Amal Women's Training Center: Eat with Purpose in Marrakech

About Amal Women's Training Center

Founded in 2012, Amal (meaning 'hope' in Arabic) is a pioneering social enterprise in Marrakech that combines a restaurant with a professional training program for disadvantaged women. Located in the Gueliz neighbourhood, the center provides six-month culinary training courses to women from difficult backgrounds, including single mothers, widows, and survivors of domestic violence.

The restaurant operates as a working training kitchen where trainees prepare a rotating daily menu of authentic Moroccan home cooking. Each day brings different dishes based on seasonal ingredients, from slow-cooked tagines and couscous to salads, soups, and traditional pastries. The food is consistently praised for its genuine, home-style quality that many tourist restaurants struggle to replicate.

Dining at Amal is more than a meal. Every dirham spent directly funds the training program, which has helped hundreds of women gain financial independence since its founding. The centre also offers cooking classes where visitors can learn to prepare Moroccan dishes alongside the trainees. To explore the dishes on the menu, consult our Moroccan food guide. If you enjoy women-led dining, the celebrated Al Fassia restaurant is also nearby in Gueliz. For more on local customs around food and socializing, read our cultural etiquette guide.

Practical Tips for Visiting

Set lunch: The daily set menu costs 80-120 MAD (8-12 EUR) and includes a starter, main course, and dessert. The menu changes every day based on what is fresh and in season, so you never know exactly what you will get, which is part of the charm. Expect generous portions of genuine Moroccan home cooking.

Cooking classes: Amal offers half-day cooking classes where you shop at the local market, prepare a full Moroccan meal, and eat together. Classes run most mornings and should be booked at least two days in advance through their website or by phone. They are an excellent alternative to hotel-based cooking experiences.

Getting there: Amal is in Gueliz on Rue Allal Ben Ahmed, about a 15-minute taxi ride from Jemaa el-Fna (20-30 MAD). The restaurant is open for lunch only, Monday to Saturday, typically from 12:00 to 15:00. Arrive early as seating is limited and popular with both locals and visitors.

What's Nearby

Amal is located in Gueliz, Marrakech's modern new town, which offers a different experience from the Medina. The neighbourhood is home to contemporary art galleries, boutiques, and cafes along Avenue Mohammed V and Rue de la Liberte. The Majorelle Garden is about a 10-minute walk north, making it easy to combine both visits in a morning.

For those interested in women-led businesses, the area around Gueliz has several cooperatives and shops selling argan oil, textiles, and handicrafts produced by women's cooperatives from across Morocco. The 33 Rue Majorelle concept store is nearby and showcases contemporary Moroccan design.