Best Restaurants in Casablanca: Where to Eat in Morocco’s Economic Capital
Casablanca is Morocco’s industrial engine, but its dining scene is the most diverse in the country. While Marrakech focuses on traditional riad dining and Fes sticks to centuries-old recipes, Casablanca blends high-end French technique, fresh Atlantic seafood, and reliable street food. You will find glass-walled bistros overlooking the ocean and hole-in-the-wall grills in the Habous district. It is a city of business lunches and late-night social scenes. The local food culture prioritizes freshness and scale. Whether you want a white-tablecloth experience or a local sandwich on the go, Casablanca delivers high-quality consistency.
Must-try dishes in Casablanca
Before scouting the best restaurants in Casablanca, know what to order. The city’s coastal location and cosmopolitan history influence its signature plates.
- Grilled Sardines: Casablanca is a port city; sardines here are often grilled with coarse salt and cumin right on the pier or in local markets.
- Fish Pastilla: Unlike the sweet poultry versions elsewhere, Casablanca’s seafood pastilla is savory, packed with shrimp, calamari, white fish, and vermicelli.
- Rfissa: A comfort dish made of shredded msemmen (pancakes), lentils, and chicken, flavored heavily with fenugreek and saffron.
- Couscous Tfaya: A Friday staple featuring fluffy semolina topped with caramelized onions, raisins, and cinnamon, creating a savory-sweet balance.
- Casablanca Salad: A large spread of small bowls including zaalouk (eggplant), Taktouka (peppers), and marinated carrots.
- B’stilla: A flaky phyllo pastry pie often stuffed with pigeon or chicken, seasoned with crushed almonds and dusted with powdered sugar.
Best restaurants for a splurge
When looking for where to eat in Casablanca for a special occasion or a business dinner, these high-end spots set the standard for service and setting.
Le Cabestan – Ocean View/Phare d’El Hank
This is the city’s premier "see and be seen" location. Located directly on the rocks below the El Hank lighthouse, it offers unobstructed Atlantic views. The menu leans heavily into French-Mediterranean fusion with a focus on oysters and sea bass. It is loud, glamorous, and requires a reservation well in advance for sunset.
Rick’s Café – Old Medina
While it is a recreation of the fictional bar from the 1942 film, Rick’s Café is a legitimate culinary destination. The restored courtyard mansion features live jazz and architectural precision. The food is a mix of Moroccan flavors and international classics like steak au poivre. It is the most famous spot in the city for a reason.
La Maison du Gourmet – Gauthier
Located in the upscale Gauthier neighborhood, this restaurant focuses on refined French cuisine. The interior is minimalist and sophisticated, catering to the city's corporate elite. Expect dishes like truffle-infused risotto and perfectly executed duck confit. It is a quiet, professional environment ideal for an uninterrupted high-end meal.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These are the reliable spots where locals go for consistent quality without the formal dress code.
Le Cuisto Traditionnel – Gauthier
This restaurant bridges the gap between home cooking and professional service. The decor is traditional but clean, and the menu focuses on authentic Moroccan stews and tagines. Their lamb with prunes is often cited as the best in the city. It is a great place to experience Moroccan hospitality without the tourist kitsch.
Restaurant du Port de Pêche – Port of Casablanca
Located inside the commercial port, this is a massive, bustling seafood hall. There is no pretense here; the floors are tiled and the noise level is high. The fish is caught hours before it hits your plate. Order the mixed fried fish platter or the grilled sole. It is authentic, fresh, and busy.
Nkoa – Gauthier
Nkoa offers "fusion" in the truest sense, blending African, Asian, and European flavors. The atmosphere is modern and artistic. It is a favorite for the younger, creative crowd in Casablanca. Try the Kimchi tacos or their unique takes on North African ingredients. The menu changes frequently to reflect seasonal availability.
Iloli – Gauthier
For those looking for a break from Moroccan spices, Iloli is the best Japanese restaurant in the country. It is a high-end casual spot specializing in "Washoku" (traditional Japanese cuisine). The presentation is meticulous. It is an excellent choice if you want a light, precision-engineered meal in a sleek, modern setting.
Best cheap eats and street food
If you want the most affordable best restaurants in Casablanca, look to the markets and small takeaway windows.
Bennis Habous – Habous District
Bennis is not a sit-down restaurant but the city’s most famous pastry shop. People travel across the city for their savory pastries and cookies. Grab a chicken pastilla or a handful of almond-based sweets to eat while you walk through the nearby olive market. It is functional, fast, and historic.
Sandwich Moulay Youssef – Near Hassan II Mosque
This is a legendary local institution. It is a small shop known for one thing: massive, custom-built sandwiches. You choose your proteins—usually grilled meats or tuna—and load them with fries, olives, and spicy sauces. It is the fuel of choice for workers in the city center.
Mahajat El Habous – Habous District
Tucked away in the arches of the New Medina, this area is famous for outdoor grills. You can find several stalls serving "Boulfaf" (lamb liver wrapped in fat) and spicy merguez sausages. The seating is plastic chairs on the sidewalk. It is the definition of a local favorite with zero frills.
Snack Amine – City Center
Snack Amine is a seafood-focused fast-food spot. It is almost always crowded. They serve fried fish platters and seafood soups that are better than many sit-down restaurants at a fraction of the price. If you see a line of locals on their lunch break, you are in the right place.
Best breakfast and brunch
Breakfast in Casablanca ranges from quick espresso and pastries to elaborate Sunday spreads.
Bondibay – Gauthier
Bondibay brings a modern, Australian-style coffee culture to Casablanca. It is one of the best spots for a healthy brunch, featuring avocado toast, acai bowls, and high-quality specialty coffee. The vibe is bright, airy, and very popular with the city’s digital nomads and expats.
La Sqala – Old Medina
Set within the walls of an 18th-century Portuguese fortress, La Sqala offers the most atmospheric breakfast in the city. Their Moroccan breakfast spread is massive, including various breads (rghaif, harcha), local honeys, amlou (almond and argan oil dip), and eggs with khlii (preserved meat). The garden setting is lush and quiet.
Paul – Various Locations (Villa Zevaco)
While Paul is a global chain, the Villa Zevaco location in Anfa is a masterpiece of mid-century modern architecture. Eating a croissant and drinking a café au lait in this white, curved building is a quintessential Casablanca experience. It combines French bakery standards with an iconic local landmark.
Best rooftop or view dining
Casablanca’s skyline and the Atlantic coast are best viewed from an elevated vantage point.
Sky 28 – Maarif
Located on the 28th floor of one of the Twin Center towers, Sky 28 offers the highest view in the city. It functions as a lounge and restaurant. While the food is international and solid, you are here for the perspective of the city stretching toward the Hassan II Mosque and the sea.
Le Casablanca Hotel – Rooftop
The rooftop at this boutique hotel offers a more intimate, sophisticated view. It overlooks the lush greenery of the Anfa neighborhood and the ocean in the distance. The service is attentive, and the atmosphere is quieter than the big commercial towers. It is an ideal spot for a sunset drink followed by a refined dinner.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
Gauthier: This is the heart of the modern dining scene. It is walkable and packed with bistros, sushi spots, and Italian trattorias. If you aren't sure where to eat in Casablanca, start here and you will find a quality option within two blocks.
Habous (New Medina): This is the place for traditional Moroccan food and sweets. The architecture is stunning—built by the French in a traditional Moroccan style—and the air smells like grilled meat and orange blossom water. It is slower and more organized than the Old Medina.
Maarif: This is a high-energy shopping district. You will find a mix of international fast food and small, local "snacks" tucked into the side streets. It is the best place to observe the daily pace of the city while grabbing a quick, inexpensive bite.
Note: Opening hours and reservation requirements in Casablanca are subject to change based on the season and local holidays.