A Look at the 2025 Dinner and Fantasia Show at Chez Ali Restaurant

You’ve probably seen pictures of it, you know, the ones with horsemen in amazing outfits, their long rifles pointing to the sky. Well, that’s pretty much the Fantasia show, and Chez Ali just outside of Marrakech is arguably the most famous spot to see it. So, I decided to check out the 2025 version of their ‘Dinner and Fantasia Experience’ to give you the real story on what it’s actually like. As a matter of fact, going to this kind of big show can sometimes feel a bit touristy, right? To be honest, I went in wondering if it would just be a generic thing for out-of-towners. I wanted to see if the magic shown in the pictures felt real up close, you know, or if it was just sort of a show put on without much heart. At the end of the day, it’s about the feeling you get, and that’s what I want to talk about.

From the moment your transport pulls up, you’re greeted by something that really looks like a movie set. Honestly, it’s this huge, walled compound that kind of glows under the night sky, sort of like a desert fortress from an old story. Different groups of performers in traditional clothing are literally all over the entrance area, playing music and greeting everyone. It’s a lot to take in, like, right away. You are led along these paths lit by lanterns, and the whole setup is pretty impressive, basically making you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world for a little bit. It’s almost a performance before the main performance even begins. This first impression is quite grand and clearly meant to get you excited for the rest of the night. You’ll probably find yourself stopping every few feet just to take pictures because, frankly, the whole scene is just so photogenic and unique.

Arrival and First Impressions Inside the Fortress

So, once you’re past the grand entrance, you’re sort of guided into this sprawling area that’s a bit like a maze of Berber tents. Actually, these are your dining rooms for the evening. Instead of one giant hall, they have many of these Caidal tents, which frankly makes the meal feel a little more personal. Your group gets its own table inside one of them, which is nice. The tents themselves are really decorated to the nines; we’re talking plush carpets on the ground, low round tables, and piles of cushions to sit on. Honestly, it’s a tiny bit of a workout for your back if you’re not used to sitting that way, but it definitely adds to the authentic feel. It’s almost like you’ve been invited into a special celebration.

The air in a way is filled with the sound of Gnaoua musicians playing nearby, and their rhythms just sort of follow you as you find your spot. To be honest, the scale of the place is something else. It’s pretty big, and you can see dozens of staff members moving around, getting things ready for the meal. There is a cave, like Ali Baba’s cave, that you can walk through, and it’s filled with sparkly, glittery treasures that kids seem to really, really love. In some respects, it is a whole lot of spectacle from the very beginning. You get the feeling that they want you to be completely absorbed by the atmosphere before you even see a menu. It’s a very visual start to the whole evening out.

The Moroccan Banquet: A Feast for the Senses

Now, let’s talk about the food, because honestly, it’s a big part of the whole deal. The meal is served in several courses, so you should definitely show up hungry. First, they bring out a big bowl of Harira, which is a traditional Moroccan soup. This one was actually pretty good, very flavorful with lentils and spices. Then, like, the main event arrives. You basically get a huge tagine, or sometimes a Mechoui, which is slow-roasted lamb. We had the lamb, and I mean, it was so tender it was practically falling off the bone. They serve it on a big communal platter, and you just sort of pull off what you want. It feels very communal and very generous, you know?

After the main course, they bring out a platter of couscous with vegetables, which is more or less a staple you’d expect. By this point, you’re probably getting pretty full, but there’s still more to come. A plate of seasonal fruits comes out next, followed by some classic Moroccan pastries and, of course, a glass of sweet mint tea. The service during the meal is actually quite fast, almost like a well-oiled machine. The waiters are constantly coming and going, clearing plates and bringing the next course. In that case, you don’t really have to wait long for anything.

“Honestly, the food was surprisingly plentiful and tasted pretty authentic. That slow-roasted lamb was a real highlight for our table; just incredibly tender.”

The Folklore Show: Music and Dancers from Across Morocco

So, as you are finishing up your dinner, the entertainment part of the evening really kicks off. Various groups of musicians and dancers, each representing a different region of Morocco, start to circulate among the tents. You know, it’s kind of like a little parade of culture coming right to your table. You might see a group from the Atlas Mountains with their distinct drums, or maybe some Dekka drummers from Marrakech itself. To be honest, it’s a little loud and chaotic, but in a really fun way. Each group stops for a few minutes, performs their piece, and then moves on to the next tent.

It’s a clever way to show the diversity of Moroccan traditions without having everyone sit in one static theater. You just sort of get these little bursts of song and dance while you sip your mint tea. The performers are all in really detailed costumes, and they seem to be genuinely enjoying themselves, which frankly makes it much more fun to watch. You’ll see men with daggers doing acrobatic dances and women in beautiful caftans singing traditional songs. As a matter of fact, it sets the stage nicely for the bigger show that’s still to come out in the main arena. This part of the evening feels a bit more intimate than the giant horse show, for example.

The Main Event: The Fantasia Spectacle

Alright, so after dinner, everyone moves from the tents to this massive open-air arena. This is basically what everyone is here to see. You find a spot on the tiered seating that surrounds a huge sand pit. The show starts with a sort of parade of all the folklore troupes you saw earlier, and then it transitions into the main act: the Fantasia. Honestly, watching a line of horsemen, dressed in white and holding old-fashioned rifles, charge at full speed down the arena is pretty much a breathtaking sight. It’s incredibly loud, fast, and just, like, very powerful. At the end of their charge, they all fire their rifles into the air at the same time, and the sound is just explosive. You can actually feel the boom in your chest.

The horsemanship on display is really, really skillful. These riders stand up in their saddles and perform all sorts of stunts while the horses are running. Following the main charge, there’s a belly dancer who performs on a float that moves around the arena, and even a “flying carpet” moment that is, well, kind of cheesy but still fun to see. The whole thing culminates in a fireworks display that lights up the entire compound. In short, it’s a big, loud, and flashy spectacle that’s clearly designed to impress, and to be honest, it really does. You kind of get caught up in the energy of it all.

Practical Advice and Recommendations for Your Evening

So, if you’re planning to go, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, most tickets include hotel pickup and drop-off, which is really handy because Chez Ali is a bit of a drive outside the city center. Definitely take advantage of that. Instead of booking last minute, you should probably book in advance, especially during peak tourist season, as it’s a very popular outing. Also, maybe eat a light lunch on the day you go, because the amount of food they serve for dinner is pretty significant, and you want to be able to enjoy it all.

As for seating, you don’t really choose your spot in the dining tent; you are kind of assigned one. But for the main Fantasia show in the arena, you can pretty much sit where you want. For instance, I’d suggest getting a spot in the middle sections of the stands for the best view of the horsemen charging. Don’t forget to bring a little cash. While the main meal is paid for, you might want to tip the performers who visit your tent, or perhaps buy a drink that isn’t included. Lastly, just be ready for a late night. The whole thing, with transport, usually gets you back to your hotel pretty late, so maybe don’t plan an early morning hike for the next day. You will probably be a little tired.

Key Takeaways from the Chez Ali Experience:

• The scale of the venue and the arrival with performers is really a standout feature and very impressive from the start.
• The dinner is extremely generous; you will honestly not leave hungry. The lamb tagine is often a highlight for many visitors.
• The main Fantasia show is, like, a genuinely exciting spectacle with skilled riders and very loud, dramatic moments.
• While it is a large-scale tourist show, the quality of the performances and the food is actually pretty high, more or less.
• It’s a full evening event, so you should basically plan for it to be your only major activity for that night.

Read our full review: Chez Ali Restaurant Fantasia Show Full Review and Details

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