Rick's Cafe in Casablanca: Worth Visiting?

Rick's Cafe is a beautifully executed recreation of the bar from the movie Casablanca. Expect a stylish Art Deco-Moroccan interior, a piano player who cycles through 'As Time Goes By' every 20 minutes or so, and a mix of tourists, expats, and well-dressed locals. It's more of a themed restaurant and bar than a museum. The food is decent but not the best in Casablanca; the atmosphere and cocktails are the real draw. It gets loud and crowded at night when the pianist is in full swing and people are drinking.

Best time to visit is March to May or September to early November when the city isn't scorching. Go for an early dinner or late lunch to avoid the peak evening crush. Expect to pay around $45–70 per person for a full meal with wine or cocktails; just drinks and a few appetizers will run $25–40. The piano bar area is more relaxed if you don't want a full dinner.

Tip: Skip the overpriced 'Rick's Special' dishes and just order the classics like pastilla or grilled fish. Do book ahead in the evening, especially on weekends, or you'll be stuck waiting at the bar. It's touristy by nature, but if you accept that it's basically themed theater with good drinks, you'll have a fun couple of hours.