It would be impossible to count the number of people who have seen the film ‘Casablanca’, or at least heard a reference to the great 1942 classic starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. What most people probably don’t realise is that the entire set was created in the Warner Bros. studios in California, and that the external footage was filmed in other parts of Los Angeles and in the neighbouring state of Arizona — all in the United States, of course. In other words, not a single second of this celebrated Hollywood film was shot in Casablanca, Morocco.

However, that has not prevented the main setting for that splendid spy and romance saga (a story of deception, danger, love and betrayal), the famous Rick’s Café, from being transported from the film into the real world, and finally opening its (real) doors in real-life Casablanca. Reality has outdone fiction, and Rick’s Café has become one of the great attractions of this extraordinary Moroccan city. 

Rick’s Café and the film

The most frequently commented-upon feature of Rick’s Café by visitors is the evident attention to detail. The fact is that the magical interior of this unique establishment has been beautifully designed and furnished with carefully selected and positioned pieces — nothing has been left to chance. Of course, the advantage of all this is that the ‘real’ restaurant was ‘copied’ from the one shown in the film, and although some details do not exactly match the screen version, especially regarding the distribution of the space, the overall resemblance is astounding. 

So the joint reigned over by the charismatic, and cynical, Rick Blaine, the shifting triangle that develops between Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman), Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid) and Rick Blaine himself (Humphrey Bogart), and all the characters that surround them (Captain Renault, the Nazis, Ugarte and his letters, Sam the pianist, etc.), comes vividly alive in this authentic Rick’s Café. The atmosphere, the music, the lighting, the tables, the typical Arab archways, the bar, the palm trees, the air of nostalgia… being in the real Rick’s makes you feel that you are another character in the café frequented by Bogart and company.

There is an interesting fact about the origins of the real Rick’s Café. For years, tourists visiting Casablanca used to ask for the famed establishment, only to be told that “in reality, there is no such place”, and it was not until 2004 when a former U.S. diplomat, Kathy Krieger (1946-2018), set out on a mission to bring this famous and, until then, fictitious, place to life. 

You cannot miss the roulette wheel in the first-floor lounge, another nod to the renowned film which is, naturally, projected again and again onto the big screen, also on the upper floor of Rick’s Café. The views of the port are not at all bad either.

Useful information: the ‘what’, ‘how’ and ‘where’ of Rick’s Café

Together with the imposing Hassan II Mosque, the ancient Medina and the lively seafront boulevard of La Corniche, among other emblematic spots, Rick’s Café is one of the most visited places in Casablanca, popular equally among nostalgic cinema buffs and with those who are just plain curious. In any case, this famous restaurant is located at number 248 Boulevard Sour Jdid (on the corner of Boulevard Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah), in a traditional old mansion (a Moroccan riad), which has been carefully refurbished and redecorated, set among the walls of the old Medina, and overlooking the port and the big Marina Shopping centre.

The establishment is open for lunch between 12.00 noon and 3.00 p.m., and for dinner from 6.30 p.m. until 1.00 a.m., from Monday to Sunday. On the menu, you will find everything from typical Moroccan dishes and a good selection of fish and fresh seafood to French-influenced cuisine and the North American ‘classics’ (cuts of meat, burgers, etc.), among other delights. Of course, the cocktails (yes, made with alcohol) are a mainstay of the place… gin and tonic, daiquiri, a glass of the best champagne… What would Rick Blaine say otherwise?

Another feature that makes Rick’s Café, Casablanca, so special is the music. Carrying through its intention of replicating the cinema version of the café as faithfully as possible, the real Rick’s Café doesn’t just have its own resident pianist, Issam (yes, almost like Sam in the film), who performs the classics of the period including, of course, ‘As Time Goes By’. It has also become a flagship venue for music lovers in the city, thanks to regular, live performances by all kinds of groups and solo artists, from jazz to bossa nova and from Latin music to the most evocative Arab sounds. More than one diner is bound to call ‘Play it again, Sam…’ even though those words were never actually spoken in the film. 

Recommended hotels in Casablanca

After reliving the film in style at Rick’s Café, it is time to enjoy a first-class stay in either of the two hotels offered by Barceló Group for visitors to Casablanca: the Barceló Casablanca or the Barceló Anfa Casablanca.

Located in the city centre, not far from one another, these 4- and 5-star hotels, respectively, offer every twenty-first-century comfort and convenience (fully equipped rooms, a pleasant and modern design, exceptional cuisine, a gymnasium, spa, lobby bar, meeting rooms, swimming pool, and more), but without sacrificing the spirit that makes Casablanca a truly magical place. The blend of traditional and modern features is certain to impress.