5 places to eat if you want to travel like Anthony Bourdain

I was fortunate enough to meet Anthony Bourdain before his passing and he was as quick-witted in person as he was on the screen and in his writing. As much as I enjoy eating beautiful food in a beautiful restaurant, my heart has always belonged to street food and I loved that Bourdain encouraged people to have a more adventurous palate. Sadly, he did not make a Marrakech episode of his show during his lifetime, but I wanted to pay tribute to his work by sharing the places that would be worthy of an episode of his beloved show Parts Unknown.

Mechoui Alley Come lunchtime, a huge crowd of both locals and tourists descend on this street that's known as Méchoui Alley. Here, you'll find a handful of stalls that are famous for their méchoui (smoke-roasted lamb). Chez Lamine is the most famous of the stalls, but all of the restaurants are family businesses and work together. The food is cheap and the ambiance is lively. For those seeking authentic street food, a visit to Méchoui Alley is a must.

Al Jawda. This unassuming cafe attracts as many locals as tourists (if not more), and with good reason: It serves some of the best juices, smoothies, and pastries in Marrakech. The avocado and date smoothie is a must try. If you want a more decadent avocado desert that is unique to Morocco, ask for a "Zaazaa," which is an avocado milkshake topped with honey, nuts, and even an Oreo cookie.

Amal Women's Training Center. This incredible non-profit organization helps women gain work experience by training them in the preparation of Moroccan food. Everything made and served here tastes like an authentic dish that you would be served in a Moroccan family's home. Fridays at Amal are particularly popular because it's the only day of the week that it serves couscous. (Reservations are recommended.) If you're wanting to try your hand at cooking some Moroccan dishes yourself, Amal also has a location in Targa where you can take a cooking class.

Talaa. Do you want to truly eat like a local? You'll be rewarded with plenty of options if you venture to the Talaa area inside the souks. Here, you'll see vendors selling street food staples like grilled meats, stewed beans, and plenty of sardines. At lunch time, the cafes attract more locals than tourists as artisans take a break from their work to refuel and chat with friends. Many of the restaurants in this area don't even have a location listed on Google and therefore cannot be found on GPS.

Bar de L'Escale. This is not an establishment that you visit for its beautiful ambiance or service. You go here because it's one of the best old-school bars in town to eat fried chicken and drink beer. The menu is simple. The prices are cheap. The crowd consists of locals, mostly men. Chicken can be eaten outside, but if you want to consume alcohol with it, you'll have to do so inside. Note: Please be respectful and keep in mind that the patrons here don't want their photo taken and they don't want you to turn the space into your own personal photo studio either.