Ostréa

Ostréa is an oyster bar and seafood restaurant in the fishing port of Casablanca, Morocco, on the Port de Pêche side of the harbour. Its focus on oysters sets it apart from the grill-and-fry fish restaurants around it, and it draws diners who want shellfish served raw on ice, a style associated with French coastal dining. Moroccan oysters from Atlantic farms, notably around Oualidia to the south, are a well-regarded local product, which gives the concept a regional footing.

The signature dishes are oysters, mussels and grilled fish. Oysters are typically served by the half-dozen or dozen with lemon, vinegar-shallot sauce and bread, while mussels may be steamed in white wine or cream. Grilled fish of the day provides an alternative for those who prefer cooked dishes. At about MAD 250-450 per person (roughly $27-48), it sits above the simple harbour grills but below the Corniche fine-dining rooms.

The dining room is informal yet tidy, with a bar-style layout and a convivial, harbour-side mood. Noise is moderate and the crowd mixes local seafood fans, colleagues on lunch breaks and visitors who have found it through word of mouth. Dress is casual. Wine, especially chilled whites, is the usual accompaniment, and diners should confirm the current drinks list on arrival.

Reservations are recommended at weekends, when tables fill, and a booking made a day or two ahead is generally enough. Weekday lunch is typically easy for walk-ins. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner, with hours worth verifying. Because it is inside the port area, visitors should carry identification in case it is requested at the gate, and a taxi is the simplest way to arrive and leave. The location is near the Sqala bastion and the old medina, which allows the meal to be combined with a short sightseeing walk. Visitors who have not tried oysters before can ask the staff to start with a small portion, and those with shellfish allergies should choose the grilled fish instead.