Marrakesh

Claim
marker

517 S Leithgow St
Philadelphia, PA 19147

marker
(215) 925-5929
Incorrect info? Correct your listing
Photos
Marrakesh - Philadelphia, PA
Reviews
( 17 )
( 3 )
( 2 )
( 3 )
( 0 )

Best

From the greeting at the door to the personal goodbye, this is an experience that will transport you to another place, as you are invited to partake in a feast in a Moroccan home....

Worst

Food is ok, but the wait staff are just a few high school kids who could care less about you. I'm no belly dancer connoseur, but it was one reason we came. The belly dancer look...

Amazing experience, intimate atmosphere 2/14/2011

From the greeting at the door to the personal goodbye, this is an experience that will transport you to another place, as you are invited to partake in a feast in a Moroccan home. The owner and his wife take great care to make you feel welcomed and ensure you are completely stuffed with perfectly prepared dishes, from carrot and cucumber salads to the spicy chicken to the warm sweet peppermint tea. One of the must-try experiences in Philly! more
Reply | Report abuse |

I'd do it again 9/24/2008

I went to Marrakesh for my anniversary. Hubbie didn't like it much but I thought it was good. I will go again with some girlfriends to get a second feel for it. I was expecting so much more than what I actually got, as far as the experience went. I read lots of reviews before going so the bar was set pretty high and my experience didn't reach that bar. Pros: Spicy chicken, three salad appetizer, pita bread, that sweet appetizer thingy with the chicken, eggs and almonds, bahklava and friendly service. Cons: Could've done without the cous cous, mint tea was too sweet but I'm sure that's just my palate, restaurant is very small, sitting too close to other patrons, no conversational privacy, no bellydancer (not that there was enough room for one). more
Reply | Report abuse |

I beg you, GO TO THIS PLACE! 8/25/2008

If I lived closer to this restaurant, I would be broke. I could eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at Marrakesh. You knock on the door and get greeted by their very attentive staff. The ambience is dim, romantic, and fabulous. You enter a room with what looks to be antique metal tables embossed with detail surrounded by couches full of tapestries and pillows. You sit comfortable and close to your guests and/or loved ones for a very personal intimate feel. The servers come over and wash your hands with a rose oil, water, and a hot towel. (funny to say youll be sniffing your hands for a moment) Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service, House Carafe Wine Cons: Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

You'll forget you're in an alley 8/14/2008

The restaurant is a little tricky to find but it's like a gem! It was very welcoming and like visiting a friend's house, you either have to use the knocker or ring the doorbell to be let in. The entire place is lavishly decorated and it's just absolutely beautiful! It is a little dark and we were a larger group, seated upstairs. I would be careful in that area because there are very small steps at the top. Our waitress was very accomodating while we waited for a few late friends. There was so much food and we had a good time figuring out how to eat everything without making a mess. It was a little strange at first to have towels as napkins but we all appreciated, as there are no utensils (except for the cous cous). For the fruit dish, we got an enormous bowl of fresh fruit. The food was good and there was definitely more than enough. Pros: Beautiful decor, good food, plenty of accomodation for groups Cons: Difficult to find, parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Food, service and language skills are all quite fine 1/28/2008

I've been to Marrakesh on several occasions and in groups of varying sizes, and several things have been consistent: the food has been great, the service has been friendly, and the staff speaks English as well as the waitstaff in any other Philadelphia eatery. I've therefore been somewhat shocked by the other comments on this site indicating indifferent service or language problems, as I've encountered neither before at Marrakesh. Pros: Ambience, hospitality Cons: Large amount of time needed to appreciate all courses; large portions more
Reply | Report abuse |

OK food, terrible staff and terrible belly dancer! 1/16/2008

Food is ok, but the wait staff are just a few high school kids who could care less about you. I'm no belly dancer connoseur, but it was one reason we came. The belly dancer looks about 14 years old and she couldn't dance at all and did moves that looked more like stripping to crappy arabic techno music. It was embarrassing and so inappropriate. This place looks like it is run by high schoolers - what is up with that? Pros: Atmosphere, food is ok Cons: Waiters, belly dancer more
Reply | Report abuse |

Course after course after course of heaven.... 12/1/2007

Course after course after course of heaven. All dishes are cooked to perfection and the servce is spot-on.... more
Reply | Report abuse |

Course after course after course of heaven.... 12/1/2007

jamesc4 Provided by Partner
Course after course after course of heaven. All dishes are cooked to perfection and the servce is spot-on. Downsides include high prices, reservati... more
Reply | Report abuse |

A new dining experience 11/5/2007

My family and I went to Marrakesh for a birthday dinner and experience something totally new. The restaurant was beautiful, and every staff member was polite and helpful. The food not only smelled delicious but tasted the same. Prepare to be there for at least 2 hours and you must go on a day when the belly dancing is there (usually wednesday or friday). The price was reasonable and you will leave with your taste buds fulfilled. Pros: Great service, Delicious food, and good pricing Cons: Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

AMAZING dining experience!!! 7/2/2007

I went with my fiancee for her birthday (she said she wanted Moroccan)...You go into an alley off of south street (by an iced cream shop between 4th and 5th) and KNOCK on the door!! You then go in and the waiters are dressed in AWESOME clothes and the atmosphere is top notch. You sit down on very comfortable, low to the ground sort of semi circle sofas, and they wash your hands and give you big towels to put over your lap...Then they start bringing the food!! The food was fantastic!!! I HIGHLY suggest the spicy chicken (you get to choose between 2 things for each of your 5 courses)...and would choose the beef over the lamb unless you really love lamb. Pros: Everything about it Cons: Nothing more
Reply | Report abuse |

Great food & Cozy Atmosphere 12/2/2006

Tucked in an alley way off of South Street, this hidden gem feels like you stepped away to another world. The decor sets the mood with vibrant colors and cozy pillows. The food had so much flavor and the meats were cooked perfectly. It was so good I left with a Gift Certificate to give as a gift. Just note that the meal is looonnng. Don't go if you're rushed. It's 7 courses. We got there at 5:30 and left at 8:15. Great for groups or for a romantic date for 2. Oh, and it's BYO! more
Reply | Report abuse |

Cozy with strangers. 11/18/2006

I love Moroccan food, but my main experience of it had been a small restaurant in Savannah, GA that I adore. As you might imagine, I was very excited to come to a highly recommended Moroccan establishment in a much larger city. Unfortunately, Marrakesh failed my expectations on almost every point. While nothing was bad, not a single dish was stellar and the entire experience cost me twice as much as the better Moroccan I have been accustomed to. Pros: Decent food Cons: Outragously overpriced more
Reply | Report abuse |

Come Hungry!! 11/13/2006

A little hard to find off of South Street, but worth it. The 7 course meal was wonderful from start to finish. Call first, it was BYOB. They don't accept credit cards so bring some cash. Atmosphere was great, warm and cozy. Pros: Hard to find Cons: Doesn't accept credit cards, BYOB more
Reply | Report abuse |

Best lamb ever 6/29/2006

When we arrived we were waiting for the resturant to open and spoke to another couple who had been to morocco before. The first course was a fantastic selection of salad. The second was a delicious chicken dish in a very flaky and perfect filo crust topped with confectioners sugar and had cinnamon in it. It was amazingly good. The lamb just melts in your mouth. And the baklava was superb. The atmosphere is just perfect for wither a romantic dinner or a large group with kids. The mint tea was amazing as well. The perfect amount of food was served for 2 people so every course was cleared and we left pleasantly full. I did see a few people turned away for not having reservations but we made ours an hour before it opened so it is very easy to reserve a table. Without drinks the meal came to $62 with tip included and the meal lasted 2 hours. I think this is one of my favorite resturants in philadelphia. And the couple who visited morocco said it was perfect. Pros: amazing food, great atmosphere, tip included Cons: Parking, cash only more
Reply | Report abuse |

Fun for two or for a crowd! 5/10/2006

I love Marrakesh! I've been going at least twice a year for years. Its cozy and intimate atmosphere lends itself well to either a romantic dinner or to a larger celebration. The service is always friendly and efficient. I find it an amazing feat that Marrakesh pulls off seven courses in about two hours, and keeps it from feeling rushed. The food is very tasty. The garlicy salad platter is fresh and flavorful. The melt-in-your-mouth chicken tagine is probably my favorite part of the meal. I prefer the beef kabobs to the lamb, but only because I don't really like lamb. You may be thrown off by the fact that such a sumptuous meal is ended by fresh fruit, but by after all the other food, fresh fruit and mint tea is about all you'll be able to handle! Cons: must pay cash more
Reply | Report abuse |

AWESOME ADVENTURE 4/17/2006

This was the best dinner experience. A bunch of us girls were in a room upstairs and the food just kept coming one incredible dish after another. The birthday girl even danced with the belly dancer. Everything was perfect and everyone was so nice. I can't say enough great things about this place, it's unlike any other. PS: Loved the jugs of wine and the cute waiters. Pros: food, atmosphere, service Cons: parking more
Reply | Report abuse |

Server had attitude 1/10/2006

My boyfriend and I went to this restaurant hoping for a relaxing celebration of his birthday feasting on a traditional meal from the land of his birth. When we first walked in and were seated, the server challenged my boyfriend about the handwashing stage of the meal. We visited on a weekday evening and were the only guests in the restaurant. This could have been an extremely romantic evening but for the server who stood 5 feet from our table clearly listening to our conversation and watching us as we were eating. The food was mediocre, the chicken undercooked and the ambience was ruined by the attitude of the server. When we gave him our payment that included the 15% gratuity added to the total cost of the meal he didn't bring back the change. I would say this was a very disappointing meal and I wouldn't recommend this restaurant. Pros: decor, music, food Cons: bad service, mediocre food, expensive wine more
Reply | Report abuse |

Restaurant Week Blahs? 9/24/2005

I went for the first time yesterday for the Friday of restaurant week. They were busy, but didn't seem THAT busy? In any case, the usual seven course fare was widdled down to four courses. The first course, the trio of salads, were very salty--the eggplant salad too salty to eat. The second course, Bastilla(?), had no chicken to speak of, just egg. The third course, lemon chicken, was almost flavorless and was served in a broth that was pretty much just water. We topped it off with burnt Baklava and mint tea. Then it took us a really long time for us to get our change, which we had to ask for. Further, the wine list was seriously overpriced, and the $30 bottle of Woodbridge was being presented to the next table over like fine wine! Is this place normally better? Pros: Ambiance, Romantic Cons: Food?, Poor Wine List more
Reply | Report abuse |

A great find 8/7/2005

A wonderful restaurant whose ambience makes you feel like you're in another world. Sumptuous food, good service, and a delightful experience. The mint tea is wonderful, the kebobs tender, but the baklava was average. Plan to spend at least 1.5-2 hours enjoying your many coursed dinner. $55 total bill for two people, cash only! Pros: Atmosphere, Service, Food Cons: Small more
Reply | Report abuse |

A True Escape 2/7/2005

My boyfriend took me to Marrakesh as a surprise. From the second you walk down Leithgow St. and up to a three-story rowhome you're intrigued. There's the tiniest sign on the door, and it's opened to reveal such lush fabrics, vibrant colors, and amazing smells. It was such a romantic evening with the dim lighting and eating with your fingers is quite sensual. I've never had such attentive service and the food was delicious. I was most impressed with the price; for a 7-course meal I couldn't believe how afforable it was. We're going back with friends next week. Pros: Inexpensive, Great food, Truly Moroccan Cons: Parking more
Reply | Report abuse |
< Previous 1 2 Next >
Menu for Marrakesh


Summer SALE!!!:
15% OFF all yearly plans
Use year15 at checkout. Expires 1/1/2021
Editorial

  • In Short
    Sink into huge pillow couches, listen to rattling drums and whining horns and watch the food come, and come and come. The waiters flaunt their machismo by pouring mint tea with...

  • 6/29/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Monday To Sunday From 05:00 PM To 11:00 PM
  • Payments: Cash
  • Neighborhoods: Center City East, Center City
badge