19 Best Restaurants in Rabat, Casablanca, and the North Atlantic Coast, Morocco

Loved by locals and visitors alike, Dar Naji is one of the city's most authentically Moroccan, medina-based restaurants and features interesting dishes more often found in Moroccan homes. Look for trid (soft layers of pastry layered with a meaty sauce) and medfouna (a rustic stuffed bread). Prices are reasonable, and the salads, tagines, and couscous dishes are top quality. 

In the stylish Hotel L'Iglesia, La Capitainerie has tables that spill out onto the esplanade as well as a lovely dining room that highlights local tradition by displaying numerous period objects. The menu revolves around seafood with a Moroccan edge; you can order à la carte or choose a fixed-price menu; both change daily. There's a decent wine list as well as a bar area for evening drinks.

Another offering in the buzzing district of Gauthier, Le Rossignol is billed as a French restaurant but has all sorts of interesting dishes thanks to a chef who has worked all over the world. You'll find Lebanese meze and chorizo mac 'n' cheese, excellent salads, fish dishes, and a very upscale burger, not to mention great breakfast options. 

A branch of the popular French café, bakery, and restaurant group, this Paul location is in the beautiful Modernist Villa Zevaco, with a fabulous garden. The milk shakes and desserts are decadent, and the rustic breads are beloved throughout the city; for something more substantial, the pastas, burgers, steaks, and fish are all good, too. 

Imported 100% Arabica specialty coffee beans and top-notch baristas make this Australian and Moroccan-owned spot a good place to settle in for a coffee and cake, alongside the all-day breakfast or any of the inventive salads, sandwiches, and pastas. The service is efficient and the vibe is laid-back.

This upscale Spanish tapas restaurant is a favorite among residents and always abuzz with diners and drinkers---which makes it a great place to meet true Casablancans. Products are local and fish is supplied daily, with typical options including calamari and patatas bravas; for those missing pork, there’s even real chorizo and jamón, all accompanied by a selection of wines and beers. 

If you need a break from tagines, Golden China is just the place. The red-and-gold decor, dark wood furniture, and softly played Asian music sets the tone, while the authentic menu offers a wide variety of poultry, seafood, meat, vegetarian, and noodle dishes. Alcohol is available. 

This unpretentious, family-friendly spot looks out over the beach and lagoon. Not surprisingly, the menu is seafood-oriented—lobster, of course, is the priciest item listed, but it's superb—and there are other options like omelets and salads, plus a small selection of desserts.

Every night is fiesta night at La Bodega, opposite the Central Market: come for tapas and a drink or stay for a full meal from the typically Spanish menu—think jambon serrano (thinly sliced, dry-cured ham) and paella. The restaurant has a fun atmosphere, with themed live music each evening and popular dance floor: Tuesday, for instance, is salsa time, and a pro will give tips if you feel like improving your moves. 

Rabat's original Italian restaurant serves pastas, pizzas, grilled meats, and other classic Italian fare. Expect an inexpensive and cheerful place with a central brick oven and a homey cucina vibe.

A Casablanca institution, this pretty, blue-and-yellow-theme open-air restaurant is set into the city ramparts overlooking the marina. It may serve the best Moroccan breakfast in town, and a pastry and mint tea make for a perfect break from sightseeing. They also serve splendid Moroccan salads and tagines for lunch and dinner. 

If you're looking for genuine local food, Le Petit Beur (aka Dar Tagine) has it all: couscous, brochettes, tagines, and harira (a chickpea-based soup with vegetables and meat) served in a friendly, casual setting. The pretty tiled walls and painted ceilings add a further level of authenticity.

This Japanese franchise has restaurants in various Moroccan cities and is known throughout the country for its high-quality food. The Rabat branch is large and airy, with a relaxed vibe, a nonsmoking section, and a sushi conveyor belt with combos available. The selection of fish is always fresh, and the staff are helpful. Alcohol is available.

A café, bakery, and French restaurant all rolled into one, Paul is a popular spot in the Agdal district for coffee and pastries. The bakery, a standout in its own right, makes some of the best bread in town. Lunch and dinner are also available.

This popular restaurant and café sits right next to the rocky beach at Temara, overlooking the sea. It's the perfect place for fresh fish, though meat-eaters are not forgotten. It's open for lunch and dinner and alcohol is served.

At Sunny Beach, the menu focuses on fresh fish (think paella and squid) that's cooked to order, with some salads and desserts thrown in for good measure. Kids will be eager to play in the sand, and there are some lounge chairs available for sunbathers and tired parents. It's a great place to put your feet up, sip local wine, and enjoy the waves.

One of the city's most established fish-and-seafood restaurants, the Dauphin is a convivial alternative to more expensive eateries offering a similar menu. The prices—coupled with its placement in the town center, near the port and on the edge of the old medina—make it a bustling spot, with some tables spilling out onto the pavement.

Conveniently positioned near one of the main shopping districts, Casablanca's original salad bar offers a breath of fresh air for travelers seeking a healthy lunch option. You can put your own together from fresh vegetables, proteins, and homemade dressings—vegetarians will have a field day. Other options include tasty quiches, soups, and tarts.