Café de France

Café de France is one of the classic cafés of central Casablanca, and its address could hardly be more central. It stands on United Nations Square, the hinge between the old medina and the modern city laid out under the protectorate. The square was designed in 1915 by Henri Prost and was originally called Place de France, which explains the café's name.

The atmosphere is that of a Parisian café, and the menu follows suit. Expect coffee in its various forms, teas, pastries and a selection of French dishes, which make it suitable for anything from a quick breakfast to a business lunch or a relaxed dinner. The regional tourism council presents it as one of the city's established cafés, and its position on the square makes it a natural place to linger while the city moves past outside.

It is particularly useful as a meeting point or a pause during a day in the centre. From your table you can watch the comings and goings around the square, with its rebuilt clock tower of 1994, and the dome and underground passage added by the architect Jean-François Zevaco in the 1970s. The central post office, built between 1918 and 1920 in a neo-Moorish style, is also part of the square's architectural ensemble.

Café de France suits solo travellers, couples and anyone who enjoys the ritual of sitting at a café and watching city life. It is a straightforward stop rather than a gourmet destination. A table with a view of the square is the best way to watch the passing crowds. Opening hours are not published by the regional tourism council, so it is worth checking by phone if you are planning an early breakfast or a late dinner.

The café is a few minutes' walk from the old medina, the Hyatt Regency side of the square and the start of Boulevard Mohammed V, so it fits naturally into a walking day. Begin with coffee here, walk into the medina or along the boulevard to admire the Art Deco facades, and return in the late afternoon for a mint tea before dinner at Rick's Café or a restaurant near the port.