Snack Amine

Snack Amine is the kind of place that shows how most people in Casablanca actually eat. It is a simple, budget-friendly snack restaurant on Rue Chaouia, the street formerly called Rue Colbert, in the busy commercial heart of the city. There is nothing fancy about the setting, but it is a reliable stop for a quick, filling and inexpensive meal between sights.

The menu is broad. Tagines are a favourite, and the kitchen also serves fish and seafood, grilled chicken, salads, pizzas, sandwiches and fries. As in many Moroccan snack restaurants, bread, olives and harissa arrive at the table alongside the food, which makes the meal even better value. Order a tagine to share and a plate of fish or chicken, and you will eat well for a fraction of the price of a sit-down restaurant on the Corniche.

The atmosphere is casual and busy, with a steady flow of local customers, office workers and shoppers, especially at lunchtime. Do not expect an elaborate dining room. It is a good opportunity to see everyday Casablanca at close quarters, and if language is a barrier, pointing at what others are eating usually works.

Snack Amine suits budget travellers, solo diners and anyone who wants an authentic, unpretentious meal without planning. Families will find enough choice for children, from chicken to fries. Opening hours are listed by a third-party guide as from late morning until late evening, but there is no official website, so it is worth checking before making a special trip. Bring cash in small notes, as is sensible for any small eatery in Morocco.

Rue Chaouia is in the city centre, within walking distance of the Central Market and Boulevard Mohammed V. That makes Snack Amine an easy lunch stop during the Art Deco walk along the boulevard or a morning at the market, and a practical option before heading on to the old medina or the port. Taxis are plentiful on the surrounding streets. Since prices are low, it is also a sensible place to try a dish you have not eaten before, such as a fish tagine, without committing to an expensive meal.