The Ruined Garden

Set in the romantic remains of a ruined riad associated with Riad Idrissy, this casual alfresco restaurant comes complete with crumbling mosaic floors, fountains, and lush foliage. The à la carte menu and daily specials focus on street food–style dishes prepared using fresh produce from the souk. Think salads such as zaalouk and sardines marinated in chermoula (a marinade, including herbs, oil, and lemon juice) with a polenta batter and mini maakouda (potato cakes in tomato sauce).

Restaurant, Moroccan, African, Mediterranean, Street Food, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Halal. One of the most romantic settings in Fes, The Ruined Gardens invites guests into its characterful setting, based in the ruins of an old and grand riad and filled with colorful and lively flowers. Although again, not a completely vegetarian friendly restaurant, The Ruined Garden is highly praised for its tempting pastries and typical Moroccan deserts.

Set in a former merchant’s house, the restaurant serves dishes such as beef tagine and roast lamb alongside vegetarian options in a courtyard garden. Afterwards, watch the sun set over the Atlas Mountains as the muezzin’s call to prayer rises above the city from the terrace at Riad Fès, close to the Ruined Garden.

The Ruined Garden, tucked deep in Morocco’s largest medina in the city of Fez, was recently named one of the World’s Best Restaurants by Travel + Leisure and Food & Wine. Here’s what to see and do while you’re in the area.

One of the most romantic settings in Fes, The Ruined Gardens invites guests into its characterful setting, based in the ruins of an old and grand riad and filled with colorful and lively flowers. Although again, not a completely vegetarian friendly restaurant, The Ruined Garden is highly praised for its tempting pastries and typical Moroccan deserts. With a very popular smoked aubergine salad featuring on the menu, The Ruined Garden allows vegetarian guests to feast on some of their specialties, from soups to salads, and even tajine.

This new restaurant is attached to Riad Idrissy and set in the romantic remains of a crumbling riad, with mosaic floors, fountains and exotic foliage. After 7 years of restoration, it is like stepping back in history with modern touches. Stop by for lunch for a fresh Moroccan style salad such as zaalouk (smoky aubergine, tomato and paprika puree) and street food such as sardines marinated in chermoula, and makuda, spiced battered potato cakes, all cooked to order in the garden.

The Ruined Garden – Robert Johnstone, has created a beautiful garden in the ruin at Riad Idrissy which was once a merchant’s house. Johnstone describes it as “half garden, half allotment.” In it, he grows gardenias, a jacaranda, papyrus, and a mix of edibles that are used in the riad’s kitchen, such as verbena, mint, chilies, sorrel, rosemary, parsley and tomatoes. The Ruined Garden Garden is also a cafe and restaurant that serves local Moroccan cuisine with a modern flair.

Plan-It-Fez commissioned Robert Johnstone, another British expat who in another life was reservations manager at London brasserie The Wolseley and who now owns the medina restaurant The Ruined Garden, to prepare it. His restaurant is worth a visit as well for the different spins on Moroccan salads and barbecued meats such as the seven hour lamb Mechwi which must be ordered in advance. It’s the perfect end of the tasting trail.

15 Derb Idrissy Sidi Ahmed Chaoui Medina 30110, Siaj, Fes, Morocco. Originally a merchant’s house, then a garbage dump-turned-garden, and now a restaurant and bread-making school at Riad Idrissy, The Ruined Garden has lived many lives. The lush courtyard restaurant in Fes el Bali is one of the city’s most Instagrammable, feeling like an effortlessly chic step into a stylish tastemaker’s home.

The most romantic restaurant in Fez is the Ruined Garden, built amid a collapsed 14th century house with picturesque broken walls and overgrown vegetation and dotted with large clay pots trailing vines. The food is excellent, but be forewarned, they don’t serve alcohol. The maître d’ laughed and said they applied for a liquor license five years ago, but it hasn’t come through yet.

We had the chance to eat several times at his in-house restaurant, The Ruined Garden, which came after the riad concept was established. They offer cooking classes if you book in advance, which are taught in French, Arabic or English. We highly recommend it as a chef can show you how they traditionally hand-roll their cous cous and give you ideas on the best ingredients to mix it.

Over breakfast on the roof terrace of Riad Laaroussa, a 17th-century palace with large, comfortable rooms and extravagantly high ceilings, I could see the extent of the medina. Beyond the city walls, the green hills of the Middle Atlas rose on either side of the valley. Beneath me spread the patchwork of the medina: the word 'labyrinth' is overused, but it applies here.

Run by the kind family of Riad Idrissy, Ruined Garden is a perfect getaway from the hustle of the Fes Medina, especially on a nice, sunny day. Relax in the picturesque ruin-garden setting as you enjoy a fantastic lunch or dinner. Open from 1PM to 9PM daily, Ruined Garden, while known for its food, is also famous for the old turtles walking around the garden courtyard.

This place is stunning with a capital “S” since you’ll get to dine on a spacious outdoor patio filled with greenery, greenery, and, oh yeah, more greenery. It basically feels like dining inside of this quirky little secret garden hidden away in the Medina. Yeah, I loved coming here, sitting down, and relaxing after a long day of sightseeing in Fes.

First off, a shoutout for The Ruined Garden‘s signage – some of the best in the medina. We literally learned how to get from there to our hotel, and then would follow the signs there whenever we got lost. This is definitely a restaurant built for tourists, but as it turns out, so are most Fes restaurants, since Moroccans don’t eat out much.

The Ruined Garden (15 Derb Idrissy Sidi Ahmed Chaoui, Fez 30110) is the restoration project of an old merchant house turned ruin turned rubbish dump. Today, it’s Riad Idrissy’s beautiful garden and restaurant, open to the public from lunch to dinner. The menu features modern Moroccan dishes, tapas, street food, desserts and daily specials.

The Ruined Garden Restaurant, though popular with visitors, deserves its reputation. Set in a restored riad garden, it serves traditional dishes with a focus on forgotten Fessi recipes. Try their chicken daghmira, a local specialty where the sauce is made from onions slowly caramelized until they dissolve into a sweet, rich gravy.

Located in the busy Medina, The Ruined Garden makes for another fantastic place to eat. The restaurant is in a riad where guests are escorted out to a idyllic patio garden filled with bougainvillea and other native Moroccan plants. Diners will feast on traditional tajine meals using sardines, saffron, olives, tomatoes and more.

The restaurant is set in the atmospheric ruins of a courtyard house a short walk from the medina’s Tala’a Seghira shopping street. At lunchtime, it serves small plates, cakes, pastries, and fresh juices. The Garden’s “Modern Moroccan dinners” include a seven-hour lamb ‘Mechwi’ or, my favorite, a yummy chicken pastilla.

With cocktails and sunset views over the Fez medina, this chic, upscale 50-room hotel located on a small hill outside of old town is architect-designed and built in classic Moroccan style with exquisite interiors by Parisian designer Christophe Pillet. The hotel has a Givenchy Spa and sophisticated urban rooftop bar.

Don’t let the name fool you: of ruins… nothing: the garden where the tables are set is very beautiful. It serves Moroccan tapas and main dishes. It is a bit more expensive than the other places we recommend in this article, but it is not excessive either: for 15/18 Euros you can eat and drink luxury, a little whim.

This was without question the most expensive of the places on this list. The lunch menu varies by day, so make sure you check in advance that you’ll like what’s on offer that day. It’s also important that you call or email to book in advance, especially if you plan on eating dinner, because this place books up!

For a relaxing escape from the craziness of Fez, try the Ruined Garden. Tucked behind large walls this beautiful garden is like a medieval oasis (with good food). You’ll have to get off the beaten track to get there and you may encounter some locals trying to tell you it’s closed.

This cafe is a hidden treasure that offers a peaceful retreat featuring Mediterranean dishes in a beautiful garden terrace. You can choose to eat inside in comfort or dine in the garden. Surrounded by the sound of a water fountain and birds, you’ll enjoy a fantastic meal.

Located in the alleyways of the Fez Medina, you’ll find The Ruined Garden: a beautiful green oasis serving seriously cheap Moroccan food. You may even spot their local resident: a tortoise by the name of Grandpa who is apparently “the fastest tortoise in all of Morocco”.

After 2 weeks in Morocco this beautiful restaurant was definitely an all time favorite. The grounds of the restaurant serve as a quiet oasis in the midst of Fes’ madness. The food here is served tapas style, with many of the dishes costing as little as 20 MAD ($2 USD).

Set amidst a crumbling riad, this restaurant offers a unique location to guests and has a wonderful romantic vibe, with grounds full of plants and foliage. They offer delicious meat, vegetarian, and vegan dishes, being mostly a great selection of tapas.

The rooftop of any number of restaurants becomes a romantic place at night, but for something more specific, you could try Les Jardins de Sheherazade or The Ruined Garden, where there are fireplaces so that you can eat around the fire in winter.

During the last century, many of the merchants and administrators moved out of Fez to the new capital of Rabat or the sprawling port city of Casablanca. This left many houses to the cats and hawks. Over time, they crumbled in on themselves.

As its name suggests, this Fes restaurant has a romantic garden setting, also complete with outdoor seating and soft lighting. Surrounded by the ruins of an ancient palace, it’s a sweet spot to enjoy the quiet vibes and great views.

The Ruined Gardens in Fes offers one of the most beautiful settings. It’s located in the ruins of an old riad and filled with flowers. While not entirely vegan, it’s known for its tempting pastries and Moroccan desserts.

The Ruined Garden: I’ll admit this is a total tourist cafe, but the food and location is just really great. Locals will tell you it’s super expensive, but don’t let it scare you off. It really isn’t expensive at all.

Riad Idrissy & The Ruined Garden are run by a Moroccan team. Many have been working here since we opened, many are from the immediate neighborhood. They want you to feel at home, relaxed and looked after.

Set in the ground of a former merchant’s house, the Ruined Garden serves tapas and light meals at lunch and traditional Moroccan food in the evenings. The seven-hour lamb mechwi is a stand-out.

The Ruined Garden: The name says it all: You’re seated in the garden of an old backyard – a unique vintage ambience!. Creative, Moroccan cuisine is served. Also suitable for vegetarians.

After your visit to the palaces of Ziat, I do recommend recharging for lunch at the lovely Ruined Garden. I particularly recommend the cheese trio and the kofta tagine!

The Ruined Garden is a lovely restaurant in the heart of the old medina with an amazing atmosphere. You really can’t go wrong with the special of the day.

Next, at The Ruined Garden’s cooking workshops, you’ll make five typical breads – including baghrir or “thousand-holes” pancake – or meat-free dishes.

The Ruined Garden is in the garden of Riad Idrissy and is a delightful, relaxed oasis. It will be opening its doors each day between 13.00 and 21.30.

The Ruined Garden: this hidden gem is a must-visit for dinner!. the food is amazing and the decor makes it the perfect place for a romantic dinner.

We offer lunch tapas, street food, even desserts and pastries, fresh juices (such as watermelon or cucumber & mint or date and orange blossom...

It’s hidden away in a far corner of Fes Medina, but the ambient location and the food are well worth the effort locating!

The Ruined garden, dans le même coin, ici aussi un restaurant, ici aussi avec des plantes peut être plus intimiste.