2026-06-01
If you’re looking for where to eat in Casablanca, be prepared to adjust your expectations.
Casablanca is not Marrakech. It doesn’t live off postcard imagery. It runs on urban rhythm, business, and residential neighbourhoods where life unfolds far from the spotlight. And that’s exactly where the food comes into its own.
During my stay, I sat in dining rooms lined with carved wood, had lunch by the old walls overlooking the Atlantic, and tasted tagines that stayed with me for days. Between historic restaurants, laid-back terraces and traditional spots frequented by locals, I discovered a Casablanca that reveals itself at the table.
There are elegant places where service is carefully choreographed. There are noisy dining rooms where the food is good and the atmosphere unpretentious. And there are restaurants that stand the test of time because they get the basics right: fresh ingredients, proper seasoning, genuine hospitality.
In this guide, I include the restaurants where I actually ate, Restaurant al-Mounia, Sqala Restaurant and Le Cuistot Traditionnel, and add other suggestions that complete the city’s food scene.
So if you’re planning your trip and want to know where to eat in Casablanca without falling into tourist traps, this is your map.
Let’s start with the essentials.
Where to Eat Traditional Moroccan Food in Casablanca
If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss in the city, it’s a properly made tagine. And couscous served the way it should be.
Restaurant al-Mounia
If you’re looking for a classic place to eat Moroccan food in Casablanca, Restaurant al-Mounia is an institution.
It opened in the 1960s. It’s still full. Not by chance.
It’s tucked away on a discreet street in the centre, but the moment you step inside, everything shifts. A large inner courtyard, intricate zellige tiles, fountains, hand-carved wood. This isn’t a staged setting for tourists. It’s preserved heritage.
The service is formal, but not distant. You sit down. The menu arrives. And here, there are no modern twists or forced fusions. There is tradition.
I started with a selection of Moroccan salads. Small, colourful bowls: smoked aubergine zaalouk, tomato salad with cumin, carrots seasoned with ras el hanout. Direct flavours. Nothing overdone.
Then came the royal couscous, served on a generous platter. Light semolina, well-cooked vegetables, tender chicken. Simple. Comforting. The meat skewers were also very good.
The menu includes pastilla, grilled dishes and vegetarian options. Portions are generous.
If you’re unsure where to eat in Casablanca and want a complete experience, this is a solid starting point. It’s not cheap, but it’s fair for what it offers.
If I had to recommend just one traditional restaurant in Casablanca, it would be this one.
It’s worth booking for dinner.
Le Cuistot Traditionnel
If you prefer a more intimate setting, away from the spotlight, Le Cuistot Traditionnel is an excellent choice.
It’s located in a residential area, far from the buzz of the centre. Small. Cosy. No unnecessary theatrics.
Here, you can tell the kitchen is taken seriously.
We ordered pastilla au poulet to start, followed by seffa au poulet, meatballs with egg, and a pizza. A mix of bolder flavours alongside more familiar options, ideal for those who didn’t want to venture too far.
The service feels personal. They check in, explain the dishes, and don’t rush you.
It’s the kind of place made for a slow dinner, long conversations, and no distractions.
If you want to avoid larger venues and are looking for authenticity without performance, this is one to keep on your list.
Dar Beida (not visited)
Located inside the Hotel Hyatt Regency, Dar Beida is often mentioned as one of the most elegant Moroccan restaurants in the city.
I didn’t have the chance to dine here, but it’s known for its live traditional music performances and a menu focused on well-executed Moroccan classics. It’s worth considering if you’re looking for a more refined, polished experience.
Restaurants with a Sea View in Casablanca
Casablanca faces the Atlantic. And you feel it at the table.
Sqala Restaurant
Some restaurants rely on the view. Sqala delivers both the view and the food.
Set inside an 18th-century fortification (a former Portuguese stronghold) near the port, this restaurant sits within historic walls, with outdoor tables under bougainvillea. In the background, the Atlantic.
It’s one of the city’s best-known spots. And still, it lives up to it.
I came here for a late lunch, which ended with a double round of desserts. The atmosphere is relaxed: local families, a few well-informed travellers, small groups.
We ordered a chicken tagine with preserved lemon, a beef tagine with prunes, and a kebab maghdour, all arriving still bubbling. We also had a burger with fries.
Desserts held their own: a pink macaron that melted instantly and a selection of Moroccan sweets that we shared.
Sqala’s Moroccan breakfast is also well known, msemen, harcha, honey, olive oil, amlou, fresh orange juice. If you have time in the morning, it’s worth starting the day here.
Is it touristy? Yes. But it’s good. And sometimes, the two coexist.
Le Cabestan (not visited)
Located right on the rocks with direct views over the Atlantic, Le Cabestan is known for its more contemporary atmosphere and its focus on seafood and Mediterranean cuisine.
I didn’t have the chance to try it, but it’s often mentioned as one of the best options for dinner with a sea view, especially at sunset.
Where to Have Dinner in an Iconic Restaurant
Rick’s Café
Yes, it’s inspired by the film “Casablanca”. Yes, it is an openly themed project. And still, it deserves a mention.
Rick’s Café was created by a former American diplomat who fell in love with the city. The space recreates the film’s atmosphere with a piano, white arches and carefully controlled lighting.
But it doesn’t rely on aesthetics alone.
The cuisine blends Moroccan and international influences. While it’s not the most traditional restaurant in the city, nor the cheapest, it offers a different kind of experience.
So if you want to have dinner in an iconic setting, especially with live piano music, it’s worth a visit.
Where to Have Breakfast or Brunch in Casablanca
Sqala Restaurant (traditional breakfast)
If you have time, try the Moroccan breakfast here: msemen, harcha, amlou, honey, fresh orange juice.
It’s a solid way to start the day. I went there for lunch and enjoyed it a lot.
Bondi Coffee Kitchen (not visited)
This modern space, relaxed atmosphere, specialty coffee, bowls and pancakes filled my Instagram feed for days, so I made a note of it.
I didn’t end up going, because the breakfast at my hotel, The One Hotel Casablanca w,as quite complete. Still, I’m leaving this recommendation here if you feel like checking it out.
Where to Eat Cheap in Casablanca
Casablanca is not the cheapest city in Morocco, but it is still possible to eat well without spending much.
- The Marché Central de Casablanca is a good option for fresh fish, cooked on the spot in small stalls around the market.
- Small local restaurants outside the main tourist areas are usually the best value. These are the places where menus are simple, prices are fair, and locals actually eat.
- Look out for lunch menus, which are often more affordable and change depending on what’s available in the market.
A practical rule: avoid overly polished menus in very tourist-heavy areas with little local foot traffic. They tend to offer less value for money.
This is where Casablanca becomes more honest on the plate, simple food, local rhythm, and better prices.
Practical Tips for Choosing Restaurants in Casablanca
Not everything touristy is bad.
Some of the city’s most well-known restaurants are genuinely good. The issue is not avoiding tourists, it’s avoiding bad food.
Book for dinner
Especially in restaurants like Restaurant al-Mounia or Rick’s Café. The city has a strong business rhythm and dining rooms fill up quickly. Having a Holafly eSIM helps with Google Maps directions and makes it easier to book restaurants via email or WhatsApp.
Look at who is at the tables
If there are only tourists, be cautious. If there are local families, it’s usually a good sign.
Try at least one classic tagine
Chicken with preserved lemon or lamb with prunes are reference dishes. Without them, the experience feels incomplete.
Carry some cash
Not all traditional places accept cards.
Accept the rhythm
In Morocco, meals are not rushed. Service can take time. That’s part of the experience, so it helps to adjust expectations accordingly.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Eat in Casablanca
Restaurant al-Mounia is one of the most consistent references for traditional Moroccan cuisine.
Marché Central de Casablanca is the most authentic option for fresh fish and seafood.
Sqala Restaurant offers a historic setting near the sea. Le Cabestan, on the Corniche, is known for its direct views over the Atlantic.
Prices are higher than in other Moroccan cities, but there are options for different budgets.
Casablanca is direct, sometimes tough, but at the table, it reveals itself.
If you’re planning a trip and want to know where to eat in Casablanca with clarity, these suggestions give you a clear map. From classic to contemporary, including historic restaurants.
Now the decision is yours. Choose the table. Order the tagine. Tear into the bread while it’s still warm. And let the city speak.
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I travel with my family, but not only. I look for real experiences, sustainable choices, smart decisions on the ground, and well-chosen comfort, because traveling well also means knowing where to sleep, eat, and spend time. On passaportenobolso.com, I share practical guides and honest tips about destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, created for those who want to travel with more intention and less improvisation. I’ve visited more than 40 countries and I’m still looking for the next ones. Sometimes with my family, sometimes solo, but always with curiosity and a critical eye. Follow along on YouTube / Instagram / Facebook / TikTok / X / Pinterest.
