Ombú review: our verdict
Everything starts with a tree: a giant ombú, whose story the team is happy to tell, and which gave its name to the restaurant. You sit down near it, inside the Ensemble Artisanal, away from the noise of Essaouira's medina. The place is peaceful, pleasant to look at, and the cuisine matches the decor, from tapas to desserts.
The service is discreet and well-trained, the atmosphere gentle, and families find their comfort here. Prices remain reasonable for what you get on the plate. It's not a spot for candlelit dinners: Ombú serves only from 9 am to 6 pm. Nor is it for those in a hurry: waits can lengthen, and tapas sometimes arrive at the same time as the main dishes, which slightly disrupts the rhythm of the meal.
The trap: arriving without cash, as credit cards aren't accepted and you'll have to step out into the medina to find a working ATM. The best time slot: lunch, or a break late in the morning, since everything closes at 6 pm. The good tip: ask for the tree's story when you order.
