Welcome to Henna Café
The original natural henna café in Marrakech
Henna Café started in 2011 with a simple idea: to create a place where people could meet, eat, learn and experience a little of Marrakech in a different way.
We were the first natural henna café in Marrakech.
But from the beginning, Henna Café was never really just about henna.
It was about people.
We wanted to create somewhere that felt welcoming to everyone — visitors discovering Marrakech for the first time, local people from the Medina, artists, teachers, students, travellers and friends.
Over the years, Henna Café has become a little community of its own.
And we’re very proud of that.
Come for the henna. Stay for the story.
Henna has been part of Moroccan culture for centuries, and we fell in love with the idea of sharing that tradition with visitors from all over the world.
Our henna is natural henna, and our artists create beautiful designs inspired by Moroccan traditions.
For many of our guests, getting henna at Henna Café becomes one of those special memories they take home from Marrakech.
But we hope you discover a little more than that when you visit us.
Have some lunch.
Meet our team.
Sit on the roof.
Talk to someone you’ve never met before.
Take your time.
That’s what Henna Café is about.
We believe a café can make a difference
From the day we opened, part of the idea behind Henna Café was to use the business to create opportunities for people in our community.
Through the Henna Café Cultural Association, we have provided free classes and educational opportunities for local people.
Over the years, we’ve taught languages, literacy, storytelling, art, business skills and much more.
We’ve had teachers, volunteers and students from all over the world pass through our doors.
Some stayed for an afternoon.
Some stayed for years.
Many became friends.
And then came COVID
When COVID arrived, Marrakech changed almost overnight.
The tourists disappeared. The Medina became quiet. People who depended on tourism for their living suddenly had very little or nothing.
We couldn’t simply sit and watch.
So we opened the Henna Soup Kitchen.
Our team and volunteers cooked and distributed food to people who were struggling during those incredibly difficult months.
It was a very different Henna Café from the one our visitors normally see.
There were no tourists sitting on the roof.
Instead, there were pots of soup, bags of food, volunteers and people from our neighbourhood who needed help.
It reminded us why we had started Henna Café in the first place.
Community comes first.
Then, in September 2023, Morocco was hit by the earthquake
The earthquake changed lives across Morocco.
Once again, we wanted to help.
Our team and volunteers worked to provide food and support to people affected by the earthquake, using the connections we had built over many years in Marrakech.
It wasn’t about doing something extraordinary.
It was simply about doing what we could, with what we had.
We had a kitchen.
We had people who wanted to help.
So we helped.
Today, we’re still here
Today, Henna Café is once again welcoming visitors from all over the world.
You can come for a Moroccan lunch, a cup of tea, a natural henna design or simply somewhere to sit and take a break from the Medina.
But behind the food and the henna is the same idea that was there when we opened in 2011.
People helping people.
Every time you eat here, have a drink or get a henna design, you are helping support the work that Henna Café does in the community.
And that means a lot to us.
So come and see us
We’re in the heart of the Marrakech Medina, and we’d love to welcome you.
Come with your family.
Come with your friends.
Come on your own.
Come for the food.
Come for the henna.
Come because you’ve heard our story.
Or just come because you happened to walk past our door.
Everyone is welcome.
Henna Café Marrakech
Eat. Learn. Connect. Make a Difference.
Opening hours
We welcome guests every day from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
If you’d like to have henna, we recommend making a reservation in advance, especially during busy periods.
Please make a reservation for henna bookings.
How to find us
Henna Café is in the heart of the Medina, just a short walk from Dar El Bacha.
From Koutoubia Mosque:
Follow Rue Lalla Fatma Zorha towards Dar El Bacha Palace.
Just after Dar Moha restaurant, turn left.
Continue for approximately 100 metres and you’ll find Henna Café on the left-hand side.
If you’re not sure where to go, don’t worry — the Medina can be confusing! Ask for Dar El Bacha and you’ll be very close.
We look forward to welcoming you.
Vanessa Branson serving the 30000th meal at the Henna Cafe:
https://fb.watch/4YTwKqbg0z/