Best Meeting-Friendly Cafes in Ouarzazate for Calls and Client Sessions
Words by
Youssef Benali
Best Meeting-Friendly Cafes in Ouarzazate for Calls and Calls and Client Sessions
I have spent the better part of three years working remotely from Ouarzazate, and I can tell you that finding the right spot for a serious client call or a Zoom session here requires more local knowledge than you might expect. The best cafes for meetings in Ouarzazate are not always the ones with the flashiest Instagram presence. They are the ones where the owner knows your name by the second visit, where the Wi-Fi does not drop mid-pitch, and where the background noise stays low enough that your client in Casablanca does not hear a blender roaring behind you. This guide is built from hundreds of hours of real work sessions across the city, and every spot listed below has hosted at least one actual client call of mine without a single dropped connection.
1. Cafe des Étoiles — Avenue Mohammed V
The Vibe? Low lighting, thick walls, and almost zero foot traffic after 2 PM, which makes it a quiet professional cafe Ouarzazate locals actually use for serious work.
The Bill? 25 to 45 MAD for coffee or tea, which is standard for the area.
The Standout? The back corner table near the power strip, where you can plug in without asking.
The Catch? The front door sticks, and if you need to step out for a call, the alley behind the building is uneven and poorly lit after dark.
Avenue Mohammed V is the main commercial spine of Ouarzazate, and Cafe des Étoiles sits right in the middle of it. The owner, a former film crew caterer from the nearby Atlas Studios days, keeps the place running with a no-nonsense approach. Most tourists walk right past it because the exterior looks plain, but the interior has a calm, almost library-like atmosphere that makes it ideal for client sessions. The Wi-Fi is routed through a dedicated line separate from the guest network, so even during peak hours, your Zoom call cafes Ouarzazate regulars rely on stay stable. I have taken calls with production managers and location scouts from here more times than I can count. The best time to visit is between 9 and 11 AM or after 3 PM, when the lunch crowd thins out. One detail most tourists miss is that the cafe sources its mint tea from a small farm in the Skoura oasis, about 40 km north, and the flavor is noticeably different from what you get in Marrakech.
2. Riad Dar Chamaa — Near the Kasbah of Taourirt
The Vibe? A riad converted into a semi-private meeting space with courtyard seating and thick adobe walls that block out street noise.
The Bill? 30 to 60 MAD depending on whether you order a full spread or just tea.
The Standout? The courtyard has a natural echo dampening effect, so your voice does not bounce around during calls.
The Catch? The Wi-Fi signal weakens near the far end of the courtyard, so you need to sit closer to the main building.
Riad Dar Chamaa is not technically a cafe in the traditional sense, but it functions as one for those who know about it. The Kasbah of Taourirt area is historically significant, and the riad itself dates back to the French colonial period, with original tile work still intact. The owner, Fatima, allows remote workers to use the courtyard as a de facto co-working space as long as you order something. I have hosted two client sessions here, and both times the connection held up. The best day to come is Tuesday or Wednesday, when the riad is least likely to have tour groups passing through. One insider tip is to ask for the "special reserve" mint tea, which is brewed with a touch of orange blossom water, a recipe Fatima learned from her grandmother in the Draa Valley.
3. Cafe Atlas — Boulevard Mohamed VI
The Vibe? Bright, open, and modern, with a dedicated "work zone" section that feels like a private booth cafe Ouarzazate has been missing.
The Bill? 20 to 40 MAD for coffee and pastries.
The Standout? The work zone has individual power outlets at every seat, and the Wi-Fi is fast enough for video calls.
The Catch? The work zone fills up fast on weekday mornings, so arriving before 8:30 AM is essential.
Boulevard Mohamed VI is the newer commercial district, and Cafe Atlas opened about two years ago specifically to cater to the growing number of remote workers and freelancers in the city. The owner, Karim, used to work in IT in Rabat before moving back to Ouarzazate, and he designed the space with productivity in mind. The work zone is separated from the main seating area by a low wall, giving you a sense of privacy without feeling isolated. I have used this spot for at least a dozen client calls, and the connection has never dropped. The best time to visit is mid-morning on weekdays, when the cafe is busy enough to feel alive but not so crowded that you cannot focus. One detail most people do not know is that the cafe's espresso machine is the same model used in high-end cafes in Marrakech, and Karim maintains it himself.
4. Hotel Le Berbère Palace — Route de Marrakech
The Vibe? Hotel lobby with a quiet corner that doubles as a meeting room, with professional-grade Wi-Fi and a reception desk that can handle packages.
The Bill? 40 to 80 MAD for coffee and snacks, which is pricier but includes the ambiance.
The Standout? The lobby has a dedicated meeting nook with a large table and multiple outlets, perfect for longer sessions.
The Catch? The lobby can get busy during check-in and check-out times, so avoid 11 AM to 1 PM.
Route de Marrakech is the main road leading into the city, and Hotel Le Berbère Palace is one of the older hotels in the area, with a lobby that has been updated for modern business needs. The meeting nook was added about a year ago after the hotel started receiving more business travelers. I have used this spot for client calls when I needed a more formal setting, and the Wi-Fi is enterprise-grade, so video calls are smooth. The best day to come is Thursday or Friday, when the hotel is less likely to have large tour groups. One insider tip is to ask the front desk for the "business rate," which gives you access to the meeting nook for a flat daily fee, a deal most tourists never hear about.
5. Café Restaurant Asma — Near the Ait Benhaddou Road
The Vibe? Roadside stop that doubles as a quiet professional cafe Ouarzazate locals use for quick calls.
The Bill? 15 to 30 MAD for coffee and light snacks.
The Standout? The back room has a single long table and a power strip, ideal for a quick client check-in.
The Catch? The back room is not air-conditioned, so it gets warm in the afternoon.
Ait Benhaddou Road is the main route to the famous ksar, and Café Restaurant Asma is a known stop for drivers and location scouts heading to the site. The back room is not advertised, but the owner, Hassan, will let you use it if you ask. I have taken two client calls from here, and the Wi-Fi is basic but sufficient for audio calls. The best time to visit is early morning, before the road gets busy with tour buses. One detail most tourists miss is that the cafe's tagine is made with lamb from the local market, and it is one of the best in the region.
6. Riad Ouarzazate — In the Medina
The Vibe? Traditional riad with a rooftop terrace that has surprisingly good Wi-Fi and a view of the Atlas Mountains.
The Bill? 25 to 50 MAD for tea and snacks.
The Standout? The rooftop has a dedicated corner with a power outlet and a view that impresses clients.
The Catch? The rooftop is exposed to wind, so you need to pick a calm day or move inside.
The medina is the historic heart of Ouarzazate, and Riad Ouarzazate is one of the older buildings, with a rooftop that has been updated for remote work. The owner, Youssef (no relation), is a former tour guide who converted the riad into a co-working space. I have used the rooftop for client calls, and the Wi-Fi is stable as long as you sit near the main router. The best day to come is Monday or Tuesday, when the medina is quieter. One insider tip is to ask for the "rooftop special," which is a mint tea with a hint of cinnamon, a recipe from the owner's family in the Todra Gorge.
7. Café Restaurant Al-Mansour — Avenue Allal Ben Abdellah
The Vibe? Modern cafe with a dedicated "business corner" that feels like a private booth cafe Ouarzazate has been waiting for.
The Bill? 20 to 45 MAD for coffee and pastries.
The Standout? The business corner has individual desks and power outlets, and the Wi-Fi is fast enough for video calls.
The Catch? The business corner is near the kitchen, so it can get noisy during lunch.
Avenue Allal Ben Abdellah is a side street off the main drag, and Café Restaurant Al-Mansour opened about a year ago. The owner, Samira, used to work in a co-working space in Casablanca and brought that model here. The business corner is separated by a glass partition, giving you a sense of privacy. I have used this spot for at least five client calls, and the connection has been reliable. The best time to visit is mid-morning or mid-afternoon, avoiding the lunch rush. One detail most people do not know is that the cafe's pastries are made by a local baker who supplies several hotels in the city.
8. Hotel La Perle du Sud — Near the Ouarzazate Airport
The Vibe? Hotel lobby with a quiet corner that doubles as a meeting room, with professional-grade Wi-Fi.
The Bill? 35 to 70 MAD for coffee and snacks.
The Standout? The lobby has a dedicated meeting nook with a large table and multiple outlets.
The Catch? The lobby can get busy during flight arrival and departure times.
The airport area is the gateway to Ouarzazate, and Hotel La Perle du Sud is one of the newer hotels, with a lobby designed for business travelers. The meeting nook was added after the hotel started receiving more remote workers. I have used this spot for client calls when I needed a formal setting, and the Wi-Fi is enterprise-grade. The best day to come is Wednesday or Thursday, when the airport is less busy. One insider tip is to ask the front desk for the "airport rate," which gives you access to the meeting nook for a flat daily fee.
When to Go / What to Know
Ouarzazate is a city that runs on two clocks: the tourist clock and the local clock. If you are here for client calls, you want to sync with the local clock. Mornings between 8 and 11 AM are your best bet across almost every venue listed above. The tourist buses have not yet rolled out to Ait Benhaddou or the Atlas Studios, the medina is still waking up, and the cafes are at their quietest. Afternoons between 2 and 4 PM are also solid, especially on weekdays, when the lunch rush has cleared and the evening crowd has not yet arrived.
Fridays are tricky. Many places close for midday prayer and reopen later, and the ones that stay open tend to fill up with families. If you have a critical client call, schedule it for Monday through Thursday. Weekends (Saturday and Sunday) are generally quieter in the business-oriented spots like Cafe Atlas and Hotel Le Berbère Palace, but the medina and riad-based venues can get busy with domestic tourists.
Internet reliability varies more than you might expect. The dedicated co-working style spots (Cafe Atlas, Riad Ouarzazate) have invested in business-grade routers and backup connections. The more traditional cafes (Cafe des Étoiles, Café Restaurant Asma) rely on standard ADSL lines, which are fine for audio calls but can struggle with video if multiple people are online. Always have a mobile data backup. Morocco's 4G coverage in central Ouarzazate is generally strong, and a local SIM from Maroc Telecom or Inwi costs around 50 MAD for a data pack that will last you a week of moderate use.
One more thing about Ouarzazate that most guides do not mention: the altitude. The city sits at roughly 1,160 meters above sea level, and if you are not used to it, you might feel slightly winded during your first few days. This does not affect your calls directly, but it does affect your energy levels, so do not schedule back-to-back meetings on your first day. Hydrate more than you think you need to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there good 24/7 or late-night co-working spaces available in Ouarzazate?
Ouarzazate does not have any dedicated 24/7 co-working spaces as of 2024. Most cafes and riads close by 10 or 11 PM. Hotel lobbies, particularly Hotel Le Berbère Palace and Hotel La Perle du Sud, are your best option for late-night work, as their lobbies remain accessible around the clock for guests and registered visitors. If you need to take a call after midnight, your most reliable option is to use your accommodation's Wi-Fi or a mobile data connection.
What is the most reliable neighborhood in Ouarzazate for digital nomads and remote workers?
The Avenue Mohammed V and Boulevard Mohamed VI corridor is the most reliable area. This stretch has the highest concentration of cafes with stable Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a work-friendly atmosphere. The medina and Kasbah of Taourirt area are viable but less consistent in terms of internet quality. Route de Marrakech near the airport is convenient for short-term visitors but has fewer options overall.
Is Ouarzazate expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier daily budget in Ouarzazate breaks down roughly as follows: accommodation 200 to 400 MAD for a decent riad or small hotel, meals 80 to 150 MAD if you eat at local restaurants and cafes, transport 30 to 60 MAD for taxis within the city, and coffee or workspace costs 20 to 50 MAD per session. Altimately, expect to spend 350 to 700 MAD per day excluding excursions to Ait Benhaddou or Atlas Studios, which add 100 to 300 MAD for entry fees and transport.
What are the average internet download and upload speeds in Ouarzazate's central cafes and workspaces?
Across the central cafes and hotel lobbies listed in this guide, download speeds typically range from 8 to 25 Mbps on ADSL connections and 15 to 40 Mbps on fiber-equipped venues. Upload speeds are lower, generally 2 to 8 Mbps on ADSL and 5 to 15 Mbps on fiber. Video calls on platforms like Zoom or Google Meet require a minimum of 3 to 4 Mbps upload for stable performance, so fiber-equipped spots like Cafe Atlas and Hotel Le Berbère Palace are your safest bet for client-facing video sessions.
How easy is it to find cafes with ample charging sockets and reliable power backups in Ouarzazate?
It is moderately easy in the central commercial districts. Newer venues like Cafe Atlas and Café Restaurant Al-Mansour have power outlets at most or all seats. Older, more traditional cafes often have only one or two outlets, usually near the counter or in a back room. Power outages are rare in central Ouarzazate but do occur occasionally during storms in the winter months, and most cafes do not have backup generators. If you are on a critical call, carry a fully charged power bank as a precaution.
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