By Jayship Earth
Hidden deep within the alleyways of the Morocco pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, Restaurant Marrakesh offers both dishes and entertainment with a Mediterranean flare. Most guests may completely miss the sit-down restaurant entirely, or may be wary of the exotic cuisine, but Restaurant Marrakesh is worth your time.
As soon as you enter Restaurant Marrakesh, you are transported to the North African country. Intricate tile and stonework adorn the walls and a Stained-glass chandelier hangs overhead. The tables surround a stage and dance floor where entertainment takes places throughout your dining experience.
Restaurant Marrakesh features a menu that consists largely of various grilled meats like beef, chicken and lamb, couscous and grilled vegetable sides. Vegetarian options are also available. Appetizers include items like lentil soup, jasmine salad and goat cheese spread.
My wife and I are fairly adventurous eaters, but had never been to Restaurant Marrakesh before, so we decided to try it on our last trip. We skipped appetizers, but ordered a Marrakesh Express, a rum drink with pineapple and orange juice. It was pretty good as far as fruity cocktails go, and they surprisingly didn’t skimp on the rum.
I tried the Roast Lamb Meshoui for dinner, a braised lamb shank, served over a vegetable puree. My wife went with the Couscous with Chicken, served with steamed vegetables. My lamb cut was good, but not terribly large, and the vegetable puree was excellent. We both agreed we enjoyed our food, but weren’t blown away by it. That said, we were glad we tried it, and still recommend it as another unique dining option in World Showcase.
Restaurant Marrakesh offers several dessert options. They feature two sizes of Bastilla, Crispy leaves of Pastry topped with Vanilla Cream and sprinkled with Cinnamon, Powdered Sugar, and toasted Almonds, and assorted Baklavas. We skipped dessert as we were in the middle of drinking our way around World Showcase, and by the time we hit Morocco, were about to burst.
One of the many unique things about Restaurant Marrakesh is the live entertainment. A sitar player serenades diners, while a belly dancer puts on a show in the center of the room. All the dancing is family friendly, and children are encouraged to come on stage at certain points. I didn’t know what to expect and was impressed with the performance. The whole presentation makes for a genuinely immersive atmosphere.
Restaurant Marrakesh is great for any party type, but especially couples. Families with children may shy away due to the “exotic” menu, but if they can overcome their trepidation, they will find its is basically grilled meat, veggies and rice. Also, the entertainment should hold their attention.
Prices range from $15 to $30. With all World Showcase restaurants, advanced dining reservations are recommended, but typically Restaurant Marrakesh is a good option for walk-ins. So next time you find yourself wandering the streets of Morocco, stop into Restaurant Marrakesh for a truly unique dining experience.
