Morocco Traveler’s Recommendations of the Best Places to Dine in Casablanca.
RICK’S CAFE
Rick’s Cafe, the mythical saloon from the 1942 film “Casablanca” has been transformed from celluloid to wood, glass and plaster thanks to the imagination and determination of an American woman enamored of Morocco, Kathy Kriger. Set in an old courtyard-style mansion built against the walls of the Old Medina of Casablanca, the restaurant – piano bar is filled with architectural and decorative details reminiscent of the film: curved arches, a sculpted bar, balconies, balustrades as well as dramatic beaded and stenciled brass lighting and plants that cast luminous shadows on white walls. Cashing in on the Hollywood hit, this beautiful bar and restaurant serves up a taste of home for the nostalgic masses. Lamb chops, chilli, hamburgers and American breakfasts are all on tap, there’s an in-house pianist from Rabat named Issam, a Sunday jazz session and wifi access It’s a good place for dinner or late night drinks.
Address: 248 Blvd Sour Jdid Medina
Phone: 212-522-274-207
LA BAVAROISE
One of Casablanca’s premiere addresses. La Bavaroise offers French cuisine served to perfection. Charming, well appointed and With a large selection of wines and meat, fish and other dishes this is French country style restaurant is a must dine when visiting Casablanca.
Address: Rue Allal Ben Abdullah
Phone:+ 212-5223-11760
LA MER
One of Casablanca’s best since 1918 this seafood restaurant is refined with white linen and bone china replacing the ethnic vibe of the city. The menu and service is French and the food is divine. La Mer faces the ocean and offers a wide range of sea food and fish dishes.
Address: Bd. De a Corniche, Phare D’El Hank
Phone: 05-22-363315
OSTREA II
Ostréa has become one of the landmarks of the Casablanca fishing port. An oyster farmer opened this haven in 1993 for seafood enthusiasts. It is the place to go for all types of oysters, fish and seafood. oysters, fish and seafood! Couldn’t be fresher! The wine list is good. The restaurant is open all day and stays open even during Ramadan. A second restaurant, referred to as Ostrea I with guest rooms is located in seaside coastal city of Oualidia.
Address: Port de peche
Phone: +212-05-23-36-64-51 or 06-64-49-12-76
A MA BRETAGNE
A ma Bretagne is facing the sea, situated on the corniche of Casablanca and is one of the oldest and most famous French gastronomic restaurants of the city. There, you can enjoy fresh sea food nicely cooked.
This restaurant is the fiefdom of Mâitre Cuisinier de France, André Halbert. The wondrous fish dishes of his native province of Bretagne dominate. It is rated by many as the best restaurant in all Africa but is bargain basement by European standards. French gourmets are said to visit Casablanca simply to dine at this great chef’s table. Fruits de mer takes on a whole new meaning.
Address: Sidi Abderahman
Phone: 212-522-397-979
LE BUENA FORCHETTA
Situated in the center of Casablanca, right in the Gauthier area, the restaurant La Buena Forchetta invites offers Italian and French specialities in a nice atmosphere. You can choose to eat either on the terrace or inside.
Address: Sidi Abderahman
Phone: 212-522-397-979
SENSE
It only takes a few seconds to get up to the 27th floor of the Kenzi Tower in Casablanca. Upon arrival, a view awaits that will take your breath away: Sens is Casablanca’s new gastronomic address. The menu, created by Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, proposes tasty French cuisine, much in demand, with the greatest care taken into presentation. Impeccable, attentive service, very attractive wine list, integrating subtle, new flavors.
Address: Kenzi Tower Hôtel, 6, rue Mer de Chine – Aïn Diab
Twin Center – Boulevard Zerktouni
LE RESTAURANT LE VEYRE “LE DOGE”
A quiet and elegant dining experience is what you will find at Le Veyre, located in the Le Doge Relais and Chateux hotel. Fully restored in Art Deco style, the first floor is the small intimate restaurant and lounge. Guests are greeted on the ground floor of this boutique hotel by friendly staff, and upstairs you can sit in the lounge for a pre-dinner drink.
For dinner, choose from a menu of predominantly French cuisine and enjoy not only the flavours but unbelievable presentation and the impressive wine selection. If you would like to spurge for a fine dining experience in Casablanca, this is a great choice.
Address: 9 rue du Dr Veyre
Phone: 212-610 76 34 33
LA TRIBECA I
A relatively new addition to the Casablanca restaurant scene, Le Tribeca has quickly become a favorite among locals for an after work drink or dinner. With a modern yet quirky decor – a wall lined top to bottom with liquor selections and music to suit.
An International menu with a mix of American, French and tapas leaves choices to suit all tastebuds with each dish prepared to perfection. Come early for an cocktail before dinner and don’t forget to stay for a delectable dessert.
Address: Rue Zaid Ibn Rifaa, Maarif
Phone: +212-522 23 31 05
PATISSERIE BENNIS
Although this is not a sit-in patisserie, Patisserie Bennis Habous is well worth a stop to pick up a box of treats to tantalize your tastebuds. Located in the new Medina along a street selling Moroccan wares, enter through the doors and you are surrounded by little sugary masterpieces. Be sure to try the some of the best traditional cakes found in Casablanca.
Address: 2 Rue Fkih El Gabbas, Quartier Habous
Phone: 212-522 30 30 25
KIM MON
For three generations, Kim Mon restaurant has gained an excellent reputation with Casablanca locals consistently serving up the best Vietnamese dishes for years, and always with a smile. A sophisticated red and black decor and Buddhas installed in the walls, strings of lights and bamboo decorations transform the restaurant into an Asian temple.
Using carefully selected ingredients and fresh cuisine the excellent use of spices will make you want to travel to Asia. Spring rolls, Pho soup and tasty meat dishes are and refreshing change for anyone seeking some new flavours. A great chioce for lunch or dinner.
Address: 160, Avenue Mers Sultan
Phone: 212-522 26 32 26
LE CABESTAN
This is the place to go not only for the fabulous sea views but to see and be seen. Frequented by the local hip and moneyed crowd, expect uber chic – the clientele as well as decor. A Dj plays new hits while people sit in the cool dining area or the breezy terrace drinking yummy cocktails before ( and after) lunch and dinner.
The friendly and attentive wait staff let guests choose from a French menu with classics such as foie gras, sole meuniere and goat cheese salad also fused with Moroccan spices and flair.
Be sure to stay and linger over a scrumptious dessert and let the time pass by.
Address: 90, Boulevard de la Corniche Phare d’El Hank, Corniche
Phone: +212-522 39 11 90
LE RUOGT D I’SLE
Le Ruoget de l’Isle is a cosy high standard restaurant set in an old house in downtown Casablanca.Decorated in sublime neutral colors with splashes of red accent, creating an atmosphere that is suitable for a romantic dinner or an afternoon casual lunch in the quaint outdoor gardens.
The chef frequently comes round to make suggestions and see if guests are satisfied with his lovingly prepared array of dishes. Foie gras with wild mushrooms, crab pate, home-made gnocchi and seabass are excellent choices. A suitable wine menu is available to complement and top off your meal.
Address: 16 Rue Rouget de l’Is
SNACK AMINE
Serving of plates of “fastfood” to the locals, Snack Amine has gained popularity with travellers alike. With a consistent quality of chicken, salads, pizza, sandwiches, and fries along with free sides of olives, fresh bread and spicy harissa sauce.
Don’t expect to come the decor – it is simple and patrons come for the food. The service is quick and friendly and the place is easy to find – just off the main street in the city – and will probably be the busiest!
Address: 32 Rue Chaouia
Phone: 212-522 54 13 31
RESTAURANT IMILCHIL
A great Moroccan restaurant experience from its decor to savory dishes, Restaurant Imilchil is a delight for those in search of both. The exteriors traditional mosaic tilework spills into the restaurant alongside all the elaborate Moroccan elements – heavy fabric draping and plenty of copper adornments, colorful glass and rich wood.
Patrons feast on spicy Harira soup, sweet and savory chicken pastilla, lamb and prune tagines and couscous. Tradition is the word here, even with service – attentive and friendly wait staff serve in true Moroccan hospitality.
Address: 27 Rue Vizir Tazi
Phone: 212 522 22 09 99
AL MONIA
Dine in style at this wonderfully traditional restaurant where you can choose to sit in the elegant Moroccan salon or the cool, leafy garden to enjoy the sumptuous Moroccan cuisine. There’s a selection of salads worthy of any vegetarian restaurant and an array of exotic delicacies such as chicken pastilla (rich, savoury pie) and pigeon pastilla pie with raisins. Restaurant Al Mounia is the oldest and most famous moroccan restaurant of the city. Tucked away in an old moroccan house,it offers a magnificent decoration and a convivial ambiance. They savour refined typical Moroccan cuisine.
Address: 95 Rue Prince Moulay Abdallah City Centre
Phone: 05-022-222-669