Rick's Café — Restaurant in undefined

Rick's Café Casablanca, in Casablanca, Morocco, is a restaurant, bar, and café that offers a unique experience. Kathy Kriger (1946–2018), a former American diplomat and commercial attaché in Morocco, developed the concept, which was launched on March 1, 2004. The venue's design recreates the iconic bar from the classic film Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Occupying a traditional Moroccan grand mansion, built in 1930, the restaurant features a central courtyard (riad) and is framed by two palm trees at the entrance. The strategic placement of the building allows for three distinct facades: a streetfront entrance with wooden doors inspired by the film; an Atlantic-oriented façade; and a narrow, dead-end access that previously served as the main entrance and is now utilized as a service entrance.

The architectural details of Rick's Café evoke the timeless charm of the film, with its curved arches, sculpted bar, balconies, and balustrades, all complemented by exquisite beaded and stencilled brass lighting that casts a soft, luminous glow on white walls. The café is proud to feature an authentic 1930s Pleyel piano, with As Time Goes By being a favourite request to the in-house pianist. Unfortunately we came for an early dinner so we could not have a change to enjoy the piano performance. Morocco's rich craft heritage is showcased through the café's impressive tile and wood work. Fireplaces, adorned with carved marble or painted tiles, add warmth and elegance, while the central stairway's risers boast intricate craftsmanship.

At Rick's Café in Morocco, the menu takes full advantage of the country's seafood bounty, offering a diverse selection of dishes, including fish crusted with black pepper, white wine, and thyme. The dinner options are equally impressive, featuring steaks, foie gras, goat cheese salad with fresh figs, and American Crab Louise. The dessert menu boasts Rick's Cheesecake and Brownies, as well as creative presentations showcasing local fresh fruit. Our group was seated in a private dining area, where we had a peaceful dinner. The menu selection was set in advance, and I was accommodated with goat cheese salad with figs, which were cooked to perfection, possessing a delicate balance of flavors; a vegetarian pasta as requested. Others were served with appetizer of meatballs in tomato sauce, poached salmon was expertly prepared, preserving the fish's essence without any strong odors. The decadent cheesecake dessert concluded the meal on a high note.

Interestingly, none of the movie scenes were filmed on location at Rick's Café or in Morocco. Rick's Café is recommended for fans of the movie and those who appreciate a vintage ambiance. The atmosphere is fantastic, accurately recreating the classic Casablanca vibe. The nostalgic setting, combined with delicious food and drinks, as well as live music, successfully immerses visitors in the iconic film's world. The dining experience was both memorable and enjoyable.

Despite initial concerns that Rick's Café might be a tourist trap, the food was exceptional, reasonably priced, and accompanied by...

Rick’s Café in Casablanca is a glaring example of a tourist trap that capitalizes on its association to the film. In celebrating a special occasion, I was looking forward to fun evening dining at such an establishment. However, my visit was nothing short of a disaster. From the moment we were seated, the service was not only slow but condescending, which set the tone for the entire evening and pairing this with mediocre food just ruined the evening.

Questions regarding the food and or cocktail recommendation was met with an abrupt rude short answer and disinterest in providing basic service or hospitality by our server.

As for the food, it was just as disappointing. The food tasted like something you could get at a cheap, uninspired diner. The dishes were affirmation of a tourist trap catering to internationals and tourists. It was a blend of various cultural cuisines on one menu that did not work well together. I guess the live piano is supposed to compensate for this?

Not feeling well, the real low point of the experience came when I made the simple request for hot water with lemon—something I assumed any restaurant could accommodate. The server’s response was nothing short of astonishing: "We do not have hot water in this restaurant," he said. I was taken aback. Given that the restaurant had hot tea on the menu, I knew this was a blatant lie. It was clear that the server was either too lazy to make the effort or simply taking out his frustrations on a customer. His demeanor was dismissive and unprofessional, which was disappointing to experience in a renowned establishment.

Despite seeing the server effortlessly serve hot tea to other guests moments later, I was still met with a flippant refusal when I insisted to pay for tea without tea (can’t have caffeine). It was obvious that this wasn't a matter of resources, but rather one of poor attitude and a lack of basic customer service training.

What truly sets Rick’s Café apart from any respectable restaurant, though, is its blatant disregard for the experience of its customers. It’s not just underwhelming—it's a classic example of a place that thrives on the fleeting interest of tourists who are lured in by its cinematic name, not its culinary or service merits.

Rick’s Café may be a spectacle for first-timers looking for a taste of Casablanca the movie, but for anyone expecting genuine Moroccan cuisine and hospitality, it’s best to look elsewhere. The food is mediocre at best, the service is borderline insulting, and the experience as a whole feels like you’re being taken advantage of. Save your time and money for one of Casablanca’s many authentic, welcoming restaurants that actually care about quality and service ESPECIALLY if you are celebrating...

I'm sure everyone visiting Rick's Café is already well aware of the beautiful interior design that closely resembles/imagines the movie. What might be overlooked is just how fantastic the food really is!! We had the prawn salad and burrata for starters + the Rick's special ribeye for two persons, and everything was remarkably delicious and flavorful. We were not expecting such great food for a restaurant that primarily targets tourists, and would certainly come back again just for the good food if we have the chance!

There is an extensive drink list including wine, beers and cocktails. We had two glasses of Moroccan red wine and it was the most generous serving of wine by glass we have ever had anywhere - filled almost to the very top of the glass so definitely no wine glass swirling here 😄

Even knowing that the restaurant is modeled after the movie, it was still super impressive to see in real life. If you are seated on the first floor, don't forget to also go upstairs to take a look at the recreated gambling salon and bar. A very fun experience especially if you're a fan of the movie. (and even if you're not, I'm convinced its anyway an amazing setting to enjoy excellent food and drinks in Casablanaca)

We were placed for the 9pm dinner seating which I initially thought late for dinner, but was very happy about the timing when we were actually there because it meant we were not at all rushed by the staff to finish before a next seating, and could slowly enjoy the delicious meal and wonderful evening at our own pace. We stayed over 2.5 hours including time for a leisurely coffee and second drink after the meal. The pianist and 3-piece band provided wonderful ambience and entertainment throughout.

Expect a queue at the door even if you have made reservations, but it is cleared very efficiently at your appointed time. They won't let you in ahead of your reservation time so don't make the mistake we did of heading there early thinking it would be possible to start with a drink at the bar before dinner (isn't possible). Just get there at your appointed time slot.

Numerous taxis are waiting right at the door of Rick's Cafe when it's time to leave, but make sure to negotiate extra hard as prices quoted will be 3 or 4 times higher than the real price (or just walk away if the prices still feel like a rip-off as there are much more taxis waiting just on...