Rabat Shopping Tips by JLBG Top 5 Page for this destination

Pâtisserie Abtal: Moroccan cakes !

Moroccan cakes are very good and "Pâtisserie Abtal" is among the best in Rabat if not the best, that is what my Moroccan friends told me.

What to buy: They uses a lot of ground almonds and almond paste, various kinds of wheat and honey. They are definitely not for weight watchers!

Address: 27 av Alabtal and 31 av Alatlas

Directions: 27 av Alabtal tel 037 77 19 94
31 av Alatlas tel 037 67 11 66

Phone: 037 77 19 94 and 037 67 11 66

Theme: Food and Drink

Vilarmar: Salé, a must go for handicraft !

Salé is the twin town to Rabat, on the other side of the Bou Regreg, a few kilometers away. Visit my Salé page. Under "shopping", you will find where to go for handicraft, at a place where you will not be hassled and will have plenty of time to choose by yourself.

Theme: Local Craft

Marjane: Argan oil

Why buy argan oil in Rabat's Marjane while it comes from Essaouira ? Along the Essaouira road, you will find guys selling what is supposed to be their home made argan oil. Don't buy, as you don't know what they are selling, often mixtures with ordinary oil.
In Essaouira, you will find argan oil in shops for tourists ... but more than twice the price it is in Marjane : 120 Drh instead of 45 Drh (= 4.5 euros or dollars) for 250 ml of the same brand ! It's up to you.
What is argan oil ? Look at my Essaouira page under "shopping".

Theme: Department Store

Marjane: Ipomea jam !?

What is that, Ipomea cream ? Sweet potato ! Would you have thought of making jam (cream) with sweet potato? It's delicious, somehow tasting like chestnut cream. It is a good idea and I will try do make some at home.

Theme: Department Store

Marjane: Amazing honeys !

I had never found in the Souk such a variety of honeys : euphorbia (spurge) flower, eucalyptus tree flower, lemon tree flower, orange tree flower, mint flower honeys for example. I have not found here any Argan tree flower honey, but I know it exists.

Theme: Department Store

Marjane: Olives, lemon, couscous, etc...

On the other side of the gondola, they have lemon pickled in vinegar and salt, dried tomatoes, capers, more green olives.

In the background, in another gondola, various kinds of pastas, of couscous grains, flour, semolina.

Theme: Department Store

Marjane: Olives

A whole gondola with every kind of Moroccan pickle. Olives of various kinds : black, fully ripe ones, green, not ripe at all, seasoned with chili, seasoned with "Ras El Hanouth". The other side of the gondola, in the background of the picture, will show better on next picture.

Theme: Department Store

Marjane: Spices for you

Here is what you might get ! Really inexpensive (look at the prices) :
ground ginger, 148 g for 7.10 dirhams,
M'rouzia mixture of spices, 138 g for 20.24 dirham,
Mixture of spices for fish, 128g for 10.53 dirham.

Theme: Department Store

Marjane: Spices

You will find the same spices than in the souk, but here the name is written clearly and the price is labeled. You have just to take a small shovel, put in a bag the spice you want and have it weighted by a helpful girl !

Theme: Department Store

Marjane: Don't miss supermarkets !

It might seem strange to advise the visit of a supermarket in Morocco. Though, you should follow this advice.

The outside of Marjane looks like a stylized medina wall. It is easy to park, no park meter, nobody to tip !

Directions: Close to the oued Bou Regreg

Theme: Department Store