Best Pubs in Essaouira: Where Locals Actually Drink

If you are searching for the best pubs in Essaouira, you need to understand that drinking culture here works differently than in Marrakech or Casablanca. Essaouira is a windy, relaxed coastal city with a strong local character, a historic Jewish quarter, a thriving arts scene, and a surprisingly open-minded attitude in certain corners. Locals who drink tend to do so in a mix of old hotel bars, seaside cafés that turn into low-key pubs at night, and a handful of modern cocktail spots near the port and medina.

I have spent years wandering the streets of Essaouira, from the Skala de la Ville to the mellah, and I have watched the city’s drinking scene evolve. The best pubs in Essaouira are rarely the flashiest places. They are the ones where you will find fishermen, artists, shopkeepers, and a few long-term expats sharing a drink after a long, windy day. In this guide, I will take you to the top bars Essaouira has to offer, focusing on where locals actually drink, not just where tourists take photos.

Below, you will find my personal local pubs Essaouira directory. Each place is real, each street is real, and every detail comes from my own visits. I have included the best time to go, what to order, and one detail most tourists miss. I have also added honest critiques, because no place is perfect, and you deserve to know what you are walking into.

1. Le Patio del Puerto – Where Locals Watch the Sunset with a Beer

You will find Le Patio del Porto right near the port area of Essaouira, tucked between the fishing boats and the main seafood stalls. This is one of the first places I take friends when they ask where to drink in Essaouira with an actual view of the working harbor. The terrace faces the Atlantic, and you can watch fishermen haul in their catch while you sip a cold Casablanca or Flag beer.

The interior has a rustic, slightly colonial feel, with whitewashed walls, blue shutters, and mismatched wooden furniture. Locals come here in the late afternoon, around 5:30 PM, when the light turns golden and the wind starts to calm down. I usually order a plate of grilled sardines with a cold beer, and I always ask for the house harissa on the side. The staff are used to a mix of French, Arabic, and English, so you will not feel out of place.

What most tourists do not know is that Le Patio del Porto has a small back room where local musicians sometimes gather informally on Thursday and Friday nights. There is no sign advertising it, and the hotel staff will not always mention it unless you ask. If you are lucky, you will stumble into an impromptu gnawa session that feels far more authentic than any staged show.

Local Insider Tip: Ask for the table on the far left corner of the terrace, the one closest to the wall. It looks unremarkable, but it catches the least wind and gives you the best angle of the port entrance. If you go on a Sunday, arrive before 6 PM or you will not get a seat.

Le Patio del Porto connects to Essaouira’s identity as a working port city. This is not a polished tourist bar. It is a place where the sea salt sticks to your glass and the conversation is a mix of Darija, French, and the occasional Portuguese phrase from old maritime connections.

2. Il Mare – The Quiet Terrace Above the Medina

Il Mare sits on a rooftop along one of the quieter streets just inside the medina walls, not far from the Bab Doukkala gate. I discovered this place years ago when a local artist friend dragged me up three flights of narrow stairs because he said the mint tea was better than anything near the port. He was wrong about the mint tea, but he was right about the atmosphere.

This is one of the top bars Essaouira locals visit when they want to escape the noise of the main squares without leaving the medina. The terrace overlooks a section of the medina rooftops and gives you a partial view of the ocean. They serve beer, wine, and a surprisingly decent espresso. I usually come here around 4 PM, when the afternoon heat starts to fade and the light on the white walls turns soft.

The crowd is a mix of Moroccan artists, a few European residents, and the occasional solo traveler who wandered up by accident. The music is low, often French or Brazilian, and the service is relaxed in a way that matches the city’s pace. If you want a place to read, write, or just sit quietly with a glass of local wine, Il Mare is where you go.

One detail most visitors miss is the small bookshelf in the corner of the terrace. It is a take-one-leave-one system, and the books are in French, Arabic, and occasionally English. I once found a 1970s travelogue about Essaouira there, and the owner just smiled and told me to keep it.

Local Insider Tip: Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening, when the terrace is almost empty. Ask the waiter for the “carafe du maison,” which is not on the menu but is available most nights. It is a simple local red wine served in a small glass carafe, and it costs about 40 to 50 dirhams.

Il Mare reflects Essaouira’s artistic, bohemian side. This is a city that has hosted musicians, writers, and painters for decades, and Il Mare feels like a living room for that community.

3. Taros – The Late-Night Hub for Locals Who Stay Up

Taros is located on one of the streets just outside the main medina entrance, near the area locals call the “new town” or the commercial district. If you walk past around 10 PM, you will hear laughter, clinking glasses, and sometimes live music drifting from the open doors. This is one of the best pubs in Essaouira for late-night drinking, and it is where I go when I want to feel the city’s pulse after dark.

The interior is split into a ground floor bar and a mezzanine level with tables overlooking the main room. The walls are covered in old posters, concert flyers, and photographs of Essaouira from the 1960s and 70s. They serve beer, wine, cocktails, and a range of tapas-style small plates. I usually order a gin and tonic with local tonic water and a plate of Spanish-style olives and cheese.

Taros attracts a younger crowd, mostly Moroccans in their 20s and 30s, along with a few expats and travelers who have been in town long enough to know where to go. The music ranges from chaabi and rap to electronic and jazz, depending on the night. Friday and Saturday are the busiest, but I actually prefer Thursday, when the crowd is more local and the energy is less chaotic.

What most tourists do not realize is that Taros has a small outdoor area in the back, accessible through a side door near the bar. It is not advertised, and it is easy to miss. If the main room is too loud, ask a staff member if the “jardin” is open. You will find a quiet courtyard with a few tables and a much calmer vibe.

Local Insider Tip: If you want to experience Taros at its most local, go on a Sunday night. The crowd is smaller, the music is more Moroccan, and you are more likely to end up in a conversation with someone who actually lives in Essaouira. Order the “brochette mixte” from the food menu, even if you are not hungry. It is one of the best late-night snacks in the city.

Taros represents the modern side of Essaouira, the side that exists alongside the historic medina and the tourist cafés. It is where the younger generation of Essaouira comes to socialize, and it gives you a glimpse of the city’s evolving nightlife.

4. Café de la Porte – The Old Guard of Essaouira Drinking

Café de la Porte sits right near one of the old city gates, close to the area where the mellah meets the main medina. This is one of the oldest drinking spots in the city, and it has barely changed in decades. The wooden chairs are worn, the tables are small, and the walls are lined with faded photographs and old license plates. When I first started coming to Essaouira, older locals told me this was where their fathers used to drink.

The menu is simple. You can order beer, wine, soft drinks, and a few basic snacks like nuts, olives, and sometimes grilled fish if the port delivery was good that day. I usually come here in the late morning or early afternoon, around 1 PM, when the light is bright and the streets are still quiet. The clientele is mostly older Moroccan men, a few shopkeepers, and the occasional curious tourist who wanders in from the nearby market.

What makes Café de la Porte special is its connection to Essaouira’s Jewish history. The mellah is right there, and this café has been a gathering place for decades, long before the city became a tourist destination. The owner, who has been running the place for over 20 years, once told me that Jewish visitors used to come here during the annual pilgrimage to the moulay Abdellah shrine, and the café would stay open late to serve them.

One thing most tourists miss is the small back room, which is technically a private space but is sometimes opened for groups. If you are with two or three people and you ask politely, the owner might let you sit there. It is quieter, and the walls have old black-and-white photos of Essaouira from the 1940s and 50s.

Local Insider Tip: Go on a weekday afternoon, around 2 PM, and order a Flag beer with a small plate of olives. Sit at the table closest to the window, where you can watch people walking in and out of the medina. If the owner is there, ask him about the old photographs. He loves to talk about them, and you will learn more about Essaouira’s history in 10 minutes than in any museum.

Café de la Porte is a living piece of Essaouira’s past. It is not fancy, it is not trendy, but it is real. If you want to understand where to drink in Essaouira like a local, you start here.

5. Le Skala – The Seaside Bar with a View of the Fortress

Le Skala is located along the Skala de la Ville, the historic seafront rampart that defines Essaouira’s skyline. You walk along the stone walls, past the old cannons, and you will find a small bar and terrace perched right above the water. This is one of the top bars Essaouira visitors talk about, but it is also a place where locals come, especially on weekends.

The view is the main draw. You can see the Atlantic crashing against the rocks, the medina walls stretching out behind you, and the distant silhouette of the islands where birds nest. They serve beer, wine, cocktails, and a few light dishes like salads and grilled fish. I usually come here around 6 PM, just before sunset, when the sky turns orange and the wind is still manageable.

The crowd is a mix of locals and tourists, but the terrace has a way of blending everyone together. I have sat next to fishermen, French retirees, Moroccan students, and solo travelers, all sharing the same view. The music is usually low, just ambient sounds from a speaker inside, and the service is efficient without being rushed.

What most tourists do not know is that Le Skala has a lower level, accessible by a small staircase to the right of the main terrace. It is a semi-open area with a few tables right at water level. It is not always open, but if you ask the staff, they will sometimes let you sit there. The sound of the waves is much louder, and you feel like you are almost on the water.

Local Insider Tip: Go on a Saturday evening, around 7 PM, and order a “panaché” (beer mixed with lemon soda) instead of a straight beer. It is lighter, more refreshing, and it pairs perfectly with the sea breeze. If you want the best seat on the main terrace, walk all the way to the far end, near the old cannon. That table is rarely reserved and gives you the widest view.

Le Skala connects directly to Essaouira’s identity as a fortified coastal city. The Skala was built to protect the city, and sitting there with a drink, you feel that history in the stones beneath your feet.

6. La Maison du Port – The Quiet Hotel Bar for Serious Conversations

La Maison du Port is a small hotel and bar located near the port area, just a short walk from the main fish market. It is not a flashy place, and you could easily walk past it without noticing. But this is one of the local pubs Essaouira regulars rely on when they want a quiet drink without the noise of the medina or the crowds of the Skala.

The bar is on the ground floor, with a few tables inside and a small terrace facing the street. The decor is simple and nautical, with wood paneling, old maps, and a few model ships. They serve beer, wine, spirits, and a small selection of snacks. I usually come here in the early evening, around 5 PM, when the port is still active but the day-trippers have left.

The clientele is a mix of local business owners, fishermen taking a break, and a few long-term foreign residents who have made Essaouira their home. The atmosphere is calm, almost sleepy, and it is a good place to have a serious conversation or just sit alone with a book. The staff are friendly but not intrusive, and they are happy to let you nurse a single drink for an hour.

One detail most visitors miss is the small notice board near the entrance. Locals post information about events, boat trips, room rentals, and sometimes job offers. I once found a lead on a local music workshop just by reading that board. It is a small thing, but it shows how La Maison du Port functions as a community hub, not just a bar.

Local Insider Tip: Go on a weekday, around 5:30 PM, and ask for the “local white wine” instead of ordering by brand. The staff will know what you mean. It is a crisp, dry wine from the Meknes region, and it is usually cheaper than the imported options. If you are hungry, ask if they have the “pain grillé avec fromage.” It is not on the menu, but they almost always have bread and cheese in the kitchen.

La Maison du Port reflects Essaouira’s quieter, more practical side. This is a working city, and this bar feels like a place where people come to unwind after a day of real work, not just sightseeing.

7. Le Pijamin – The Hidden Courtyard Bar in the Medina

Le Pijamin is tucked deep inside the medina, down a narrow alley that most tourists never walk through. You have to know where you are going, or you will miss it entirely. I found it by accident years ago, following a local friend who was visiting from Casablanca. He said it was one of the best pubs in Essaouira for a relaxed, low-key evening, and he was right.

The bar is built around a small interior courtyard, with a few tables on the ground floor and a narrow balcony above. The walls are painted in warm colors, and there are plants, lanterns, and mismatched cushions everywhere. They serve beer, wine, cocktails, and a small menu of Moroccan and European dishes. I usually come here around 8 PM, when the medina is quiet and the lanterns are lit.

The crowd is a mix of locals, artists, and a few travelers who have been in town long enough to discover the place. The music is soft, often acoustic or classic chaabi, and the atmosphere is intimate without being claustrophobic. The staff are warm and remember regulars, which makes the place feel more like a private home than a commercial bar.

What most tourists do not know is that Le Pijamin has a small “secret” menu of homemade cocktails that are not written down. If you ask the bartender for something special, he will usually ask what you like (sweet, sour, strong) and then make something on the spot. I once got a drink with local honey, lemon, and a splash of rum that was one of the best things I have ever tasted in Essaouira.

Local Insider Tip: Go on a Wednesday or Thursday night, when the courtyard is quieter and the bartender has time to experiment. Ask for something with “miel local” (local honey) and “menthe” (mint). If you are hungry, order the “tagine de poulet aux olives,” even if it is not on the written menu. They almost always have it, and it is better than what you will find in most tourist restaurants.

Le Pijamin embodies the hidden, intimate side of Essaouira. The medina is full of narrow alleys and closed doors, and this bar feels like a secret that only a few people know. But once you find it, you will want to come back.

8. Chez Sam – The Fisherman’s Bar Near the Port

Chez Sam is a small, unpretentious bar located right near the port, a few steps from the fish market and the boat builders. It is not a place you will find in most travel guides, but it is one of the local pubs Essaouira fishermen and dockworkers have been drinking in for years. I first came here with a local fish merchant who said, “If you want to know Essaouira, you drink where the fishermen drink.”

The interior is basic. A few wooden tables, a small bar counter, a television showing football matches, and walls covered in old posters and graffiti. They serve beer, wine, and soft drinks, and sometimes you can get grilled fish or calamari if the kitchen is open. I usually come here in the late afternoon, around 4 PM, when the boats are coming in and the port is at its most active.

The clientele is almost entirely local. Fishermen, dockworkers, mechanics, and a few shopkeepers from the surrounding streets. The atmosphere is loud, friendly, and unpolished. If you are a stranger, people will notice you, but they will not be hostile. A nod, a smile, and a “salam alikum” is usually enough to break the ice.

One thing most tourists miss is the small table in the back corner, near the window overlooking the port. It is technically reserved for regulars, but if you go early and the bar is not busy, the owner will sometimes let you sit there. From that spot, you can watch the entire port operation, from the boats arriving to the fish being sorted and sold.

Local Insider Tip: Go on a weekday, around 4:30 PM, and order a Casablanca beer with a small plate of “calamari grillé” if it is available. If there is a football match on TV, stay and watch it. You will end up in conversations with locals who are passionate about the game, and it is one of the easiest ways to connect with people in Essaouira.

Chez Sam is Essaouira at its most raw and real. This is a working port city, and this bar is a reflection of that. If you want to understand where to drink in Essaouira beyond the tourist circuit, Chez Sam is essential.

When to Go and What to Know About Drinking in Essaouira

If you are planning to explore the best pubs in Essaouira, timing matters. The city is not a party destination like Marrakech. Drinking culture here is relaxed, and most places do not get busy until after 8 PM. For a local experience, I recommend going out between 6 PM and 10 PM, when the streets are still alive but the tourist crowds have thinned.

Friday and Saturday nights are the busiest, especially at places like Taros and Le Skala. If you prefer a quieter vibe, go on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Sunday. Thursday night is also good, particularly at Taros and Le Pijamin, when the crowd is more local.

Alcohol is available in Essaouira, but it is not everywhere. You will find it in hotels, licensed bars, and certain restaurants, but not in small local cafés or street stalls. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory. In most places, rounding up the bill or leaving 10 to 20 dirhams is enough.

Dress code is casual. Essaouira is a coastal city, and people dress comfortably. You do not need to wear anything fancy, but walking into a bar in beachwear or flip-flops might draw stares. A simple shirt and long shorts or trousers will fit in anywhere on this list.

Finally, respect the city. Essaouira is a place with deep history, strong traditions, and a unique character. Drinking here is not about getting drunk. It is about slowing down, watching the ocean, and sharing a moment with the people who live here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water in Essaouira safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?

Tap water in Essaouira is technically treated and generally safe for brushing teeth and washing, but most locals and long-term residents avoid drinking it straight. Bottled mineral water, such as Sidi Ali or Cielo, costs around 5 to 10 dirhams for a 1.5 liter bottle in small shops. Many cafés and bars use filtered or bottled water for coffee and tea, but if you are unsure, always ask for sealed bottled water.

What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Essaouira is famous for?

Grilled sardines are the iconic local food in Essaouira, especially near the port. Fresh sardines are marinated in a simple chermoula sauce with garlic, cumin, and paprika, then grilled over charcoal. A portion of six to eight sardines at a port-side stall usually costs between 30 and 50 dirhams. Pair it with a cold local beer or a glass of mint tea for the full experience.

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Essaouira?

Vegetarian options are available but not always obvious. Many local pubs and cafés serve vegetable tagines, lentil soups, salads, and grilled fish, but vegan options are rarer. In the medina, you can find places offering “harira” (a tomato and lentil soup) and “bissara” (dried fava bean soup), both of which are naturally vegan. Always ask if butter or animal broth is used, as some dishes may not be strictly plant-based.

Is Essaouira expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

For a mid-tier traveler, a realistic daily budget in Essaouira is around 600 to 900 dirhams (approximately 60 to 90 USD) per person. This includes a mid-range hotel or riad (250 to 400 dirhams), two meals at local restaurants (150 to 250 dirhams), one or two drinks at a bar (50 to 100 dirhams), and transport or small expenses (50 to 150 dirhams). Prices rise slightly in July and August, but Essaouira remains more affordable than Marrakech.

Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Essaouira?

There is no strict dress code in Essaouira’s bars and pubs, but modest clothing is appreciated, especially in the medina and near religious sites. For men, a shirt and long shorts or trousers are fine. For women, covering shoulders and knees is respectful but not mandatory. Avoid walking into a bar straight from the beach in a swimsuit. A light layer, like a linen shirt or scarf, is enough to show respect without sacrificing comfort.