Can You Eat and Drink During Ramadan as a Tourist?
Quick answer
Yes — as a non-Muslim tourist you can eat and drink during Ramadan, but do so discreetly, not openly in public during daylight hours. Tourist hotels and many restaurants stay open to serve visitors; just avoid eating, drinking or smoking in the street out of respect for those fasting.
Travelling during Ramadan, the holy month of daytime fasting, is perfectly doable for tourists — you are not expected to fast, but a bit of discretion and respect goes a long way.
Here is how to handle food and drink.
What you can do
Non-Muslims (and travellers) are not required to fast, and you can eat and drink during the day. Tourist hotels and riads generally serve meals as normal, and many tourist-oriented restaurants and cafés stay open for lunch, sometimes with discreet seating or screens. So you will not go hungry.
The key is where and how: keep eating and drinking to your hotel, riad, or inside a restaurant rather than openly on the street.
The etiquette
Out of respect for the millions fasting around you (no food, drink, cigarettes or even water during daylight), avoid eating, drinking, snacking or smoking visibly in public during the day — in the street, on public transport or in front of people. Carry water discreetly and sip away from others if needed, especially in the heat.
Dress modestly, be patient with slower daytime service (people are fasting and low on energy), and a friendly “Ramadan Mubarak” is warmly received. After sunset (iftar), everything bursts to life.
How it affects your trip
Daytime is quieter, with some local cafés and shops closed or on reduced hours, while evenings are festive and lively well into the night. Alcohol can be harder to buy (some shops pause sales) though tourist hotels often still serve it discreetly. Plan daytime meals around hotels and tourist restaurants, and enjoy the special Ramadan atmosphere — sharing an iftar (harira soup, dates, sweets) is a highlight if you are invited.
Check the year’s Ramadan dates when planning (they shift earlier annually), and note Eid al-Fitr at the end brings closures and busy travel.
Key takeaways
- Tourists can eat and drink during Ramadan — but discreetly, not in public by day.
- Hotels and many tourist restaurants stay open to serve visitors.
- Avoid eating, drinking or smoking visibly in the street during daylight.
- Days are quiet; evenings festive — sharing iftar is a highlight.
Frequently asked questions
Can tourists eat in public during Ramadan in Morocco?
You can eat and drink, but not openly in public during daylight — keep it to your hotel, riad or inside a restaurant out of respect for those fasting. Tourist restaurants and hotels stay open to serve visitors.
Do tourists have to fast during Ramadan in Morocco?
No — non-Muslims and travellers are not expected to fast. Just be discreet: avoid eating, drinking or smoking visibly in the street during daylight.
Are restaurants open during Ramadan in Morocco?
Tourist-oriented restaurants and hotels generally stay open for lunch (sometimes discreetly), while many local eateries close until sunset. Evenings are lively after iftar.
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