Al Mounia

Al Mounia is a long-established Moroccan restaurant at 95 Rue du Prince Moulay Abdallah in the Gauthier district of Casablanca, Morocco. Housed in a villa with a leafy courtyard garden, it has operated for decades and is regarded as one of the city's traditional addresses for classic Moroccan home-style cooking. Many Casablancans treat it as a place for family lunches, and visitors seeking an unhurried alternative to the tourist-oriented medina restaurants often choose it. The cuisine is classic Moroccan. Signature dishes include pastilla, a sweet and savoury pie with layers of thin pastry; lamb tagines with prunes, almonds or vegetables; couscous with seven vegetables; and chicken with preserved lemon and olives. Starters of Moroccan salads, such as zaalouk and taktouka, arrive in small dishes. Desserts are Moroccan pastries and fruit. Prices run roughly 250-450 MAD (about $27-48) per person, reflecting the quality of the produce and the long cooking times. The dining room mixes indoor salons with traditional decoration and a garden terrace, and the mood is calm, genteel and conversational. Noise levels are low, and dress is smart casual. The beverage programme includes mint tea and, in many seasons, a short list of Moroccan wines, though visitors who care about alcohol should confirm availability when booking. Reservations are recommended for dinner, and for Friday lunch when couscous is traditionally served, with a booking a day or two ahead typically adequate. The restaurant keeps a closing day, so confirm opening before travelling. Its location in Gauthier puts it among the city's Art Deco and colonial-era buildings, a short taxi ride from the Maarif district and the Habous quarter. Slow service is part of the experience, so allow time for a leisurely meal.