The Prince and The Hawker

The Ruined Garden feels like an oasis in the middle of Fes’ medina, the dense historical centre of the city. Venturing through the labyrinth of the medina in the heat can take a toll on any tourist. That’s why The Ruined Garden’s location is perfect for a pitstop and a bite to eat.

On our trip to Fes, my partner and I walked in to The Ruined Garden after going on a walking tour in the morning. The moment we stepped through the front arch, we were transported to a luscious garden.

The Ruined Garden is a cafe and restaurant that grew out of an old riad – the traditional Moroccan houses with central enclosed gardens/courtyards. This riad became dilapated over time. In 2010, the central garden was replanted with an array of flora and transformed into a luscious backdrop for the current restaurant. It’ is’s a relaxing haven in the middle of the bustling medina of Fes.

We were greeted at the entrance to the courtyard and told to take any of the available tables. At the time, there were a few other tables and the restaurant was only about half full. However, service was quite slow and we had to wait for a while to get menus, and again to order. Service was friendly, though.

Time to Eat at The Ruined Garden

I started the meal with a Date & Orange Blossom Milk. The texture was half-milk, half-smoothie, and it was absolutely delicious. Time seemed to stop while my mind processed the first sip. The drink was quite sweet, but this stemmed from the fresh dates used to make it. The unique flavour felt very Moroccan.

Our meal was served with typical khobz, Moroccan bread. During our week-long trip to Morocco, I couldn’t get enough of this bread, and it was no different at The Ruined Garden. The bread was freshly baked, with a crunchy semolina-crusted exterior and tender airy interior. I loved eating it on its own as well as to mop up the juices of my main dish.

I opted for the Lamb Tagine as my main. When the server brought it and removed the tall, conical tagine lid, a wonderfully aromatic puff of steam enveloped my face. The lamb melted the moment it touched my tongue, and I really enjoyed the flavour combination with the prunes, apricots and sesame.

After the meal, I opted for a coffee rather than the traditional Moroccan mint tea. Even though Morocco is not a big coffee-drinking country, the coffee at The Ruined Garden was great.

Final Thoughts

The Ruined Garden is a welcome oasis in the middle of Fes’ bustling medina. Stepping into the restaurant and garden, you can indulge in typical Moroccan dishes and beverages. The service was a little slow when we were there, but was still friendly. Though a little more expensive than other less touristy restaurants, the prices at The Ruined Garden are still very reasonable, and seem a steal coming from a European or American perspective.