Rick’s Café Casablanca

Casablanca is one of those movies that need no introduction. The plot explores a panoply of themes such as love, morality, and politics against the backdrop of WWII. An undeniable part of this movie’s charm is its exotic setting. A blend of Moroccan and French colonial architecture dominates most scenes, and the attention to details was painstaking. This is especially impressive if one considers that the entire set was constructed at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California. 

In the movie, several iconic scenes unfold at Rick's Café Américain, which featured curved arches, balustrades, fireplaces and a sculpted bar. Beaded and stenciled brass light fixtures cast intriguing shadows on the textured terracotta floors and intricate zellij tiles, evoking an atmosphere that is simultaneously romantic, moody, and sophisticated. Live music elevated the atmosphere, making each scene at the café unforgettable.

Casablanca was released in 1942, and 62 years later Rick's Café Casablanca opened within the walls of the medina in Casablanca, turning the style and ambience of the fictitious locale into reality, including a piano from the 1930s and the live music–including, of course, the classic song “As Time Goes By.”  The menu perfectly complements the ambience, making the most of fresh produce, meat, and fish indigenous to North Africa, offering guests a genuine taste of the region in a unique setting.