Restaurant
Rick’s Café
A restaurant and piano bar opened in 2004 in a 1930 mansion against the medina walls, recreating the bar from the film Casablanca, with international and…
La Taverne du Dauphin
A seafood restaurant and bar near the port, serving Provençal-style fish and seafood platters since 1958 and still one of the city's busiest classic tables.
At a glance
- Type
- Seafood restaurant and bar
- Area
- Centre Ville, Casablanca, Morocco
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- Bar
- Reservations accepted
Why we recommend it
La Taverne du Dauphin is one of Casablanca's old-school institutions. It opened in 1958 to feed the French sailors who passed through the port, and more than six decades later it still serves fish and seafood in the same unpretentious, convivial style. Its location on Boulevard Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the avenue that runs from the port towards the city centre, has made it a natural meeting place for locals, office workers and visitors alike.
The cooking follows the Provençal tradition, with simply prepared fish and shellfish and generous platters of fruits de mer at the centre of the menu. This is the place to order fish and shellfish with a drink from the bar. Nothing here is fashionable or experimental, which is exactly why regulars come back, and the prices sit comfortably in the middle of the range, well below those of the smarter seafront restaurants of the Corniche.
The restaurant is often busy, and its reputation means that it fills up at lunchtime and on weekend evenings. Arrive early or reserve in advance, especially if you are a group. The bar is a pleasant place for an aperitif while you wait, and the busy room suits diners who enjoy a lively atmosphere more than those looking for a quiet, lingering meal.
La Taverne du Dauphin suits seafood lovers, budget-conscious travellers who want good fish without paying Corniche prices, and anyone curious about the French heritage of the city's restaurants. Solo diners are comfortable here, and families with children are welcome. It has no official website, so check opening times by phone before you set out, particularly on Sundays and public holidays.
The restaurant is a short walk from Casa Port station, the old medina and the port, and only a few minutes from Boulevard Mohammed V and the Central Market. It is a convenient lunch stop during a day exploring the medina and the Art Deco centre, or a relaxed dinner before an evening at Rick's Café or one of the bars of the city centre. Because it has been feeding the city for so long, it is also a good place to sense the French influence that still runs through Casablanca's food and drink.
La Taverne du Dauphin FAQs
When did La Taverne du Dauphin open?
In 1958.
What kind of food does it serve?
Provençal-style fish and seafood, including seafood platters.
Is there a bar?
Yes. It is a restaurant and bar.
Is it expensive?
It is mid-range, cheaper than the seafront restaurants of the Corniche.
Do you need to book?
It is often busy, so booking or arriving early is recommended.
Where is it?
At 115 Boulevard Félix Houphouët-Boigny, close to the port and the old medina.
Is it open on Sundays?
Check by phone, as Sunday opening is not confirmed on an official website.