Café Hafa — Restaurant in arrondissement de Tanger-Medina طنجة المدينة

Café Hafa was definitely the favorite Tangier cafe of the writer and composer Paul Bowles. The ocean views from the historic Café Hafa (opened in 1921), are memorable and unbeatable. Many other famous people including Mohamed Choukri and The Rolling Stones have enjoyed sitting at this unique ocean-front multi-level café in Tangier while enjoying a mint tea.

Café Hafa is located on the Marshan, within walking distance from the Medina and the Kasbah, but almost all petit taxi drivers know the place so do not hesitate to take a taxi, which is inexpensive and much easier than walking uphill on Avenue Hassan II.

The café is almost entirely outdoors, with dozens of mosaic ceramic tiled tables and plastic or rattan chairs placed on half a dozen multi-level terraced spaces, some covered, that are set directly on the cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar and Tarifa, Spain, the southernmost town in Continental Europe.

There is now a simple adjacent restaurant that serves tajines, sandwiches, limited fish and other simple food on its menu (but no alcohol), and here too are spectacular ocean views.

Young Moroccan students sit here every day, and the place is particularly crowded on most weekends, especially during the warm summer months. There is also a regular flow of foreign and Moroccan tourists who come for the views of the Strait of Gibraltar while typically enjoying a traditional Moroccan mint tea or some other drink.

There are various plants and flowering shrubs and some trees in this quiet and pleasant out-of-the-way setting away from the noisy Boulevard with the constant noises of honking horns and loud ambulances. There are also many resident cats wandering about. This café is a must-see place during your Tangier visit.

The Hafa, along with the Gran Café de Paris on the Place de France downtown, are undoubtedly the most famous and historic cafés in all Tangier.

On August 4, 2018, someone in the city of Tangier government bureaucracy decided that allegedly due to lack of authorization to expand or repair a terrace, this city worker could arbitrarily order patrons to immediately leave and then his thuggish underlings began to demolish a terrace and close this historic cafe after 97 years. This was a true outrage and an abuse of power according to many residents of Tangier.

Good news: As of August 8, 2018, the historic Café Hafa was reopened after a huge public outcry. The situation was resolved and Café Hafa will remain open for years to come and for...

Beware: don’t ever go there !!!

Like many others, I have been influenced by Instagram etc. over the last few years and visited this place. After not being impressed last year, I went back this year with my wife and young children, mainly because of the great sea view. And what can I say: it was even worse and the flaws were even more obvious. It starts with the fact that there are hardly any waiters employed and therefore you have to bring a lot of time with you. In addition, there is a completely confusing service concept, where during my visit I had to order breakfast, coffee and a large bottle of water at three different places because orders are not taken at the table. Speaking of breakfast: don't expect any delicacies. The options are limited to rghayif, harcha, bread, fried eggs and omelettes. You couldn't even order butter. But what really made me furious and forced me to flee the establishment was the unprofessionalism of the service staff. A waiter had made rude comments about the wife of a waiting customer. The customer had understandably confronted him about this and got into a loud and ultimately physical argument with him. During the argument, the waiter threw a full hot glass of tea at the customer. My children were hit by the splashing hot tea and my two-year-old son repeatedly pointed to a sore spot on his head. There were also broken pieces flying around. Luckily, I hadn't paid yet and decided to leave the cafe immediately to protect my family. In conclusion, it can be said that the hype created by social media has done more harm than good to the cafe. As a guest, you are completely disillusioned by the poor service and the lack of professionalism...

Café Hafa is a legendary café located in Tangier, Morocco, that has been serving locals and tourists alike since the 1920s. Its location on a hill overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar offers stunning views of the ocean and the city.

The café has a unique charm and character, with its old-fashioned furniture, colorful tiles, and traditional Moroccan décor. It is a popular spot for locals to gather and socialize, and it has also attracted many famous writers, artists, and musicians over the years.

The café offers a variety of drinks and snacks, including traditional Moroccan mint tea and coffee. The food is simple, but delicious, and the portions are generous. The menu also includes a selection of pastries and desserts, which are perfect for a quick bite or a sweet treat.

One of the main attractions of Café Hafa is its terrace, which offers panoramic views of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea. The terrace is a peaceful oasis away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and it's a great spot to relax and enjoy a drink while taking in the breathtaking scenery.

The staff at Café Hafa are friendly and welcoming, and they go out of their way to make sure their customers are comfortable and happy. They also take pride in their café's history and are happy to share stories and anecdotes with visitors.

Overall, Café Hafa is a must-visit spot in Tangier, Morocco. It's a perfect place to unwind, enjoy some delicious food and drinks, and take in the stunning views of the ocean...