From the sea01
The Morning's Catch
Whatever the boats land at dawn — sea bream, sea bass — grilled over coals, finished with saffron butter and dried citrus.
Essaouira Medina · Fresh Fish & Moroccan
Caught at dawn.Served bylantern-light.
The Atlantic's daily catch grilled over coals, hand-rolled couscous and slow-braised tagines — in a candlelit riad of teal velvet and saffron light.
4.8·#1 in Essaouira on Tripadvisor
The welcome
Step off a quiet medina lane and the noise of Essaouira falls away. Stone arches, coloured glass, teal velvet — and then the sea, on a plate.
Butterfly Space is the fresh-fish and Moroccan kitchen that the medina quietly decided was its favourite. Whatever the boats land at dawn, we grill over coals or fold into a tagine; couscous is rolled by hand; the pastilla crackles. Come hungry. Leave slow.
On the plate
Six plates the medina keeps coming back for
From the morning's catch to couscous rolled by hand — scroll through the menu's greatest hits.
From the sea
Moroccan02
Couscous Royale
Hand-rolled semolina under seven vegetables, chickpeas and slow-braised meat, with a jug of golden broth to pour at the table.
From the sea03
Seared Sea Bream
Crisp skin, soft flesh, a tangle of garden vegetables and a bright herb dressing.
From the sea04
Golden Calamari
Lightly battered, lemon on the side, a sharp little salad. The plate that always disappears first.
To finish05
Pastilla, Revisited
Warka pastry, crackling and gold, layered with spice and mint over a ribbon of berry coulis.
To begin06
Medina Mezze
Zaalouk, smoky dips and warm bread — the slow, generous way every meal here starts.
Hungry yet?
The table's set. Come find it.
Booking is quickest on WhatsApp — fast reply, direct confirmation.
The rooms
Not one room, but many
A riad-like warren of spaces, each with its own light. The high main hall under the arches. The salon below, lanterns low. The curved velvet banquette on the mezzanine. Choose your corner — we'll bring the sea to you.
Loved in Essaouira
4.8/ 5
Ranked #1 of restaurants in Essaouira on Tripadvisor — and 4.7★ across 780+ Google reviews.
The place is tastefully decorated. The dishes are flavorful and well-presented.
Fresh, well cooked and presented fish meal. Great helpful attentive staff.
The beef tagine was absolutely delicious, and the tiramisu wrapped up the evening perfectly.
We chose fish dishes and all the dishes were excellent — the place is beautiful.
Find us
In the heart of the medina, off Rue Laâlouj
- Address
- 14 Rue Laâlouj, Medina of Essaouira, Morocco
- Hours
- Open every day · 11:00 – 23:00
- Say hello
- @butterflyspaceessaouira · +212 669 387 240