25 Essential Darija Phrases for Ordering Food in Morocco – My Family’s Restaurant Guide

By Fatima, Moroccan woman living in Milan | Updated: October 1, 2026 | I teach what my parents taught me

Entering a restaurant in Marrakech without Darija, you will get food. But if you say the right words in Darija, you will get the best table, extra bread, and maybe the mama will come out of the kitchen to talk to you. I saw this with my Italian husband.

My father always told me: “Fatima, to get good food, you need good words.” He never says “give me food”. He says “Bghit nakol 3afak, Allah ykhlef” and everyone smiles. These are his 25 phrases I use every time I go home.

Part 1: Getting a Table & The Menu

Always start with Salam alaykum and a smile. In Morocco, we never start with food, we start with peace.

Part 1: Getting a Table & The Menu 🍽️
No	Darija / العربية	English
1	Salam alaykum سلام عليكم	Hello
2	Afak, fin kayna shi restora 9riba? عفاك، فين كاينة شي ريستورا قريبة؟	Where is a nearby restaurant?
3	Bghit n-reserver tabla dyal joj بغيت نريزيرفي طابلة ديال جوج	I want to book a table for two
4	Afak, 3tini l-menu عفاك، عطيني المنيو	Please give me the menu
5	Shnu dayrin lyoum? شنو دايرين اليوم؟	What’s on the menu today?

Part 2: Ordering Food Like a Local – The Heart of Morocco

My father says Friday is not Friday without couscous. It’s sacred for us. My mother wakes up at 7am to make it.

Part 2: Ordering Food – Tajine, Couscous & Bastilla 🥘
No	Darija / العربية	English
6	Bghit… بغيت…	I want… (Most important!)
7	Bghit tajine dyal djaj بغيت طاجين ديال الدجاج	I want chicken tajine
8	Bghit harira بغيت حريرة	I want harira soup
9	Bghit ksksou nhar jem3a بغيت كسكسو نهار الجمعة	I want couscous (Friday special)
10	Wash kayn makla bla l7am? واش كاين ماكلة بلا لحم؟	Do you have vegetarian food?
11	Bla harr, afak بلا حر، عفاك	Without spicy, please
12	Zid shwiya afak زيد شوية عفاك	Add a little more please

Fatima’s Memory: When I first made couscous in Milan, I called my mom 4 times. She laughed: “Fatima, you are stirring it like risotto!” Now I make it every Friday and my Italian neighbors come for the smell.

For weddings we have Pastilla – sweet chicken pie with sugar on top. My mother made it when I came from Italy last summer. You must try it!

And Tajine – it’s not just food, it’s the pot itself! My favorite is chicken with lemon and olives.

Part 3: Drinks & Café Phrases

After food, we always have tea. Moroccan mint tea is not a drink, it’s welcome.

Part 3: Drinks & Café Phrases ☕🍵
No	Darija / العربية	English
13	Bghit lma, afak بغيت الما، عفاك	I want water, please
14	Kayna Oulemes? كاينة أولماس؟	Do you have sparkling water?
15	Bghit atay b na3na3 بغيت أتاي بالنعناع	I want mint tea
16	Bghit wahd l-qahwa b l-7lib بغيت واحد القهوة بالحليب	I want a coffee with milk
17	Bghit nass nass بغيت نص نص	I want half milk, half coffee
18	Bla sokkar, afak بلا سكر، عفاك	Without sugar, please

Part 4: During & After the Meal – How to Thank

If you like the food, you MUST say it. Moroccan chefs live for “Bninn bzzaf!”.

Part 4: During & After the Meal 🙏
No	Darija / العربية	English
19	Bninn bzzaf! بنين بزاف!	It’s very delicious!
20	Shnu kayn f dessert? شنو كاين ف ديسير؟	What do you have for dessert?
21	Kayna l-wifi hna? كاينة الويفي هنا؟	Is there Wi-Fi here?
22	L-hsab, afak الحساب، عفاك	The bill, please
23	Wash nqder nkhelles b la carte? واش نقدر نخلص بلا كارت؟	Can I pay by card?
24	Khlli l-baqi خلي الباقي	Keep the change (tip)
25	Shukran bzzaf, dakshi bninn شكرا بزاف، داكشي بنين	Thank you so much, it was delicious

Fatima’s Tip from My Mother: Always say Bismillah (بسم الله) before eating and Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله) after. When someone says Bsaha (بالصحة), you answer Allah y3tik saha (الله يعطيك الصحة). And don’t finish all the bread – if you do, it means we didn’t give you enough!

Final Words From My Kitchen

Don’t be shy. My mother says: “The one who doesn’t ask, doesn’t eat.” Use these 25 phrases and you will not just eat, you will be part of our family.

Did you try them in Morocco? Send me your tajine photo at fatima@mydarijaguide.com – I answer every email myself from Milan!

Bsa7a w raha!
– Fatima

FAQ

Q: How do you say I’m hungry in Darija?
A: Ana ji3an (man) / Ana ji3ana (woman) – أنا جيعان/ة

Q: Do I need to tip in Morocco?
A: Not obligatory, but 5-10% is nice. Just say Khlli l-baqi.

Q: Is couscous available every day?
A: In tourist restaurants yes, but authentic Moroccan families eat it only on Friday.