Sesamo
Marrakech-Médina, Marrakech
Restaurant in Marrakech, Morocco
The Read
Italian Craft, Moroccan Address
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Sesamo at Royal Mansour Marrakesh is the city's most decorated Italian restaurant, ranked #32 at World's 50 Best Restaurants MENA 2024 and recognised by both La Liste and Les Grandes Tables du Monde. Chef Riccardo Barni's kitchen blends local Moroccan ingredients with Italian technique in a palace setting. Book four to six weeks ahead minimum; this is one of Marrakesh's hardest reservations.
About Sesamo
The Verdict
Sesamo earns its place at the top of the Marrakesh dining hierarchy. Backed by three major awards in consecutive years (La Liste 2026, Les Grandes Tables du Monde 2025, World's 50 Best Restaurants MENA 2024 at #32), this Italian restaurant inside Royal Mansour is the kind of table you plan a trip around, not an afterthought booking. If you are visiting Marrakesh and Italian fine dining in a palace setting is your format, book this first. Expect extreme difficulty securing a reservation and plan at least four to six weeks ahead.
Portrait
Sesamo sits inside Royal Mansour Marrakesh, one of the city's most architecturally considered properties, which means the visual experience begins before you reach the table. The dining room and the patio both deliver the setting you would expect from a palace hotel of this tier, but the patio is the more compelling choice for anyone arriving in the early evening: the light shifts dramatically at sunset, the open-air setting offers a contrast to the usual interior fine-dining format you will find elsewhere in Marrakesh. For food-focused travelers who want to understand a city through its tables, that duality (Italian precision, Moroccan setting, the sensory collision of the two) is exactly what makes Sesamo worth seeking out.
The kitchen operates under chef Riccardo Barni, working within the framework established by Massimiliano Alajmo, whose name carries weight in the European fine-dining circuit (the Alajmo family's Le Calandre in Padua has held three Michelin stars for over two decades). The concept draws on both local Moroccan ingredients and imported Italian products, which positions Sesamo differently from every other high-end table in Marrakesh. You are not getting a riad interpretation of Moroccan cuisine here. You are getting a rigorous Italian kitchen operating inside one of North Africa's most significant hotel properties. That is a specific thing, it is not for everyone, but for the traveler who wants depth and context rather than a direct local experience, Sesamo answers the brief.
The MENA ranking at #32 on World's 50 Best in 2024 is the clearest external benchmark available. It places Sesamo among the most decorated restaurants across the Middle East and North Africa, ahead of most Marrakesh competition by a significant margin. The Les Grandes Tables du Monde recognition in 2025 adds a second data point from a credentialed international body. At this award tier, the restaurant does not need to oversell itself.
For travelers building a Marrakesh itinerary around food, Sesamo makes sense as an anchor booking. Pair it with Dar Moha for Moroccan fine dining in a riad setting, La Grande Brasserie by Helene Darroze for French-influenced cooking, or +61 for a more contemporary format. See our full Marrakesh restaurants guide for the complete picture, check our Marrakesh hotels guide if you are considering staying at Royal Mansour itself. Pearl also covers Marrakesh bars, experiences, and wineries if you are planning a longer stay.
Elsewhere in Morocco, the country's dining scene has expanded considerably. Gayza in Fès and Heure Bleue Palais in Essaouira are worth flagging for travelers moving beyond Marrakesh. For context on how Sesamo compares to Italian-influenced fine dining at the global level, Le Bernardin in New York City and Atomix in New York City operate in the same award tier internationally.
Booking & Practical Details
Sesamo is a near-impossible booking. Royal Mansour's restaurant tables are in high demand year-round, Sesamo's award profile has made it one of the most sought-after reservations in the city. Book directly through Royal Mansour Marrakesh's reservations system as far in advance as possible. Non-hotel guests can book, but hotel guests are typically given priority. If you are visiting during peak season (October through April, when Marrakesh draws the most international visitors), four to six weeks minimum lead time is a practical baseline. Off-peak summer bookings may be somewhat more accessible, but do not assume walk-in availability at any point.
Practical Comparison
| Venue | Cuisine | Booking Difficulty | Setting | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sesamo | Italian | Near Impossible | Palace hotel (indoor + patio) | La Liste, Les Grandes Tables, MENA 50 Best #32 |
| La Grande Table Marocaine | Moroccan | Very Hard | Palace hotel (same property) | Royal Mansour group recognition |
| Dar Moha | Moroccan Fine Dining | Moderate | Riad garden | Long-established Marrakesh institution |
| Farasha Farmhouse-Mouton Noir | International | Moderate | Farmhouse, outside city | Niche following |
| Le Petit Cornichon | French Bistro | Easy | Casual dining room | Local favourite |
Planning details
- Location
- Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
- Website
- royalmansour.com/marrakech/restauration/sesamo
- Phone
- +212 5 29 80 82 82
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Sesamo occupies a rarefied position inside the Royal Mansour, where architectural maximalism and meticulous craft set the tone before the first course arrives. The dining room reads as formally finished and deliberately lit for evening service; its precision mirrors the kitchen’s Italian framework. By contrast the patio offers a looser, more spontaneous option—especially appealing between October and April when Marrakesh nights are warm and calm. The restaurant balances the weight of its hotel address with attentive technique and restrained charm, producing an atmosphere that feels quietly romantic and classically composed rather than flashy.
Best For
Sesamo is best experienced at dinner, where the lighting and menu align with a focused evening service. The setting and culinary pedigree—Massimiliano Alajmo’s framework combined with Riccardo Barni’s day-to-day cooking—make it particularly suitable for date nights and special celebrations that demand polish and precision. Guests can choose the formal dining room for a more traditional hotel dinner or opt for the patio during the milder months for a relaxed outdoor meal. The tasting menu and carefully composed dishes reward diners who are there for a considered, multi-course evening.
Ordering Tips
Look to the kitchen’s signatures when deciding: the Mamma Rita tasting menu is the clearest way to sample the restaurant’s approach, and several standout dishes—raviolone alla bolognese, spaghetti aglio e olio and the Atlas walnut tiramisu—are specifically noted. Expect Moroccan-sourced ingredients interpreted through Italian technique, so allow the menu’s combinations to guide your choices. If you’re visiting between October and April, request a patio table for a warmer, more spontaneous experience; otherwise reserve the dining room for a formal, dinner-focused service.
Planning details
Location
Rue Abou Abbas El Sebti, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- La Grande Table Marocaine - Royal Mansour; Moroccan Cuisine, Moroccan Cuisine
- L’Italien par Jean-Georges; French Moroccan, French Moroccan
- La Villa des Orangers; Moroccan Cuisine, Moroccan Cuisine
- Le Jardin d'Hiver; Moroccan Traditional, Moroccan Traditional
- Palais Ronsard; Moroccan French, Moroccan French
Restaurant context
If you are deciding between Sesamo and the other high-end tables in Marrakesh, the clearest framework is this: Sesamo is the right choice if Italian fine dining in a palace setting is your specific target. If you want Moroccan cuisine at the same luxury tier, La Grande Table Marocaine at Royal Mansour is on the same property and offers a comparable level of service and setting, with a menu that focuses on Moroccan cooking. For most first-time visitors to Marrakesh who want to eat somewhere that reflects the city's own culinary identity, La Grande Table Marocaine is the more contextually appropriate booking. For a second or third visit, Sesamo becomes a compelling reason to return.
L'Italien par Jean-Georges offers an alternative European-influenced fine dining option in Marrakesh, with the Jean-Georges brand behind it. It is worth comparing on price and booking availability if Sesamo is fully booked. Palais Ronsard and Le Jardin d'Hiver both offer Moroccan French menus in atmospheric riad settings and are considerably easier to book, making them practical fallbacks for travelers who leave reservations late. La Villa des Orangers sits in the same bracket for setting quality but skews more toward Moroccan cuisine and is a strong option for a long, unhurried dinner.
On pure award credentialing, Sesamo sits above the Marrakesh field in 2024-2025. No direct competitor holds an equivalent combination of La Liste points, Les Grandes Tables du Monde status, a World's 50 Best MENA ranking simultaneously. If that benchmark matters to your decision, book Sesamo. If you are more focused on value relative to price or easier logistics, La Villa des Orangers or Palais Ronsard offer a more accessible entry point to Marrakesh's premium dining tier.
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Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Sesamo guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Sesamo
| Venue | Cuisine | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sesamo | Near Impossible | 2026 Mena's 50 Best Restaurants · #242026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 Mena's 50 Best Restaurants · #32 | |
| La Grande Table Marocaine - Royal Mansour | Moroccan Cuisine | Unknown | No published awards |
| L’Italien par Jean-Georges | French Moroccan | Unknown | 2025 La Liste Top Restaurants |
| La Villa des Orangers | Moroccan Cuisine | Unknown | 2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2025 Relais Chateaux Award |
| Le Jardin d'Hiver | Moroccan Traditional | Unknown | 2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2025 Relais Chateaux Award |
| Palais Ronsard | Moroccan French | Unknown | 2026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2025 Relais Chateaux Award |
Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sesamo handle dietary restrictions?
Sesamo operates at a level where kitchen accommodation is expected, not exceptional. A restaurant that holds a Les Grandes Tables du Monde award and ranks #32 on 50 Best MENA is equipped to handle dietary needs with advance notice. Contact Royal Mansour Marrakesh directly when booking to flag any requirements before your visit.
How far ahead should I book Sesamo?
Book as far out as possible, at minimum 4-6 weeks ahead. Sesamo's consecutive award wins; La Liste 2026, Les Grandes Tables du Monde 2025, 50 Best MENA 2024; have put it in high demand year-round. Royal Mansour's own prestige means hotel guests compete for the same tables, so treat availability as limited by default.
Is Sesamo good for a special occasion?
Yes, with the right expectation set. Sesamo's award credentials, patio dining with sunset views, its position inside Royal Mansour make it a strong choice for milestone occasions. It suits couples and small groups who want the full occasion format over a casual dinner out.
What are alternatives to Sesamo in Marrakesh?
La Grande Table Marocaine at Royal Mansour is the closest peer in formality and setting if you want Moroccan cuisine over Italian. L'Italien par Jean-Georges offers a different Italian fine-dining approach with its own pedigree. For a more intimate riad atmosphere, La Villa des Orangers and Palais Ronsard are worth considering, though neither matches Sesamo's current award profile.
Can I eat at the bar at Sesamo?
The venue database confirms a dining room and patio as the two seating options at Sesamo. A dedicated bar-dining format is not documented for this restaurant, so plan for a seated reservation rather than a walk-up bar experience.
What should I wear to Sesamo?
Smart dress is appropriate given the setting inside Royal Mansour Marrakesh, one of the city's most considered luxury hotel properties. Avoid casual resort wear. For evening patio dining, keep in mind Marrakesh temperatures drop in cooler months, so a layer is practical.
