Gran Cafe de Paris

Gran Cafe de Paris stands on Place de France in central Tangier, at the edge of the Ville Nouvelle and close to the medina. Opened in the early twentieth century, it is one of the city's best-known cafes, and it became a gathering point during the international-zone years, when diplomats, journalists, writers and informants met over coffee. Its mid-century interior, with mirrors, wood and a high-ceilinged room, gives it a period atmosphere, and the terrace on the square offers a view of the Place de France and of the Strait of Gibraltar beyond the nearby viewpoint on the Rue de la Liberté. The crowd is a mixture of Tangier residents, businesspeople, older regulars, students and foreign visitors, and the mood is lively during the day and easy in the evening. There is no strict dress code, and ordinary smart-casual or casual clothing is normal. No alcohol is served, which is common for Moroccan cafes; the drinks programme is based on coffee, espresso, mint tea, fresh juices and soft drinks, together with pastries, with coffee priced at about 15 to 25 MAD. Music is incidental, usually background recorded music, and conversation dominates. The cafe typically opens around 7AM and stays open until about midnight, making it one of the later-closing non-alcoholic options in the city, and it is busiest in the afternoon and early evening and on weekends. There is no cover charge, reservations are not usually taken, and seating on the terrace is first-come, first-served. Visitors who want a sociable evening in Tangier without alcohol, or a quiet start before moving on to a licensed bar in northern Morocco, often include it. It is easy to reach on foot from the Grand Socco and the Rue de la Liberté, and the entrance is at street level.