Grand Cafe de la Poste
Grand Cafe de la Poste occupies a beautifully restored colonial-era building on Boulevard El Mansour Eddahbi, one of Gueliz's main avenues. The interior has high ceilings, art deco fixtures, dark wood, and white tablecloths. A wide terrace fronts the boulevard with wicker chairs and shade umbrellas. The menu is French-Moroccan brasserie: steak frites, salads, tagines, and seafood. Mains cost 120-250 MAD (11-23 EUR / 12-25 USD). Cocktails run 90-150 MAD (8.30-13.90 EUR / 9-15 USD). Wine by the glass costs 60-100 MAD (5.55-9.25 EUR / 6-10 USD). Beer is 40-60 MAD (3.70-5.55 EUR / 4-6 USD). The venue opens for lunch and runs through to late evening. The terrace fills for early-evening drinks and the interior works for dinner. The crowd is older and more refined than other Gueliz spots: business travelers, diplomats, and well-heeled tourists.
What to Expect
A graceful colonial building that transports you to the French Protectorate era. The service is formal by Marrakech standards. White tablecloths, proper glasses, and staff who know the menu. The terrace buzzes in the early evening. The interior is quieter and better for dinner conversation.
Elegant, colonial, and quietly confident. The building does the heavy lifting. The kitchen keeps up.
Ambient background music at very low volume. This is a restaurant, not a music venue.
Smart casual. Collared shirt and trousers for men. The crowd dresses well without being flashy. This isn't the place for shorts and flip-flops.
Business dinners. Couples who want a refined evening. Architecture and history enthusiasts. Anyone who appreciates a well-run brasserie.
Cards and cash accepted. Service charge is sometimes included; check the bill.
Price Range
Mains 120-250 MAD, cocktails 90-150 MAD, wine 60-100 MAD
≈ EUR 8.30-23 / $9-25
Hours
Daily 12 PM to 11:30 PM
Insider Tip
The terrace is the best seat in Gueliz for people-watching. Arrive by 7 PM to secure a table. The steak is better than the tagine. The wine list has some interesting Moroccan reds from the Meknes region; ask the staff for a recommendation. Lunch is quieter and excellent for a business meeting or a slow afternoon.
Full Review
Grand Cafe de la Poste is the kind of restaurant that makes you sit up a little straighter. The building commands respect. Built during the French Protectorate, it was originally a post office (hence the name) and has been restored with obvious care. The proportions are generous: high ceilings, tall windows, and the kind of floor tiles that you only see in colonial-era buildings.
The terrace works differently from the interior. Outside, the atmosphere is social and lively. Boulevard El Mansour Eddahbi has enough foot and vehicle traffic to create people-watching opportunities, and the shade umbrellas make the terrace comfortable even in warm weather. Inside, the dining room is formal and quieter. Dinner service has proper table settings and attentive staff.
The kitchen executes a French brasserie menu with Moroccan touches. The steak frites is reliable and well-prepared. The tagines are competent but not the best in Marrakech (the medina restaurants do them better). The salads are fresh and generously portioned. The desserts, particularly the tarte tatin, are worth ordering.
The wine list deserves attention. Moroccan wines have improved significantly, and the staff here can guide you through the options. The Domaine du Val d'Argan whites and the Chateau Roslane reds are standouts. French wines are available at a premium.
Service is the best in Gueliz. The staff are trained, professional, and attentive without hovering. They speak French fluently and handle English competently.
The main limitation is that it closes relatively early. By 11:30 PM, the kitchen is done and the bar winds down. This is a dinner venue, not a late-night one. Plan to move elsewhere if you want to continue your evening.
The Neighborhood
Boulevard El Mansour Eddahbi is one of Gueliz's main avenues, connecting to Avenue Mohammed V. The restaurant sits in a prominent position on the boulevard. Banks, offices, and other restaurants are nearby. The area is well-lit and busy until mid-evening.
Getting There
A 5-minute walk from Place Abdel Moumen. By taxi, 10-15 MAD from the train station. The building is distinctive and easy to spot on the boulevard. Any Gueliz taxi driver knows it.
Other Venues in Gueliz
Le Comptoir Darna
Iconic Marrakech restaurant and bar with live belly dancing, a dimly lit interior, and a crowd that mixes tourists with wealthy Moroccans. The atmosphere peaks after 10 PM when the entertainment starts.
Bazaar
Rooftop and indoor lounge on Place Abdel Moumen Ben Ali. DJ sets on weekends, hookah, cocktails, and a mixed international crowd. One of Gueliz's more reliable nightlife options.
Cafe du Livre
Bookshop-bar on Rue Tariq Ibn Ziad. A rare combination of cold beer, good wine, and actual books. Draws expats and educated Moroccans. Low-key atmosphere with conversation-level music.
Kechmara
Modern bistro and gallery space on Rue de la Liberte with a rooftop terrace. Art exhibitions rotate monthly. Good cocktails, European-Moroccan fusion food, and a creative crowd.