Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant

My husband and I took my prim and proper parents to this place and we all had a great time. We ordered the "Royal Feast" and were pleasantly suprprised by how tasty each and every course was. The lentil soup was the starter--tender lentils in a creamy, spicey broth. Then the cucumber/eggplant salad was a refreshing change. The appetizer of meat and pastry was totally different than anything I've ever had before--sweet, yet meaty. We were then served 5 entrees and each was totally different--my favorites were the lamb/eggplant dish and the chicken/prune dish. Lastly, mint tea and pudding for desert. The server was very attentive to our needs (they even offered silverware, which we politely declined), all in an atomsphere that very much sealed the Morrocan experience. We'll definitely go again.

Pros: A new experience, great food, great service.

Cons: Those with back issues, beware.

Posted 02/19/07

The last person is totally right. Some people just like to complain and don't like to try new things. If you want to go into a restaurant and complain and make demands then just stay home and do things your way. If you want to try something new then go to Marrakesh. The food is great, and freshly prepared. The staff is super friendly and accomodating. Come with an open mind.

Posted 02/09/07

A couple of things: those are NOT frozen vegetables. They do get cooked and marinated and seasoned and then cooked again (a lot of food here goes through intensive marinating and preparation) but its funny how many people here have the nerve to claim they're frozen.
The vegetarian options here ARE limited, but there are off-the-menu options that your server should tell you about. The breika, vegetarian delight or eggplant stuffed with ricotta are possiblities
What I'm truly amazed by are the people that take issue with this five-course meal concept. If you come to eat here, getting the five-course meal is just what you do. It's the way to eat at the restaurant. It's $17.50 for everything, even tea and dessert at the end. Soup salad app dinner, dessert & tea. $17. I dare say that if $17 ( and the bottles of wine here are reasonably priced starting at $19 and most hovering at $21-25) is too expensive for a special dinner, perhaps you should have ordered takeout? I mean, eating out requires some flexibility. This is an exotic atmosphere, with service in ornate costumes, leather pillows, intricately patterned old wooden tables, persian rugs, delicate upholstery imported from morocco, dancers wed. thru sun., getting your hands washed...........did you really think you were going to be able to carry your normal concept of traditional dining into this place?
Just go with the flow and you'll have an awesome, iff kitschy experience. The food is delicious, surprisingly homey and flavorful without being overly experimental.
I work(ed) here, obviously, so I know. I'd say that the small minority of people that don't seem to enjoy themselves here are the ones unable to adapt a little. Try something besides couscous with chicken.

Pros: ambiance, value(for special occasions at least)

Cons: friday, saturdays beware,

Posted 01/15/07

Avoid this place! The service was good: we were seated without any waiting, hostess gave us best table and our waitress was nice and pleasant. BUT, the food was bad. First of all the best items like leg of lamb and grilled beef were not available (on saturday night!). After five course dinner, which you must order since ala courte is available only on weekdays, we were hungry and had "second" dinner at home.
We ordered cuscus chicken, chicken with apricots, lamb with eggplant, chicken with lemons, and marinated beef. Sounds delicious? Not exactly. Salad was OK, soup was cold (honestly), and some dish made out of chicken was left alone after first bite. The only thing that we liked was marinated beef and lamb. One of the users was right about rice: they do use frozen vegetables! And we paid for that $80!
Sure the dance was interesting, sitting on the floor was unique, but we came to EAT!
Whole place needs major cleaning: tables were dirty, couches and wall covering were covered with dust! White towels thatt they give us to dry hands were not white anymore: gray and covered in spots.
I might sound too picky, but I am not: this is the first restoraunt I hated in my life.
We couldn't wait to get out of this place, so we skipped fruit salad and mint tea.

Pros: dancer

Cons: bad food, dirty place

Posted 12/23/06

Great place,great music,is one of the best restaurants I visit ( Es un buen lugar ,buena musica buen atmosfera,exelente comida ) I will back again .

Pros: Ambience is great

Cons: parking is bad

Posted 11/19/06

Get ready for an experience!! Enter the carpet-walled restaurant and sit on the floor or a nice pillow and excite the senses with family style meals and belly-dancing! Cozy atmosphere, very intimate and great food!

The family-style menu is perfect to be able to try all the different foods of this restaurant! Recommended for a fun night out of food, belly-dancing, and exotic foods!

Pros: Unique environment, wonderful family-style meals!

Cons: Can be quite busy sometimes, beware if you have back pain from sitting on the ground/stools!

Posted 11/17/06

The food here is great and very good to share. The dancing was great so make sure you make it for that part of the show.

Pros: Great dancers

Cons: The seats are not too comfy

Posted 11/12/06

Ok, everyone stop your griping! Yes, they don't give you utensils and we Americans are not used to scooping up akward items such as rice with our fingers or sipping our soup from the cup without a spoon. However, that is an intended part of the experience. If you simply cannot try something new, don't rate the restaurant poorly, just go somewhere else.....or request utensils. They WILL provide them if you ask. I have been to this place about 6 times. Yes, it is always packed. Yes, you may have to wait EVEN if you have a reservation - heck most people are no-shows for reservations anyway and you can't expect a place to kick someone out just because you actually showed up. Be patient....stand in the admittedly akward entryway while watching the dancers (men and women) and listen to the music. They have done all they can with their space to seat as many people as possible and that's why you don't have an adequate place to sit while waiting for your table. Once you do get a table next, I hope you came prepared! Ladies, that means no short skirts or tight waisted outfits. You will be uncomfortable sitting in any of these. Wear something long and comfortable and wear easy to slip off shoes since you will most likely be sitting on the floor. If you get a table downstairs, consider yourself lucky! There is a lot more room and you'll be further from the entryway. As far as the food goes, I've tried almost everything on the menu and it is always delicious. My favorites are the meat/pastry app and the lamb dish w/raisins and honey. Everything smells and looks wonderful. The bread is far from Italian bread as one reviewer wrote. Obviously, some will like this place and some will not. If you rarely eat somewhere other than the Olive Garden, chances are you will be in culture shock with this place. Otherwise, if you're up for a change, I'd definitely recommend Marrakesh. Although, I hesitate to say that......because I still want a shot at getting a table!

Pros: Atmosphere, Unique Experience, BellyDancing

Cons: Limited menu, Parking (Duh!), Akward Entryway

Posted 08/15/06

We had a party of 18 people. We made our reservations for 5:00 which is when they open. We showed up 10 minutes early and had the place to ourselves. It was an amazing experience. The food was great, except I do agree with others about the bland vegitarian dishes. We ordered the feast and got to sample just about everything. Our server was wonderful and very helpful. She answered lots of questions and gave good suggestions. It got very busy and I can see why other parties have had a hard time getting seated. I was nervous about going after reading the mixed reviews listed here. But I would recommend it and suggest that large parties try and come early in the evening if possible.

Pros: food, service, ambience

Posted 06/17/06

shelling out hard earned dollars for such horrible food completely hurt my feelings. It was insulting that the "vegetable" rice that came with my husband's dish was made with FROZEN VEGETABLES -- c'mon, we all know where mixes of square carrots, green beans, lima beans and mushy peas come from. The vegetarian cous cous, 2 stalks of raw flavorless cauliflower, some shreds of soggy cabbage and a few raisins onto dry flavorless couscous. The price they are asking for bland poorly thrown together food, that is an insult to moroccan cuisine is shameful. (I lived in Morocco and this is NOT how their food is!) And for as labor-intensive as the wait staffs job is with hand washing, bringing out 5 course meal... I sure hope they pay them well. The clientell is probably leaving pretty disgruntled, and that does not bode well for good tips.

Pros: salad

Cons: everything else

Posted 05/28/06

I took a group of clients & friends on a Sunday night to Marrakesh visiting from L.A., California. They were impressed with the atmosphere and costumes of the waitstaff. We were seated after waiting for about 15 minutes even though we had a reservation, and placed our orders, received bread, soup and finger salad but shortly after that EVERYONE dissapeared! The music CD started skipping and after about 5 minutes a lady at a nearby table got up and turned off their music. After waiting for a while I decided to investigate. The kitchen was empty, not 1 employee was to be seen! We waited another 37 minutes and we left hungry and upset. My clients were understanding but I felt so bad for them! Overall experience: F-

Pros: Nice Atmosphere

Cons: long wait, understaffed, UNPROFESSIONAL

Posted 05/25/06

Dining at Marrakesh is a sensuous experience for all your senses. It is truly a treat to enter into the ornate gem-toned world for a few hours with good friends. I take all my out of town guests here. It is really wonderful.
I see that there are some negative reviews here, please realize that you will only like it if you like Morrocan food and are looking for a unique night out. If you want a sandwich and salad combo, you will, of course, be disappointed.

Pros: Belly dancers!, Wonderful aromas, Transcendent food

Cons: Slower service

Posted 02/18/06

went for my mother's birthday; was told one thing about the prices of meals by someone on the phone, and something else once we got there (we went Saturday night, you are forced to order the 5 course dinner, I was told we could just order entrees) - I complained to the manager, he was extremely rude to me and didn't offer any solution. We ended up having some people split orders, which is priced differently, and once the bills came, it took the waiter and my father and brother 20 minutes to figure out what was going on; my father ended up just paying for it all himself instead of making our party stand around any longer. The belly dancer was fun; the food is excellent, except for that salad. Won't go there again - rude staff.

Pros: food, neat atmosphere

Cons: snotty staff, expensive, not flexible menu

Posted 01/19/06

Upon walking in the door, I was very hesitant about staying. I was not too impressed with the ambiance and we were seated in a pretty high traffic area. So my husband snuggled up next to me on the bench, and we discovered that sitting side by side was much better then across from eachother. Our waiter was good, made us feel very comfortable having not had Moroccan before. The food was outstanding...it kept getting better with each course. We could not stop talking about who we would like to invite to go with us next time. Very different, very romantic and great for the soul. If Morocco is anything like this restaurant---we are ready to pack our bags!

Pros: Great Food, Belly Dancing, Comfortable

Cons: Entryway, Ambiance

Posted 12/31/05

very bad and definetly do not recommend it to anyone

Posted 12/15/05

After being stuck at the door and getting banged by people open the door, The food was wonderful and very authenitc Morrocan. The Belly Dancer was very enjoyable. The service was good once seated. The menu is limited but the selection are very good.

Pros: Good Food, Entertaining

Cons: long wait for seating, Seating is tight

Posted 11/12/05

Ive been here many times with my fiance and we always love the food and service. We recently ordered The Mechoui (must be ordered 3 days in advance for $30/person) for a party of 12. The food was delicious as usual. This feast comes with the usual appetizers and a main course of BBQ sheep with vegetables. The meat was so good I probably ate enough to feed 3 people. Definitely come with a big appetite and be careful not to fill up on bread or youll be sorry. If you cant get a party of 8 together for the Mechoui at least order one of the other lamb dishes; my favorite is the lamb with raisins and honey. Enjoy.

Pros: great food

Cons: bit noisy

Posted 10/10/05

Happy Birthday Matty! What a fantastic birthday party at a fantastic restaurant. The atmosphere, the food (mmmmmm!), the staff, the decorations, the culture.....I will definitely return! I suggest you give this place a try. It might not get the best reviews if they are packed & busy, so pick a not-so-busy night. It was nearly $300 for a group of 10 of us - but was worth every penny!!!!! Expect to look for parking . . . it is the popular NW section of Portland!

Pros: Atmosphere, Food/Flavors, Hands-On

Cons: Parking (expect tho), Spendy but worth it

Posted 10/03/05

We've loved this place both times we went - as a romantic outing for two and as a dinner with friends. The food is just divine. I've never, ever considered myself a lentil soup fan but theirs is extraordinary - spicy and well-textured. The bread is perfect - pleasingly soft yet firm enough for dipping in soup & scooping the salad. The specialty dish of meat in phyllo crust sprinkled with powdered sugar & cinnamon is simply unbelievable. Honestly, looking at the menu of strange dishes and knowing I had to eat with my hands was an initial turn-off but the experience is one I'm glad I didn't miss. Our group tried the lamb & beef brochettes, honey chicken, and apricot chicken - all superbly prepared and delicious. We each had wine/beer and the total for four was still less than $100. Amazing and so worthwhile.

Pros: Delectable, Warm & relaxing decor, Good prices

Cons: Floor-sitting

Posted 08/27/05

This was our second trip to Marakesh and was even better than the first. The first time, we had an older, surly waiter in a white calftan; he was pretty gruff. This time(Friday 6:30)a younger guy dressed in red was a GREAT waiter! He was very nice and explained how dinner is served, and made us very comfortable.
The food was great, but expect the catch of the day to be really small. We had the Spicy Chicken, Chicken Lemon and Olives, The Catch and Chicken Punes and Honey. The Spicy Chicken was the best, with just the right heat and savory spinach and mushrooms in the sauce-YUM! Last time we went, I had the Lamb kebabs, and it was WAY lamb-y. I wanted to try the hare, but they were out.
The website is pretty thorough about the menu. Expect to pay about $23pp with other drink or dessert.

Pros: staff, yummy!, comfy

Cons: , no parking, loud music

Posted 07/16/04

We recently made a reservation for this restaurant and expected an enjoyable evening of Moroccan food and culture. Instead, we were forced to wait for over 45 minutes for our table (notwithstanding the reservation for 6) and then left to an evening of frustration (We were told there were too many walk ins to serve the reservations). Our service was non-existent and the food mediocre at best. Each course was more tardy than the previous. Although the dancers was good, it could not make up for the rude and inept service. After a bit of complaining, the table next to us (a table of 10) told us they too had waited for their table for over an hour. It appears that the night was a frustration to all involved. I fully recommend choosing another restaurant, instead of sitting through the nightmare which was offered to us.

Cons: , Mismanaged, Inattentive to diners

Posted 03/05/04

I have no clue as to how "authentic" the food or entertainment is, but I know myself, my girlfriend, and my parents had a great time.

The food was good, not awe-inspiring (except the eggplant salad was enjoyed by all) and the service was excellent - water refilled fast, attention and pleasantries, and the belly dancer really mezmorized the few children in the place. We will go again, this time with our kids.

It is a bit pricey, I guess, but I think fast food costs too much so I'm not a great judge there.

Pros: atmosphere, service, food

Posted 02/16/04

With reservations, I planned on a fun Saturday dinner. We were seated in the front room where it was cool and breezy from the front door opening. I asked politely if there was a table in the back room. The costumed man, sporting an accent said, with a big smile, "Come with me, you pick out table!" I thought, how nice of him and threw him a big smile. He led me to the back room and said, "Go ahead, pick one out." I scanned the room and realized the tables were all full. Confused, I turned to him as he walked away (smile gone), saying, "See, no tables." A simple "Sorry, all tables are full" would have sufficed.

After deciding to leave for friendlier atmosphere, the "smiley" man threw in some more sarcastic remarks. Spend your money elsewhere for a more pleasant and satisfying experience.

Pros: None

Cons: , Lack of customer care, Uncomfortable seating

Posted 01/31/04

Yea: hot belly dancer, hand washing thing cool
Nay: pressure to pay attention to hot belly dancer, food so-so, rice without utensils, Italian bread in Morroccan restaurant, disturbing sense that fellow patrons are mistaking this for real-deal exotic, and last and most: expense

Posted 12/25/03

This was my first experience at Marrakesh. My boss and I went there around 9 pm on Tuesday and it wasn't that crowded and parking was fine. It's a five course meal- starting off with a delicious traditional Lentil Soup, then salads Marrakesh with bread, B'stilla Boyale (a pastry, which being a vegan I couldn't eat, but my boss said it was really good), and I ordered the tasty couscous vegetarian and for desert there was a (non-vegan)pudding and yummy mint tea. It was a treat to see how the waiter pour the tea. I'd like to see the belly dancers sometime, but with the lack of vegan/vegetarian items I don't know if I'd go back. The waiter was slow at refilling my water.

Pros: food!, decor, service

Posted 10/21/03

I Enjoyed the different atmosphere, it was a very unique experience. Food was very good, and I would recommend it to anyone who hasn't been there to give it a try.

Pros: Good Food

Cons: Parking

Posted 09/11/03

The food was excellent, service was great. It was fun to try something different. I dont think I am ever going to use eating utensils again. I did not get to see bellydancing, but that just a little more incentive to go back.

Pros: inexpensive, great ambiance

Cons: parking

Posted 07/23/03

The food is subpar, especially the chicken dishes. Vegi dishes are bland. Most people give it high ratings because of the whole package: entertainment, seating style, pouring of tea, washing of hands, etc. That, or there's a definite lack of exposure to eclectic cuisine. On food merit alone, this place strikes out!

Pros: fun, tea, clean hands

Cons: food, food, food

Posted 06/19/03

Truly terrible service is rare, usually its just a case of neglect. But at Marrakesh you can experience not just neglect, but real in-your-face, not just terrible, but offensive, service.

Marrakesh has raised cushiony things, like ottomans, to sit on, or a pillowed bench running along the wall. We decide to sit on two cushions; my wife is told that she may not sit on a cushion only one per table is allowed. I'm dumbfounded... Directly next to us is a couple forgoing the bench and using two cushions, but the waiter ignores me when I point it out, shooing my wife off the cushion to the bench.

Odd as it seems, we stayed. Our waitress was a ditz (forgot our drink order oh well), but at least she didnt make us stand! The food is so-so, too expensive for what you get. Not bad. Just forgettable.

Pros: No food poisoning

Cons: Wait Staff

Posted 05/30/03

This is by far one of my favorite restaurants. Not only great food, but the experience of a dim restaurant (I'm light-sensitive), the washing of the hands, sitting on pillows, finger food, and the occasional belly dancer = a wonderful dining experience.

Pros: great food, great ambience, inexpensive

Cons: parking

Posted 04/15/03

We made reservations for four at 7:00PM on the second Thursday of March when the restaurant schedules belly dancing performances all night. The restaurant was packed, so I definitely recommend making reservations. We ordered the four-party dinner that included eight courses, dessert and tea with dessert. We also ordered a bottle of the Moroccan wine. The entire experience was wonderful. The food was delicious, the wine was excellent, and our server was very helpful. The dancers started around 8 and performed one after the other. I believe we saw eight performers before we left. It was a wonderful night and we will certainly be back with more of our friends and family!

Pros: amazing food, ehlpful service, beautiful atmosphere

Cons: pricey, but worth it!

Posted 03/15/03

We came here for our anniversary, and it was a very unique experience. The food was wonderful, and the aspect of eating with your fingers was fun once you got past the urge to ask for a fork! The chicken with honey & prunes was the best, the meat literally fell off the bones. My husband ended up eating half my meal as well as his. Not a problem, with 3 courses before the main dish arrived, I was already getting full. The hot mint tea at the end of the meal was refreshing. The bellydancer was great! All in all, a different and very fun way to dine. The cushions can be a little hard to sit on, and we both ended up moving to the couch about half-way through the meal. Definitely would love to go again, and invite friends.

Pros: different, good food, unique experience

Cons: music a little loud

Posted 02/26/03

At Marrakesh you sit on cushions and eat with your fingers. The waiter rinses your hands with warm water before and after the meal. There is Moroccan music, belly dancing, warm lighting, and tapestry covered walls. The atmosphere is exotic and romantic. The courses alternate between sweet and savory. The lental soup is very good although it could have used a little more harissa. The Moroccan salad which you scoop up with bread is very refreshing. The bastilla is a philo dough pastry doused with powdered sugar and filled with savory spiced meat,egg and nuts. The lamb dishes are delicately spiced and so tender the lamb falls off the bone. The baklava deserts are excellent. Mint tea compliments all the courses perfectly. If you want good food that is different than you might be used to in an exotic setting, I highly recommend Marrakesh.

Pros: Exotic atmosphere, good food, efficient service

Cons: no parking, music a little loud, not inexpensive

Posted 02/14/03

When I am told there will be bellydancing at 6pm I'd like the to be bellydancing sometime before 7pm. I also appreciate receiving my bill after I am finished eating.
Would have been a fun place to go with a large group of people but my experience there was bad enough to keep me from ever returning. There were several groups around us who felt the same way. We went for the full experience, not just to eat Morrocan food. The food was good but not good enough to stand alone without entertainment.

Pros: decent food, nice dancer, not too expensive

Cons: no bar, rude staff, lied to

Posted 01/28/03

Marrakesh was recommened by a friend. We made reservations for dinner based on the scheduled bellydancing. When we arrived, The place was empty. We were ignored at the door for almost 5 minutes, by 3 staff members who were no more than 5 feet from us! We were rushed through dinner, and there was no bellydancing as had been specified. Only after talking to the manager (who was rude) and almost threatening to not pay the bill (which the waiter brought before we were done eating), did the dancer "magically" appear.
The decor left a lot to be desired. The only redeeming quality was the food, which was good.
The whole experience left us with a bad feeling all evening. Save your time and money and go someplace else. There are other places to see bellydancing in Portland.

Pros: good food, nice dancer

Cons: bad service, condecending, rushed

Posted 01/26/03

i recomend, with four or more people,the entire main course,which includes a good porion of the entire menu,so you can learn what you like and what you may not(but i imagine that won't happen everything is amazing)

Pros: amazing food, very romantic, wonderful setting

Cons: parking

Posted 01/25/03

I wanted to bring in the new year with my wife in a nice romantic setting, so I made reservations at Marrakesh for 10:00. We show up at 10, and 40 people, all with reservations, were waiting for tables. Some of them had 9:00 reservations! And, I would assume that these were only the patient ones. The greedy bastards ruined my New Years by totally overbooking, and didn't have the decency to even apologize.

Cons: Rude, Unattentive, Greedy

Posted 12/31/02

I love Marrakesh. I've recommended it to several friends and family members. It's always a unique dining experience that I have yet to find anywhere else. The food is also very good without being too heavy.

Posted 12/16/02

Couple of friends highly recommended eating here. We have never tried Moroccan food so were very excited. Waiter was rude and did not even consider that this was our first time. Except for the pastry puff appetizer, food was not good.

Pros: appetizers

Cons: sit on floor, rude service

Posted 10/25/02

Had a great time! Appropriate for teens. Food was hot,unique and excellent, served with timing. All servers in native clothing enhanced the whole experience. Very good cultural experience as a group. Then the belly dancer at the end was fantastic! She was talented, charismatic and very entertaining. Made the whole evening perfect. Got there at 6:30, dancer at 8:00. Be prepared to sit on the floor in comfortable clothes.

Pros: Atmoshphere, Entertainment, Food

Cons: No parking, Expensive

Posted 10/18/02

Being greeted at the door by a man in a fez starts a dining experience that is unforgettable. Perfect atmosphere for getting cozy with someone. The food is an erotic blend of flavors..and eating with your fingers is hands down sensuous whether you are feeding yourself or your date. It's a complete package for your senses. Sight, sound, taste...it's all catered to here.

Pros: Great food, Exotic atmosphere, Wonderful house wine

Posted 09/14/02

Perhaps it was because it had been awhile since I had eaten really good food, or perhaps it was because it was the first time I had been out without the kids in months... but this restaurant by far exceeded any expectations I had. The food was absolutely incredible, every dish tasted fantastic. The servers were friendly, the atmosphere fun yet relaxing, and the cushions super cozy!

Pros: fun, atmosphere, great food

Posted 08/27/02

Beautiful atmosphere, unique dining experience with tasty food. Definitely reccomended for special occasion dining or anytime you are in the mood for something different!

Posted 08/11/02

For an evening of unique cuisine in an entertaining atmosphere, try Marrakesh Moroccan Restaurant! We enjoyed the experience of eating on the floor, great music and even belly dancers. They served an authentically-prepared 5 course Moroccan meal. Be sure to try to house special Moroccan red wine. Ladies, you might want to wear pants or a long dress for floor-seating comfort.

Pros: Easy Parking, comfortable ambience

Cons: music loud at times

Posted 07/26/02

went here w/ a couple friends a week after their wedding- had a total blast with that small group. Totally recommend it as a date place. sumptuous atmosphere is so cozy and relaxing.

Pros: great food, great service, great style

Cons: a bit spendy

Posted 07/17/02

Atomosphere is really cool. Good food & good service. I've been here twice now. You gotta try their Moroccan Red Wine! It's soooo smooth.... I'll go back again, for sure!

Pros: Atomosphere, Experience, Food

Cons: none

Posted 06/20/02

Dining here was a memorable experience. You sit low to the ground and eat with your hands. The atmosphere is very dark and quiet, except when people at adjacent tables take photos of each other. All in all, I had a great time, and will never forget eating here. And I didn't even get to see the fabled belly dancers that perform on certain nights.

Posted 06/11/02