TRAVEL
EMBRACING SLOW LIFE in Casablanca...
by Sabah el Fizazi
September 19th, 2024
When I FIRST mentioned Casablanca to friends AND fellow travelers, their responses were OFTEN less than enthusiastic. I heard comments like, “It’s too BUSY,” “The people ARE rude,” and even, “It has NOTHING special about it.” Yet, I decided to dive into the HEART of this white metropolis and DISCOVER it for myself. One of my DEAREST friends lives in Casablanca and is totally OBSESSED with her city, which, of course, made me even more CURIOUS. Here are EIGHT of my FAVORITE places and areas in CASABLANCA that made me fall in LOVE with the city.
Cafetaria Roussi: A Coffee Haven in the Old Medina
Nestled between TWO MOSQUES in the heart of the OLD MEDINA, I stumbled upon a hidden gem — Cafetaria Roussi. Run by a curly-haired man named Roussi, this PETITE coffee place felt like a slice of Mexico OR Cuba, thanks to the GRAFFITI decorating the area. The charm of this spot lies not just ONLY in its coffee but in the WARMTH of its people.
ROUSSI noticed we were lost in the medina LABYRINTH and kindly asked his FRIEND Hecham to guide us to our dinner spot. Hecham carried Roussi’s son, little Sultan, in his ARMS the whole way through the old medina. This beautiful display of COMMUNITY spirit defines this place. Cafetaria Roussi is a spot that even locals — like my friend who was born in the old medina — don’t know about, making it MY special discovery. Sometimes, getting lost makes you find something truly unique.
Le Pain Quotidien: Breakfast for Early Birds
One early MORNING, craving an INTERNATIONAL breakfast, a friend recommended Le Pain Quotidien. Located in the PICTURESQUE quartier Beauséjour, the cafe opens its doors EARLY — perfect for an early bird like ME. Surrounded by white BUILDINGS draped in bougainvillea, I enjoyed an açai BOWL and ginger tea. The serene morning atmosphere amongst the locals made it an IDEAL start to my day.
Quartier Habous: Shopping Time
After my DELICIOUS breakfast, I made a deal with my morning CAB DRIVER to pick me up and take me to Quartier Habous. The Habous area is a charming blend of TRADITIONAL Moroccan architecture and FRENCH colonial influences. It has a petite MEDINA, cafes, and the King’s palace. I found unique pieces of ART and clothing and, most importantly, enjoyed the TRANQUIL atmosphere. My favorite discovery was a stunning JACKET from the shop Oubelhamid M’hamed (Place Moulay Youssef Habous number 49). KHADIJA, who works in the shop, is a PERFECT example of a classy salesperson, giving you space and NEVER pushing for a sale.
Pâtisserie Benis Habous: Since 1938 and Mentioned in The New York Times
No visit to Casablanca is COMPLETE without tasting the local pastries, and Pâtisserie Benis Habous is the place to go. Standing in LINE, I was TREATED to samples, which of course led to me buying more SWEETS! The beautiful interior has an important EYE CATCHER: a framed NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE about this beautiful place. The experience of waiting, CHATTING with locals, and finally walking away with a BOX of assorted cookies was delightful. These sweets made for a perfect treat on my TRAIN ride to my next destination the following day.
Café Imperial: A Relaxing Break
With my box of COOKIES in hand, I headed to Café Imperial in the Habous neighborhood. This SPOT is where EVERYONE gathers, especially on the weekends. Despite the crowd, the staff’s hospitality shone through as they found us seats in the SHADE while waiting for a TABLE. It’s a place where you can enjoy your PASTRIES from elsewhere and SIP on freshly pressed orange juice. Reading a BOOK under the TREES and listening to the lively chatter AROUND me made me feel like living in the OLD Morocco from the black-and-white movies.
Siesta Time in My Modern Apartment
After the delightful BREAK at Café Imperial, I texted the cab driver to pick us up. We returned to our MODERN apartment for a well-deserved siesta. Having the RIGHT apartment is ESSENTIAL in Casablanca, and the calm and comfort of OUR space provided the perfect setting for a restful NAP. With the CITY NOISE in the background, I drifted off to sleep, recharging for the rest of THE evening.
Umayya: Dinner with the Atlantic Ocean
To celebrate our first EVENING in Casablanca, I just had to have dinner with a view of the OCEAN. Umayya was the perfect spot. The food is impeccable, the INTERIOR absolutely stunning — even the PINK toilet was Instagram-worthy. I enjoyed grilled AUBERGINE as a starter, dorade as MY main course, and ended with a MILLE-FEUILLE — a typical Moroccan dessert, which means “thousand layers.” All the while, I was surrounded by the breathtaking ATLANTIC OCEAN.
Ending the day: Hassan II Mosque
After diner as the SUN set, I took a CAB to the Hassan II Mosque, looking forward for the EVENING prayer. The mosque is so GRAND it made me SPEECHLESS. Watching people gather in the square of the mosque, the WHITE city became colorful. Then it was time for THE CALL TO PRAYER, also known as the ADHAAN, to be heard from the tall minaret, and with the RHYTHM of the ocean waves on the background, this moment truly is UNIQUE and memorable.
Casablanca, with its HIDDEN treasures and vibrant culture, proved to be a city that offers FAR more than its REPUTATION suggests. These eight places, made my visit unforgettable. So, NEXT time someone tells you there’s nothing special about Casablanca, SHARE these gems and encourage them to discover the MAGIC for themselves. If I had an EXTRA day I would definitely include a visit to the local hammam and massage. My sweet friend gave me TWO recommendations, which I will SAFE for my next visit. Casablanca is like a classic RAI MELODY that stays in your HEAD and heart.
P.S.: IN CASABLANCA, I (MOSTLY) DRESSED IN WHITE TO BECOME PART OF HER.
