Morocco price guide
How much does pastilla cost in Morocco?
Pastilla (also spelled Bastilla, Billa, or Bastela) is the crown jewel of Moroccan celebratory cuisine, originating from the imperial city of Fez. Made from paper-thin sheets of warqa pastry stuffed with a savory, spiced filling and dusted with powdered sugar and cinnamon, it delivers Morocco's famous sweet-and-savory flavor profile. While classic Chicken & Almond Pastilla (Pastilla au Poulet) is the most popular, coastal cities favor Seafood Pastilla (Pastilla aux Fruits de Mer), while authentic royal feasts feature tender squab or pigeon (Pastilla au Pigeon).
Quick reference
per meal
Price examples
Typical amounts in MAD
Pastilla pricing in Morocco varies significantly based on the filling ingredient (chicken vs. seafood vs. pigeon), portion size, and restaurant setting:
Whole family-sized pastillas (designed for 4 to 8 people at traditional banquets or custom bakery orders) typically cost between 350 and 600 MAD depending on whether you choose chicken or seafood.
Tips for ordering and finding the best Pastilla in Morocco: • Choose Your Filling: Chicken & Almond is the classic sweet-and-savory combination (cinnamon, orange blossom, sugar, saffron). Seafood (shrimp, calamari, white fish, vermicelli, harissa) is savory and spicy with no sugar. Pigeon is the traditional luxury dish found primarily in Fez. • Check Portion Size: Mini pastillas (12–15 cm) are perfect for one person. Full-sized banquet pastillas (30–40 cm) are meant for sharing among 4 to 6 diners. • Fez vs. Marrakech: Fez is world-renowned as the spiritual home of pastilla, where local eateries offer exceptional quality and fair pricing compared to tourist-heavy spots in Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fnaa. • Sweet vs. Savory Preference: If you dislike sugar on meat, avoid chicken pastilla and order seafood or a vegetable Briouat instead.
Small takeaway pastillas from local bakeries (pâtisseries) or street stalls cost 35–50 MAD ($3.20–$4.60 EUR). Sitting down for an individual chicken pastilla at a mid-range restaurant in Marrakech or Fez costs 65–95 MAD ($6–$8.80 EUR). Seafood pastilla commands higher prices due to fresh catch costs, usually running 90–140 MAD ($8.30–$13 EUR). Elegant fine-dining establishments charging for specialty squab/pigeon or high-end riad ambiance range from 150 to 250 MAD.
Filling type (Chicken & almond vs. mixed seafood & vermicelli vs. traditional squab/pigeon)
Portion size (Individual starter/snack vs. full main meal vs. large shared banquet wheel)
Dining environment (Local pastry shop vs. casual medina café vs. luxury riad / palace restaurant)
Geographic location (Fez and Meknes offer lower prices than Marrakech or Casablanca)
Quality of spices & nuts (Real saffron and pure roasted almonds vs. peanuts and heavy sugar)
Pastilla is often served as a starter during multi-course Moroccan feasts or as a satisfying standalone meal. Because preparing authentic warqa dough and slow-cooked spiced fillings is labor-intensive, some smaller traditional riads require guests to order pastilla a few hours in advance.
A useful rule when comparing private guide prices
Try it in Fez: Fez is famous for making the crispest warqa dough and the most balanced almond-to-spiced-meat filling.
Look for 'Pâtisserie Traditonnelle': Local bakeries sell freshly baked mini pastillas for half the price of tourist sit-down venues.
Beware of peanut substitutes: Budget street stalls sometimes substitute almonds with peanuts; ask for 'amandes' for the authentic taste.
Pair with Mint Tea: The strong mint and gunpowder tea cuts through the rich butter and sugar coating of a traditional chicken pastilla.
Ask for extra cinnamon/sugar on the side: If you want to control the sweet-to-savory ratio, ask the server for dusting on the side.
Budget 35 to 50 MAD ($3.50–$5 USD / $3.20–$4.60 EUR) per person for a quick street snack or bakery lunch. For a proper sit-down restaurant meal featuring chicken or seafood pastilla with tea and salad, set aside 70 to 120 MAD ($7–$12 USD / $6.50–$11 EUR). If dining at a luxury palace restaurant or eating traditional pigeon pastilla, budget 150 to 220 MAD per person.
