Nestled within the labyrinthine streets of Morocco’s ancient medinas, Cafe Clock stands as a vibrant testament to the country’s evolving culinary scene. This unique establishment has carved out a special niche by offering something increasingly sought after yet traditionally underrepresented in Moroccan cuisine: thoughtfully crafted vegetarian and vegan options that don’t compromise on authentic flavors. More than just a restaurant, Cafe Clock has established itself as a cultural institution where food, art, music, and community converge in a celebration of both traditional and contemporary Moroccan identity.
A Cultural Oasis in Morocco’s Historic Cities
With locations in Fez, Marrakech, and Chefchaouen, Cafe Clock has strategically positioned itself in Morocco’s most historically significant and tourist-frequented cities. Each venue occupies a lovingly restored traditional Moroccan house, or dar, complete with the architectural details that make these spaces so distinctive: intricate tilework, carved wooden elements, and multi-level terraces that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding medinas.
The original Cafe Clock in Fez, established in 2007 by British entrepreneur Mike Richardson, set the template for what would become a small but influential chain. Housed in a 250-year-old traditional home in the heart of Fez’s ancient medina, it immediately distinguished itself with its welcoming atmosphere and innovative approach to Moroccan cuisine. The success of this first location led to expansions in Marrakech in 2014 and the blue city of Chefchaouen in 2017, each adapting to its local environment while maintaining the core Cafe Clock ethos.
More Than Just a Meal
What sets Cafe Clock apart from other eateries catering to tourists is its commitment to being a genuine cultural hub. On any given evening, you might encounter traditional Gnawa musicians performing, a storytelling session preserving Morocco’s oral traditions, or a calligraphy workshop introducing visitors to the elegant art of Arabic script. These cultural programs aren’t mere entertainment for tourists but represent a sincere effort to preserve and celebrate Moroccan heritage while creating dialogue between visitors and locals.
The cafes also function as informal language exchange venues, with many travelers meeting local students eager to practice English or French. This cultural exchange aspect has made Cafe Clock particularly popular with younger Moroccans and expatriates seeking authentic connection beyond typical tourist experiences.
Vegetarian and Vegan Innovations in Traditional Cuisine
Morocco’s traditional cuisine, while celebrated globally for its complex flavors and techniques, has historically been heavily centered around meat dishes. The famous tagines, couscous preparations, and celebratory dishes like mechoui (slow-roasted lamb) have long defined Moroccan gastronomy. For vegetarians and vegans traveling through Morocco, finding authentic local cuisine that accommodates their dietary choices has traditionally been challenging.
Cafe Clock recognized this gap and set about creating a menu that honors Moroccan culinary traditions while expanding them to embrace plant-based eating. Rather than simply offering token vegetarian options, the cafe’s approach has been to thoughtfully reimagine classic dishes through a vegetarian and vegan lens.
Reimagined Moroccan Classics
The vegetarian tagines at Cafe Clock exemplify this innovative approach. Traditional slow-cooked stews typically built around meat are transformed with hearty combinations of seasonal vegetables, preserved lemons, olives, and the complex spice blends that define Moroccan cooking. The seven-vegetable couscous, a Friday staple in Moroccan homes, is elevated with caramelized onions, roasted squash, and chickpeas, creating a dish that’s both authentic and entirely plant-based.
Perhaps most impressive is the cafe’s vegan take on pastilla, traditionally a sweet-savory pie filled with pigeon or chicken. Cafe Clock’s version substitutes the meat with a savory mixture of mushrooms and lentils, maintaining the distinctive contrast between the crisp, sugar-dusted pastry exterior and the warmly spiced filling. It’s a creative adaptation that respects the original while creating something new and accessible to plant-based diners.
Local Ingredients, Global Perspective
The cafe’s commitment to sustainability extends to its sourcing practices. Seasonal produce comes from local markets, supporting small-scale farmers while ensuring freshness. Many ingredients, like the preserved lemons, olives, and argan oil, are sourced from women’s cooperatives, particularly in the Marrakech location, creating economic opportunities for rural women while maintaining traditional food production methods.
This blend of traditional techniques with contemporary dietary awareness has made Cafe Clock a pioneer in Morocco’s evolving food scene. The cafe demonstrates that adapting to vegetarian and vegan preferences doesn’t mean abandoning cultural authenticity—rather, it can be a way of extending and enriching culinary traditions.
Signature Dishes That Delight Plant-Based Diners
While Cafe Clock does serve meat options (including its famous camel burger in Fez), its vegetarian and vegan offerings have become equally renowned. These dishes have developed a following not just among plant-based eaters but among all diners seeking flavorful, thoughtfully prepared food that offers a genuine taste of Morocco.
Breakfast and Light Fare
Morning visitors to Cafe Clock can enjoy a traditional Moroccan breakfast with a plant-based twist. The beghrir (semolina pancakes with honeycomb-like texture) are served with date syrup instead of honey, making them suitable for vegans. The avocado and preserved lemon sandwich on freshly baked bread offers a contemporary take on breakfast that bridges Moroccan and international flavors.
For lighter meals, the cafe’s selection of salads showcases Morocco’s abundant produce. The zaalouk—a smoky eggplant and tomato salad—and taktouka—roasted peppers with tomato and garlic—are traditional Moroccan salads that happen to be naturally vegan. Cafe Clock serves these with freshly baked bread, transforming simple vegetable dishes into satisfying meals.
Hearty Main Courses
Beyond the reimagined tagines and couscous, Cafe Clock offers creative main courses that draw inspiration from both Moroccan traditions and global vegetarian cuisine. The harira soup, typically served during Ramadan, is offered in a hearty vegan version rich with lentils, chickpeas, and fresh herbs. The vegetable rfissa substitutes lentils for the traditional chicken in this comforting dish of shredded msemen (Moroccan flatbread) topped with a fragrant stew and lentils.
One standout creation is the “Clock Kefta”—plant-based meatballs made from a blend of lentils, mushrooms, and traditional Moroccan spices, served in a rich tomato sauce with a side of hand-cut fries. This dish cleverly reimagines the ubiquitous kefta tagine found throughout Morocco, offering vegetarians the chance to experience these flavor profiles.
Sweet Endings and Refreshing Beverages
No Moroccan dining experience would be complete without sweet treats and the country’s famous mint tea. Cafe Clock excels in both areas, with several dessert options suitable for vegetarians and vegans alike.
Traditional Desserts with Modern Twists
The cafe’s pastry chefs have mastered the art of adapting traditional Moroccan sweets to suit plant-based diets. Their orange and almond cake, inspired by the classic Moroccan orange and almond salad, is made without eggs or dairy but maintains the moist, fragrant quality that makes this dessert so beloved. The sesame cookies are prepared with olive oil rather than butter, creating a vegan-friendly version of these tea-time staples.
For those seeking something more indulgent, the date and walnut brownies offer a fusion of Moroccan ingredients with an international favorite. These rich, fudgy squares get their sweetness primarily from dates, a staple of Moroccan desserts, while incorporating the deep flavor of local walnuts.
Beverages Beyond Mint Tea
While the classic Moroccan mint tea is prepared to perfection at Cafe Clock—sweet, fragrant, and ceremoniously poured from height to create a frothy top—the beverage menu extends far beyond this traditional offering. The cafe was among the first in Morocco to embrace specialty coffee culture, with skilled baristas preparing everything from espresso to pour-overs using beans from local Moroccan roasters.
For those avoiding caffeine, the cafe offers a range of fresh juices that showcase Morocco’s abundant fruit. The avocado shake, a surprisingly refreshing blend of avocado, milk (with almond milk available for vegans), and date syrup, has become something of a signature drink. During summer months, the house-made lemonade infused with mint and orange blossom water offers welcome relief from the Moroccan heat.
A Model for Sustainable Tourism
Beyond its culinary innovations, Cafe Clock represents a thoughtful approach to tourism development in Morocco. By creating spaces that genuinely serve both locals and visitors, the cafe has avoided the pitfalls of establishments that cater exclusively to tourists while claiming authenticity.
The cafe’s commitment to cultural programming, language exchange, and culinary education through cooking classes creates meaningful interactions between travelers and Moroccans. This approach to hospitality—one that centers cultural exchange and mutual respect—offers a model for how tourism can benefit local communities while providing visitors with genuine experiences.
Building Community Through Food
Perhaps most significantly, Cafe Clock has created employment opportunities that specifically focus on training young Moroccans in hospitality skills. Many of the staff are former students of the cafe’s culinary programs, and the business has a track record of promoting from within. This investment in local talent ensures that the benefits of tourism extend beyond the immediate economic transaction of a meal.
For vegetarian and vegan travelers to Morocco, Cafe Clock offers more than just accessible food options—it provides a welcoming space to engage with Moroccan culture on multiple levels. Through its thoughtful approach to plant-based Moroccan cuisine, cultural programming, and community engagement, Cafe Clock demonstrates how traditional culinary heritage can evolve to embrace contemporary dietary choices without losing its soul. It stands as a testament to how food can serve as a bridge between cultures and generations, creating spaces where everyone can find nourishment for both body and spirit.
