Best Vegetarian and Vegan Places in Casablanca Worth Visiting
Words by
Youssef Benali
If you are searching for the best vegetarian and vegan places in Casablanca, you will find that this port city on the Atlantic has quietly built a remarkable plant-forward dining culture. Casablanca's food scene has changed significantly over the past decade, and after spending years exploring every corner of Anfa, the Maarif district, and the old medina, I can tell you that meat free eating in Casanca is no longer a compromise. It is a genuine pleasure. Whether you are a lifelong vegan or someone curious about plant based food in Casablanca, the city now offers options that would impress even the most dedicated food travelers.
What surprised me most on my last round of visits a few weeks ago was how many of these spots are owned by young Moroccan entrepreneurs who grew up eating the same tagines and couscous as everyone else, then decided to reimagine those traditions without meat. They are not following a Western trend so much as returning to something deeply Moroccan. Vegetables, legumes, and grains have always been the backbone of the home kitchen here.
1. Vegan Restaurants Casablanca: Le Potager du Maroc
Le Potager du Maroc sits on Boulevard Al Massira Al Khadra in the heart of the Maarif neighborhood, and it was the first place I visited last Tuesday. The space feels like walking into someone's grandmother's garden, with terracotta pots lining the entrance and herb planters running along the windowsill inside. The owner, a woman named Fatima, told me she opened the place after returning from studying nutrition in Lyon, determined to prove that Moroccan cuisine could be entirely plant-based without losing its soul. I ordered the vegetable tagine with preserved lemon and olives, and it arrived in a traditional clay pot with steam still rising from the lid. The chickpeas were tender, the carrots had absorbed every drop of the saffron broth, and the bread on the side was baked that morning at a bakery two streets over.
The best time to go is between 12:30 and 1:30 PM on a weekday, before the after-work crowd fills every table. On weekends, the wait can stretch past 30 minutes, and the kitchen gets visibly stressed. I noticed the lentil soup, which is outstanding on a quiet Tuesday, tasted slightly rushed and under-seasoned on a packed Saturday afternoon. That inconsistency is worth knowing about before you plan a special visit.
Local Insider Tip: "Ask for the 'plat du jour' even if it is not on the printed menu. Fatima often prepares a small batch of a seasonal dish using whatever arrived fresh from the market that morning, and she only offers it verbally to guests who ask."
Le Potager du Maroc connects to Casablanca's broader story of reinvention. Maarif has long been the city's most cosmopolitan quarter, home to art deco facades and French colonial architecture, and this restaurant feels like a natural extension of that spirit of blending old and new.
2. Plant Based Food Casablanca: Healthy Bowl on Rue Taha Hussein
Healthy Bowl is a small, bright spot on Rue Taha Hussein, just a short walk from the Arab League Park. I stopped by on a Wednesday morning and found it nearly empty, which turned out to be perfect for chatting with the staff. The concept is simple: build-your-own grain bowls with a base of quinoa, brown rice, or mixed greens, then layer on roasted vegetables, hummus, tahini, and a rotating selection of house-made sauces. I went with the quinoa base, roasted sweet potato, pickled turnip, and their green harissa, which had a slow-building heat that lingered pleasantly. The portions are generous enough that I was not hungry again until well past 5 PM.
This is the kind of place that does its best business during the lunch rush between noon and 2 PM, when office workers from the nearby business district flood in. If you want a calm experience, aim for mid-morning or mid-afternoon. The interior is small, maybe eight tables, and the ventilation struggles a little when the kitchen is running at full capacity, so the space can feel warm and stuffy during peak hours.
Local Insider Tip: "They keep a jar of their house-made date syrup behind the counter. Ask for a drizzle on your bowl instead of the standard tahini. It is not advertised, but the staff will know exactly what you mean."
Healthy Bowl represents a newer wave of Casablanca dining, one that caters to health-conscious young professionals who want something fast, affordable, and meat-free without the formality of a sit-down restaurant.
3. Meat Free Eating Casablanca: The Vegetarian Tagine at Restaurant Al-Mounia
Restaurant Al-Mounia on Rue Allal Ben Abdellah in the old medina is not a vegan restaurant by any stretch. It is one of the oldest and most respected traditional Moroccan restaurants in the city, operating since 1936. But I am including it here because its vegetable tagine is one of the finest examples of plant based food in Casablanca, and no guide to meat free eating in Casablanca would be complete without it. The dining room is tiled in classic zellige, with carved cedar ceilings and brass lanterns casting warm light across the tables. I went on a Thursday evening and ordered the vegetable tagine alongside a plate of harira, the thick lentil and tomato soup that is a staple of Moroccan home cooking. The tagine was layered with zucchini, potatoes, green peas, and tomatoes, slow-cooked until everything melded into something far greater than the sum of its parts.
The best time to visit Al-Mounia is for dinner, ideally between 7:30 and 9:00 PM, when the atmosphere is at its most atmospheric. Lunch service exists but feels more transactional, with tour groups cycling through. One thing most tourists do not know is that the restaurant has a small upstairs room that is quieter and more intimate than the main floor. If you ask your server politely, they will often seat you there, especially on slower nights.
Local Insider Tip: "Do not skip the mint tea after your meal. It is prepared with fresh spearmint and a generous amount of sugar, and it is served in the traditional way, poured from a height. It costs almost nothing and rounds out the experience perfectly."
Al-Mounia is a living piece of Casablanca's history. The medina where it sits has been the city's commercial heart for centuries, and eating here connects you to a tradition of hospitality that predates the modern city by generations.
4. Vegan Restaurants Casablanca: Bistro Art et Vins in Anfa
Bistro Art et Vins is tucked into a quiet street in the Anfa neighborhood, one of Casablanca's most affluent residential areas. I visited on a Saturday afternoon and was struck by how the place manages to feel both relaxed and refined at the same time. The interior is decorated with rotating artwork from local Moroccan artists, and the menu changes seasonally, but there are always several clearly marked vegan options. I had a roasted beet and walnut salad with a citrus vinaigrette, followed by a mushroom risotto that was creamy without any dairy, made instead with a cashew-based cream that the chef prepares in-house. The flavors were clean and precise, and the presentation was careful without being fussy.
Anfa is the kind of neighborhood where people take their time over meals, and Bistro Art et Vins fits that rhythm. Late afternoon, around 4:00 to 6:00 PM, is a lovely window to visit. The light comes through the front windows at a golden angle, and the pace is unhurried. The wine list is also worth exploring if you drink, with a strong selection of Moroccan wines from the Meknes and Casablanca regions.
Local Insider Tip: "The chef sometimes prepares a vegan dessert that is not listed on the menu, usually a chocolate mousse made with avocado and cacao. Ask your server if there is a 'dessert surprise' available. It happens maybe two or three times a week."
Bistro Art et Vins reflects the character of Anfa itself, a neighborhood that has long been home to diplomats, artists, and the city's creative class. It is a place where Casablanca's international side meets its Moroccan roots.
5. Plant Based Food Casablanca: The Market Stalls at Marché Central
Marché Central, located near the port area along Boulevard Mohamed VI, is not a restaurant but it deserves a place on any list of the best vegetarian and vegan places in Casablanca. This covered market is where Casablanca's home cooks, restaurant chefs, and street vendors come to buy their produce, spices, and prepared foods. I spent a full morning there last week, wandering between stalls piled high with artichokes, fava beans, figs, and herbs I could not identify. Several vendors sell ready-to-eat items that are entirely plant-based: stuffed eggplant, lentil-stuffed bread, spiced carrot salad, and bowls of chickpea stew. I ate a plate of the chickpea stew from a vendor near the east entrance, seasoned with cumin, paprika, and a splash of olive oil, and it was one of the most satisfying meals I had all week.
The market is busiest and best between 8:00 and 11:00 AM, when the produce is freshest and the energy is at its peak. By early afternoon, many vendors start packing up. One detail most tourists miss is that the market has a small section in the back, past the fish stalls, where older women sell homemade preserved lemons, harissa, and spice blends. These make excellent souvenirs and are far cheaper than anything you will find in the tourist shops near the Hassan II Mosque.
Local Insider Tip: "Bring small bills and coins. Many vendors, especially the older ones, do not accept cards or large denominations. And do not be afraid to ask for a taste before buying. It is expected and welcomed."
Marché Central is the beating heart of Casablanca's food culture. The city's identity as Morocco's economic capital was built on trade, and this market is a direct continuation of that legacy.
6. Vegan Restaurants Casablanca: Vegan'zza on Boulevard Ghandi
Vegan'zza is a small pizzeria on Boulevard Ghandi in the Racine neighborhood, and it is exactly what it sounds like: a fully vegan pizza shop. I went on a Friday evening, which turned out to be a mistake in terms of timing because the place was packed and the wait for a table was close to 40 minutes. The pizza itself, though, was worth the delay. I ordered the 'Marrakech' topped with roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, olives, and a cashew-based mozzarella that melted surprisingly well. The crust was thin and slightly charred, with a good chew. They also serve a vegan tiramisu that I tried on a second visit, and while it is not going to fool anyone into thinking it is the real thing, it is a pleasant enough dessert with a strong coffee flavor.
The best time to visit Vegan'zza is on a weekday evening, ideally arriving right at 7:00 PM before the dinner rush. The space is small, maybe ten tables, and it fills up fast. One thing to know is that the outdoor seating on the sidewalk, while appealing on paper, sits directly next to a busy stretch of Boulevard Ghandi, so the noise from traffic can make conversation difficult.
Local Insider Tip: "They offer a 'pizza du jour' special that is only announced on their Instagram story each morning. It is usually something creative and seasonal, like a butternut squash and sage pizza in autumn, and it is often the best thing on the menu that day."
Vegan'zza speaks to a younger, more globally connected Casablanca, one where dietary choices that would have been unusual a generation ago are now part of the mainstream conversation.
7. Meat Free Eating Casablanca: Café Équilibre in the Gauthier District
Café Équilibre is a health-focused café on a side street in the Gauthier district, one of Casablanca's most walkable and livable neighborhoods. I stopped by on a Monday morning and found a bright, airy space with white walls, wooden tables, and a chalkboard menu listing smoothies, salads, grain bowls, and a few hot dishes. I ordered the 'Buddha Bowl,' which came with brown rice, roasted chickpeas, avocado, shredded cabbage, and a peanut sauce that was rich and slightly sweet. I also tried their turmeric-ginger smoothie, which was thick, warming, and not overly sweet. The café has a calm, almost meditative quality that makes it a good place to sit with a book or laptop for an hour or two.
Mornings between 9:00 and 11:00 AM are the sweet spot here. The breakfast crowd has thinned out, the lunch rush has not yet started, and the staff has time to chat. Gauthier is a neighborhood of wide boulevards, tree-lined sidewalks, and art deco apartment buildings, and Café Équilibre fits right into that polished, residential feel. The Wi-Fi is reliable, which is not always a given in Casablanca cafés, and there are power outlets along the back wall.
Local Insider Tip: "If you are there after 3:00 PM, ask if they have any leftover pastries from the morning. They sometimes sell them at a discount rather than throwing them out, and the almond croissant, when available, is excellent."
Café Équilibre represents the quieter, more everyday side of meat free eating in Casablanca. It is not trying to make a statement. It is just a good neighborhood café that happens to be entirely plant-based.
8. Plant Based Food Casablanca: The Vegetable Couscous at Dar El Koussa
Dar El Koussa is a small, family-run restaurant on a narrow street in the Derb Sultan neighborhood, one of the oldest and most densely populated parts of Casablanca. I had heard about it from a friend who lives nearby and decided to visit on a Friday, which is significant because Friday is the traditional day for couscous in Moroccan households. The restaurant was full of families, and the atmosphere was warm and loud and exactly what you would hope for. I ordered the vegetable couscous, which arrived in a massive mound of hand-rolled semolina topped with a fragrant broth, turnips, carrots, zucchini, chickpeas, and a single onion that had been slow-cooked until it was almost caramelized. The portion was enormous, and I left feeling like I had eaten enough for two meals.
Derb Sultan is not a neighborhood that appears on most tourist maps, and that is part of what makes Dar El Koussa special. This is Casablanca as it is actually lived, not as it is presented to visitors. The best time to go is Friday lunch, when the couscous is at its freshest and the communal atmosphere is at its peak. One thing to be aware of is that the restaurant does not take reservations, and on Fridays the wait can be long. Arriving right at noon, before the main rush, is your best bet.
Local Insider Tip: "Ask for a small bowl of the broth on the side. The cook seasons it differently from what is on the couscous itself, with more ginger and a touch of saffron, and it is the kind of detail that regulars know about but first-time visitors almost never discover."
Dar El Koussa connects to the deep roots of Moroccan home cooking. Derb Sultan has been a working-class neighborhood for over a century, and the food here is not performative. It is the real thing, made the way it has been made for generations.
When to Go and What to Know
Casablanca's plant-based dining scene is active year-round, but the best months for eating out are March through May and September through November, when the weather is mild enough to enjoy outdoor seating without sweating or shivering. Summer, particularly July and August, can be uncomfortably hot, and many smaller cafés and restaurants do not have strong air conditioning. Ramadan is another factor to keep in mind. During the holy month, many restaurants either close during daylight hours or operate on reduced schedules. Some vegan-friendly spots stay open but with limited menus, so it is worth calling ahead.
Tipping is customary in Casablanca. Leaving 10 to 15 percent at sit-down restaurants is standard, and even at casual spots, rounding up the bill is appreciated. Most places accept cash in Moroccan dirhams, and while card acceptance is growing, smaller establishments in neighborhoods like Derb Sultan and the old medina may still be cash-only.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 to drink in most central areas, but the taste and mineral content can vary by neighborhood. Most locals and long-term residents prefer filtered or bottled water, which is inexpensive and widely available at any corner shop for around 3 to 5 dirhams per liter. If you have a sensitive stomach, sticking with bottled water is the practical choice.
Is Casablanca expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier daily budget in Casablanca runs roughly 600 to 900 dirhams per person, covering a mid-range hotel (400 to 600 dirhams per night), two meals at casual to mid-range restaurants (150 to 250 dirhams), local transportation by taxi or tram (30 to 50 dirhams), and a coffee or snack (20 to 40 dirhams). Fine dining and upscale hotels can push that figure well above 1,500 dirhams per day.
How easy is it is to find pure vegetarian, vegan, or plant-based dining options in Casablanca?
Finding dedicated vegan restaurants in Casablanca is straightforward in neighborhoods like Maarif, Gauthier, Anfa, and Racine, where at least a dozen fully or mostly plant-based establishments operate. In the old medina and working-class neighborhoods, dedicated vegan spots are rare, but vegetable tagines, lentil soups, couscous with vegetables, and bean-based dishes are widely available at traditional restaurants and street stalls.
What is the one must-try local specialty food or drink that Casablanca is famous for?
Moroccan mint tea is the essential Casablanca drink, served everywhere from roadside stalls to upscale restaurants. It is made with fresh spearmint, green tea, and a generous amount of sugar, poured from a height to create a thin layer of foam. For food, the vegetable couscous served on Fridays is the most iconic local specialty, and trying it at a family-run restaurant in a neighborhood like Derb Sultan is the most authentic way to experience it.
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 city, and dress codes are relatively relaxed compared to more conservative areas. At upscale restaurants in Anfa or Maarif, smart casual attire is appropriate. In the old medina and working-class neighborhoods, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees is respectful and will help you blend in. When eating couscous in a traditional setting, using your right hand to eat from the communal plate is the customary practice, though spoons are always available if you prefer.
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