Put delicious Moroccan food together with being in a coastal city like Casablanca and you have the perfect recipe for great meals out in the city. This post runs through where you should eat in Casablanca, reveals the best restaurants and gives some handy tips to bear in mind during your stay.
If you’ve read our other Casablanca travel guides, you’ll have already discovered that this city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast has had a strong European influence throughout its history, particularly that of France during the French Protectorate in the 20th century.
This past, which also features Spain and Portugal, has resulted in a varied cuisine that combines the flavours and dishes of Moroccan cooking with the occasional influence from these European countries. It’s a cuisine full of contrasts that work together to produce something truly delicious.
Best restaurants in Casablanca
Some of the best restaurants in Casablanca are in the area around the port and La Corniche. They are a great opportunity to try fish or seafood caught off the Moroccan coastline. Make a note of the following list!
Acajou
The contrasting influences on Casablanca can clearly be seen at restaurant Acajou, whose menu combines the best of Moroccan, French and Mediterranean food. It’s a wonderful way to try local dishes and the latest innovations in modern cooking. Acajou is in the hotel Barceló Anfa Casablanca, right in the heart of the city.
Restaurant in the hotel Barceló Casablanca
Hotel Barceló Casablanca’s modern style also features in its restaurant, where the food brings together the best of traditional Moroccan cooking and innovative creations. Star dishes include the tagine, lamb couscous and the desserts.
Port de Pêche
Port de Pêche is one of the best fish restaurants in Morocco. Food straight from the port to the table. You can enjoy any fresh fish or seafood dish at reasonable prices. It’s right in the heart of the port, next to Casa Port train station and the gates to the medina.
Taverne du Dauphin
Taverne du Dauphin is also next to Casa Port train station and the medina and is another classic fish restaurant in Casablanca. This restaurant is much loved for being excellent value for money and having a large fish and seafood menu. You can enjoy everything from delicious fried fish to king crab and oysters.
Ostréa
As its name suggests, head to Ostréa to try the oysters, their most famous dish. Of course, they have plenty of other seafood options too. Like the restaurants mentioned above, it’s in the port.
A Ma Bretagne
This classic Casablanca restaurant was founded in 1957 and is in La Corniche, right by the sea. French haute cuisine in a refined atmosphere with impressive views of the Atlantic. À Ma Bretagne has won several awards for being the best French restaurant in Africa. It uses the flavours of local Moroccan products and combines them with the delights of Gallic cooking. It’s the perfect place for an evening meal on its wonderful terrace.
El Cenador
Although it’s a Spanish restaurant, El Cenador is a great option for eating out in La Corniche area if you’re looking for a lovely place by the sea with fantastic views of Hassan II Mosque. The menu features rice, fish and seafood served as small or large portions.
Brasserie La Tour
One of the most highly regarded restaurants in Casablanca, located close to Casa Port train station. La Brasserie La Tour combines Moroccan, Lebanese, French and Spanish cooking in a smart and modern atmosphere. Popular dishes include the roast lamb.
Rick’s Cafe
If you visit Casablanca, it’s compulsory to watch the legendary film by Michael Curtiz starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman first! The main character, Rick (played by Bogart), has a fictitious café that has a real-life replica in Rick’s Cafe, which opened in 2004 in the port area. Although it’s not the original (which was actually a Hollywood set), film fans will enjoy having a drink here and listening to ’40s music on the piano.
Restaurants serving local food
If you’re looking for a small, local restaurant in Casablanca, make a note of some of these recommendations.
Le Cuistot Traditionel
This lovely restaurant is next to United Nations Square and here you can choose from a wide selection of Moroccan dishes, including classics such as couscous, tagines and lamb.
Le Riad
Le Riad is famous for its tagine, which is a national dish and something of an institution in this restaurant. It has an attractive dining room with traditional decoration and you can order a Moroccan tasting menu to enjoy a variety of dishes. It’s very close to United Nations Square.
Where to eat cheaply in Casablanca
If you’d like more ideas of where to eat in Casablanca, you’ll find lots of reasonably priced fast-food restaurants around the Central Market. They usually have sandwiches, brochettes and chicken dishes at modest prices.
You could also try La Grillardière restaurants, a chain that serves simple but delicious grilled dishes.
Where to stay in Casablanca
If you haven’t yet booked your accommodation in Casablanca, make sure to check out options by Barceló Hotels in the ‘white city’. Both the Barceló Casablanca and Barceló Anfa Casablanca are comfortable hotels with a modern vibe that are perfect for an extremely enjoyable stay.
They are both found on the same street, central Boulevard d’Anfa, and are ideally located for exploring the city on foot. All you need do is choose which of the two suits you best!
