"A crumbling riad turned into a fountain-cooled garden, where Robert Johnstone's seven-hour mechoui justifies the pre-order — Fez's most romantic table by some distance."
About The Ruined Garden
The Ruined Garden is the restaurant attached to Riad Idrissy, deep in the Fez medina, run by Robert Johnstone. The setting is the draw: the romantic remains of a collapsed riad have been turned into a planted garden with mosaic floors, fountains and exotic foliage, open to the public daily from early afternoon into the evening. It has been listed among World's Best Restaurants' Top 25 in Morocco and reviewed by Fodor's and AFAR.
It sits a few minutes' walk downhill from the Batha roundabout, one of the easier landmarks to navigate to in the Fez medina's maze.
The Kitchen
Johnstone's cooking is deeply Fassi. The headline dishes are by advance order: a celebratory seven-hour slow-roasted lamb mechoui and a poached Sephardic chicken, alongside saffron chicken and reimagined Moroccan street food on the daily menu. The kitchen also runs cooking classes — local breads or a vegetarian feast — most mornings.
The Room
You eat among the ruins: low tables set between fountains and greenery, candlelit after dark. It is unhurried and atmospheric rather than formal, and the garden's microclimate keeps it cool through the Fez heat.
Best for Anniversary
Few rooms in Morocco are this romantic, which makes it a standout for an anniversary or a proposal — pre-order the mechoui, request a fountain-side table, and let the garden do the work. It is equally memorable for a first date with a sense of occasion.
Not for
Not for travellers in a hurry or anyone unwilling to pre-order. The signature mechoui and Sephardic chicken require advance notice, and the medina location means a walk on foot — wheel-in convenience this is not.
Frequently Asked
Do I need to book ahead at The Ruined Garden?
Yes for the signature dishes — the seven-hour lamb mechoui and poached Sephardic chicken must be ordered in advance. The daily à la carte menu and garden are open to walk-ins from early afternoon.
Who runs it?
Robert Johnstone, who has long cooked authentic Fassi food at the restaurant inside his Riad Idrissy.
What is the setting?
The restored ruins of a collapsed riad, turned into a planted garden with fountains and mosaic floors, in the Fez medina.
What are the opening hours?
It opens to the public daily, typically from around 13:00 until 21:30; outside those hours the garden serves the riad's guests.
How do I find it?
Riad Idrissy is about five to six minutes' walk downhill from the Batha roundabout in the medina.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at The Ruined Garden
Pre-order required for mechoui and Sephardic chicken.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
AddressRiad Idrissy, 13 Derb Idrissi, Siaj, Fez medina
NeighbourhoodMedina
CuisineMoroccan
PriceÀ la carte mains mid-range; mechoui by pre-order
Dress CodeSmart casual
SeatingGarden tables
ReservationAdvised; pre-order signatures
