Best Cafes in Tangier
Where Burroughs wrote, the Stones drank tea, and Spain shimmers across the strait — Tangier's cafes carry a century of literary and bohemian history.
Tangier Cafe Culture
Tangier's cafe culture is inseparable from its history. During the International Zone era (1923–1956), when Tangier was governed by no single nation, it became a magnet for writers, spies, artists, and outcasts. Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and the Rolling Stones all frequented its cafes. That literary-bohemian DNA still runs through the city.
Today Tangier is booming — new development, a high-speed rail link to Casablanca, and a creative renaissance that's attracting a new generation. The cafe scene reflects both: century-old tea terraces alongside modern specialty coffee shops.
8–15 MAD
Mint tea / noss-noss
25–45 MAD
Specialty coffee
40–120 MAD
Upscale lounge
Medina & Kasbah Cafes
Cafe Hafa
Terraced cliff-side cafe · Avenue Hafa, cliff above the Strait
Best for: The view, sunset, literary history, the quintessential Tangier experience
The most iconic cafe in all of Morocco. Since 1921, Cafe Hafa has occupied a series of whitewashed terraces cascading down the cliff face toward the Strait of Gibraltar. On clear days, Spain is visible 14 km away. The Rolling Stones, Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, and the Beatles all sat here. The menu is simple — mint tea, coffee, kif pipes — and nothing has changed in a century.
Must Order
- Mint tea (15 MAD) — the only drink that matters here
- Sit on the lowest terrace for the best view
Insider Tip
Go at sunset. The lower terraces fill first — arrive by 5 PM in summer. The cafe is hard to find (follow Avenue Hafa past the football stadium). Don't expect food — this is a tea-and-views-only institution. Bring cash; no cards.
Cafe Baba
Kasbah rooftop cafe · Kasbah, near Bab el-Assa
Best for: Rock history, rooftop views, authentic kasbah atmosphere
A tiny, legendary cafe in the kasbah where the Rolling Stones drank mint tea in 1967 (there are photos on the wall to prove it). Two rooms and a rooftop terrace with views over the medina and toward the strait. The vibe is unchanged from the 1960s — psychedelic posters, worn cushions, and the faint memory of a different era.
Must Order
- Mint tea (12 MAD)
- Sit on the rooftop terrace
- Ask about the Rolling Stones photos
Insider Tip
Ask the owner about the Rolling Stones visit — he loves telling the story. The rooftop is small (4–5 tables) so you may need to wait. It's in the kasbah, so combine it with a visit to the Kasbah Museum next door.
Salon Bleu
Photogenic medina cafe · Petit Socco, central medina
Best for: Photography, Moroccan breakfast, medina rooftop views
A beautifully restored medina townhouse cafe with multiple levels — each one painted in the signature Tangier blue. The rooftop terrace is one of the most photographed spots in the city, with views over the Petit Socco and the medina rooftops. The food is better than most medina cafes — the Moroccan breakfast with msemen, amlou, and fresh juice is excellent.
Must Order
- Moroccan breakfast (45 MAD)
- Fresh juice (20 MAD)
- Mint tea on the rooftop (15 MAD)
Insider Tip
The rooftop is the draw but it's small. Come before 10 AM for the best chance at a table and the best light for photos. The Petit Socco below is Tangier's historic heart — Burroughs lived in a room above it.
Cafe Tingis
Traditional Petit Socco cafe · Petit Socco (Place du Grand Socco)
Best for: Literary history, authentic local atmosphere, budget
The oldest cafe on the Petit Socco — Tangier's most storied square. Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Jean Genet all sat at these tables. Today it's a simple local cafe with plastic chairs, but the ghosts of the International Zone linger. This is where old Tangier meets new, where locals argue over football and tourists discover the beating heart of the medina.
Must Order
- Noss-noss (10 MAD)
- Cafe cassé (8 MAD)
- Just sit and watch the square
Insider Tip
Come in the morning when locals fill the terrace. The Petit Socco was once the most dangerous and most exciting square in North Africa — now it's quiet and charming. A noss-noss here costs what a parking meter charges in Europe.
Cinema Rif Cafe
Cultural cafe in a restored cinema · Grand Socco
Best for: Art and culture, film screenings, creative crowd
Inside the beautifully restored Cinema Rif on the Grand Socco — Tangier's only arthouse cinema and cultural centre. The cafe occupies the cinema lobby, with film posters, cultural event flyers, and a young, creative crowd. They show independent and classic films (some in English with French subtitles). The cafe is open even when there's no screening.
Must Order
- Espresso (15 MAD)
- Check the screening schedule
- Carrot cake (25 MAD)
Insider Tip
Check the screening schedule online — they show excellent films you won't find elsewhere in Morocco. The cafe is a gathering point for Tangier's artistic community. Good WiFi and a relaxed atmosphere for working or reading.
El Morocco Club
Upscale lounge cafe · Rue el-Bhar, upper medina
Best for: Special occasion, elegant setting, sunset cocktails
The most elegant cafe in Tangier. A restored townhouse with a stunning art-deco-meets-Moorish interior — tiled floors, vintage furniture, brass lamps, and a piano. The terrace overlooks the strait. Afternoon tea is served on fine china. This is Tangier's glamorous International Zone past brought to life — cocktails, live jazz on weekends, and impeccable service.
Must Order
- Afternoon tea (80 MAD)
- Fresh juice (30 MAD)
- Enjoy the terrace and interior design
Insider Tip
Book the terrace for sunset. This is Tangier's splurge option — prices reflect the setting. Worth it for a special occasion. The cocktails are the best in the medina. Smart-casual dress.
Ville Nouvelle & Beach Cafes
Gran Cafe de Paris
Historic literary cafe · Place de France, Ville Nouvelle
Best for: Literary history, art deco interior, people-watching
The grand dame of Tangier's cafe scene. During the International Zone era (1923–1956), Gran Cafe de Paris was where spies, diplomats, writers, and artists gathered. The interior is art deco — marble tables, mirrored walls, brass fixtures. The terrace on Place de France is prime people-watching territory. The coffee is decent, but you're paying for a century of history.
Must Order
- Cafe crème (18 MAD)
- Orange juice (12 MAD)
- Sit on the terrace and watch the boulevard
Insider Tip
The interior is more atmospheric than the terrace. Look for the photos of famous patrons on the walls. Come mid-morning when the light floods through the large windows. The pastries are mediocre — stick to coffee.
La Fabrique
Modern specialty coffee · Rue d'Angleterre, Ville Nouvelle
Best for: Best specialty coffee, remote work, modern vibes
Tangier's best specialty coffee — a modern, industrial-chic space with exposed brick, Edison bulbs, and a barista who knows their extraction. Single-origin beans, Chemex and V60 options, excellent latte art. The food menu is simple but good (avocado toast, granola bowls). A world away from the mint-tea-and-history cafes.
Must Order
- V60 pour-over (35 MAD)
- Flat white (30 MAD)
- Avocado toast (45 MAD)
Insider Tip
The best coffee in Tangier, hands down. Fast WiFi and power outlets make it ideal for remote work. Come on a weekday morning when it's quiet. Weekends get busy with Tangier's young creative crowd.
Cafe de la Plage
Beach cafe · Tangier Beach (Plage municipale)
Best for: Beach views, casual atmosphere, fresh fish
A relaxed beachfront cafe on Tangier's town beach. Nothing fancy — plastic chairs, a simple menu, and the wide sweep of the bay with cargo ships heading to and from the port. The beach itself has improved dramatically since the Tanger Med development. On a clear day, you can see Spain from your table.
Must Order
- Fresh orange juice (15 MAD)
- Grilled fish (60 MAD)
- Tea with a beach view (12 MAD)
Insider Tip
Best in the morning before the wind picks up. The beach is clean but Tangier's water is cold (Atlantic) — more of a walking and cafe-sitting beach than a swimming one. Combine with a stroll along the corniche.
Cafe Colon
Traditional Ville Nouvelle cafe · Boulevard Pasteur, Ville Nouvelle
Best for: Authentic boulevard cafe, local atmosphere, budget
A classic Tangier boulevard cafe — the kind of place where retired men spend entire mornings over a single glass of noss-noss and a newspaper. Art deco bones, tiled floor, ceiling fans. Boulevard Pasteur is Tangier's main promenade, and Cafe Colon's terrace has a front-row seat. The pace is Mediterranean-slow.
Must Order
- Noss-noss (10 MAD)
- Cornes de gazelle (12 MAD)
- Sit on the boulevard terrace
Insider Tip
The best traditional cafe experience in the Ville Nouvelle. Prices are local — 10 MAD for a noss-noss is hard to beat. The cornes de gazelle (almond pastries) are made by a nearby bakery and are fresh each morning.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most famous cafe in Tangier?
Cafe Hafa is the most iconic — a terraced cliff-side cafe overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar where the Rolling Stones, Paul Bowles, and William Burroughs all drank mint tea. Gran Cafe de Paris on Place de France is the most historically significant — the literary and espionage hub of the International Zone era.
Where can I see Spain from a cafe in Tangier?
Cafe Hafa has the clearest view of the Spanish coast across the Strait of Gibraltar — on a clear day, you can see the buildings in Tarifa, just 14 km away. Cafe Baba in the kasbah also has rooftop views toward the strait. The terraces along Avenue Pasteur offer distant views too.
How much does coffee cost in Tangier?
Tangier is slightly cheaper than Marrakech. Noss-noss at a local cafe costs 8–12 MAD. At tourist-oriented cafes like Cafe Hafa, mint tea is 12–18 MAD. Specialty coffee at newer cafes runs 25–45 MAD. The literary cafes (Gran Cafe de Paris) charge 15–30 MAD for drinks.
What makes Tangier cafe culture special?
Tangier's cafe culture is uniquely shaped by its history as an International Zone (1923–1956), when it was a haven for writers, spies, artists, and bohemians. The cafes carry that literary energy — Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, Tennessee Williams, and Truman Capote all frequented Tangier's cafes. Add the Strait of Gibraltar views and the blend of African, European, and Arab culture, and you get a cafe scene unlike anywhere else in Morocco.