Rick's Café Casablanca, Casablanca

Rick’s Café Casablanca is a carefully staged tribute to the 1942 film Casablanca, created not as a historical site but as a cinematic reconstruction brought to life. The cafe opened in 2004, founded by former U.S. diplomat Kathy Kriger, who set out to imagine what Rick’s might have looked like had it actually existed in Casablanca during the early 1940s. Rather than replicating a single movie set, the design draws inspiration from multiple scenes, translating Hollywood atmosphere into a real, working venue.

The interior is defined by arched doorways, carved woodwork, patterned tiles, and subdued lighting, all contributing to a romanticized vision of colonial-era Morocco. A central bar anchors the space, while a piano placed to one side recalls the film’s most iconic moments. A detail often noted by regular patrons is Table 10, positioned for one of the best views of both the piano and the bar.

Rick’s Cafe operates as a full-service restaurant, bar, and live music venue, with a menu combining Moroccan and international dishes focused on classic preparations rather than experimentation. Evenings often feature live piano music, reinforcing the cinematic mood. The cafe maintains a film-noir dress code: casual attire such as shorts or athletic wear is generally discouraged, preserving the carefully curated atmosphere and sense of occasion that define the Rick’s experience.