The best ice cream in Marrakech and the best gelato in Marrakech are both found in Gueliz, the city’s new town district, where a handful of artisan counters make everything fresh on site. Liva Brasserie on Boulevard Abdelkrim Al Khattabi currently leads the pack for gelato, while Gelato Maroc and Panna Gelato Italiano are close behind.
If you are in the medina, skip the tourist-facing stands on Jemaa el-Fna and head instead toward Bab Doukkala or the Mellah, where small neighborhood shops serve the local crowd at honest prices.
I remember walking to the glacier near my grandmother’s house as a kid, coins in hand, for a single scoop after school. That neighborhood habit still exists here. Marrakech ice cream culture is not really about tourist novelty. It is a daily ritual, especially once summer heat sets in.
Quick Facts Before You Go
- Best neighborhood for artisan gelato: Gueliz, the new town district west of the medina
- Price range: 5 to 10 MAD for a neighborhood glacier scoop, 25 to 45 MAD for artisan gelato cups
- Best time to go: Late afternoon or after dinner, when the day’s heat has eased
- Medina tip: Avoid the sorbet and frappé carts directly on Jemaa el-Fna, since quality drops sharply the closer you get to the square
- Local flavors to try: saffron, date, almond, rose, and Moroccan six-spice cream
Where to Find the Best Gelato Shops in Marrakech
Liva Brasserie, Gueliz
Liva Brasserie runs an artisan gelato counter inside a full brasserie on Boulevard Abdelkrim Al Khattabi, open from lunch through late evening. The flavors rotate often and lean Italian, with a clean finish and none of the artificial heaviness you get from mass-produced ice cream. This is where residents send visitors who ask for gelato shops Marrakech that locals actually trust.
Prices sit in the mid-range, higher than a neighborhood cart but well below what you would pay at a hotel dessert menu. Pair a cup with a coffee if you are stopping in during the afternoon lull.
Gelato Maroc
Gelato Maroc has built a loyal following around its organic, small-batch approach. The gelato is made in-house by the owner using traditional Italian methods, and the flavor list leans toward rich, creamy classics like pistachio and tiramisu alongside seasonal fruit options. Regulars describe it as some of the most consistent Marrakech gelato in the city, and the friendly service makes it an easy stop even on a short visit.
Panna Gelato Italiano
Also in Gueliz, Panna Gelato Italiano stands out for its long flavor list, which stretches well beyond the usual chocolate and vanilla into hazelnut, black cherry, pine nut, saffron, date, almond, passion fruit, and rose. For something distinctly local, ask for the Moroccan six-spice cream, a flavor you will rarely find outside this city. Fruit sorbets are equally strong here, with options like fig, prune, and watermelon depending on the season.
Glacier Berdai
Glacier Berdai is one of the older names in Gueliz, a house-made ice cream shops in Marrakech that has served the neighborhood for years before the newer artisan gelato counters arrived. It remains a solid, unpretentious choice if you want a classic scoop-and-cone experience without the wait or the crowd.
Bianco Ice
Bianco Ice is a family-friendly café near Boulevard du 18 Novembre with a wide gelato selection that includes mint chocolate, pineapple, tiramisu, and pistachio, plus several stevia-sweetened flavors for guests avoiding refined sugar. The shop is clean and welcoming, making it a comfortable stop if you are traveling with kids.
Where to Eat Ice Cream in Marrakech Near the Medina
If you are staying inside the medina walls, your best options for where to eat ice cream in Marrakech without leaving the old city are limited but real. Le Grand Balcon Café Glacier sits right beside Jemaa el-Fna and offers ice cream, drinks, and a rooftop terrace with views over the square. It is more about the setting than the ice cream itself, but the location makes it worth a stop after a day of walking the souks.
For a more local ice cream parlour Marrakech experience, look toward Bab Doukkala or the Mellah, where a few standalone shops serve residents rather than tour groups. Prices here run close to neighborhood-cart level, and the quality tends to be more honest than anything sold directly on the main square.
Many riads also serve their own house-made sweets, and these are often a better dessert option inside the medina than the frappé and sorbet carts clustered around the busiest tourist corridors.
What to Order
Moroccan gelato counters mix Italian technique with local ingredients, so it is worth trying flavors you will not find at home.
- Saffron: A subtle, slightly floral flavor that pairs well with pistachio
- Date and almond: Rich and slightly caramel-like, closer to a dessert than a typical scoop
- Rose: Light and fragrant, a nod to Moroccan pastry traditions
- Moroccan six-spice cream: A warm, unusual blend worth trying at least once
- Classic pistachio: Reliable at nearly every shop and a good benchmark for quality
Price Guide
A single scoop from a neighborhood glacier cart typically costs 5 to 10 MAD, making it one of the cheapest treats in the city. Artisan gelato from a Gueliz counter runs closer to 25 to 45 MAD for a cup, depending on size and number of flavors. Sit-down cafés with a view, like those near Jemaa el-Fna, tend to charge a small premium for the location rather than the quality of the ice cream itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best ice cream in Marrakech?
Gueliz has the strongest concentration of quality shops, with Liva Brasserie, Gelato Maroc, and Panna Gelato Italiano among the most recommended by residents.
What is the best gelato in Marrakech right now?
Liva Brasserie on Boulevard Abdelkrim Al Khattabi is currently considered the top artisan gelato counter in the city, known for rotating flavors and a clean, authentic finish.
Is the ice cream near Jemaa el-Fna worth trying?
Most stands directly on the square cater to tourists and prioritize speed over quality. For a better experience nearby, Le Grand Balcon Café Glacier offers a similar location with a nicer setting, though the real quality still favors Gueliz.
Are there good ice cream shops inside the medina?
Yes, though options are limited. Small local shops near Bab Doukkala and the Mellah serve the resident crowd at fair prices, and many riads offer their own house-made desserts.
What flavors should I try that are unique to Morocco?
Look for saffron, rose, date and almond, and the Moroccan six-spice cream, all of which reflect local ingredients rather than standard Italian flavors.
