CafesCity Tours Morocco

Morocco cafe guide

15 Best Cafes in Morocco 2026

Photograph: Michal Osmenda, CC BY-SA 2.0

Cliff-edge tea houses, literary cafes, specialty coffee shops and places to work on a laptop, with prices and tips.

Mint tea: From 10 MAD
Noss-noss: From 8 MAD
Specialty coffee: From 25 MAD
Cafes in this guide: 15, in seven cities

Overview

The art of Moroccan cafe culture

In Morocco people do business, keep up friendships and argue politics in cafes, over a glass of mint tea that can last an hour. Beat Generation writers sat on the clifftop terraces of Tangier looking at Spain; travelers now watch the Marrakech medina from its rooftops.

Two traditions run side by side. The old Moroccan cafe (mint tea poured from height, small glasses, long unhurried talk) carries on in neighborhood cafes across the country. A newer wave of specialty coffee shops in Marrakech, Casablanca, Tangier and Essaouira brings pour-over, single-origin beans and avocado toast to a country that has been drinking coffee since the 16th century.

This guide covers 15 cafes in seven cities, from century-old institutions to new specialty spots, from cafes with wifi to terraces where the only technology is a silver teapot. All prices are starting prices in MAD and may vary by season.

The places

Nine cafes to visit first

If you visit only a handful of cafes in Morocco, start with these. Each one is written up in its city below.

No.	Cafe	From	Style	Go for
1	Cafe Hafa, Tangier	From 15 MAD	Legendary	Sunset views
2	Cafe des Epices, Marrakech	From 15 MAD	Rooftop	Spice square views
3	Cafe Clock, Fes	From 20 MAD	Cultural	Live Gnawa music
4	Cafe Maure, Rabat	From 15 MAD	Historic	River & ocean views
5	Grand Cafe de la Poste, Marrakech	From 30 MAD	Art-Deco	Colonial elegance
6	Nomad Terrace, Marrakech	From 25 MAD	Modern	Medina panorama
7	Taros Rooftop, Essaouira	From 20 MAD	Music	Harbor views
8	Gran Cafe de Paris, Tangier	From 15 MAD	Literary	Place de France people-watching
9	Aladdin Terrace, Chefchaouen	From 10 MAD	Views	Blue medina panorama

All prices are starting prices in Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Prices may vary by season.

Marrakech

Medina rooftop terraces and a colonial-era grand cafe.

Marrakech, Modern rooftop cafe-restaurant

Nomad Terrace

Nomad’s multi-level rooftop terrace overlooking the spice square (Rahba Kedima) is as much a cafe as it is a restaurant. The upper terrace offers panoramic views of medina rooftops, minarets, and the Atlas Mountains on clear days. The drink menu includes excellent cocktails (from 60 MAD), fresh juices (from 30 MAD), specialty coffees (from 25 MAD), and mint tea (from 20 MAD). The modern design (natural wood, clean lines, potted plants) creates a sophisticated perch above the medina chaos. Service is polished.

Prices: From 25-60 MAD (drinks)
Wifi: Yes, good speed
Best for: Sunset drinks, medina views, photography

Our tipCome at 16:00-17:00 for golden hour light on the medina from the top terrace. The fresh watermelon and mint juice (from 30 MAD) is perfect on hot days. If you want to eat, the kitchen is excellent (see our Best Restaurants guide). For drinks only, no reservation needed: head straight to the top terrace.

Marrakech, Traditional rooftop cafe

Cafe des Epices

Cafe des Epices overlooks the Rahba Kedima (spice square) from a three-level terrace that captures the essence of Marrakech medina life. Below you, spice merchants display pyramids of saffron, cumin, and ras el hanout, while herbalists sell remedies and tourists navigate the maze of alleys. The cafe itself is simple: mint tea, fresh juices, simple snacks, but the location is the point. The terraces fill with a mix of travelers and Marrakech residents. The woven straw canopies provide welcome shade, and the mint tea is consistently excellent.

Prices: From 15-35 MAD (drinks)
Wifi: Limited
Best for: People-watching, spice square views, relaxing

Our tipThe second-floor terrace offers the best balance of views and shade. Order the spiced orange juice (from 15 MAD): a house specialty with cinnamon and orange blossom. Morning is quieter; late afternoon is most atmospheric when the square below comes alive. There is also an almond milk smoothie. Cash only.

Marrakech, Colonial-era grand cafe

Grand Cafe de la Poste

Grand Cafe de la Poste is Marrakech’s most elegant cafe: a colonial-era institution that occupies the former central post office in Gueliz. The art-deco interior features high ceilings, ceiling fans, dark wood paneling, vintage tile floors, and white-jacketed waiters, creating an atmosphere that transports you to 1920s French Morocco. The terrace, shaded by palm trees and bougainvillea, is one of the most pleasant outdoor dining spaces in the city. The cafe serves excellent cocktails, wines, French-Moroccan bistro food, and a weekend brunch (from 150 MAD). It is simultaneously a working cafe, a bar, and a restaurant: you can linger over a single coffee or make an evening of cocktails and dinner.

Prices: From 30-80 MAD (drinks)
Wifi: Yes
Best for: Art-deco atmosphere, cocktails, brunch

Our tipThe terrace is best in winter when Marrakech weather is mild. The Sunday brunch is a Gueliz tradition. For a quick coffee, the bar area has a more casual atmosphere. The craft cocktails (from 60 MAD) are a draw in the evening. Dress smart casual, especially for dinner. The post office next door still operates.

Tangier

A cliff-edge tea house and a literary cafe from the International Zone years.

Tangier, Legendary cliff-edge tea house

Cafe Hafa

Cafe Hafa is the most famous cafe in Tangier. Clinging to the cliff face overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar since 1921, it has hosted the Rolling Stones, Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Tennessee Williams, and Jean Genet. The cafe cascades down the hillside in a series of whitewashed terraces, each offering unobstructed views of the sea and Spain shimmering across the water. There is no food, no cocktails, no wifi: just mint tea (from 15 MAD), coffee (from 15 MAD) and the view across the Strait. The simplicity is the point. Cafe Hafa strips away everything except the essentials: tea, the sea, the sky, and the company.

Prices: From 15-25 MAD
Wifi: No
Best for: Sunset views, literary history, mint tea meditation

Our tipArrive 45 minutes before sunset and descend to the lowest terrace for the most dramatic unobstructed views. Cash only. Weekday mornings are the most peaceful: you may have a terrace to yourself. Do not expect fast service; the waiters move at the pace the cafe demands. Bring a book. The path down from the main road is steep: wear proper shoes.

Tangier, Historic literary cafe

Gran Cafe de Paris

Gran Cafe de Paris sits on Place de France in the new city, a short walk from the old medina. This cafe has been a meeting point for writers, intellectuals, spies, and bohemians since the days of the International Zone. Paul Bowles was a regular. Samuel Beckett passed through. The interior retains its mid-century character with wood-paneled walls, simple tables, and an atmosphere of faded grandeur. Outside, the terrace faces Place de France and the traffic of the boulevard. The cafe serves standard Moroccan fare (mint tea, coffee, fresh juices, and simple sandwiches) but you come for the atmosphere and the history, not the cuisine.

Prices: From 15-40 MAD
Wifi: No
Best for: Literary heritage, people-watching, Place de France terrace

Our tipTake an outside table facing Place de France for the people-watching. The cafe is busiest in the late morning and evening during the local promenade. Order noss-noss (from 12 MAD) and watch the square. The cafe has barely changed in decades.

Fes

A cultural cafe and a garden in the ruins of a medina house.

Fes, Cultural cafe and community hub

Cafe Clock Fes

Cafe Clock is a Fes medina institution: a cafe, restaurant, music venue, and community center rolled into one. Spread across a rambling multi-level medina house near the Bou Inania Medersa, it has become the place where travelers and locals converge. The cafe serves excellent coffee (from 20 MAD), mint tea (from 15 MAD), smoothies (from 30 MAD), and the famous camel burger (from 65 MAD). The draw is the programming: live Gnawa music on Sundays, Arabic calligraphy workshops, storytelling evenings in Darija, cooking classes (from 350 MAD), and a general atmosphere of cross-cultural exchange that makes the Fes medina feel welcoming and accessible.

Prices: From 20-65 MAD
Wifi: Yes, good speed
Best for: Live music, cultural events, cooking classes, camel burger

Our tipVisit on Sunday evening for live Gnawa music on the rooftop. Book cooking classes via email days ahead: they sell out. The rooftop terrace has good medina views. The smoothies are excellent, especially the avocado and date. Wifi is reliable enough for light work but the atmosphere encourages conversation over screens.

Fes, Garden cafe in restored ruins

The Ruined Garden Cafe

The Ruined Garden functions as both a restaurant (see our Best Restaurants guide) and a tranquil cafe. The setting: tables scattered among fruit trees, trailing vines, and flowering plants within the crumbling mosaic walls of a once-grand medina house: makes it one of the most atmospheric places in Fes to enjoy a quiet drink. The cafe menu includes mint tea (from 15 MAD), coffee (from 20 MAD), fresh lemonades (from 25 MAD), and homemade pastries (from 20 MAD). In the afternoon, between the lunch and dinner services, the garden is quiet.

Prices: From 15-40 MAD (drinks)
Wifi: Limited
Best for: Peaceful garden atmosphere, afternoon tea, romance

Our tipCome between 15:00-17:00 for the quietest, most peaceful atmosphere. The homemade lemonade with orange blossom water is the perfect afternoon drink. This is one of the few places in the Fes medina where you can sit for an hour without being interrupted. The entrance is easy to miss: look for the small sign on Derb Idrissy.

Casablanca

A garden inside an 18th-century fortress.

Casablanca, Fortress garden cafe

La Sqala Garden Cafe

La Sqala is best known as a restaurant (see our Best Restaurants guide), but the garden cafe functions independently as a good place in Casablanca to sit with a coffee. The courtyard of the 18th-century Portuguese fortress is filled with orange trees, bougainvillea, and jasmine, and it keeps out the noise of the city. The cafe serves excellent coffee (from 20 MAD), mint tea (from 15 MAD), fresh juices (from 25 MAD), and Moroccan pastries. The fortress walls create a sense of enclosure and tranquility. On weekend mornings, the garden fills with families enjoying the breakfast spread (from 80 MAD), but on weekday mornings, it is a peaceful retreat.

Prices: From 20-45 MAD (drinks)
Wifi: Limited
Best for: Breakfast, garden atmosphere, escaping the city

Our tipCome on a weekday morning for the most peaceful experience. Even if not eating breakfast, a pot of mint tea in the garden (from 15 MAD) costs little. The artisanal shops inside the fortress walls are worth browsing. The wifi is inconsistent, so this is not ideal for laptop work: bring a book instead. The garden is equally lovely at sunset.

Essaouira

A harbor rooftop with live music.

Essaouira, Rooftop cafe-bar with live music

Taros Cafe & Rooftop

Taros occupies a commanding position on the harbor square with a multi-level space that serves as cafe, restaurant, and live music venue. The rooftop terrace has views of the harbor, the ancient ramparts, the Mogador Islands, and the Atlantic stretching to the horizon. During the day, it functions as an excellent cafe with good coffee (from 20 MAD), fresh juices (from 25 MAD), cocktails (from 50 MAD), and light snacks. In the evening, it transforms into Essaouira’s social hub with live Gnawa music, jazz, and singer-songwriters performing under the stars.

Prices: From 20-60 MAD (drinks)
Wifi: Yes
Best for: Harbor views, sunset drinks, live music

Our tipArrive at 17:00 for the rooftop at golden hour: the harbor lights up and the sun sets over the ramparts. Check their social media for live music nights. The ground-floor bar is cozier on windy days. The fresh-squeezed orange juice (from 20 MAD) is excellent. Wifi is decent for checking messages but not for heavy work.

Chefchaouen and Rabat

Chefchaouen & Rabat

A terrace over the blue medina and a kasbah cafe above the river mouth.

Chefchaouen, Traditional terrace with blue medina views

Aladdin Terrace

The Aladdin restaurant terrace doubles as Chefchaouen’s most spectacular cafe. Rising above the tumbling blue-washed buildings of the medina with the Rif Mountains as a backdrop, the multi-level terrace looks over the whole blue medina. Every shade of blue (powder, cobalt, cerulean, indigo) cascades down the hillside below you, punctuated by terracotta rooftops and green mountain slopes. The cafe menu is simple: mint tea (from 10 MAD), coffee (from 15 MAD), fresh juices (from 15 MAD), and simple snacks. But nobody comes for the menu: the terrace at golden hour, when the blue buildings glow in warm light and the mountains turn purple, is the busiest time on the terrace.

Prices: From 10-30 MAD
Wifi: Limited
Best for: Blue medina views, mint tea, photography

Our tipArrive by 17:00-17:30 to secure a top-terrace spot before sunset. The mint tea here is good and very affordable (from 10 MAD). The cafe is busiest at sunset; morning is quieter and the light reveals different shades of blue. The fresh orange juice (from 15 MAD) is excellent. Cash only.

Rabat, Historic Kasbah cliff-edge cafe

Cafe Maure (Oudaias Kasbah)

Cafe Maure sits at the edge of the Oudaias Kasbah in Rabat, overlooking the point where the Bou Regreg river meets the Atlantic Ocean. The open-air terrace, shaded by reed canopies and fragrant jasmine, is Rabat’s equivalent of Tangier’s Cafe Hafa, where the view is the reason to come. Below the terrace, fishermen mend nets on the riverbank, and the Sale skyline shimmers across the water. The cafe serves mint tea (from 15 MAD), coffee (from 15 MAD), fresh orange juice (from 20 MAD), and traditional almond pastries (from 10 MAD). The Andalusian Garden, which you walk through to reach the cafe, is itself one of Rabat’s most beautiful spaces.

Prices: From 15-25 MAD
Wifi: No
Best for: River views, sunset, peaceful afternoon retreat

Our tipWalk through the Andalusian Garden first to appreciate the full journey. The cafe is at the far end of the Kasbah, past the garden: follow the path toward the cliff. Come at 16:00-17:00 for the best afternoon light. Stay through sunset if the sky is clear. Cash only.

Work and coffee

Digital nomad & specialty cafes

Places where a laptop is welcome and the coffee is made with care.

Marrakech, Cultural cafe with wifi

Cafe Clock Marrakech

The Marrakech outpost of the Cafe Clock family (the original is in Fes) brings the same formula of good food, cultural programming, and community to the Kasbah neighborhood. Located near the Saadian Tombs, the multi-level space includes a ground-floor cafe, an upstairs restaurant, and a rooftop terrace with medina views. The cafe serves excellent coffee (from 20 MAD), creative smoothies (from 30 MAD), and the famous camel burger (from 65 MAD). Programming includes live music, cooking classes, and cultural talks. Reliable wifi and a welcoming atmosphere make it a hub for both travelers and creative professionals.

Prices: From 20-65 MAD
Wifi: Yes, good speed
Best for: Cultural events, camel burger, community atmosphere

Our tipThe rooftop terrace is the best spot for both views and wifi signal. The cold-pressed juice menu (from 30 MAD) is excellent. Check their schedule for events: the storytelling evenings and music nights are special. The Kasbah location means fewer tourists than the Jemaa el-Fna area. Good for a morning of laptop work followed by an afternoon exploring the Saadian Tombs.

Marrakech, Luxury specialty coffee boutique

Bacha Coffee

Bacha Coffee occupies rooms in Dar el Bacha in the medina. Hundreds of single-origin coffees from around the world displayed in golden canisters line the walls of rooms decorated with intricate zellige tiles, painted ceilings, and vintage furniture. The cafe serves its coffees with precision (espresso from 40 MAD, filter from 50 MAD) alongside delicate pastries and light meals. The gift shop sells beautifully packaged coffee beans, accessories, and tea. It is expensive for Morocco.

Prices: From 40-80 MAD (drinks)
Wifi: Yes
Best for: Premium coffee experience, beautiful interiors, gift shopping

Our tipOrder the Moroccan coffee blend: it is a house specialty. The pastries are excellent, particularly the almond-based Moroccan varieties. The boutique is worth browsing even if you do not buy: the packaging is the point. Visit mid-morning for a quieter experience.

Two more

More essential cafes

A literary square in Tangier and the terrace over Jemaa el-Fna.

Tangier, Historic literary cafe

Cafe Central (Petit Socco)

Cafe Central on the Petit Socco is a stop for literary travelers. William Burroughs reportedly wrote parts of Naked Lunch at these tables. Paul Bowles was a fixture. Tennessee Williams passed through. The tiny square deep in the Tangier medina was once the most notorious spot in the International Zone, and Cafe Central was its nerve center. Today the cafe is considerably calmer but retains its bohemian atmosphere: faded colonial facades, simple tables and chairs, and the constant flow of medina life through the square. Mint tea costs from 10 MAD, noss-noss from 12 MAD. The morning light filtering between the buildings is beautiful.

Prices: From 10-25 MAD
Wifi: No
Best for: Literary history, medina atmosphere, morning coffee

Our tipCome in the morning when the light is best and the square is quiet. Order a noss-noss (from 12 MAD) and imagine the 1950s when this square was the center of the literary world. Read "The Sheltering Sky" by Paul Bowles while sitting here. The square has other cafes, but Cafe Central has the historical weight. Cash only.

Marrakech, Iconic square-facing terrace

Cafe de France (Jemaa el-Fna)

Cafe de France has a terrace: a rooftop overlooking the entire Jemaa el-Fna square. From its upper levels, you look down on snake charmers, henna artists, acrobats, juice sellers, storytellers, and the thousands of visitors in the square. As the sun sets, the food stalls fire up their grills and clouds of fragrant smoke rise across the square. The cafe itself is basic (the drinks are simple and the service is functional) and you are paying for the view.

Prices: From 15-35 MAD
Wifi: No
Best for: Jemaa el-Fna views, people-watching, sunset spectacle

Our tipClimb to the very top terrace for the widest panoramic views. Arrive at 17:00 to secure a front-row seat before sunset. Mint tea (from 15 MAD) or orange juice (from 15 MAD) is all you need. Do not expect gourmet anything: you are paying for the view. The sunset transformation of the square, from daytime market to evening food carnival, is easy to follow from up here. Early morning (8:00-9:00) offers a completely different, peaceful perspective.

Good to know

Morocco cafe culture guide

Ordering, prices and manners in a Moroccan cafe.

The Mint Tea Ritual: Moroccan mint tea (atay) is prepared with Chinese gunpowder green tea, fresh spearmint, and generous sugar. It is poured from height to create a froth and served in small decorated glasses. Refusing an offer of tea is considered impolite. A pot costs from 10-20 MAD in traditional cafes.
Order Noss-Noss Like a Local: Noss-noss (half-half) is Morocco’s signature coffee: half espresso, half steamed milk, served in a small glass. It costs from 8-15 MAD at traditional cafes.
Traditional vs. Modern Cafes: Traditional cafes serve mint tea and noss-noss in simple settings (from 8-15 MAD per drink). Modern specialty cafes serve flat whites and pour-overs (from 25-50 MAD). Most cities have both.
Cafe Etiquette: Moroccan cafes are social institutions. It is perfectly acceptable to sit for hours over a single drink. Traditional cafes are often male-dominated: women are always welcome but may feel more comfortable at modern cafes or those near tourist areas.
Fresh Juice Culture: Fresh orange juice is ubiquitous and excellent (from 5-15 MAD). Avocado juice/smoothies (from 15-25 MAD) are a Moroccan specialty. Seasonal fruits like pomegranate and prickly pear appear as juice options. Juice stalls are safe to drink from.
Digital Nomad Tips: Wifi varies widely. Modern cafes in Marrakech, Casablanca, and Tangier have the best connectivity. Traditional cafes rarely have wifi. Co-working spaces are emerging in major cities. Peak hours (12:00-15:00) often mean slower speeds and fewer seats.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the mint tea ritual in Morocco?

Moroccan mint tea is made with Chinese gunpowder green tea, fresh spearmint leaves, and generous sugar, brewed in a silver teapot and poured from height to create a froth. It is served in small decorated glasses and is central to Moroccan hospitality. A pot costs from 10-20 MAD at cafes. Refusing tea when offered is considered impolite.

What are the best cafes in Morocco?

The most iconic include Cafe Hafa in Tangier (cliff-edge views since 1921), Cafe des Epices in Marrakech (spice square views), Cafe Clock in Fes (cultural hub with live music), Cafe Maure in Rabat (river and ocean views), and Gran Cafe de Paris in Tangier (literary heritage).

Are there good wifi cafes for digital nomads?

Yes. In this guide, Nomad Terrace and Bacha Coffee in Marrakech and Cafe Clock in Fes and Marrakech have wifi. Many cafes welcome remote workers outside peak hours, and co-working spaces are opening in the larger cities.

How much does coffee cost in Morocco?

Traditional cafe: noss-noss from 8-15 MAD, mint tea from 8-15 MAD. Modern specialty cafe: espresso from 25-40 MAD, flat white from 30-45 MAD. Tourist-area cafes charge 20-30% more. The best value is always at the local neighborhood cafe.

What is noss-noss?

Noss-noss means half-half in Moroccan Arabic: half espresso, half steamed milk, served in a small glass. It is Morocco’s most popular coffee drink, similar to a cortado or small flat white. It costs from 8-15 MAD at traditional cafes. Order it to drink like a local.

Are Moroccan cafes welcoming to women?

Modern cafes and tourist-area cafes are fully welcoming to everyone. Traditional neighborhood cafes tend to have a male-dominated clientele, though women are never turned away. In cities like Marrakech, Rabat, and Casablanca, the cafe scene is increasingly mixed and progressive. Tourist-oriented cafes like Nomad, Cafe des Epices, and Cafe Clock have diverse clienteles.