Restaurant du Port de Pêche

The Restaurant du Port de Pêche refers to the dockside seafood stalls and canteens at the fishing port of Casablanca, Morocco. The Port de Pêche sits next to the commercial harbour north of the old medina, and it is where fishing boats land sardines, hake, sole, sea bream, calamari and shrimp from the Atlantic. Small canteens beside the quay cook the catch for workers, fishmongers and the occasional visitor, offering a down-to-earth meal that has little to do with the tourist-oriented restaurants elsewhere in the city. The food is simple and fresh. Signature dishes are grilled fish served whole, fried calamari, grilled sardines and fried small fish, accompanied by bread, tomato and onion salad and lemon. Diners usually choose the fish from the display, agree a price, and wait while it is cooked. Prices run roughly 100-250 MAD (about $11-27) per person, depending on the type and weight of fish. The atmosphere is that of a working port, with the smell of fish and the sound of forklifts, gulls and traders. Seating is basic, on plastic chairs or benches at plain tables, and there is no dress code. Noise levels are high. Alcohol is generally not served at these canteens, so drinks are tea and soft drinks. The canteens open from late morning, and lunch to late afternoon is the busiest time, when boats have unloaded and the catch is freshest. There are no reservations, and visitors simply walk in. Visitors should be aware that this is an industrial area, with wet and uneven ground, and it is best visited in daylight. Going with a local guide or arriving by taxi is a sensible precaution, and keeping valuables out of sight is advisable. Photography of workers is best done with permission. The stalls are close to the old medina, the Sqala and the Hassan II Mosque, so a visit fits into a wider sightseeing route.