Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Morocco doesn’t have to mean Marrakech. While most travellers choose the red city, New Year’s Eve in Essaouira offers a quieter and more balanced option. The atmosphere stays relaxed, the prices are more reasonable, and the coastal setting adds a different rhythm to the celebrations. Many people overlook Essaouira, but it’s a solid choice if you prefer good food, live music, and a calmer evening.
The charming, more bohemian-like Essaouira, with its beautiful fisherman’s port, is about 3 hours from Marrakech. You can read more about Essaouira in my article here. This city is a practical alternative if you want to escape the crowds and expensive NYE menus in Marrakech. And if you want to compare both options, you can read my popular guide on where to celebrate New Year’s in Marrakech here.
Below are my recommended places in Essaouira for New Year’s Eve.
Salut Morocco
New Year’s Eve 2026 in Essaouira programme: a welcome cocktail, a delicious 4-course dinner, live music entertainment throughout the evening. Event Timing: 7:00 PM – 1:00 AM
Price: 1295 dh per person. Book via email contact@salutmaroc.com
Salut Maroc in Essaouira is a luxury boutique hotel and restaurant, set in a beautifully restored 18th-century riad overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. A funky, very colourful design-led interior created by local artisans, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern elements. Salut Maroc rooftop restaurant overlooks the ocean and works well for a New Year’s Eve Essaouira dinner or drinks.
Ocean Vagabond
Ocean Vegabond New Year’s Eve Essaouira menu: price is 1000 MAD (around 100 EUR) for dinner, drinks not included. They will have live music, dances. To book, please get in touch with resto@oceanvagabond.com
Ocean Vegabond restaurant in Essaouira is located directly on the beach, about a 20-minute walk from the Essaouira Medina. They often have live music and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. It’s a pleasant place to celebrate New Year’s Eve Essaouira, looking at the ocean and watching camels walk along the shoreline. Their food menu is simple (not for a fancy dinner), but I love the atmosphere, the location and vibes. They often have live music even on normal weekends, so you head there to relax and have fun.
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Dar Baba
𝘋𝘢𝘳 𝘉𝘢𝘣𝘢 New Years Eve 2026 programme: 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘶 𝘢𝘵 1800 𝘥𝘩𝘴 and the evening will be 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘖𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘢𝘯, 𝘢 𝘋𝘑 𝘸𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺. 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 via their Whatsapp: +212 629-652268.
Dar Baba in Essaouira is situated in the Medina, run by the same team behind Kabana in Marrakech. The menu is great, with good food (their menu never disappoints me, even for fancy tastes) and a boutique, slightly funky environment and great music. They serve classic cocktails, making it a nice option for a cosy dinner in town during New Year’s Eve Essaouira. Would be definitely my choice for the New Year’s Eve in Essaouira.
La Coupole Essaouira Beach
New Year’s Eve 2026 in Essaouira programme: dinner menu for 1500 MAD/person (around 150€ur), includes 3-course dinner, a glass of champagne and live music. Check their website or Instagram to make reservation.
La Coupole Essaouira Beach is a popular spot for many travelers due to its vibrant seaside setting and lively music. It’s not located on the beach, but right in front of it, with lovely sunset views. Great for sunset drinks, tapas, dinners and laid back vibes.
Le Taros Cafe Restaurant
New Year’s Eve 2026 in Essaouira Taros Cafe: price for dinner menu with dj, music is 850 MAD. Book via their WhatsApp +212 718-338488.
Taros Cafe Restaurant Terrace in Essaoouira is a big rooftop space in the Medina overlooking the ocean, known for its open views and relaxed atmosphere. They often host live music or DJ sets in the evenings, which creates an easy, laid-back vibe. It’s a good spot for a drink and simple tapas; the food and service aren’t the highlight, but the terrace and ambience make it worth a visit. Perfect if you want something casual with light entertainment. Follow them on Instagram for more event updates.
Beytt Mogador
Beytt Mogador restaurant and events place in Essaouira is located just outside the Medina walls, right across the beach, and of course, the ocean views. Beautiful and atmospheric decor (inside and the terrace), especially in combination with the cosy live music. Personally, I prefer this place more for their concerts, DJ programme and maybe it’s more appealing to younger crowds and those who want a bit of dance (also open until 3am). You can also have a dinner there, and then stay for some music/dance. Check their Instagram for the events programme – as they haven’t announced the New Year’s Eve 2026 yet in the Essaouira programme.
Mega Loft Essaouira
The Mega Loft in Essaouira is an experience more than a venue. Funky designer furnishings, every corner is a gem. It has a rooftop with a crazy view over one of the main streets of Medina. Nice bar upstairs. I would say, head there for vibes, food menu is now wow, simple, but they ofter have dj events, and local musicians always accompany dinners. Also, the owner, Othman Chic, is a very colourful and popular personality; he designed the place himself, check his Instagram.
Beach and Friends
