Cafe du Livre

Cafe du Livre hides on Rue Tariq Ben Ziad in Gueliz, the new town, behind an unassuming doorway that opens onto shelves of secondhand English books and a proper licensed bar. Tripadvisor reviewers call it one of the cosiest bar cafe restaurants in Marrakech, and it has run for years as the main social anchor for the city's English speaking expats.

The week has a rhythm. Monday is quiz night, an English language institution that one reviewer called one of the best nights we had in Marrakech; Saturday brings live music. In between, the room works as a daytime cafe, a co-working refuge, and an evening bar where a cold beer costs a fraction of hotel prices.

Who would hate it? Anyone hunting Moroccan atmosphere or late night energy. This is a low key Anglo bubble, and it closes by 11pm.

A full wall of the room belongs to the library, with armchairs pulled up for reading; Tripadvisor reviewers note the English titles are hard to find anywhere else in Marrakech. The rest is a relaxed lounge of sofas and cafe tables that fills steadily from late afternoon. Marrakech Riad's review describes the welcome as personable and warm, a pattern that repeats across years of reviews.

Order a Casablanca beer or a glass of Moroccan wine; reviewers consistently describe the drinks as good and reasonably priced, with a wide list covering both alcoholic and non alcoholic options. The kitchen holds its own too, with burgers and international comfort plates that Tripadvisor reviews rate as very good for dinner or drinks. Expect beers around 40 to 50 dirhams, far under Hivernage hotel rates.

Expect English accents, long term residents, and travelers tipped off by reviews. Daytime is laptops and coffee; evenings turn social, and Monday packs the room with quiz teams. The crowd skews 30 plus and conversational rather than rowdy.

What regulars say:

• Tripadvisor reviewers call it a great hangout and an oasis in Gueliz, praising helpful, polite staff.
• The Monday quiz draws repeated praise for being thoroughly researched and genuinely challenging.
• Reviewers describe it as the major meeting point for Marrakech's English speaking community.

Who it is for:

• A relaxed licensed pint without hotel pricing
• Quiz night with a properly competitive field
• Avoid if you came to Marrakech for Moroccan nightlife

Getting there: Rue Tariq Ben Ziad sits in central Gueliz behind the Carre Eden mall, a 5 minute walk from Place du 16 Novembre and an easy taxi from the medina.

Timing: Open Monday to Saturday until around 11pm. Quiz night starts at 8pm on Mondays; arrive by 7:30pm for a table.

Cost: Beers around 45 dirhams, mains 80 to 120. Cards accepted.