
When you’re staying in a traditional Moroccan medina — whether for a few days or a few weeks — you’ll quickly realise that daily life revolves around small, local shops tucked into every corner. These are hanouts: humble, no-frills grocery stores where locals pick up everything from fresh bread to a spoonful of cumin.
Supermarkets are scarce, but hanouts are everywhere — and learning how to shop in one is a delightful part of settling into Moroccan rhythm. Here’s what to expect, how to ask for what you need, and why hanouts are the heartbeat of the neighborhood.