Is Morocco Expensive for Food?
Quick answer
No — food in Morocco is generally cheap to moderate. Street food and local eateries are very affordable (a tagine around 40–80 MAD), mid-range restaurants are reasonable, and only tourist-trap spots and upmarket riad dining push prices up. Alcohol is the main expense.
Eating is one of the best-value parts of a Morocco trip — you can eat extremely well without spending much, provided you eat where locals do. Costs only climb at tourist hotspots and fancy venues.
Here’s a realistic picture of food prices.
What meals cost
Street food and snacks (msemen, brochettes, a bowl of harira, grilled sardines) cost just a few to ~30 MAD. A filling tagine or plate of couscous at a local restaurant is around 40–80 MAD. Fresh orange juice at Jemaa el-Fnaa is a few dirham.
Mid-range tourist restaurants run roughly 80–180 MAD for a main; upmarket riad and palace dining, tasting menus and rooftop hotspots are pricier (200 MAD and up). Even so, it’s good value by Western standards.
What pushes the bill up
The big one is alcohol — heavily taxed, so a beer or glass of wine (40–90 MAD) can cost as much as the food. Tourist-trap restaurants right on the main squares charge more for less; imported items and international cuisine cost more than Moroccan dishes.
Bottled water, coffee and mint tea are cheap. Tipping (5–10% in restaurants) adds a little.
How to eat well for less
Eat where the locals eat — busy side-street places over the main-square tourist spots — try the street food, and have your bigger meal at lunch when some places offer set menus. Riad breakfasts (often included) are generous, and self-catering the odd snack from markets is cheap.
Skipping or limiting alcohol keeps bills low. With these habits, a couple can eat very well for a modest daily food budget.
Key takeaways
- Food is cheap to moderate — great value overall.
- Local tagine/couscous ~40–80 MAD; street food a few–30 MAD.
- Tourist-square spots, upmarket dining and alcohol cost more.
- Eat where locals eat and limit alcohol to keep bills low.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a meal cost in Morocco?
A tagine or couscous at a local restaurant is around 40–80 MAD; street food is a few to ~30 MAD; mid-range tourist restaurants run 80–180 MAD a main. Upmarket dining costs more.
Why is alcohol expensive in Morocco?
Alcohol is heavily taxed in this Muslim-majority country, so a beer or glass of wine (40–90 MAD) can cost as much as a meal. It’s the main thing that pushes food bills up.
How can I eat cheaply in Morocco?
Eat at busy local side-street places and street stalls, have your main meal at lunch (set menus), enjoy included riad breakfasts, and limit alcohol.
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