La Sqala is a traditional Moroccan restaurant in Casablanca, Morocco, housed inside the Sqala bastion on Boulevard des Almohades, at the edge of the old medina and facing the Atlantic. The bastion is an 18th-century coastal fortification that once held cannon guarding the harbour, and the restaurant occupies its vaulted rooms and a walled garden courtyard. It is among the most photographed dining spots in the city and a standard stop for visitors walking between the medina and the Hassan II Mosque.
The kitchen focuses on Moroccan home cooking. Signature dishes include pastilla, the sweet-savoury pie of pigeon or chicken wrapped in thin pastry and dusted with cinnamon and sugar, as well as slow-cooked tagines, harira soup and a Moroccan breakfast of breads, olives, cheeses, jams and mint tea. Salads, grilled fish and seasonal dishes round out the menu. Prices are moderate for a restaurant with this setting, at about MAD 150-300 per person (roughly $16-32).
The dining room character is leafy and unhurried. Tables are set among orange trees, tiled walls and old cannon positions, with a few indoor rooms for cooler or wetter weather. The mood is relaxed and tourist-friendly, and noise rises at weekend lunchtimes when families and tour groups fill the garden. Smart-casual dress is typical, and the service is more formal than the surroundings suggest. Alcohol is generally not the focus of the menu, so visitors should check what is available when booking.
Because the garden terrace is the main attraction, reservations are recommended for lunch on weekends and for sunny days when outdoor tables go first. A booking made a day or two ahead is usually sufficient, and requesting a garden table at that point is sensible. The restaurant opens daily from about 8:30am to 11pm, which makes it one of the few places in the old town where breakfast, lunch and dinner are all available, though seasonal hours should be verified before visiting.
| Price | MAD 150-300 per person (~$16-32) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, about 8:30am-11pm; verify seasonally |
| Reservations | Recommended for lunch on weekends and for the garden terrace |
| Address | Boulevard des Almohades, Casablanca 20250 |
Signature dishes
- Pastilla, tagine, harira, Moroccan breakfast
Good to know
- Known for
- Moroccan cooking in a garden inside the 18th-century bastion
Location
Boulevard des Almohades, Casablanca 20250
33.6052, -7.6162 View on map
Highlights
- Dining inside an 18th-century coastal bastion at the edge of the old medina
- Shaded garden courtyard with tiled walls and old cannon emplacements
- Pastilla, tagine and harira prepared in traditional Moroccan style
- Moroccan breakfast served from early morning
- Easy walk from the Hassan II Mosque and the medina gates
Tips for visiting
- Book a garden table for weekend lunch, when the terrace fills first.
- Breakfast is a quieter and cheaper way to see the bastion interior.
- Order the pastilla as a starter to share before a tagine.
- Budget MAD 150-300 per person; breakfast costs noticeably less.
- Combine the meal with a walk along the bastion walls and the nearby medina.
When to visit
Late morning breakfast or early lunch on a weekday, outside the busy weekend lunch rush; spring and autumn suit the garden best.
Accessibility
The bastion is an old fortification with uneven stone paving and some steps between garden and indoor areas. Visitors with mobility needs should ask about step-free table options when reserving.
Frequently asked questions
What is La Sqala housed in?
The restaurant is inside the Sqala, an 18th-century bastion built to protect the harbour. Its garden courtyard and vaulted rooms are used as dining spaces.
Is breakfast served?
Yes, a Moroccan breakfast is among the signature offerings, and the restaurant opens early, at around 8:30am daily.
Is a reservation needed?
Reservations are recommended for weekend lunch and for the garden terrace. Weekday visits are often manageable without one.
How expensive is it?
Most meals cost about MAD 150-300 per person (roughly $16-32), depending on starters and drinks.