Rick's Café

Rick's Café is a film-themed restaurant in Casablanca, Morocco, built to evoke the Rick's Café Américain of the 1942 movie Casablanca. It occupies a restored courtyard mansion at 248 Boulevard Sour Jdid, beside the Place du Jardin Public on the edge of the old medina, close to the ramparts and the Hassan II Mosque district. The venue was created by an American former diplomat and opened in the early 2000s, and it has since become one of the best-known dining addresses in the city for visiting travellers. The kitchen is international with a Mediterranean lean and a Moroccan accent. Signature dishes include seared tuna, fish of the day, and a range of Moroccan salads, with beef and chicken mains alongside. Prices run roughly 250-450 MAD (about $27-48) per person for a full dinner, which places it in the upper tier of Casablanca dining. The dining room is the main draw. A white-washed courtyard with arches, brass lamps, a long bar, a mezzanine and palm-framed corners recreates a 1940s North African nightclub. A pianist plays in the evenings, with the film's well-known standards a regular request, and the mood is relaxed, polished and a little theatrical. Dress is smart casual, and the noise level stays moderate so conversation remains easy. The wine and cocktail list is broader than at most Moroccan restaurants, covering Moroccan wines from regions such as Meknès and Benslimane, imported bottles and classic cocktails. Reservations are advisable for dinner, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings and when cruise ships are in port, and booking a day or two ahead is usually sufficient. Lunch is quieter and noticeably calmer, which suits visitors who want to see the courtyard and photograph the interior. The location makes it a natural end point after a morning in the medina or a walk along the Corniche. Opening hours can change seasonally, so a quick check before visiting is sensible.