Chez Rafiq is a bit of a tourist stop on N9 in the High Atlas Mountains. It is a large restaurant and gift shop that has ample parking for buses, great scenery and staff that are quick, efficient and friendly. Who cares if they cater to large groups? They do it well. While traveling from Ouarzazate to Marrakesh, we stopped at Chez Rafiq for lunch. The restaurant appears to have been expanded, offering plenty of room for entire groups to dine together without interfering with one another. Better yet, the restrooms were new, very modern and very clean. Among the nicest restrooms we saw in Morocco. That may seem an odd thing to go on about, but for anyone who has traveled to developing countries, I am sure you get my emphasis on such a seemingly minor detail. In the west, we take a lot of things for granted.
We ate in the newer section, which had broad windows that allowed in the sunlight. The rooms were large, with high ceilings and nice accents. The doorways had ornate carvings, their were brightly colored pillows, it seemed an interesting, but tasteful combination of old and new. We were seated at a small table together. Our menus, like most tourist stops, had a limited number of selections. I opted for the chicken tajine with lemon and olives, which I had an affinity for while traveling in Morocco. My wife opted for the vegetable soup. Lunch started with the traditional bread and olives. The tables had simple floral patterned table cloths but interesting salt and cumin dishes shaped like miniature tajines.
The food came out quick and was served hot. The soup came out first and then the entrees. But they followed in fairly close order. Serving a large group can get hectic, but the staff were fast and efficient. They were able to cater to the numerous voices all wanting something. The atmosphere was pleasant, and the view out the broad windows was excellent. There was a large bluff across the highway that looked like it might be a fun climb. The rear of the restaurant overlooked a narrow, shallow valley. We were traversing the High Atlas Mountains, so the terrain was often uneven on either side of the road, with steep drops and cliff faces on opposite sides. This restaurant was on a broad, level area where we had plenty of room for our buses and the restaurant had room for what appeared to have been recent expansion and some construction or landscaping out back.
We had time to use the restrooms, take in the scenery behind the building and visit the gift shop next door. The gift shop had the usual stuff. Geodes, trilobites, pottery, tajine, clothing, etc. The prices seemed a bit high. As you would expect at a tourist stop just about anywhere in the world. We looked around a bit, but spent more of our time just taking in the fresh air outside.
Chez Rafiq is one of the nicer stops we visited as a group. While it is geared toward tourists, that is not always a bad thing. The restaurant was fast and efficient. The waiters were friendly and attentive. The restaurant was new, clean and well maintained and the scenery was excellent. There was a bit of recent construction in the back, but that did not take away from the spectacular scenery. The crisp mountain air was a refreshing break from our day-long trip on the bus. And equally important, the restrooms were in excellent shape. Comparable to a restroom you would find at a western restaurant (and no fee, either). If you find yourself heading over the High Atlas Mountains and need a break, don't let the tourist-y look of this place fool you. The food was good, the price was reasonable and the service was great.
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