Rick's Cafe Dinner in Casablanca: Worth It?

Rick's Cafe is a carefully recreated version of the film set, with Art Deco-Moroccan decor, a central courtyard, and a pianist who plays "As Time Goes By" multiple times each evening. Expect a lively but tourist-heavy atmosphere: smartly dressed international visitors, decent Moroccan-Mediterranean food, and a fair bit of nostalgia. The piano music and the overall look deliver on the movie fantasy, but the experience is more themed restaurant than authentic local dive. It's fun once, especially if you're a Casablanca film fan, but it can feel a bit staged if you're hoping for an intimate or genuinely Moroccan evening.

Best time is spring or fall when Casablanca weather is mild; summer evenings get hot even with the fans. Go for dinner around 8pm so you catch the live music in full swing without rushing. Expect to pay around 800-1400 MAD per person for a three-course meal with wine or a couple of cocktails; it's one of the more expensive spots in the city. Skip the pasta dishes, which are average. Do order the Moroccan starters or the grilled fish if they're on the menu that night; they play to the kitchen's strengths. Book ahead in high season or you'll end up waiting at the bar.