Budget
How Much Does Food Cost in Morocco? A Price Guide
Accurate food budgeting for a Morocco trip is difficult from general travel guides, which often quote outdated or overly broad ranges. This guide gives specific, current prices in Moroccan dirham (MAD) and US dollars for the full range of eating options — from a 5 MAD glass of orange juice to a 700 MAD private cooking class — so you can budget your trip realistically.
Street food and snacks
Sfenj (fried dough): 1-2 MAD per piece. Bissara (fava bean soup): 5-8 MAD per bowl. Fresh orange juice: 5-10 MAD per glass. Mint tea: 3-8 MAD. Maakouda sandwich: 8-15 MAD. Kefta sandwich: 15-25 MAD. A full street breakfast (bissara, sfenj, tea) costs 12-15 MAD, roughly 1.20-1.50 USD.
Restaurant meals
Neighbourhood tagine with bread: 30-50 MAD. Tourist-restaurant tagine: 60-100 MAD. Couscous: 40-70 MAD. Harira bowl: 8-15 MAD. Grilled meat plate: 30-50 MAD. Pastilla slice: 20-40 MAD. These prices reflect 2026 medina and city-centre restaurant pricing; expect 10-20% higher in upscale Gueliz cafes and international-style restaurants.
Riad dinners and experiences
A multi-course riad dinner: 150-300 MAD per person (15-30 USD), including cooked salads, a main tagine or couscous, dessert and tea. A cooking class: 300-700 MAD (30-70 USD) depending on group size — group classes are cheapest, private classes for couples are most expensive. A food tour: 300-600 MAD per person for a half-day guided experience.
Drinks and extras
Bottled water (1.5L): 5-8 MAD. Bread (khobz): 1.50-3 MAD per loaf. Moroccan wine (restaurant, glass): 50-90 MAD. Beer: 30-50 MAD. A tip of 10% at sit-down restaurants and 20-50 MAD for a riad cook after a good meal are standard additions to budget for.
Practical tips
- Budget 150-250 MAD (15-25 USD) per day for three excellent meals plus snacks and drinks.
- A cooking class is a bigger one-time cost but teaches recipes you can make indefinitely at home.
- Prices in Gueliz (the modern district) run higher than in the medina for equivalent food.
- Carry a mix of small and larger MAD notes — street vendors need small change, restaurants can break larger bills.
Related questions
What is a realistic daily food budget for Morocco?
150-250 MAD (15-25 USD) per day covers three generous meals, snacks and drinks at a mix of street food and neighbourhood restaurants. Budget travellers can go lower; those wanting more riad dinners should budget higher.
Are prices the same across all Moroccan cities?
Roughly, yes, though Marrakech and Fes tourist zones run slightly higher than smaller towns. Casablanca and Rabat restaurant prices in business districts can be noticeably higher than medina prices elsewhere.
Is tipping included in Moroccan restaurant prices?
No. A 10% tip at sit-down restaurants is expected on top of the bill. Some upscale establishments add a service charge automatically — check the bill before tipping twice.
How much should I budget for a cooking class?
300 MAD (30 USD) for a group class up to 700+ MAD (70+ USD) for a private couples' experience, generally including the market visit, ingredients, and the meal itself.
See exact pricing for Marrakech cooking classes and food tours