Fez Moroccan Restaurant

by Shazz M.

We ended up here because we got a parking spot right in front of the place and since I hadn't done Moroccan in awhile I figured what the hey.  We walked in and it was tres dark with cool brass round tables and big couches. Due to the xtra weight i gained from eating so much, I had to lay down. I'm sure I wasn't the first. I figured the soup and the seafood Bastille would be enough for me; watching my weight and all that. We were approached by the waiter when we walked in and even though the place had only 2 other tables filled, he still asked us if we had a reservation. That sleighs me. Anyway, The soup was delicious; tomato with lentils, chick peas and spices.. delish! My partner ordered the chicken Bastille; but i make it a point to never order chicken at restaurants. I tasted it but it wasn't great and really sweet. My seafood Bastille wasn't much better but it did the job. Great ambiance and music. The waiter was not very good. But he had so many tables to wait on.... I wouldn't really recommend this place unless your a newbie foodie.

by Lauren H.

I went to Fez for my friend's birthday. If you're trying to accomodate a large party, I'd highly recommend this place. It's especially great if you're trying to accomodate vegetarians within a big group. Also good to note - we had absolutely no trouble booking a table for nine on a Saturday night two days in advance. On the weekends, they have a fixed price ($25) eight-course menu that you eat with your hands. It was so dark I could barely see what I was eating, but it was fantastic, even for a fussy gal like myself - the lentil soup was delicious, the chicken was especially moist, and the hummus was top notch. I would have given it five stars, but the service slowed down significantly after the first five courses. After dinner, definitely indulge in the hookah -- they have a myriad of flavors; I'd recommend mango or mixed fruit.

by Caroline P.

I went here for my birthday a year or so ago. Definitely an experience to remember although the waitstaff seemed to ignore us for another table of "regulars." We did the 8 course prix fixe meal which gave you a chance to try a little of everything.You have to eat everything with yourhands so I recommend you go with close friends!Overall the food was good but I don't know if I would return for a second visit.

by Jennifer R.

Went here with a group of friends last night, and would definitely go again even though I found a few things lacking.Good:  the chicken with lemon and olives.  YUM.  And the lamb with honey and almonds was delish.  The atmosphere was relaxed and casual, but dress comfortably because you might be sitting on a very low cushion.Meh: the bread.  Instead of pita, they brought around these thick wedges of a cake-y white bread.  It was impossible to scoop up our food with it, and our hands were all covered with sauce.  Also, the Moroccan wine by the glass -- really really chewy.  Better to splurge on a bottle of better wine (around $30).To people who want to see the bellydancer for entertainment -- if you enjoy her dancing, tip her.  Our poor girl danced her heart out 3 times, with people from several tables, and we were the only table who gave her a tip.  Get up and wriggle with her for 30 seconds, and give her $5...  It's the correct thing to do.

by Aditi J.

Similar thoughts as my review on Marrakesh. The atomosphere, the courses served were all very similar. To me, the restaurants were substitutable. Plus: the bellydancers were much better looking, if you're into that. Plus: The falafel course instead of lentils at Marrakesh was a better choice. But still the vegetarian option is not as worth it as the meat option.

by Sonalee R.

The ambiance is really neat. I've been to India about a dozen times and when I walked into Fez I felt like I was in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. The walls are decked out with these different tapestries and their cushy couches come fully equipped with bucket seating and low tables. I highly recommend the cherry mango hookah. This is also a great place for cheap drinks and large groups. Not the best for wait service though. He wasn't very courteous and we had to remind him a dozen times to bring more water.

by Gina L.

Fez, is a great chill out venue!!  Tucked away right off South Street ( I almost want to keep this to myself) .   Anyway, I love the Venue, Moroccan themed, Belly Dancing, and Hookah!  I have yet to eat here, but will update when and if that happens.   The Hookah is decently priced compared to some of the other places  in Philly.  Oh yes, they do serve wine.  Definitely cool for casually hanging out solo, with the girls, guys, or 'Cupcakin' with your significant other.  I put this on my iLove List.  Check it out and let me know what you think...

by Yasmeen F.

Let me preface this by saying that it is very seldom that I give a place I've been to "one star", but after going to this place, I wish they had the option on Yelp of identifying your experience by a "black star" because this place should have a big fat one above their restaurant sign.Firstly, the service was POOR. I was in a party of five and I realize that the server was the only waiter for similar sized tables but this guy was extremely aloof and appeared like he just smoked a field of marijuanna when he greeted us. Tell me if I'm wrong, but when more than one person settles at a sit-down restaurant, shoudn't we all have a menu? He obviously thought that it was a luxury to have as he placed one food and drink menu on the table and expected us to pass it around- prolonging the time we could have ordered- it was hard enough to read with such dim light that had absolutely no effect on the ambiance. He didn't bring out silverware too which he also might of thought was an indulgence to have. What a nut job this guy was!Needless to say he also forgot about bringing out one of our orders, which was another blow to our dining experience. But it was nothing compared to the quantity and quality of the food. Perhaps it was what we got- but the food was mediocre, nothing to brag about, and was not justified in the amount of money you pay for it. To put it in perspective, my lamb kabob dish was about 3 oz of unseasoned rice with an equal amount of lamb parsels that were tasteless. They served it on an appetizer plate. Go figure.The server at the end topped off the night with charging us 46% gratuity, which was an obvious error in his calculation. I expect that from a pothead, but the chefs know better! If you're looking for an delicious place to eat, a place that signifies the beautiful arab culture with their art, food, and service... THIS IS NOT THE PLACE... especially if you're a novice at this type of cuisine- steer clear- this is NOT authentic.Trust me- there are better restaurants in the city if you're looking for genuine middle eastern food- and Fez does not qualify as one of them.

by Aliah D.

I went to Fez last night with eight of my galpals. The decor and ambience is very nice and the music was pleasant. I had high hopes for a good time out! I had been to other hookah restaurants (one in D.C whose name escapes me was top-notch, it was a real-live affair--with singers, belly dancers, and the patrons dancing in betxixt smoking hookahs) so my hopes were high. Service was attentive and on point. Our servers made sure our waters were never low, our alcohol was flowing (their wine selection was very small but nice), and that we were happy throughout our meal. We were one of the few patrons dining as others were just there for the hookah (it was about 9pm on a Friday night).The eight course meal was delicious (and a great deal at $25 pp plus tax and gratuities) while some courses were better than others. However, the time in between courses seemed to drag. My personal favorites were the whole chicken dish and the lamb and almonds dish. The chicken was flavorful and juicy and fell off the bones. For the eight of us, they gave us two chickens which was more than plenty! My vegetarian friend had the vegetarian courses different dishes like a falafal and a hummus dish in lieu of the meat dishes. I tasted the hummus and it was delish. There was a fruit course (just bananas, oranges, and apples) and a couscous dish that was unremarkable.  I wore a borrowed Fez the whole evening after asking if it was culturally acceptable for me to wear it. Yup, I am a hot mess and I do things like that. So the Fez and hookah and chicken made my night. And of course, having a ridic time with my ladies.The bellydancer had "called out" so there was no live entertainment. Boo to that. The hookah was great and reasonably priced ($20 for hookah for three hours for four people). Definitely go for the experience...would have been 4 stars if there was a bellydancer as advertised.

by Bryan M.

I went to Fez Morrocan about 9 years ago on a trip to Philly.  I had seen it in a travel book as good for groups and organized a group from the conference I was at to go there.  We took a taxi to the restaurant and were really impressed by the neigborhood.  From what I could tell it was what you might call Bohemian and definitely cool for a guy who has lived in Texas his whole life.  Entering the restaurant is like entering a tent in Morroco, they have material on the walls and ceiling.  We were seated on pillows on the floor around a large table.  The waiter came and explained how the restaurant worked and gave us water to wash our hands (you eat with your hands).  He then brought out mint tea which was amazing (I'm not a tea drinker).  The dishes came out one by one and I remember everyone being timid at first to use their hands and to try the sometimes strange foods (our waiter explained each dish as it was presented).  By the end, when each dish came out, we all grabbed at it, not wanting to let someone else eat our portion of the wonderful food.  A specific dish I remember was a pastry covered scrambled egg dish with cinnamon and other spices.  As explained, it sounded suspect and one of our group had to be the guinea pig and try it first.  On his approval, we all dug in and it was VERY ho, but SOOOO good that we all burned our fingers pulling out the next bits to stuff into our mouths.  I see members of this group on occaision and we all remember our meal here even nine years later.  We've tried to recreate it by going to other Morrocan places, but this was definitely a moment in time not to be re-lived.  We were all so impressed by the city that we walked (quite a good distance) back to the hotel.  I guess this review is mostly for Fez Morrocan, but also for the night to remember...