Culinary Journeys Inspire Bold New Dining
Chef Dev Biswal’s Café Marrakech offers authentic Moroccan cuisine with a cultural twist, exploring surprising similarities between Moroccan and Indian dishes. The restaurant combines warm ambiance and vibrant flavors to captivate diners.
Renowned chef and culinary innovator Dev Biswal, owner of the esteemed modern Anglo-Indian restaurant The Cook’s Tale in Canterbury, has launched a stunning new dining destination in the city—Café Marrakech. The restaurant promises to transport visitors to the lively streets of Morocco, offering a captivating blend of Moroccan elegance, rich flavors, and authentic hospitality.
At Café Marrakech, diners can indulge in a variety of sumptuous dishes, such as slow-cooked tagines, charcoal-grilled meats, hand-rolled couscous, vibrant salads, flaky pastries, freshly baked khobz bread, and tempting desserts like semolina basbousa. The menu is designed to showcase bold spices and authentic ingredients, delivering a dining experience that’s bursting with flavor and creativity.
The restaurant’s ambiance is just as enticing as its food. With warm light, vibrant colors, soft music, and wafting spicy aromas, Café Marrakech evokes the spirit of a bustling Moroccan souk. Every detail has been carefully curated to create an immersive experience that indulges all the senses.
A Journey from India to Morocco
Dev Biswal was initially inspired to explore Moroccan cuisine after recruiting a Moroccan chef to join his team at The Cook’s Tale. This encounter eventually led him to Morocco, where he discovered surprising similarities between Moroccan and Indian cuisines.
“Visiting Morocco for the first time was a real eye-opener,” says Biswal. “I was amazed by the similarities between Moroccan and Indian cuisines; our food and cultures share more in common than I could have possibly imagined. Growing up in India, I always thought samosas were Indian—and yet, they’re also a staple of Moroccan food!”
Biswal notes that childhood staples like parathas, koftas, naans, sharbat, and curries all have their counterparts in Moroccan cuisine—a connection that inspired his latest culinary venture.
More Than a Restaurant: A Culturally Inspired Experience
Adding to the charm of Café Marrakech is Biswal’s commitment to connecting food with meaningful travel experiences. Through his travel initiative, The Cook’s Adventures, Biswal organizes small group culinary tours and cultural pilgrimages, including trips to Morocco to explore the region’s vibrant culinary traditions firsthand.
Closer to home, Biswal also runs Canterbury Experiences, offering tailored ‘culinary pilgrimages’ through Canterbury’s picturesque countryside and local landmarks. His commitment to sustainable practices shines through, with many of the restaurant’s ingredients sourced from within 30 minutes of the kitchen.
A Storied Career of Culinary Excellence
Dev Biswal’s culinary journey is as fascinating as the flavors he brings to his restaurants. Born and raised in Orissa, India, he studied in Calcutta before training at the Dubai Sheraton hotel. He moved to London in 2003, working at notable establishments before taking the reins at The Indian Princess in Margate in 2006 and eventually transforming it into an award-winning dining destination.
Biswal’s wide array of accolades includes being named Asian Chef of the Year at the Asian Restaurant Awards and earning recommendations from prestigious guides like Michelin and Harden’s. The chef also gained recognition as the resident chef on Channel 4’s Superscrimpers, where he impressed audiences with his ability to craft gourmet meals on a budget.
With Café Marrakech, Biswal continues to push culinary boundaries, creating a unique and memorable experience for locals and visitors alike. Whether diners are savoring the bold flavors of Moroccan-inspired dishes or soaking in the restaurant’s vibrant ambiance, one thing is certain: Café Marrakech is set to become a must-visit destination in Canterbury.
