alive with fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and greens, but we saw little of this on our table. The exception was the first dish which was a "salad" that was more like a dip with a salsa ring around it and some lettuce. What would it cost to do a plate of fresh and dried fruits with nuts as part of the "Royal Feast"? Or a couple of slices of tomato here and there? OR a sprig of parsley, or want of green onion? There's gotta be SOMETHING fresh in that kitchen!
I'm all for getting in to the game - you know, sitting on the floor, eating with my hands and what-not, but not if I'm not given enough bread to sop up the cous cous and juices of the stewed meats, and not if the waiter has simply dissappeared with said bread basket.
The belly dancer was good, but the "show" consisted of four songs, and she was gone...never to return...did she make off with our waiter? She left about $8 in one dollar bills sitting on our table...I guess it wasn't worth it for her to hang around? On to the next mess tent?
All in all, I felt "processed" through a very no frills banquet, reminding me of the kind I got when I went to Europe in college and toured about by bus from one "Local experience" of dinner and a show to the next. Problem was, this was hardly cheap.
The program ended with a plastic rice bowl filled with white pudding and topped with some crunchie things and three almond slivers.
I give two stars - one for the belly dancer, because she was pretty good, and one star for doing what they promised as a restaurant - feeding us.
I'll go back when they revamp....EVERYTHING.
- Pros: Exotic and different
- Cons: Tired ambiance
09/29/09
Rude service ruined our evening
by msmith24 at Citysearch
Do not believe the 5-star reviews, likely from the owners and friends. The food is OK although overcooked, but the service is very poor and rude. We left feeling like we had been ripped off and it spoiled what had been planned as special occasin for my wife and me. Do not waste your money (or your time) on this restaurant.
- Pros: Feels like thie inside of a tent
- Cons: Rude service, overcooked food, dirty restrooms
The Details on Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant
Look Good:
Skirts can be tough to sit in. So ladies, ask to be seated at a higher table.
Know Before You Go:
Utensils are available on request.
The Extras:
Groups can order one of two feasts: The Mechoui with sheep cooked over a charcoal fire. It serves eight or more and requires three days notice. For $19 per person, the Royale Feast is available for parties of four or more.
Category:
Persian, Banquet Rooms, Restaurants, Catering
Payment Methods:
American Express, Diners Club, Visa, Discover, MasterCard
Restaurant Special Features:
Late Night Dining, People Watching, Group Dining
General Info:
Open 7 Days
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
No
Message from Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant
- Authentic Moroccan Cuisine
- Traditional Belly Dancing
- Royal Banquet Room (up to 90)
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant is a traditional Moroccan restaurant that has been serving the Portland area since 1989. As you walk into the restaurant you will feel as though you have entered into a different world. When you enter this cozy oasis adorned with richly textured Moroccan rugs, ornate silver urns and tapestries you will feel like royalty as you are treated like a King & Queen in the Sultan?s Tent. Once you are seated your hands will be washed before & after your five course meal. Your five course meal consist of soup, salad with homemade bread, Pastilea (which is shredded chicken with scrambled eggs and crushed almonds), followed by lamb and chicken, dessert and a tea ceremony.
Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant serves a wide variety of Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and African dishes, as well as a nice selection of wines and beers. Stop by Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant today.
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