Bringing a taste of North Africa to Canterbury, Cafe Mauresque has been wowing Canterbury locals and visitors since it first opened its doors back in 2004.
The restaurant is split across two floors, with a handful of seats on the ground level which look out onto Butchery Lane. The majority of tables though are downstairs in the romantic, lantern-lit cellar. The space features Morocann-style decor including mosaic tiles, scatter cushions and other trinkets that transport you across the ocean.
The a la carte at Cafe Mauresque consists of a selection of Spanish tapas, plus tagines paella and couscous dishes. To begin, order a selection of tapas, with options to try including garlic butter mushrooms, crispy fried calamari with saffron aioli, and a tortilla layered with spinach, potato and Manchego. From the larger dishes, you can sample the likes of a chicken and pork tagine or North African couscous topped with marinated grilled chicken brochette and homemade Merguez sausages.
There are a few Cafe Mauresque signatures to try too, such as the restaurant’s seafood paella topped with squid, chorizo brochette and tiger prawns and served in a traditional steel pan. Another of the restaurant’s specialities is the slow roasted pork belly with Membrillo (a popular Spanish paste made from Quince which adds a subtle, fruity sweetness to the sauce), while you can always pad out your meal with side orders such as flatbread or a mixed salad with tabbouleh dressing.
To round off your meal, tuck into traditional Moorish desserts such as sticky date cake served with toffee sauce and whipped cream or creme caramel paired with a passion fruit coulis. If you prefer liquid desserts, instead explore Cafe Mauresque’s list of fortified wines and house cocktails, which features the likes of a French Martini and a Pear and Cinnamon Mojito.