Exploring the Specialty-Coffee World of Marrakech, Morocco

5 cool coffee shops in the Red City.

BY MICHAELA TOMCHEK
BARISTA MAGAZINE ONLINE

Photos by Michaela Tomchek

Morocco is truly a spectacular country to visit, with many cities offering unique experiences to anyone lucky enough to travel there. A historic city located in the southwestern part of the country, Marrakech is a cultural hub, filled with souks (open-air markets), flavorful tagine, glistening lamps, and coffee.

A number of specialty-coffee gems are hidden throughout the city, primarily in the new town of Guéliz. For locals, coffee is a foundational aspect of social life and is usually consumed in small glasses as a beverage called nous nous, or “half half,” comprised of equal parts strong coffee and steamed milk. Mint tea is also popular throughout Marrakech, poured from shining pots into glasses and sweetened to excess.

The primary language spoken here is Arabic, and most people also know French, filling the city with a vibrant mixture of languages and cultures. Mosques tower high above, and prayer calls ring throughout the city at various intervals of the day. Marrakech is truly a sight to see, so let’s prepare for the sun and some lovely aromas, and venture to the city for some truly exceptional coffee. 

Gless Coffee

When visiting Marrakech, tourists typically stay in the Medina—a historic, walled portion of the city full of bustling markets and traditional Moroccan architecture—to partake in the vibrant cultural markets and stay in a traditional riad. However, there is not much specialty coffee over here, so in order to sip something spectacular, patrons must venture to New Town, or Guéliz.

A great first stop here would be Gless Coffee, which is located on the cusp of the Medina and Guéliz. Quiet and peaceful, this spot knows coffee. Opened just last December, Gless is a funky, cool, trendy place to sip on some excellent brews.

As one walks up to the shop, hums of music fill the air, and customers drink coffee outside, enjoying the cool breeze. Upon entering, the blue-tiled espresso bar beckons you to place an order, with so much to choose from. The usual espresso-based menu items are available, but Gless also offers a special seasonal menu with some unique options such as the iced popcorn caramel latte (popcorn-infused oat milk combined with espresso and topped with cold foam). The menu at Gless is always changing, which means there are always new treats to taste.

Gless directly sources their matcha from Japan, so ordering a matcha-based drink is a must. They also have a filter coffee menu, something quite rare to find in Marrakech. In the mornings, they have some pastries and cakes, but overall, this shop is all about the drinks—a chic spot to start your coffee journey through the city.

HeiBai Specialty Coffee

If you are up for a walk through the more local areas of Marrakech, then you must check out HeiBai Specialty Coffee, located just opposite the Ibrahim al Khalil Mosque on the Route de Safi in Guéliz.

Opened in early 2025, HeiBai is a Chinese-inspired café where coffee is brewed with finesse. After teaming up with Intro Coffee Roasters in Tangier, the shop serves only the highest-quality beans. In addition to their coffee from Intro, the shop also offers coffees other roasters from around the world, such as Manhattan Coffee Roasters from the Netherlands.

Simple wooden furniture hugged by pristine white walls make this space feel vast and refined. The quiet ambience makes this the perfect spot to wind down, escape the heat, and dive into a book. The filter coffee here is a particularly excellent choice. HeiBai also works diligently to source some delectable tea, which can be a nice option for those who stop by later in the day. Stop by the shop for a cup, then go and eat some tagine (slow-cooked African stew) or couscous at a spot nearby. 

DRIBA COFFEE CLUB

A new café in Guéliz, DRIBA COFFEE CLUB is eclectic and groovy—the hip, new kid on the block. With a bright mustard-colored espresso bar, retro chairs, and old film memorabilia, this spot will transport you back to the 1950s. It’s particularly popular amongst locals, who come to sip on iced matcha lattes and relax.

Though DRIBA opened just this year, it’s already bustling with life. The menu is extensive, with the typical espresso-based drinks as well as some specialty lattes, filter coffee, and a sweet little food menu. Sip on a cortado and snack on an avocado toast, or, if you’re craving something sweet, their house-made pistachio syrup is excellent in an iced latte with oat milk.

THIRTY5IVE

A gorgeous space just around the corner from Gless Coffee is THIRTY5IVE: a sleek and spacious café that doubles as an art gallery (and also happens to play some great music).

Operating since early 2023, THIRTY5IVE is best known for exhibiting local art and hosting events for the local community. Here, slow rhythms and a cool cement interior provide much-need relief from the harsh Marrakech sun, and an antique turntable guards shelves of an extensive record collection.

The shop was recently renovated in the summer of 2026, making it the perfect space for both daily café activities and special events. And when it comes to their menu, there’s something for everyone. They serve coffee from FIVE WAYS COFFEE in Australia, with some great filter options available in addition to espresso, matcha, blended drinks, and affogatos. And, if you’re hungry, they also have a wide array of locally-baked pastries.

This isn’t a spot for a quick grab-and-go; come to escape the sun, sit and stay a while, and enjoy the music over a couple of drinks. And be sure to visit the upstairs portion to see their collection of local artwork. This is definitely a place you’ll want to visit more than once.

Kartell Kollektiv

A classic and great shop to visit in Marrakech is Kartell Kollektiv, which has two locations: one in Guéliz and the other in the Medina. This is the place to drink coffee after trotting through the souks, smelling perfumes, testing argan oil, and gazing at the vibrant lamps and handmade rugs that decorate the maze of open-air markets.

Nouaman El Moujahid, one of Kartell Kollektiv’s co-founders, opened the Guéliz location back in 2022, and the Medina spot served its first coffee in 2025. “Kartell Kollektiv’s story actually began before Marrakech. The original project started in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2014, and that background still shapes everything we do today,” says Nouaman. “When we came to Marrakech, our original goal was to bring this culture with us and create a space where it could meet the energy and spirit of Morocco.”

Kartell offers a simple espresso menu with some filter options in addition to a few food and pastry offerings. They brew and make everything with precision, and most likely, you will see Nouaman behind the bar. “Kartell Kollektiv is not simply a collection of coffee shops. It is a network where specialty coffee, art and urban subculture intersect,” he says. 

“Traditionally, classic cafés have dominated the landscape,” adds Nouaman. “In Marrakech, the development of a more contemporary, independent coffee shop culture really began to take shape around four or five years ago, when we decided to open Kartell Kollektiv. At the time, we were among the first—if not the very first—independent third-wave coffee shops in the city. The same applied to specialty coffee. In the beginning, it was relatively unknown to most people and remained a niche within a small community. Over time, however, that community has grown and continues to grow.”

According to Nouman, the specialty-coffee scene in Marrakech is still young. “The ecosystem is not yet fully developed, but that is also what makes it exciting,” he says. “There is a lot of room for growth, experimentation and new ideas, and we are seeing more people become curious about coffee and the culture around it.”

Special mentions

Simple Specialty Coffee

A small coffee kiosk in the heart of Medina. Grab an iced latte to-go as you shop in the souks. 

The Bloom Room

Situated in Guéliz, a unique and cute café that also sells freshly cut flowers. The perfect place to be surrounded by blooms as you sip on iced matcha. 

Hyuna House Cafe 

Also nestled in the heart of Medina, across from a leather-goods selling handmade bags and shoes. Korean-inspired with house-made syrups and delicious cookies. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michaela Tomchek finds coffee an important part of life and the world. She is an appreciator of the crop, the producer, and the many cafés throughout the world serving beautiful beverages. Currently, she writes about coffee, hoping to spread her joy across the globe. 

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