Casa Tajine - Carlton (VIC)

Having never tried authentic Moroccan food, I was looking forward to experiencing a taste of Northern Africa. With promises of rich, spicy flavours without the heat of other regions, I anticipated a fantastic meal. Casa Tajine is a comfortable space, with generous hosts who are happy to talk about the origins of the dishes. I love the homely decorations and the rows of authentic tajines are beautiful.<br/ <br/ Starting with a traditional mint tea, this delicious brew came with a side of theatre; as the art of pouring is as important as the tea itself. The minty freshness was soothing and palate cleansing at the same time. The menu is generous, and centres around a range of tajines, dips, breads and mest dishes.<br/ <br/ We started with some sweet peppers topped with a poached egg, and this was served with homemade flatbreads to dip into the dish. Each dish was presented to us in a tajine, and I really fell in love with this gorgeous earthernware. It really is just stunning. Removing the lid to reveal the meal underneath adds a level of suspense and anticipation.<br/ <br/ For mains, we had a lamb tajine and a Bastilla, which is a chicken pie that is traditionally served at weddings. The Bastilla was amazing, and I had never had anything quite like it. With minced chicken meat, and an abundance of aromatic spices; this delight was encased in filo pastry and sprinkled with icing sugar. There were definitely notes of cinnamon, and this slightly sweet pie was absolutely delicious. The flaky pastry was amazing, and the fillingvwas just so tasty.<br/ <br/ The tajine was served in the traditional style, surrounded by chips rather than rice or couscous. I had never heard of this variation, and considered it unusual, but was happy to try something considered unique to the region. The lamb cutlets were tender and flavoursome, and the prunes and apricots added some sweetness to the spicy sauce. I wasn't too sure about the chips, as I found them a bit soggy with all the sauce. Next time I would probably have couscous instead. It was still a fantastic dish, just not how I would usually eat chips.<br/ <br/ Not known for over the top desserts, we finished with some baklava, semolina cake and almond biscuits. They were all delicious and a lovely way to end our tasty dinner.<br/ <br/ I loved the atmosphere of Casa Tajine, and felt that the hospitality was welcoming and generous. Staff were lovely, the venue was fantastic and the food was very nice. If this is an authentic taste of Morocco, then I have found my new favourite cuisine.

As we entered Casa Tajine, we were transported to another world, greeted with the aroma of spices and incense. Being the first time trying Moroccan food, our visit definitely didn’t disappoint! We tried the shakshouka and chicken harira soup for entree and enjoyed a chicken apricot couscous tajine. Before we even tasted the dishes, we were captured by their tempting fragrance. The flavours were new and unique to us, yet felt comforting at the same time. Following dinner, we had the chance to experience Moroccan tea served the traditional way. Overall, this was a wonderful first taste of Moroccan food and culture.

Casa Tajine wows diners with its authentic Moroccan cuisine, skillfully prepared with love by the talented kitchen staff. The menu features wonderfully flavorful dishes that showcase influences from Arab, Mediterranean, Spanish, neighboring African, and Middle Eastern cuisines. We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the variety of dishes on offer.

The ambiance of the restaurant is cozy and comfortable, with Moroccan lights adding to the inviting atmosphere. The food was delicious, starting with an eggplant chopped salad and a pepper shakshuka served with traditional bread. The smokey flavor of the eggplant reminded me of my mother's homemade dip, and the shakshuka was flavorful with perfectly cooked eggs. For mains, we enjoyed lamb, vegetable, and chicken tagines. The lamb was tender with prunes and apricots that complemented the dish well. The rice served with the lamb was the best my husband had ever eaten. The chicken tagine was cooked perfectly, with delightful spices and moist meat. The vegetable tagine was also tasty, although I would have preferred a different texture than dried fruits. Overall, we had a great dining experience at Casa Tagine and will definitely return. The portion sizes were satisfying for the price paid, and we left with full and happy bellies. The family-run business adds a personal touch to the dining experience, with the family members cooking for the guests. It's definitely worth a visit.

The food and service at this restaurant is excellent! The atmosphere is cozy in Carlton and they cater to vegetarians as well. It's definitely worth a try! We ordered the shakshuka, vegetarian couscous, and vegetarian tajine with rice.