Fez — Marrakech has earned a place among the world’s best food cities “that haven’t been ruined by TikTok yet,” according to a new ranking published by Vice, which celebrates destinations where culinary traditions have resisted algorithm-driven hype.
In its introduction, Vice draws a clear line between cities overtaken by fleeting food trends and those where cuisine evolves slowly.
“For every city that’s been taken over by Frankensteined hybrid croissants, Dubai chocolate flavored everything, and hour-long lines for something that looks better than it tastes, there are just as many cities with evergreen food culture,” the magazine writes. These are places “where recipes evolve slowly and where restaurants (for the most part) don’t design menus for virality.”
Within that framework, Marrakech stands out as a city whose food culture remains deeply rooted in everyday life rather than social media performance.
Quiet dishes over viral plates
Vice describes Marrakech as “a veritable feast for the senses,” while stressing that “the most memorable food dishes in the city are often the most quiet ones.” The publication acknowledges the presence of rooftop restaurants, luxury hotel lobbies, and hookah lounges that naturally lend themselves to social media, but emphasizes that these do not define the city’s culinary soul.
Instead, it points to “steaming comfort dishes, like tagine, tanjia, and couscous,” noting that they are “largely untouched and, more importantly, unbothered by what’s trending at the moment on TikTok.” According to Vice, it is precisely this indifference to online trends that preserves Marrakech’s gastronomic authenticity.
Part of a global map of authenticity
Marrakech appears alongside cities such as Istanbul, praised for its “sheer scale and seriousness about food,” and Tokyo, where chefs are described as “almost obsessive about their craft, often perfecting one dish over decades.” Other destinations on the list include Jakarta, Mexico City, Hong Kong, Lima, and Montreal — all selected for food cultures anchored in tradition, street life, and long-term craftsmanship rather than online visibility.
Vice is careful to note that these cities are not undiscovered. “That doesn’t mean these cities are undiscovered — far from it — but their food culture remains intact, and most of the well-loved establishments are largely uninterested in chasing algorithms,” the article states.
A recognition rooted in continuity
For Marrakech, the ranking reinforces a long-standing reputation built on slow cooking, shared meals, and recipes passed down through generations.
In an era when global food culture is increasingly shaped by short-form video and visual spectacle, Vice’s assessment positions the city as a place where taste, memory, and comfort still outweigh the need to perform for a screen.
The recognition ultimately frames Marrakech not as a city resisting modernity, but as one confident enough in its culinary identity to ignore it.
