RICK’S CAFE IN CASABLANCA: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
– Casablanca (1942)
Rick’s Café in Casablanca is one of those places that lives more in our imagination than in reality. Thanks to the enduring legacy of the movie Casablanca, it has become a pilgrimage site for film lovers, romantics, and travellers looking to step into one of cinema’s most iconic settings.
But here’s the twist: the original movie wasn’t even filmed in Morocco. Casablanca was shot entirely in Hollywood, on a Warner Bros. set. The “real” Rick’s Café didn’t exist at all.
So the Rick’s Café you can visit today is a loving recreation, opened in 2004 by former US diplomat Kathy Kriger, who wanted to bring the spirit of the film to life in the city that inspired it.
Which begs the question: is Rick’s Café just a tourist gimmick… or actually worth visiting?
As fans of the movie (and on the lookout for somewhere in Casablanca that we could drink martinis), we decided to visit. In this blog post, you’ll find our honest review as well as information to help you visit.
How much does it cost to dine at Rick’s Café in Casablanca?
Comparative to prices in Morocco generally, Rick’s Café is a little pricey. But compared to upmarket restaurants in Casablanca and Marrakech, it is actually quite reasonable.
Starters range from 140 MAD to 190 MAD (€14–19 approximately), whilst main courses range from 190 MAD to 290 MAD (€19–29), with a few specials costing more.
Alcohol is served at Rick’s Café (it wouldn’t be a gin joint without it). Cocktails start at 100 MAD (€10), whilst wine ranges from 450 MAD to 800 MAD for a bottle (€45–80).
Our bill came to 890 MAD (around €90) – this was for two main courses, a bottle of sparkling water and four cocktails (guess how we like to spend our money!).
Comparative to prices in Morocco generally, Rick’s Café is a little pricey. But compared to upmarket restaurants in Casablanca and Marrakech, it is actually quite reasonable.
Is visiting Rick’s Café worth it?
In short: yes, we think it is worth visiting, but for the experience, not necessarily the food.
We loved sipping martinis and pretending we were at the “real thing”, half-expecting Humphrey Bogart to appear from behind the bar. More expensive than local Moroccan restaurants, Rick’s is a fun and atmospheric alternative to the usual dining spots in Casablanca.
That said, expect it to feel more like a novelty and homage than the best restaurant you’ve ever been to. The food is solid, the cocktails are excellent, but the real magic is in the setting.
If we’d heard As Time Goes By, we probably would have melted on the spot. The lack of piano music disappointed us on the night we visited. But we did love the banging vodka martinis, the bar area, and the general sense of playing dress-up in cinematic history for the evening.
Does it feel like the “real Rick’s”?
First and foremost, it’s worth pointing out again: there is no “real Rick’s Café”, in the sense that the movie was not filmed in a real venue. But it’s still worth asking whether the present-day Rick’s captures the essence of the film. And it does.
Of course, the film is in black and white, so it can never truly feel the same. But there are plenty of nods to the era: jaunty table lamps, palm tree motifs on the bar, arched doorways, tiled floors, and low, moody lighting.
The space feels exactly how you might imagine Rick’s – intimate, elegant, and slightly theatrical.
But what truly makes Rick’s in the movie is the piano.
There’s a beautiful central music area, and we were lucky enough to get a table close to the front. We yearned to hear As Time Goes By:
“Play it again Sam.”
Unfortunately, the night we visited there was a Moroccan band performing. They were great, but piano music from the 1940s would have been the cherry on the cake.
Dress code for Rick’s Café in Casablanca
Rick’s café in Casablanca has a dress code policy, which is set out on their website. It states that:
…we invite our esteemed guests to dress in smart casual attire, complementing the atmosphere of chic elegance that permeates our establishment.
– Rick’s Café website
It’s a little vague, but we took it to mean: make an effort.
Sportswear or beachwear would definitely feel out of place, but you don’t a suit or a cocktail dress either.
We were backpacking around Morocco, so didn’t have many smart options. I wore a maxi dress with sandals, a shawl and a leather jacket. John went for jeans, a t-shirt, smart jacket and trainers.
For the 18:30 sitting, plenty of diners were still in sightseeing outfits. I imagine the 21:00 crowd leans a bit dressier.
Do you need a reservation for Rick’s Café?
Yes, I’d absolutely recommend making a reservation.
I’d strongly advise booking a table if you want to eat lunch or dinner. It’s hugely popular and often fully booked.
- Lunch: 12:00–15:00
- Dinner: 18:30 or 21:00
There’s also a small bar (around 10 seats), which works on a first come, first served basis. Even in January, the bar was full most of the evening.
You can book online via the restaurant website.
Getting to/from Rick’s café
If you’re coming from the cruise port, Rick’s Café is an easy walk – perfect for lunch.
Otherwise, taxis are cheap and easy. We used the app InDrive, recommended by our hotel. It sets the fare upfront and you pay in cash.
Our taxi cost around 20 MAD (€2) for a 10-minute ride. On the way back, we walked a few minutes before calling another cab to slightly lower the fare.
Our experience dining at Rick’s Café: an honest review
You won’t find traditional Moroccan food here – and honestly, after days of tagines and couscous, we were thrilled.
Starters included oysters, prawn salads and burrata. Mains ranged from fish and pasta to lamb and steak. Desserts were classic and retro: lava cake, coconut parfait, crème brûlée.
The menu felt slightly “1970s hotel restaurant”, which weirdly fit the nostalgic vibe. I was tempted by the beef stroganoff, while John went for the linguine.
The food was good, but not memorable. You’re paying for the atmosphere.
Service and Vibe
You’re welcomed at reception, escorted through arched doorways, and seated around a central courtyard in a traditional riad-style building. Waiters wear fez hats and waistcoats, and even the crockery says Rick’s Café.
The lighting is low, the music soft, the cocktails strong.
I’m not sure if it was the ambience or the martinis, but we were soon completely relaxed, leaning into the fantasy.
The verdict
Once we stepped back out onto the street, martinis still very much in our system, we found ourselves asking the obvious question: was Rick’s Café actually worth it?
In all honesty, not for the food alone (although we didn’t plump for the fancier dishes, so maybe they are amazing). The meal was good, but it wasn’t exceptional, and certainly not the best we ate in Morocco. We’d had far more memorable dishes in much more unassuming restaurants, for a fraction of the price.
But perhaps that’s not a fair comparison – Rick’s isn’t trying to compete with neighbourhood eateries or local institutions. It’s doing something else entirely.
That’s not to say Rick’s is disappointing. Far from it. It’s a polished, well-run restaurant, with attentive service, excellent cocktails, and a setting that has clearly been designed with care. The atmosphere is the real selling point: dim lighting, live music, theatrical décor, and a room full of people who are all, to some extent, there for the same reasons.
We wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s a must-do in Casablanca for everyone, and we probably wouldn’t rush back on a second visit to the city. But we’re still glad we went. Rick’s Café delivers exactly what it promises and it was overall a charming experience and a romantic night out.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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