Taverna Bolognese Da Maurizio

Quite a nice atmosphere of an Italian restaurant, off the main alley and down a side alley. We went for the Rigatoni and Lasagne, both were good enough portion sizes. The Rigatoni was quite good, whereas the lasagne was very rich in flavour - this may suit your taste but just to be aware. You get complementary olives before your meal arrives which was a nice touch, although these olives are placed closed to the toilets in an open plastic box. There were also quite a lot of flies in the toilets. Overall, a mixed experience for us.

Genuine Italian restaurant run by Maurizio, originally from Bologna, who maintains consistently high standards for both the pizzas and pastas. The Pizza Marinara is absolutely delicious. Highly recommended if you’re craving Italian food while visiting Essaouira!

Great food in a intimate setting. Better than most of the Italian food in Italy. Very happy we ignored the negative reviews and visited here. One of our very best meals in Morocco

We chose this place with my partner based on the positive reviews we had read online. The location is set in a small alley and has a beautifully decorated, with a small team managing the service. For dinner, we ordered a pizza and pasta from the menu. The pasta unfortunately tasted like undercooked flour, while the pizza was very good — crispy and well-cooked — which we really enjoyed, along with a local beer we discovered during our meal. However, the experience was affected by an unprofessional situation: two staff members (a waiter and the cashier) started arguing about their schedules in front of all the guests, which was quite uncomfortable to witness. We shared our feedback with the chef, who was very attentive and promised to review the quality, even though she assured us that the ingredients used are premium. The next day, before our departure, we decided to return for another meal. At the entrance, we were welcomed by a young man and informed him we would sit outside to enjoy the fresh air. We waited 5, then 10, then 20 minutes without anyone coming to take our order. My husband then went inside to check if there was an issue, only to find that the entire team was on their lunch break, eating and laughing. Of course, we fully understand staff needing a break — that is not the issue. However, the minimum would have been to inform us that the kitchen was closed during that time. Leaving guests waiting without any explanation is simply not acceptable. I would have appreciated the opportunity to speak directly with the owner about this experience. My husband and I are both hospitality professionals, so we are particularly attentive to service standards.

I had a wonderful experience at Taverna Bolognese da Maurizio. The atmosphere is warm and authentic, making you feel like you’re dining in a true Italian family trattoria. The staff were welcoming, attentive, and happy to recommend traditional dishes. The highlight of my meal was the Risotto alla Milanese. It was perfectly creamy, rich, and beautifully infused with saffron, giving it that classic golden color and delicate flavor. The texture was just right — smooth and well-balanced, not too heavy. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients and the care put into its preparation. Overall, a fantastic place for anyone looking to enjoy genuine Italian cuisine. I would definitely come back to try more dishes! 🍝