Best Outdoor Seating Restaurants in Casablanca for Dining Under Open Skies

Dining Beneath the Ceiling of Casablanca

There is a particular hour in Casablanca when the Atlantic wind softens and the light turns amber over the rooftops, and that is exactly when you want to be sitting outside with a plate of grilled sardines and a glass of Moroccan wine in front of you. Finding the best outdoor seating restaurants in Casablanca is not difficult, but knowing where to sit so the breeze hits your face and the noise of the medina fades into background melody is an art. I have spent years chasing that feeling across this city, from the corniche to the old medina lanes, and what follows is a guide drawn from actual meals, actual sunsets, and more than a few dishes of couscous eaten under open skies.

The Corniche at Restaurant El Oumaridou

The corniche in Ain Diab has always been Casablanca's most theatrical dining strip, and no place captures that energy quite like Restaurant El Oumaridou. This is the kind of patio restaurants Casablanca has become internationally recognized for, a sprawling open terrace that wraps around the edge of the restaurant and faces the Atlantic so directly that salt spray occasionally reaches your table if the wind shifts west. The tables closest to the railing fill up fast on Fridays after 8 p.m., so I always aim for 7 p.m. on a Thursday to guarantee a waterside spot without the weekend crush. Order the plate of grilled sea bream with chermoula, a marinade of cumin, cilantro, and preserved lemon, served alongside a mound of their harissa-dressed fries. The fish arrives with skin blackened perfectly, and eating it while staring at the waves makes the dirhams feel well spent. Most tourists do not realize that the restaurant has a quieter secondary terrace on the east side, partially shielded from the coastal wind, which regulars prefer when the winter months bring gusts strong enough to scatter napkins. One thing worth noting: the waitstaff on the main terrace radio in orders on tablets now, a change from the old notepad system, and occasionally the technology slows service during the peak 8:30 p.m. rush. Casablanca's corniche dining culture is broadcast worldwide through films and music videos, yet El Oumaridou has kept a neighborhood, family-run pace that resists the tourist gloss.

Al Fresco Dining Casablanca at Rick's Café

If you are a al fresco dining Casablanca devotee, a visit to Rick's Café is unavoidable despite its reputation as a cliché. Located on Boulevard Sour Jdid, right at the edge of the medina, the café occupies a restored 1930s courtyard mansion with a central fountain, arched colonnades, and a retractable glass roof that slides back on warm evenings and turns the entire space into an open-air courtyard. I have sat here more times than I can count, and the moment that roof rolls back and the noise of the medina leaks in, something shifts in the room. The lamb tajine with prunes and almonds is the dish that has stayed on the menu since opening, and for good reason, the prunes dissolve into the sauce and give it a sweetness that balances the slow-cooked meat. Come on a weekday evening before 8 p30 p.m. for the best chance of claiming a table nearest the colonnade, where the cross-breeze from the courtyard creates the most comfortable outdoor feeling. My subheading for this place would be "going for the music, staying for the food," because the live piano player who starts around 9 p.m. performs American jazz standards that genuinely elevate the experience beyond pure nostalgia. The detail most visitors miss is the rooftop terrace, accessible by a narrow staircase near the bar, which seats only about 20 people and has no cover at all, making it the only truly outdoor table at Rick's Café. On humid August nights, though, the rooftop becomes uncomfortably sticky, and I usually retreat downstairs to the courtyard.

Where the Old Port Meets the Table at La Sqala

La Sqala sits inside the walls of an 18th century Portuguese bastion, a stone fortification overlooking the fishing port in the old medina, and eating here is about as close to dinning under open skies as architecture allows in central Casablanca. The patio restaurants Casablanca offers that carry this kind of historical weight are rare, and La Sqala manages it by keeping the garden terrace open almost year round, shaded by orange trees and bougainvillea. I recommend arriving at noon on a Saturday, not for the food alone but because the fisherman at the adjacent port unload their catch around that time, and you can watch the whole operation from your table over a plate of prawns grilled with garlic butter and fresh coriander. The bastion itself was built by Sultan Mohammed III to defend the city against European naval attacks, and those thick walls now absorb the afternoon heat and radiate it back gently through the early evening. Order the pastilla, a flaky phyllo pastry filled with shredded pigeon, cinnamon, and toasted almonds, dusted with powdered sugar, because La Sqala's version uses free-range pigeon sourced from suppliers in the Middle Atlas. A small complaint I carry with me here is the parking situation. The medina streets surrounding the bastion are narrow, and if you arrive by car after 11 a.m., you will likely circle for 15 to 20 minutes or end up in the paid lot near the Marche Central, a 6 minute walk away. The terraced garden at La Sqala represents a Casablanca that existed before the French colonial villas, before the skyscrapers of Anfa, a Casablanca of ramparts and bougainvillea and the smell of charcoal drifting from the port.

The Bourgogne Patio Experience

Restaurant Le Bourgogne, on Rue Mohamed El Qasmi in the Gauthier neighborhood, is where Casablanca's professional class goes to eat outside. Set inside a converted the French colonial villa with a shaded courtyard anchored by a mature fig tree, the terrace has a stillness that you do not expect in a city of over three million people. I have spent many Tuesday lunches here, the quieter midweek days when the office crowd has not yet descended and the waiters have time to explain the specials. The duck breast with fig compote is outstanding, served on a bed of butternut squash puree, and it pairs well with a glass of the 2019 Domaine de Sahari rouge, a Moroccan red from the Kénitra region that appears on Le Bourgogne's wine list as one of the more thoughtful domestic selections. Ask for a table beneath the fig tree, the one on the far left that gets dappled light rather than direct sun, because the open air cafes Casablanca scene can sometimes mean sitting under a beating Moroccan sun without any shade strategy. That fig tree was planted, according to the owner, in 1952 when the villa was first converted into a private home, and it has survived every renovation since. Le Bourgogne embodies the Gauthier neighborhood itself, elegant but understated, full of professionals who value good food over pretension. One area where the restaurant falls short is its vegetarian options, which are limited to a beyond-fennel salad and a vegetable tagine that can feel like an afterthought compared to the rich meat dishes.

Sekkam Café and the Art of Rooftop Openness

Tucked on Rue Mohamed Radi El Kahla in the Maarif neighborhood, Sekkam Café operates a rooftop terrace that is among the most eclectic outdoor spaces I have encountered in Casablanca. The tables are mismatched, the tiles are hand painted in bold geometric patterns, and the surrounding view encompasses the minaret of the Sultan Hassan Mosque, the glass facades of the Twin Center, and, on clear days, the broad Atlantic horizon. This is the kind of open-air cafes Casablanca feels increasingly rare, a space that was clearly designed by someone rather than prescribed by a decorator. The menu leans toward Moroccan staples with light Mediterranean influences, the zaalouk is something I always come back to, an eggplant and tomato dip served warm and spiced with paprika, eaten with torn pieces of msemen flatbread. Midweek mornings between 10 a.m. and noon are ideal for the roof because the light is golden but not blinding and the neighboring buildings have not yet begun their afternoon construction noise. Locals know that Sekkam's best kept secret is the shisha section at the back of the terrace, enclosed by a low wall and separated from the dining area, so that non smokers can still enjoy the breeze without inhaling. The tables on the rooftop are not all equal, the ones near the northern edge are sheltered by a short wall and get the best cross breeze, while the southern tables take the full brunt of the July and August sun and become nearly unusable after 1 p.m. Sekkam carries the spirit of the Casablanca art scene, independent, colorful, slightly improvised, and entirely beloved by the people who know it.

Le Cabestan and the Fresh-Facing Ocean Tables

Down on the corniche, closer to the lighthouse than most of the better-known spots, Le Cabestan occupies a prime oceanfront position with a terrace that faces west, making it the single best location for sunset dining in Casablanca. I have watched hundreds of sunsets from this patio, and even on evenings when the horizon is clouded, the gradient of turquoise to deep orange over the water is extraordinary. The restaurant serves French Mediterranean cuisine, and the bouillabaisse is the dish to order, a broth heavy with saffron and packed with at least five species of local fish, served with croutons rubbed with garlic. Arrive by 7 p.m. in summer or 6 p.m. in winter for the best western exposure on the terrace, and specifically ask for tables 14 through 18, which are the glass-topped tables at the very edge and give an unobstructed view right to the waterline. Le Cabestan opened in 2005, and during its first few years it was more of a nightclub destination than a restaurant, the open terrace only began serving full meals around 2010 when the dining crowd replaced the nightlife crowd. The detail that most tourists overlook is that the restaurant's entry is accessed through a narrow door next to a Johnny Hallyday statue, a plaque commemorating the French singer who loved the cabestan and performed in Casablanca. On weekends, the upstairs lounge DJ sets can bleed noise down to the terrace, transforming the otherwise relaxed patio into something closer to a beach club atmosphere, so I recommend sticking to weeknights for a more tranquil experience. Le Cabestan sits at the edge of a city that faces outward toward the Atlantic, as it has since the Phoenicians named it Anfa, and that outward-facing orientation is the mood of every meal you eat here.

Ferme Basque and the Countryside Illusion

Ferme Basque, located on the Route des Zenata just outside the city center in the direction of Mohammedia, is the restaurant where Casablancans escape the urban density to sit under a canopy of olive trees and eat Basque-inspired French cuisine. The farm style terrace extends across a wide gravel courtyard shaded by mature olive and lemon trees, and the air here smells genuinely different from anything in the downtown core, because the prevailing wind carries agricultural scents from the surrounding farmland. Order the Basque chicken, a slow-braised dish with peppers, tomatoes, and a generous amount of Espelette pepper, served alongside hand-cut fries that are fried in olive oil. Sunday lunch at Ferme Basque is an institution among local families, the tables are always full by noon, and children run around the gravel yard while parents share bottles of local rosé. Most people are unaware that the restaurant's owner, a Basque expat who arrived in Morocco in 1998, personally maintains an herb garden at the back of the property and sources thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves directly from it. The drive out from central Casablanca takes about 25 minutes along the N1, and there is ample parking in a packed dirt lot beside the entrance. The one downside is distance; if you are staying in the center and do not have a car, the taxi ride costs roughly 80 to 100 dirhams each way, which makes this more of a planned excursion than a casual dinner. Ferme Basque represents the agricultural hinterland that existed before Casablanca became a metropolis, a reminder that only 30 minutes from the business district, olive trees still outnumber office towers.

La Scène Dauphine at Hotel & Restaurant Le Doge

Le Doge, on Rue du Prince Moulay Abdellah near Boulevard Hassan II, offers a courtyard terrace that takes its design cues from Venetian piazzas rather than Moroccan riads, and the result is an Outdoor dining space unlike anything else else in the city. La Scène Dauphine is the café terrace that wraps around the ground floor of this Art Deco hotel, where wrought iron chairs sit on a stone potted floor beside potted palms and a central palm tree that rises through a glass atrium above. The building dates to 1935 and was designed by architect Marius Boyer during the French Protectorate era, and the interior courtyard was specifically engineered to create a cross-flow of air that keeps the terrace comfortable even on warmer days. I come here most often for the lunchtime three-course prix fixe, around 180 dirhams, which typically includes a soup, a choice of a grilled fish or a chicken brochette main, and a dessert of crème brûlée or a fruit tart. Tuesday and Wednesday are the least crowded days, and if you can snag a table along the eastern wall, the potted clusters of basil and mint planted in terra cotta pots bordering that wall release a fragrance that mingles with the coffee aroma from the Espresso machine. Before becoming a hotel interior court in 2010, this courtyard was home to a pâtisserie famous among locals for its strawberry tarts, and the restaurant still provides a version of that tart as a seasonal specialty in March and April. The alleyway entrance to the courtyard can be difficult to spot the first time, the doorway is narrow and tucked between a cellphone shop and a shoe store, but once inside, the whole thing opens up like a secret.

Open Air Cafes Casablanca: Coco le Pirate along the Beach

Coco le Pirate is not a full restaurant but a beachfront café shack on the sandy stretch beside Ain Diab's Phare d'El Hank, and its outdoor seating, basically a collection of low wooden tables and battered chairs set directly on the back end of the sand, delivers the most raw, no-frills Open Air cafes Casablanca has available. This is where you come after a swim, still damp, and order a fresh avocado juice and a plate of grilled kefta sandwiches while your feet are half buried in warm sand. The café operates only from April through late October, coinciding with the warm beach season, so timing your visit matters more here than at almost any other entry on this list. Weekday afternoons between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. are the sweet spot because families have not yet arrived in force and you can spread out. The kefta sandwich, spiced ground beef pressed between two halves of a sesame baguette with a smear of harissa mayo and a tangle of raw onion, is perhaps the best sandwich in Casablanca for under 30 dirhams. I once watched a customer at the next table negotiate a reduced price on an orange juice by arguing in Darija that the advertised price on the chalkboard was outdated, and the owner shrugged and gave him the discount, which tells you something about the casual and forgiving atmosphere here. There is almost zero shade at Coco le Pirate, a simple canvas awning covers about six tables, and if those are taken, you are exposed to the full force of the midday sun. The café embodies the democratic spirit of Casablanca's beach culture, where executives in rented chairs sit alongside teenagers on towels, all eating the same kefta sandwich and staring at the same Atlantic.

When to Go and What to Know

Casablanca's outdoor dining season stretches from roughly mid March through late November, with May, June, September, and October delivering the best combination of warm temperatures and manageable crowds. Summer months of July and August bring peak tourist traffic to the corniche and beachfront, and many restaurants raise their prices by 10 to 20 percent during that window. Evening dining is far more comfortable than midday from May through September, the city cools to around 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit after 7 p.m., and sea breezes pick up. Always carry cash, even in nicer restaurants, because smaller cafés and beach shacks, places like Coco le Pirate or the back corner tables at some medina spots, accept only dirhams and do not process cards. Tipping is not mandatory but rounding up by 10 to 15 dirhams per person is customary and deeply appreciated by waitstaff who often earn base wages below the minimum.

Frequently Asked Questions

How easy is it to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Casablanca?

Vegetarian and vegan options exist but require some effort. Most traditional Moroccan restaurants serve vegetable tagines, lentil soups, and couscous with roasted vegetables as standard menu items, though these are often cooked in shared pots with meat broths. Dedicated vegan restaurants number fewer than 10 across the entire city, with most concentrated in the Maarif and Gauthier neighborhoods. Travelers should specify "sans viande et sans bouillon de viande" (without meat and without meat broth) when ordering to ensure compliance.

Are there any specific dress codes or cultural etiquettes to keep in mind when visiting local spots in Casablanca?

Casablanca is Morocco's most cosmopolitan and relaxed city, with no enforced dress code at restaurants or cafés. At upscale terrace restaurants along the corniche or in Gauthier, smart casual attire is expected after 7 p.m., meaning collared shirts for men and equivalent formality for women. During Ramadan, eating or drinking in public during daylight hours should be done discreetly, though most hotel and tourist-facing establishments continue serving normally.

What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Casablanca is famous for?

Freshly squeezed orange juice, available at virtually every café and street stand for 4 to 8 dirhams, is the quintessential Casablanca drink, made from Moroccan Valencia oranges harvested between December and March. For food, the kefta sandwich, spiced ground beef or lamb grilled and stuffed into a baguette with harissa, onions, and herbs, is the city's signature quick meal and is best eaten at sidewalk grills beginning in the Ville Nouvelle near Rue de la Liberté.

Is Casablanca expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers?

A mid-tier daily budget for Casablanca runs approximately 600 to 900 dirhams. This breaks down to roughly 250 to 400 dirhams for a double room in a 3-star hotel, 150 to 250 dirhams for meals across two restaurants, 50 to 100 dirhams for local transport via tram or petit taxi, and 50 to 100 dirhams for incidentals like coffee, entrance fees, or tips. Staying at 5-star properties along the corniche or Gauthier can push accommodation costs above 800 dirhams per night.

Is the tap water in Casablanca safe to drink, or should travelers strictly rely on filtered water options?

Tap water in Casablanca is treated and technically safe by municipal standards, but the taste is heavily chlorinated and the mineral content can cause minor digestive discomfort for visitors unaccustomed to it. Bottled water is sold everywhere for approximately 5 to 8 dirhams per 1.5 liter bottle, and most restaurants and hotels serve filtered or bottled water by default. Travelers with sensitive stomachs should stick to bottled water consistently.