Amande et Miel

Amande et Miel, which means almond and honey, takes its name from two of the defining ingredients of Moroccan pastry. It is an elegant café in central Casablanca specialising in sweets built around those flavours, and it makes a refined, comfortable alternative to the traditional pastry counters of the Habous for anyone who would rather sit down and enjoy their treats on the spot.

The menu concentrates on artisanal pastries: soft cakes, crunchy biscuits and other almond and honey creations, served with a selection of teas and coffees and other comforting drinks. It is a natural stop for an afternoon tea break, and the combination of a pot of tea with a plate of almond pastries is about as Moroccan as a café snack can be. The setting is calm and welcoming, which suits conversation rather than a hurried coffee.

The café is open daily from 08:00 to 21:00, according to the regional tourism council, so you can drop in for breakfast, a mid-afternoon pause or after dinner for something sweet. During Ramadan, cafés in Morocco often change their daytime hours, so check ahead if you are visiting then. If you want to take pastries away as a gift, ask about boxed selections, and remember that almond pastries keep better than cream-filled cakes in warm weather.

Amande et Miel suits couples, families, small groups of friends and anyone with a sweet tooth. It also works well for travellers who want to try Moroccan flavours in a relaxed setting without venturing into a busy souk. Children usually enjoy the choice of cakes and biscuits, and the café is a pleasant place to recover after a morning of sightseeing. If you have tried the traditional pastries of Pâtisserie Bennis in the Habous, a visit here makes an interesting comparison between an old family bakery and a contemporary café.

The café is on Rue d'Ifrane in the city centre, a short taxi ride from Mohammed V Square, Parc de la Ligue Arabe and the Sacré-Cœur. Combine it with a visit to the Abderrahman Slaoui Museum, or use it as a sweet finale to a walk along the Art Deco streets of the centre.