Café
Pâtisserie Bennis Habous
A family-run pastry shop in the Habous quarter, dating from the 1930s, known for trays of handmade gazelle horns, chebakia and almond briouates.
La Sqala
A Moorish café and Moroccan restaurant inside the 18th-century Sqala bastion on the edge of the old medina, with an Andalusian garden and views towards the Atlantic.
At a glance
- Type
- Moorish café and Moroccan restaurant
- Area
- Ancienne Médina, Casablanca, Morocco
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- Garden setting
- Ocean views
- Cultural events
Why we recommend it
La Sqala combines a meal or a pot of tea with one of the most atmospheric historic settings in Casablanca. It occupies the Sqala, the bastion built in 1769 by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah to defend the newly rebuilt port city, with a battery of cannons trained on the Atlantic. The fort stands on the edge of the old medina, across from the fishing port, and its thick, slightly sloping walls still give a sense of how exposed this coast once was.
Inside, the bastion has been renovated as a cultural space, with an Andalusian garden, fountains and an upper loggia screened with carved openwork. The Moorish café uses this setting, with tables among the greenery and views towards the ocean, and it also hosts cultural events. A restaurant serves traditional Moroccan cuisine, so you can stop for mint tea and something sweet or stay for a full meal. The bastion also houses a gallery and a visitor centre with a sea view.
A morning or midday visit fits naturally with a walk through the medina, and the garden setting makes even a simple tea feel special. The restaurant's focus on traditional Moroccan cooking makes it a good place to try classic dishes in a calm setting. Opening times and menus are not published by the regional tourism council, so it is worth calling in or checking locally before planning a specific meal around it.
La Sqala suits couples, families and anyone who wants a quiet break in historic surroundings. It is a good choice for first-time visitors who would like to sample Moroccan food somewhere memorable without the expense of a luxury hotel restaurant. If you are in a group, it is sensible to call ahead or arrive early.
The bastion is on the northern edge of the old medina, facing the port, a few minutes' walk from Rick's Café and a short taxi ride from the Hassan II Mosque. Before or after your meal, walk along the outside of the ramparts and into the medina through one of its gates. The fortifications, with their old cannon embrasures and watchtowers, are worth a few minutes on their own.
La Sqala FAQs
Where is La Sqala?
Inside the Sqala bastion on the edge of the old medina, facing the fishing port.
How old is the bastion?
It was built in 1769 by Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah to defend the port.
What is served?
A Moorish café serves drinks, and a restaurant serves traditional Moroccan cuisine.
Is there a garden?
Yes. The bastion has an Andalusian garden with fountains.
Are there cultural events?
Yes. The café hosts cultural events, and the bastion has a gallery.
Should groups book?
It is sensible for groups to call ahead or arrive early.
What is nearby?
Rick's Café, the old medina and the port, with the Hassan II Mosque a short taxi ride away.