El Morocco

Thank you El Morocco for making me feel so special and appreciated for my birthday weekend. The BFFs along w/​the hubby set a night out of Moroccan food and Belly Dancing. The owner was so welcoming and really catered to our group w/​special drinks, even a Shirley temple for my little one. Food was delish, as was the service superb and welcoming. The belly dancers we’re exceptionally entertaining. I can’t believe how much fun/​cardio it is to belly dance. Will definitely come back for food and fun! Great for families too, they’re very welcoming to little ones! Thank you again! Pictures show the fun!

Charming restaurant with authentic tasting food. The belly dancing was impressive. The family, including my nieces (6 yrs old and 3 yrs old), loved it! I’d recommend it if you’re in the mood for something different.

8 of us came in on a Saturday. The owner Mr.. Fadeel greeted us, warm and sincere welcome gave us a big Table on the Floor, we sat just like the Native Moroccans do it
nice and comfortable. The place was full of people from all over California. The Arabia 1000 nights and 1 night, music, belly Dancing, live music, food and tea. It was a perfect night that we will always remember.

I hate that I have to say this because everyone is ranting over it but in my experience the food was terrible and the belly dancers were not very good, they were very amateur. They were however able to engage the crowd pretty well but it was overall not impressive. We didn’t even eat our food, we actually threw it in the trash on the way out. We didn’t leave a full plate on the table as to not offend the restaurant. Service was super duper slow, our order was taken for at least 30min. Uhm, I def will never go back there and the Groupon deal was a complete rip off.

We had been meaning to try Moroccan food for awhile and were glad we finally made it.
This is a free-​standing building with plenty of parking. Upon entering, the entire dining room is draped and decorated like the inside of a genie bottle. Very fun and unique. You sit on a low, cushioned bench along the wall or on small stools. The table is also low and wide. In the center of the room is a small area for the belly dancer.
Food service starts with hand washing over a towel, then bread is brought out. We ordered a lamb and a chicken dish, and both were good. At the end of the meal, a belly dancer performed, and that brought a lot of energy to the evening, even though there were only four tables seated.
I look forward to trying their other dishes.

This was my second time going to this place and it will not be the last.
A very pleasant evening hanging out with some good friends. In El Morocco restaurant you can only expect the best of what Moroccan Cusion can ever offer.
From owner to the waiters they all know what hospitality should look like. I can not recommend them enough.

First time here, I went to El Morocco in San Francisco years ago and it’s been a while. I remembered I enjoyed the San Francisco dining experience from before and decided to take my family here (with the 2 kids, 4 and 11).
TIP: get the coupon from
if you can. It’s get $ 100 for $ 50, the coupon was $ 6, so I ended up paying $ 56 for $ 100 worth of service here.
Anyways, I wasn’t really sure if this place was kid friendly but I took a shot anyway, and they are. There were three other tables with kids there and everyone were enjoying the experience.
Now, I have already mentioned experience twice, and yes, it’s not just a quick dinner. It’s an experience here at El Morocco.
When they sit you down, they place your party at a table, some will be on the sofa, and others will be on the cushions on the floor. There are no traditional chairs here. The service was very friendly, but it is loud. There were a continuous belly dancing show when we were there.
They have a set menu, which ran $ 29 a person, half if your little person is 12 and under. The set comes as a 7 course meal (a soup, two types of salad, bread, a doughy sweet something, your entrée, a desert, and mint tea), so much better than ordering individually. I guess you can order entrees individually, but WHY??? I opted for the beef shih-​kabobs, it was a very good choice. My wife had the chicken and couscous, I tasted it and was not super impressed.
Besides the really good dinner, the belly dancer would come around pulling for volunteers to join in the fun. My little girl enjoyed that part very much. She went back and dance with her 3 other times during our dinner.
Overall, no complaints from me. My dinner was great, think my wife probably wanted something else, but boo for her.
They were just as happy that I had gave them a $ 50 off coupon, with no stink eye, so that was a plus.
Definitely will come back.

El Morocco is definitely a fun dining experience. I can’t say much about the food (not a big fan) but to stay positive, this is run by warm and friendly people who care about making their customers happy. It’s a fun place and I recommend it both for intimate dates and large parties.

I really wanted to like this place. I’ve never tried Moroccan cuisine so I was excited. My review is for the overall experience here.
The restaurant is very dark inside (like so dark that I couldn’t distinguish the raisins in my dish — no joke). There are traditional rugs and décor throughout, including the seating arrangements — very ornate and pretty. The round meal tables are very low to the floor — with seats on the floor on round pillow cushions or bench seating against the walls. I had the bench seating. Though they are padded, it was awkward and uncomfortable. The bench is higher than the table so I was in a forward bent position the entire time eating my meal so I could eat over my plate. That means my jeans got even tighter at the waist and believe me, my jeans do NOT need to be any tighter.
I ordered the complete dinner — starts you off with soup, salad, appetizer, main entrée and dessert. They bring a bowl, towels, and pitcher of warm water which they pour over your hands so you can wash your hands at the table. Pretty cool. Then the meal begins.
— Lentil soup, salad and bread: salad was meh — who uses iceberg lettuce anymore? Soup was good.
— appetizer of fried phyllo with eggs, sugar and cinnamon dusted with powdered sugar: good but thought it would be better as dessert rather than before my entrée. Didn’t eat but a bite as I didn’t want to spoil my appetite.
— chicken with vegetables: the good part of dish was that the chicken was a good portion and very tender, I believe it was braised. However, the veggies were way overcooked where the zucchini tasted exactly the same as the carrots and onions and had the same texture — mushy. You couldn’t differentiate between the vegetables. The dish also lacked seasoning. I was tempted to ask for bbq sauce to slather on the moist chicken. Ate less than half of the dish.
— baklava with mint tea — very good. Baklava was very crispy and not soggy.
I left before the belly dancing show because I was so uncomfortable — eating bent at the waist really killed my appetite and didn’t put me in the best of moods. I can’t imagine how those taller and bigger than me (I’m 5’2″) would be comfortable here? I should have worn baggy sweats with an elastic waist and just sat on the floor — but then I would have been lonely because no average sized person would want to sit on the floor with me. Maybe I should have held the plate in my lap as I ate?
These were the questions that were running through my mind while trying to salvage the experience. I really shouldn’t have to do so much strategizing during a meal… I left disappointed and hungry.

This is a fun place with great service and authentic Moroccan food. Went for dinner and really enjoyed ourselves!
Look forward to returning with friends. Seems like a fun place for birthday celebration b

I discovered this place off a GroupOn. trying to discover a Moroccan restaurant for my go-​to cravings. Most is what I expected, but this venue is HUGE. if you have had a previous Moroccan restaurant experience and it has been fairly intimate and personal, this is not that kind of experience.
There are live belly dancers, but instead of just one great performance you get two… one is more for show and the dancer is clearly all about the show. it was very much like what I imagine a strip club would be with her interactions and over the top facial expressions the other was very much a professional (classy and made it actually about the dance, you feel you’ve had a glimpse of their culture after watching her) and the owner even stated she had won competitions!
If you happen to be celebrating an event then you will be wearing a red cap and be announced over the microphone to everyone. This is really not a venue to attend if you’re shy at all.
The lamb and eggplant… and lamb with honey and almonds was delicious. Lamb was super tender, but there are a lot of bones which you are not warned about so be very careful.

Chicken shish kabob was delish. Atmosphere is awesome and belly dancing is a nice touch.

Love the staff! They are so attentive. Beautify atmosphere, great music, and fantastic food! What more could you ask for?

Bought a groupon and took my boyfriend to this restaurant. The place is kinda dated but it was cool. We went to the 9pm show. Dinner is $ 29+ per person and the groupon only was for a value up to $ 44. So we paid an extra $ 27 or so plus tip. Food was ok.

I am beyond amazed to have made reservations to have dinner here for my birthday October 2015. They treated us so well!!!
The way they serve the food, is family-​style.
– few appetizers
– soups/​salads
– main meals (individual meals)
– dessert
The atmosphere here is just so amazing. Very spacious & clean.
The owners of this place, were so very nice & came by to my table to make sure we were well taken care of, several times; loved them!
Thank you so much to the owners for a birthday drink on the house! Dessert & a birthday hat too! Thank you so much Fadil & Sayed!!!
The belly dancers were amazing! I got to go up & dance w/​them, along w/​my friends too.
This place is great to go to for their experience & for very special occasions. At least in my opinion. You would appreciate it more that way.
DEFINITELY, a «go to» place. Well, WORTH IT! & a GREAT experience.
Also, I normally don’t post up so many photos on my reviews, but this place Was so amazing, I got so many great photos that needs Unilocalers to know about!

Service is impeccable. Dining here is an experience. THEY have live belly dancers every night except for Mondays, the dancing show is interactive, too! Great for parties, families and very welcoming to children.
We went last night and my son had a blast dancing and they did not get upset when he was running around on the furniture enjoying himself.
The food is served in a complete meal style, you pick your entrée. I Love the almond honey chicken and shish kabobs! They have options of lamb, cornish hen and hare if you are feeling exotic. They wash your hands, bring you soup and salad appetizers, bread, bastila (AMAZING), ENTREE, baklava dessert and tea with another hand washing.
The entire place is theme decorated as are the workers dressed. IT IS AMAZING, do yourself a favor and make a reservation! It is not your ordinary dining experience.

Take a second to look at the pic and spot the dude with the red cap — coz that’s going to be you if you happen to be celebrating your birthday here. It is a sign telling the belly dancer «I’m supposed to be pulled from my seat and dance with you». If you are a shy type of person like me, just drink a lot of wine… and you should be fine (I didn’t, gives me heartburn). Contrary to one of the reviews, I was not forced to join and I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. It was fun watching them though, especially other diners’ kids dancing next to them, trying to move their hips.
My friends took me here for my birthday and it was a good experience — the way they make you wash your hands on the table before eating, the manner by which seating was set up (cushions on the floor), how they pour tea from an «elevated» height, the belly dancing. I did enjoy it. I would not come here for the food however. Most of the food selection were sweet (I like sweets but they’re a little too sweet for my taste. for dinner.) — Lamb with Almonds and Honey, Lamb with Honey and Onions, Chicken with Almonds and Honey, something else with honey. yeaaaa I think you get the point. If you like a sweet dinner then maaaaaayyybe I would recommend this place for the food. I had Lamb with Honey and the Lamb was fall off the bone. My friend had Lamb Tagine, (yes, there were a few savory items and this is one of them) and hers tasted good, I wanted to steal her plate. But, still — too many honey something.
I can’t tell you if the whole thing is worth the price coz my friends paid for my dinner: D. I definitely recommend this place for the experience — just perhaps eat some before you get here? Just in case the food disappoints you. Maybe check the menu first and then decide.

Fantastic — as good as it gets!
I went in last night to celebrate my birthday and felt like an absolute VIP the entire night. I had a party of 15, it was easy to make reservations and my party and I had reserved seating in the main dining area as soon as we arrived. Because I was there for my BD I was given a comfortable and cute red BD hat and it made me stand out right away. Upon my arrival, Fadil (the very kind and hospitable owner of EM) announced my BD to the restaurant for a round of applause.
The rest of the night was stellar as well, we all ordered entrees and dinners. However, because Fadil is so generous we were all treated to lentil soup and bread. Oh and before the food came out they had us clean/​wash off our hands with a traditional water bowl. We all shared the salads and bastille that came before our dinners. It was plenty and delicious. Finally, the entrees were so tasty. The meat is always soft and well seasoned. On top of dinner, I had a massive cake that they brought out for me and my party at my request, they also brought out a great cake set so I can serve easily. On top of great service all night, the restaurant treated my party and I to tea to accompany the cake, so thoughtful! Lastly, the bar was fun, the barista made amazing drinks like the Moroccan Dream. That was just the food, on numerous times through the night the dancers asked the Birthday VIP’s to dance and enjoy themselves a little more that normal. I didn’t mind and thought it was a great way to personalize the experience. The dancers were professional, very good and very sweet!!!
My last (but not least) compliment was that Fadil gifted me a special 2011 Bottle of Red Wine after my dinner. He was so generous to all of us and I was so grateful to have been a patron at El Morocco for my BD.
I should also add that the ambiance is great! It’s very Middle Eastern/​Moroccan with seating on the floor (on cushions) or on higher seats with pillow-​like backs for anyone that is wearing a dress or is a little older. There are beautiful/​traditional carpets throughout and the lighting is easy on the eyes. Its really a very beautiful/​cultural dining atmosphere!
Whether you are looking for a unique dining and entertainment experience, great food or just excellent service, you HAVE TO try El Morocco. An absolute gem in the East Bay!
Thank you Fadil and El Morocco!

I cannot express in words the beauty of this place!
My husband and I made our first year of marriage! Yeyyyyy
We decided to go to this place to celebrate and we were in awe!
We danced and they celebrated us
The food is great, music and dancing is amazing. entertainment is great!
Late talk about the owner, he is AMAZING
he was around the whole night making sure our wine glasses were full and making sure we were enjoying ourselves.
Every seat in this restaurant has a great view of the belly dancers.
I am definitely going again with a large group!
Do not hesitate to visit!

I had the Couscous Royal and was very pleased with my entrée. It was a combination of lamb and chicken on top of a bed of vegetables and couscous with raisins. I can’t believe I actually enjoyed the raisins! At first I was leery on even ordering it because of them but I am so happy I did. I found myself searching for the raisins… It really compliments the meal!
Great entertainment and loved the authenticity of the environment!