A restaurant that pays homage to Moroccan cuisine and the women who cook there, that is what Sahbi Sahbi stands for. In designing this warm and sophisticated space run entirely by women, Studio KO inverted the archetype of Moroccan cuisine and placed the kitchen at the centre of the restaurant for a unique result.
Founded in 2000 by architects Karl Fournier and Olivier Marty, Studio KO blends a contemporary style with unique architectural lines. Tradition is combined with modern aspects. The designers always work very contextually and use local materials, techniques, and craftsmanship to achieve a result that is specific to the environment. This vision is also reflected in the design we show here.
For Sahbi Sahbi restaurant, the studio for the first time combined its experience and expertise with that of Helena Paraboschi and Pierre Pirajean, who already run two popular restaurants in Marrakech. Sahbi Sahbi means ‘soulmates’ in Darija and is a lot more than a restaurant. Designed as a meeting place, the space is run by women. What is special is that the traditional Moroccan cuisine takes centre stage, but has been approached in a contemporary way. In Morocco, kitchens are normally a mysterious place: they are rather closed and mainly the domain of women. In contrast, this restaurant used an open lay-out, where the enthusiastic, diverse team can easily share its knowledge with guests.
The interior design is an ode to the artisanal Moroccan tradition, to which a touch of modernity has been added
The interior design is an ode to that artisanal Moroccan tradition, to which a touch of modernity has been added. The warm, cosy space has a subtle beauty in which textures and light are played with. Natural tones are brought together with authentic materials for an inviting ambience. At any time of the day, you experience an intimate atmosphere here and can enjoy the work going on in the open kitchen. The large oven is definitely the eye-catcher and makes you immediately long for the dishes on offer.
Sahbi Sahbi creates an authentic, special experience, where you not only enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine, but also the harmonious interior that puts you at ease from the very first moment. Great collaborations allow knowledge to be shared efficiently with others, and Sahbi Sahbi is the perfect example of this. 
Photography by Pascal Montary