Marrakesh

"Marrakesh has quietly been serving an epic Moroccan, BYOB and full bar experience in Queen Village for over 40 years (or not so quiet, if you come on a night when there are belly dancers). Everything from the colorful pillows and shimmering brass food trays to the staff washing your hands in a rose water bath is pure escapism. They have a $40 tasting menu—there's a vegetarian option, too—we’d happily travel for any night of the week (and especially for the spicy chicken). Park your group in a cushiony booth and wait for the procession of tangy veggies, gingery, citrusy chicken, and fresh fruit and mint tea to come your way. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Food Rundown photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Eggplant, Carrot, and Cucumber Salad This vegetable mix kicks off the tasting menu. There are tangy carrots, diced cucumber, and tomato-y stewed eggplant. It's a light starter that you'll want to keep on your table for the whole meal so you can peck at with your fork like a hungry, happy bird throughout the evening. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Hummus The hummus comes separately as an alternative to the salads, and it's worth getting. It's creamy and silky smooth with a healthy pool of olive oil and chickpeas in the middle. And as we all know, anything with chickpeas is usually a good thing. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO B'stilla If a meat pie and baklava had a baby, it would be this. There's flaky, soft phyllo packed with savory bits of ground chicken and egg, all topped with cinnamon, powdered sugar, and bits of almond. The savory-sweet mash up can be hit or miss with a group, but it's a must try either way. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Couscous Couscous never tastes as good at home as it does out to dinner, and this one is among the restaurant best. There's a fluffy mound of pasta, chunks of carrots and potatoes, and shreds of juicy chicken. It's the perfect bridge between the light dishes and the meatier, heavier ones. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Lamb Sweet. Honey-coated. Sprinkled with toasted almond. Tender. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Spicy Chicken Although this menu is made for sharing, you won't want to split this chicken. If we made a guide ranking whole birds, this one would be top three—and it's not one or two. It's a beautiful collision of peppery spice, ginger, citrus, and fall-off-the-bone chicken. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Dessert Tray No, this isn't a setup for a still life painting. It's your dessert. And it all looks so fresh that you'll think, now that is an apple. An absolute gorgeous spread of fruit on ice, syrupy balava, and subtly sweet mint tea." - Candis R. McLean

"It feels insane that you don't need a passport to have the rose water hand bath, belly dancing, and fall-off-the-bone spicy chicken experience at Marrakesh. Just off South Street, the Moroccan spot is full of low, colorful couches, decorative lanterns, and engraved gold tables straight from a market in Marrakesh. There's a prix-fixe menu ($30 per person) with things like spicy cumin chicken, eggplant and carrot salads, and Moroccan pastries that are ideal for big groups. Come to this classic BYOB for the ultimate escape—no airplane necessary. " - candis mclean, alison kessler

"Marrakesh, Queen Village’s Moroccan restaurant, has been a stalwart of Philly’s dining scene for over three decades. Come here to recline on low couches and admire the traditional Moroccan decor while eating things like spicy cumin chicken, eggplant and carrot salads, and Moroccan pastries (and on Fridays and Saturdays, watch belly dancers do their thing). You’ll have to make a reservation at least a week out, especially if you’re coming with a big group, but for a birthday dinner or reunion with friends, there aren’t many places in the city where you’ll have more fun." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"For some birthdays, you want the dancing and the meal to happen under one roof. This is the Marrakesh specialty. The Moroccan restaurant in Society Hill has a prix-fixe menu with things like spicy cumin chicken, eggplant and carrot salads, and Moroccan pastries that are ideal for big groups. Come here to recline on low couches and pillows, admire the colorful tapestries and lanterns, and eat while a belly dancer performs. Also, it’s BYOB, so plan accordingly." - candis mclean, alison kessler

"Sometimes you want the dancing and the meal to happen under one roof. This is the Marrakesh specialty. The Moroccan restaurant in Society Hill has a prix-fixe menu with things like spicy cumin chicken, eggplant and carrot salads, and Moroccan pastries that are ideal for big groups. Come here to recline on low couches and pillows, admire the colorful tapestries and lanterns, and eat while a belly dancer performs. Also, it’s BYOB, so plan accordingly." - candis mclean