In transit or departing from Tangier and wondering where to grab a coffee or something to eat at Ibn Battouta Airport? As Morocco’s gateway to the north, facing the Strait of Gibraltar, Tangier Airport offers a handful of dining options, both in the public hall and in the airside area. This guide provides a neutral, factual rundown of the airport’s cafés and restaurants based on official information from the National Airports Office (ONDA).
In brief: eating at Tangier Airport
- Number of outlets: three listed dining options.
- Where: two in the public hall (before security), one airside (after).
- Types: cafés and cafeteria.
- Good to know: the offering changes over time; official source = ONDA.
Cafés and restaurants at Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport
Here are the dining outlets listed at Tangier Airport according to ONDA, along with their zone. This is an informative list, with no ranking or reviews.
| Outlet | Zone | Type (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| Aero Café | Public hall | Café |
| Aero Cafétéria | Public hall | Cafeteria |
| Café Illy | Airside | Café / coffee shop |
The official reference is the Tangier Airport page on the website of the National Airports Office (ONDA). Illy is a well-known coffee brand.
Before or after security?
A distinctive feature of Tangier: two of the three outlets are located in the public hall, so they can be accessed before check-in — handy for waiting or seeing off a loved one. The third is airside, past the security controls, on the boarding side. Depending on whether or not you’ve already cleared security, you’ll know where to head.
Practical tips
- Opening hours: tied to flight schedules; the offering may be reduced during off-peak times or at night.
- Prices: a little higher than in town, as at any airport.
- Payment: cards are generally accepted; keep some dirhams on hand.
- Halal: food in Morocco is overwhelmingly halal.
Since the offering is more limited than in Casablanca or Marrakech, it’s best not to count too much on a full meal at the airport if your flight departs at an off-peak hour: a coffee or a snack will be easier to find.
Alternatives: eating before the airport
Since the options are limited, planning a meal in town or at your hotel before the transfer can be a good idea. To organize your trip, check out our comparison of transfers from Morocco’s airports, and to stay connected the moment you arrive, our guide to Wi-Fi at Tangier Airport.
Paying for coffee or a meal: dirhams, cards and cash
The dirham is a non-convertible currency: it is not normally bought or sold outside Morocco, and foreign exchange desks usually refuse it. So you get your dirhams once you are in the country — and you should plan to spend what is left before you fly home. A coffee or a snack at the airport is a convenient way to use up your last coins.
Cards are widely used, but keep some cash on you: a card terminal out of service, or a small amount declined, happens everywhere. Small notes beat large ones, since change is not always available. Tipping is not compulsory; rounding up the bill is simply a nice gesture.
Liquids, water bottles and food: what clears security
On departure the liquids rule applies as it does anywhere: no container in your hand luggage may exceed 100 ml, and they must all fit in a transparent resealable plastic bag of about one litre. A full bottle bought before security will therefore be taken off you. The useful habit: go through security with an empty bottle, then refill it or buy a drink on the boarding side.
Solid food is no problem at all: a sandwich, fruit, biscuits or nuts travel freely in the cabin. Watch out for in-between textures, though — yoghurt, soup, honey, jam and spreads count as liquids and fall under the 100 ml limit. Bringing a snack from town also means you do not depend on opening hours once you are inside.
Travelling with a baby or young children
Infant formula, water for bottles and baby food for the journey are among the usual exceptions to the 100 ml rule, in a quantity that is reasonable for the length of the trip. Take them out of your bag and present them separately at the checkpoint: they may be inspected, which adds a few seconds.
Beyond that, rely on what you carry rather than on what you might find: a tired child rarely eats something unfamiliar. Familiar solid snacks, an empty bottle to fill after security, and something to keep them busy while waiting cover most of it.
Timing your break around your flight
At any airport, food outlets follow the waves of departures: they are busiest when several flights leave back to back, and far quieter in between. Early in the morning, late at night or overnight, part of the offering may be closed. Nothing beats a quick look around when you arrive, rather than a plan fixed in advance.
If you have the choice, eat before you set off: your journey to the airport needs planning anyway, so build a proper meal into it. And once you are settled in, Wi-Fi at Tangier Airport makes the wait easier.
FAQ — Tangier Airport restaurants
Are there restaurants at Tangier Airport?
Three dining outlets (cafés and a cafeteria) are listed: two in the public hall, one airside.
Can you eat before going through security?
Yes, two of the three outlets are located in the public hall, accessible before security.
Is there a wide selection?
It’s more limited than at major airports like Casablanca or Marrakech. Consider eating beforehand if your flight departs at an off-peak hour.
Where can I find the up-to-date official list?
On the official ONDA website, under the cafés & restaurants section for Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport.
In summary
Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport offers three dining outlets, mostly cafés, both before and after security. For a full meal, it’s best to plan ahead in town. Rely on ONDA for the most current information. Have a great trip!
Photo credit
Illustration: Departure Hall of Gonggar Airport.jpg — AlexHe34 (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.
