While we checked into the Suite Azur Hotel in the seaside town of Essaouira, Zachariah headed to the port to pick up fresh fish and deliver it to Chez Ahmed. We were heading there for lunch.

Once settled, we zigzagged through our section of the medina to Chez Ahmed in a courtyard full of storefront restaurants.

They had set out one long table with fresh olives, harissa for the fish and a basket of fresh pita bread baked in the neighborhood oven, like every resident.

In addition to the fresh fish Zachariah had picked up for us, the kitchen served crisp french fries and fresh tomato salad.

Our fish included huge platters of squid and shrimp that we needed to peel and eat. The only way to dig into all the fish was with my hands, which helped ensure no bones. The cooked fish kept coming and coming.

Everything was fresh from the sea and hot off the grill. Heaven on platters, including whitefish, dorado and the best-tasting fresh sardines I’ve ever had. I couldn’t stop eating them.

A perfect welcome to our stay in Essaouira.

Chez Ahmed °222
G67J+PVW,
Essaouira, Morocco
+212 5244-74419