Eating & etiquette
What do Moroccans say before and after eating?
- Before eating
- 'Bismillah'
- After eating
- 'Alhamdulillah'
- To the cook
- 'Bsaha' (to your health)
- Thanks / blessing
- 'Baraka Allahu fik'
Quick answer
Moroccans typically say 'Bismillah' ('in the name of God') before starting to eat, and 'Alhamdulillah' ('praise be to God') after finishing. To compliment the cook or thank a host you might hear 'bsaha' (to your health) or 'baraka Allahu fik' (God bless you). These phrases are simple, warm and welcoming for visitors to use — saying 'Bismillah' before you dig in is an easy, appreciated gesture of respect at any Moroccan table.
Bismillah before, Alhamdulillah after
Two short phrases bookend most Moroccan meals. Before the first bite, people say 'Bismillah' — 'in the name of God' — a brief blessing that marks the start of eating, said quietly and almost reflexively. After finishing, the counterpart is 'Alhamdulillah' — 'praise be to God', an expression of gratitude for the meal. Both are rooted in Islamic practice but are woven into everyday Moroccan life as natural table habits rather than formal recitations.
As a visitor, saying 'Bismillah' before you start eating is a small, genuinely appreciated gesture. It signals respect and awareness, and hosts often smile warmly when a guest uses it.
Thanking the cook and the host
To praise the food or the person who made it, the classic phrase is 'bsaha' (often written b'saha) — literally 'to your health', used to wish enjoyment and wellbeing on someone eating or to compliment a cook. A common reply is 'Allah y'atik saha' (may God give you health). To thank a host more broadly, 'shukran' (thank you) works everywhere, and 'baraka Allahu fik' ('God bless you') is a warm, slightly more heartfelt thanks.
If you're offered food and want to signal you're full, 'shba'at' (I'm full) paired with thanks does the job — see refusing food politely.
A few words go a long way
You don't need fluent Arabic to be gracious at a Moroccan table — a handful of these phrases, offered with a smile, carries real warmth. 'Bismillah' as you begin, 'bsaha' to the cook, 'Alhamdulillah' and 'shukran' at the end, cover almost every moment of a meal. Moroccans are generous about pronunciation and delighted when visitors make the effort.
For more on the rhythm and rituals of a Moroccan meal, see what a Moroccan dinner is like and our food culture guide.
Related questions
What does Bismillah mean before eating?
'Bismillah' means 'in the name of God'. Moroccans say it before starting a meal as a brief blessing. Visitors are welcome to use it — it's a warm, appreciated gesture.
What do you say after a meal in Morocco?
'Alhamdulillah' ('praise be to God') is said after eating, as an expression of gratitude. 'Shukran' (thank you) to the host is always appropriate too.
How do you compliment the cook in Morocco?
Say 'bsaha' ('to your health'), used to praise food or wish enjoyment on someone eating. A common reply is 'Allah y'atik saha' (may God give you health).
Do I need to say these phrases as a visitor?
Not required, but appreciated. Even just 'Bismillah' before eating and 'shukran' after shows respect and effort, and hosts respond warmly to it.