An evening of music and dance over a Moroccan dinner is one of the classic ways to spend a night in Marrakech. Some shows are refined, some are pure spectacle, and it helps to know which is which before you book.
1. Is belly dancing Moroccan?
Not originally. Belly dance, or raqs sharqi, comes from Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean. It arrived in Moroccan restaurants and cabarets during the 20th century and has been part of Marrakech nightlife ever since.
Morocco's own performing traditions are different and just as worth seeing: the trance rhythms of Gnawa music, the line dances of the Atlas such as ahidous and ahwach, and the women's shikhat singers who perform at weddings.
2. Morocco's own music and dance
If you would like to hear what Moroccans themselves listen to at weddings and festivals, these are the names to look for.
- Gnawa: Hypnotic songs played on a three-stringed bass lute and iron castanets, rooted in sub-Saharan Africa. Essaouira and Khamlia are its heartlands.
- Ahidous: A dance of the Middle Atlas in which men and women stand shoulder to shoulder in a line or circle, moving to frame drums and sung poetry.
- Ahwach: The village dance of the High Atlas and the Souss, performed by large groups on special occasions.
- Guedra: A dance of the Saharan south, performed kneeling, to the beat of a drum made from a cooking pot.
- Andalusian music: The classical orchestral tradition of Fes, Tetouan and Rabat, brought from Muslim Spain.
- Chaabi: The popular music of weddings and celebrations, guaranteed to get a room dancing.
3. The types of evening on offer
Dinner and entertainment in Marrakech comes in four broad styles. They differ in size, mood and how much of the evening is about the food.
- Restaurant dinner shows: A traditional meal in a riad or palace restaurant, with belly dancers, musicians and sometimes a dancer balancing a tray of candles.
- Fantasia evenings: Large venues outside the city where dinner in tents is followed by horsemen charging and firing muskets, in the style of the traditional tbourida, along with acrobats and folk troupes.
- Lounge restaurants: Modern venues with DJs, dancers and a late-night atmosphere.
- Jemaa el-Fna: The free, nightly show of musicians and storytellers in the main square.
4. What to expect
Evenings usually start around 8:00 pm and run late. Dinner is a set menu: salads, a pastilla or tagine, couscous and fruit or pastries. The performances come in short sets between courses, and dancers often invite guests to join in. It is light-hearted and popular with groups and families.
The setting is often half the pleasure: candlelit courtyards, carved plaster, low sofas and rose petals on the table. Musicians usually open the evening with Andalusian or popular Moroccan songs, and the dancers appear once the main course is served. The whole evening lasts two to three hours.
Local tip: Ask for a table with a clear view of the floor when you book, and arrive on time: the best seats are given out early.
5. How to choose
There is no single best show, only the one that suits your group. A simple way to decide is to ask what you want to remember afterwards.
- For atmosphere and good food: a restaurant in a restored riad in the medina.
- For spectacle and children: a fantasia evening.
- For authenticity: seek out a Gnawa performance or simply spend the evening on Jemaa el-Fna.
6. Questions to ask before you book
A two-minute check avoids most disappointments.
- What exactly is included in the price, and are drinks extra?
- What time do the performances start, and how long do they last?
- Is there a vegetarian menu or a children's option?
- Is transport to and from your riad included?
- Can you reserve a table close to the floor?
7. Practical points
Prices vary widely with the venue and menu, and drinks are usually extra, so check what is included. Most restaurants serve alcohol. Smart-casual dress is appropriate, and a taxi or a transfer arranged by your riad is the easiest way to get home late at night.
8. Etiquette and tipping
Photographs and short videos are generally fine, though it is polite to keep the flash off. If a dancer invites you onto the floor, you are free to join in or to decline with a smile; nobody minds either way.
Tipping the performers is optional. Some guests offer a small note at the end of a set, and a tip for the waiting staff is appreciated as in any Moroccan restaurant.
9. Music in the desert
If you travel south, you will find a simpler and, many say, more moving kind of evening. In the desert camps of Merzouga, the staff play drums and sing around a campfire, and in the nearby village of Khamlia, Gnawa musicians perform the songs their ancestors brought across the Sahara.
There is no stage and no ticket. You sit on a rug by the fire, somebody hands you a drum, and before long guests and staff are playing together. For many travellers it becomes the musical memory of the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dinner shows in Marrakech suitable for children?
Yes, especially the fantasia evenings with horses and acrobats. Late finishing times are the only drawback.
Do I need to book in advance?
For well-known restaurants and weekends, yes. Your riad can usually reserve for you.
Is there a dress code?
Smart-casual is fine. Shoulders covered is appreciated in traditional venues.
Can vegetarians eat at a dinner show?
Yes. Most venues offer a vegetable couscous or tagine in place of the meat dishes if you ask when you book.
Are there dinner shows outside Marrakech?
Fes and Agadir have a few similar restaurants, but Marrakech has by far the widest choice.
See It on One of Our Tours
Written by the Desert Merzouga Tours teamLocal guides and drivers from the Moroccan Sahara. Meet our team or ask us a question.
