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If you are planning a trip to Morocco, you may have questions about alcohol. One of the most common questions travelers ask is: Can restaurants in Morocco serve alcohol?
The short answer is yes, some restaurants in Morocco can legally serve alcohol, but not all restaurants do.
Morocco is a Muslim country with a strong cultural and religious tradition. At the same time, Morocco is also a popular international tourist destination, and alcohol is available in many hotels, licensed restaurants, bars, resorts and nightclubs, particularly in major tourist cities.
For visitors, the important thing is to understand the difference between a licensed establishment and an ordinary restaurant. You should also know that drinking alcohol in public places is not permitted, and local customs should always be respected.
This guide explains everything travelers should know about drinking alcohol in Morocco, including restaurants, hotels, Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir, Fes, Merzouga, Ramadan and practical tips for tourists.
Yes. Licensed restaurants in Morocco can serve alcohol.
However, having a restaurant in Morocco does not automatically mean that it sells alcohol. Restaurants need the appropriate authorization to serve alcoholic drinks.
This is why you may visit one restaurant and find beer and wine on the menu, while another restaurant serving very similar Moroccan food does not offer any alcohol.
Licensed hotels, bars and restaurants in tourist areas commonly serve alcohol.
For travelers, this means that you should not assume that every restaurant will have beer, wine or spirits available.
If drinking alcohol with your dinner is important to you, check the restaurant before visiting or ask your hotel, driver or tour company for recommendations.
The main reason is cultural, religious and practical.
Morocco is a Muslim-majority country, and alcohol is not part of traditional Moroccan food culture in the same way that it is in many European countries.
Traditional Moroccan meals are often enjoyed with drinks such as Moroccan mint tea, water, fresh juices or soft drinks. Moroccan mint tea, in particular, is an important part of hospitality and social life. The Moroccan National Tourist Office describes mint tea as a ceremonial drink deeply rooted in Moroccan traditions.
At the same time, Morocco has a large tourism industry. International visitors come from Europe, North America, Asia and many other parts of the world. As a result, many tourist-oriented hotels and restaurants offer alcoholic drinks to their international customers.
This creates an interesting situation for travelers: alcohol is available in Morocco, but it is not available everywhere.
If you are looking for alcohol during your trip, there are certain types of establishments where you are more likely to find it.
Hotels are among the easiest places for tourists to find alcohol.
Many international hotels and higher-end Moroccan hotels have restaurants and bars where guests can order beer, wine, cocktails and spirits.
If you are staying at a hotel, ask reception whether the hotel has a licensed bar or restaurant.
This can be especially convenient if you do not want to search around the city after dinner.
Restaurants that regularly welcome international tourists are also more likely to serve alcohol.
This is particularly true in major tourist destinations such as Marrakech, Casablanca, Agadir and Tangier.
However, even in tourist areas, alcohol is not guaranteed. A restaurant can be very popular with international visitors and still choose not to serve alcohol.
It is always better to ask first.
Higher-end restaurants are another place where you are more likely to find wine, beer and cocktails.
Some restaurants offer Moroccan cuisine alongside international dishes and have a drinks menu that includes Moroccan and imported wines.
If you are planning a special dinner, anniversary or romantic evening, check the drinks menu before making your reservation.
Bars, lounges, nightclubs and certain entertainment venues are among the most obvious places to find alcohol.
Marrakech, Casablanca and Agadir have particularly well-developed nightlife scenes, with hotels, lounges, restaurants and clubs catering to tourists and international visitors.
In licensed establishments, travelers may find a variety of alcoholic drinks.
These can include:
Moroccan beer
Imported beer
Moroccan wine
Imported wine
Whisky
Vodka
Gin
Rum
Cocktails
Champagne and sparkling wine
Other spirits
Wine is particularly interesting for travelers because Morocco has its own wine-producing industry.
A restaurant with a good wine list may offer Moroccan wines alongside imported bottles.
If you enjoy wine, you can ask the waiter about Moroccan options rather than automatically choosing an imported bottle.
Yes.
Licensed restaurants may serve Moroccan wine, and some higher-end restaurants have a selection of local wines.
Morocco has a long history of wine production, and travelers may encounter wines from different Moroccan regions.
If you are eating Moroccan food such as tajine, couscous or pastilla, a restaurant may recommend a particular wine to accompany the meal.
However, traditional restaurants and smaller local restaurants may not have wine available.
The absence of alcohol does not mean that the restaurant is unusual. It is simply part of the variety of Moroccan dining culture.
Yes, tourists can drink alcohol in Morocco, but they should do so responsibly and in appropriate places.
The important distinction is between drinking in a licensed establishment and drinking in public.
According to current UK government travel advice for Morocco, licensed hotels and bars in tourist areas serve alcohol, while drinking alcohol in the street or anywhere other than a licensed restaurant or bar is illegal and can lead to arrest.
For tourists, the safest approach is simple:
Drink at a licensed hotel, restaurant, bar or other authorized venue, and avoid drinking in public spaces.
No. Travelers should not drink alcohol openly in streets, public squares or other public places.
This is particularly important in tourist cities where visitors may see nightlife and assume that public drinking is acceptable.
It is not.
If you buy alcohol from an authorized shop or supermarket, do not assume that you can open it and drink it immediately outside.
Instead, consume it only in an appropriate private or licensed setting.
This is one of the most important rules for tourists who want to avoid unnecessary problems.
Alcohol is available for purchase in Morocco through authorized sellers, including certain shops and supermarkets.
Availability varies depending on the city, neighborhood and establishment.
Large cities and tourist destinations generally provide more options than small towns and remote areas.
However, travelers should not expect every supermarket or grocery shop to sell alcohol.
If you want to purchase alcohol for private consumption, ask your hotel or another trusted local contact where authorized retailers are located.
Yes. Marrakech is one of the easiest destinations in Morocco for tourists looking for licensed places that serve alcohol.
The city has a large tourism industry, including international hotels, luxury resorts, restaurants, rooftop venues, bars and nightclubs.
In areas popular with international visitors, you can find establishments offering:
Moroccan wine
Imported wine
Beer
Cocktails
Spirits
Champagne
However, the fact that Marrakech is a major tourist destination does not mean that every restaurant serves alcohol.
Many traditional Moroccan restaurants focus entirely on food, Moroccan tea, juices and other non-alcoholic drinks.
If you want a restaurant that serves both traditional Moroccan food and alcohol, check the menu or ask before booking.
Yes.
Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and an important business and tourism center.
Because of its international population and business environment, there are many hotels, restaurants, lounges and bars where alcohol is available.
Travelers staying in Casablanca generally have a wide range of choices, especially around major hotels and modern neighborhoods.
If you are looking for a more traditional Moroccan dining experience, however, you may find that some restaurants do not serve alcohol.
Yes.
Agadir is one of Morocco's major beach destinations and attracts many international tourists.
Hotels, resorts and tourist restaurants are among the places where travelers are most likely to find alcoholic drinks.
Because Agadir has a strong resort and beach tourism industry, visitors often have more opportunities to find licensed venues than they would in smaller Moroccan towns.
Again, always check before assuming that a restaurant serves alcohol.
Alcohol is also available in Fes, particularly in some hotels and licensed restaurants.
Fes is famous for its historic medina, traditional Moroccan culture and cuisine.
Many travelers visit Fes specifically to experience traditional Moroccan life and food. As a result, some local restaurants focus on traditional dining rather than alcohol.
If you want both Moroccan food and alcoholic drinks, a hotel restaurant or an established tourist restaurant may be a better choice.
This is a little different.
Merzouga is a small desert destination rather than a large city. It is famous for the Erg Chebbi dunes, camel rides, desert camps and Sahara experiences.
Some higher-end desert camps and hotels may offer alcoholic drinks, but availability is much less predictable than in Marrakech or Casablanca.
If you want to drink wine or beer during your desert experience, ask your camp before arriving.
This is especially important if you are spending one or two nights in the desert.
A desert camp may offer dinner, Moroccan tea, water and soft drinks but not alcohol.
Do not wait until you arrive in the middle of the Sahara to discover that there is no alcohol available.
Ramadan requires additional cultural sensitivity.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. Travelers should be aware that daily routines, restaurant opening hours and business practices can change during this period.
UK government travel advice recommends that visitors respect local traditions during Ramadan and check restaurant opening hours. It also notes that hotels and restaurants providing food or drink during fasting hours may separate non-fasting guests from Muslim guests, for example with screens.
Alcohol availability can also become more restricted or less visible during Ramadan.
A restaurant or hotel that normally serves alcohol may change its service during the month.
For this reason, if you are visiting Morocco during Ramadan and want to drink alcohol, contact your hotel or restaurant beforehand.
Do not assume that the normal service will continue exactly as it does outside Ramadan.
Visitors should be respectful of the fact that Ramadan is an important religious month.
The issue is not simply whether a tourist can find alcohol. It is also about where and how it is consumed.
Avoid drinking alcohol openly in public.
If a hotel or licensed establishment is serving alcohol to guests, follow the establishment's rules and consume it discreetly.
During Ramadan, it is particularly important to avoid behavior that could be considered disrespectful to people who are fasting.
The best approach is to observe how local businesses operate and follow the guidance of your hotel or local guide.
Yes, if you are dining at a licensed restaurant that serves alcohol.
Moroccan cuisine is famous around the world for dishes such as:
Tajine
Couscous
Pastilla
Harira
Mechoui
Grilled meats
Fresh salads
Seafood
The Moroccan National Tourist Office highlights tajine, couscous, pastilla and other traditional dishes as important parts of the country's culinary culture.
Some travelers enjoy pairing Moroccan food with Moroccan wine or beer, while others prefer traditional mint tea.
There is no requirement to drink alcohol with Moroccan food.
In fact, trying Moroccan mint tea is an important part of the cultural experience.
You have many alternatives.
Morocco has a wide variety of non-alcoholic drinks, including:
Mint tea is probably the most famous Moroccan drink.
It is traditionally prepared with green tea, fresh mint and sugar and is served throughout the country.
It is much more than a simple drink. It is associated with Moroccan hospitality and social gatherings.
Morocco is famous for fresh fruit, and freshly squeezed orange juice is widely enjoyed, especially in cities such as Marrakech.
Depending on the restaurant, you may find juices made from orange, avocado, banana, strawberry or other fruits.
Restaurants also commonly offer bottled water, sparkling water and soft drinks.
So even if your restaurant does not serve alcohol, you will still have plenty of choices.
No. Asking politely whether a restaurant serves alcohol is not necessarily rude.
However, you should understand that some restaurants do not serve it because of their values, business policy or type of clientele.
A simple question such as:
“Do you serve beer or wine?”
is enough.
If the answer is no, simply accept it and choose another drink.
There is no need to argue or complain.
Respecting the restaurant's policy is part of being a considerate traveler.
There are several simple ways.
Some restaurants publish their food and drinks menus online.
Look for sections such as:
Drinks
Wine
Beer
Cocktails
Bar
Travel websites and review platforms can sometimes indicate whether alcohol is available.
However, information can change, so it is better to confirm directly with the restaurant.
Hotel reception staff can often tell you which nearby licensed restaurants serve alcohol.
If you are traveling around Morocco with a private driver or local guide, they can often recommend restaurants that match your preferences.
This can be particularly useful when traveling outside the major cities.
Do not assume that a restaurant will allow you to bring your own alcohol.
Some establishments may have their own policies, while others may not permit outside alcohol at all.
Always ask before bringing a bottle.
If you are staying at a hotel, the same principle applies. Check the hotel's policy before consuming your own alcohol on the property.
This depends on the hotel and where you are drinking.
A hotel with a licensed bar or restaurant may serve alcohol to guests in those areas.
For alcohol purchased elsewhere, check the hotel's rules regarding consumption in rooms or other private areas.
Do not assume that because you are staying in a hotel, every area of the property allows alcohol consumption.
When in doubt, ask reception.
Yes, but you should plan carefully.
If you are taking a private Morocco tour, tell your driver or tour company if you would like to visit restaurants that serve alcohol.
This can help them choose appropriate places for lunch and dinner.
For example, if you are traveling:
Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Dades Valley → Merzouga
you may have many options in Marrakech but fewer options as you move into smaller towns and remote desert areas.
This is why planning is important.
If you know that having wine or beer with dinner is important to you, mention it before the tour begins.
This is extremely important.
Never drink and drive.
If you are traveling with a private driver, arrange transportation rather than driving after drinking.
If you rent a car, do not consume alcohol before driving.
Even if you feel capable of driving, alcohol can affect reaction time, concentration and judgment.
A holiday is not worth risking your safety or the safety of other people on the road.
If you want to enjoy drinks during dinner, arrange transportation in advance.
Yes.
Morocco offers nightlife, particularly in larger cities and tourist destinations.
Marrakech is especially well known for its evening entertainment, including:
Rooftop restaurants
Hotel bars
Lounges
Nightclubs
Restaurants with live entertainment
Cocktail bars
Dinner shows
Casablanca also has a strong urban nightlife scene.
Agadir offers nightlife associated with its resort and beach tourism.
However, nightlife in Morocco is different from nightlife in every European destination.
Visitors should remember that Morocco has its own culture, traditions and expectations about public behavior.
Enjoy the nightlife, but respect the local environment.
Alcohol can be considerably more expensive than non-alcoholic drinks, particularly in hotels, luxury restaurants and tourist-oriented venues.
The price depends on:
The type of alcohol
Local or imported brand
Restaurant category
Hotel category
City
Location
Bottle or glass
A beer at a tourist restaurant or hotel may cost more than a soft drink or Moroccan tea.
Imported wines and spirits can be significantly more expensive than local alternatives.
If you have a limited budget, check the drinks menu before ordering.
For travelers interested in food and wine, Moroccan wine can be an interesting part of the trip.
Rather than automatically ordering an imported bottle, ask whether the restaurant has a Moroccan wine recommendation.
A waiter or sommelier may be able to suggest a wine that works well with your meal.
This can add another dimension to your Moroccan culinary experience.
Families traveling with children may encounter alcohol in some hotels and restaurants.
This is not unusual in tourist areas.
However, alcohol should be treated as an adult beverage, and parents should follow the rules of the establishment.
If you are traveling with children and prefer a family-friendly restaurant without a bar atmosphere, ask your hotel or tour operator for recommendations.
There are many Moroccan restaurants where alcohol is not the focus at all.
If this is your first trip to Morocco, the most important thing is not to think of Morocco simply as a country where alcohol is either completely legal or completely prohibited.
The reality is more nuanced.
Alcohol is available, but it is controlled and culturally sensitive.
You can enjoy a glass of Moroccan wine at a licensed restaurant.
You can have a beer at a licensed hotel bar.
You can enjoy a cocktail at an appropriate nightlife venue.
But you should not drink openly in the street or assume that every restaurant has an alcohol license.
The key is to understand the local environment and behave respectfully.
Here are ten simple tips that can make your trip easier.
If alcohol is important to you, confirm that the restaurant serves it before making a reservation.
Hotels, established tourist restaurants and licensed bars are generally the easiest places to find alcohol.
Avoid drinking alcohol in streets, public squares and other public spaces.
During Ramadan, be particularly sensitive to local customs and check whether restaurants and hotels have changed their services.
A local guide or professional driver can often help you find a restaurant that matches your preferences.
Alcohol availability in Merzouga and remote areas is less predictable than in Marrakech or Casablanca.
Do not miss Moroccan mint tea and fresh juices. They are an important part of the country's food culture.
Alcohol can be expensive in hotels and upscale restaurants.
Every establishment has its own policy.
Arrange transportation if you plan to drink.
Yes. Licensed restaurants can serve alcohol, but many restaurants do not. Licensed hotels, bars and tourist restaurants are among the places where alcohol is commonly available.
Yes, tourists can drink alcohol in appropriate licensed establishments. Drinking alcohol in public places such as streets is not permitted.
No. Marrakech has many restaurants that serve alcohol, but traditional and local restaurants may not.
Yes, if the restaurant is licensed and offers wine.
Beer is available from authorized sellers and licensed establishments, although availability varies by location.
Alcohol availability and restaurant services can change during Ramadan. Visitors should check with their hotel or restaurant and respect local customs.
Some hotels and desert camps may offer alcohol, but availability is much less predictable than in major cities. Ask your accommodation before arrival.
Yes. Some licensed restaurants offer Moroccan wines as well as imported wines.
No. Drinking alcohol in the street or outside licensed premises can lead to legal problems.
Yes. If this is important to you, tell your tour company or private driver in advance. This is especially useful on longer tours through smaller towns and desert areas.
So, can restaurants in Morocco serve alcohol? Absolutely — but only where it is legally permitted and the establishment is appropriately licensed.
Morocco offers a balance between its traditional Muslim culture and its international tourism industry. Travelers can find beer, wine, cocktails and spirits in many licensed hotels, restaurants, bars and tourist venues, especially in cities such as Marrakech, Casablanca and Agadir.
At the same time, many traditional Moroccan restaurants do not serve alcohol, and this is completely normal.
If you want to enjoy alcohol during your trip, the best approach is to plan ahead. Choose a licensed restaurant or hotel, ask about availability before booking, respect local customs and avoid drinking in public.
And don't forget that Moroccan food is about much more than alcohol. A traditional tajine, couscous or pastilla accompanied by Moroccan mint tea can be one of the highlights of your trip. The Moroccan National Tourist Office describes mint tea as an important part of Moroccan hospitality and culinary culture.
For travelers exploring Morocco with a local driver or guide, asking for recommendations is often the easiest solution. Your local contact can help you find a restaurant that offers the food, atmosphere and drinks you are looking for.
In short: alcohol is available in Morocco, but it is not available everywhere. Know where you can drink, respect local customs, and enjoy your Moroccan experience responsibly.
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