Things to do · Casablanca
La Sqala is one of Casablanca's most atmospheric spots — a garden café and restaurant set inside a restored 18th-century bastion on the edge of the old medina, near the port. The Sqala itself was a fortified gun emplacement built in the Portuguese-Moroccan defensive tradition to guard the coast, with thick ramparts and old cannons still in place. Today its sheltered courtyard garden, shaded by palms and bougainvillea, makes it a calm refuge from the busy city and a popular place for a Moroccan breakfast, lunch or mint tea. Here is what it is and how to enjoy a visit.
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La Sqala is a café-restaurant occupying a restored fortified bastion at the edge of Casablanca's old medina, close to the port and the Boulevard des Almohades. The walled garden setting inside the old ramparts is the main draw — a quiet, green courtyard that feels removed from the traffic and bustle just outside the walls.
The 'sqala' is a fortified gun platform built in the 18th century as part of the coastal defences guarding the medina and harbour, in the Portuguese-Moroccan military tradition seen along Morocco's Atlantic coast. The structure was later restored and given new life as a café and restaurant while keeping its historic ramparts.
Several old cannons still line the thick stone ramparts, a reminder of the bastion's original purpose watching over the sea approaches. Walking the walls and seeing the cannons is part of the appeal, giving a tangible sense of the fortification's history alongside the dining.
The heart of La Sqala is its enclosed garden, planted with palms, citrus and bougainvillea and dotted with shaded tables. It is widely regarded as one of the most peaceful corners in central Casablanca — a leafy, sheltered space that contrasts sharply with the dense streets of the old medina just beyond.
La Sqala is especially known for its Moroccan breakfast, traditionally a generous spread of breads, pancakes such as msemen and baghrir, honey, olive oil, jams and fresh juices. It is a popular morning destination for both visitors and locals; menus and prices change over time, so check the current offering when you go.
Beyond breakfast, the kitchen serves Moroccan dishes such as tagines and salads in the garden setting. It works well as a relaxed lunch stop during a day exploring the medina and waterfront. As with any restaurant, the menu evolves, so treat dishes as a guide rather than a fixed list.
Even outside mealtimes, La Sqala is a pleasant place to stop for a pot of Moroccan mint tea or a coffee in the shade. The calm garden makes it a natural pause point to rest between sightseeing, whether or not you are eating a full meal.
La Sqala sits on the medina side of the old city walls, close to the port and the start of the old medina's lanes. That location makes it easy to combine with a walk through the medina, the nearby Sqala ramparts and the waterfront, all within a compact area on foot.
Mornings are popular for the Moroccan breakfast, while midday and afternoon suit lunch or tea in the shade of the garden. It can be busy at peak times and with visitors, so arriving a little early or booking ahead for a meal is wise; confirm current opening hours directly when planning.
La Sqala suits travellers wanting an attractive, calm setting for a Moroccan breakfast or lunch, couples and families looking for a gentle break, and anyone exploring the old medina who wants a green courtyard to rest in. It is a comfortable, sit-down experience rather than a quick street stop.
La Sqala pairs naturally with a wider Casablanca day — many visitors combine it with the old medina, the Hassan II Mosque a short distance along the coast, and the Art Deco downtown. As a morning or lunch stop it fits neatly into a day that mixes the historic medina with the city's grander landmarks.
La Sqala is a garden café and restaurant set inside a restored 18th-century bastion on the edge of Casablanca's old medina, near the port. The fortification was originally a coastal gun emplacement, and its thick ramparts and old cannons remain. Today it is known for its peaceful palm-shaded courtyard and its Moroccan breakfast.
La Sqala is best known for its Moroccan breakfast — a spread of traditional breads and pancakes such as msemen and baghrir with honey, olive oil, jams and fresh juices. It also serves Moroccan dishes such as tagines and salads at lunch, plus mint tea and coffee. Menus and prices change over time, so check the current offering.
Yes, in part. The 'sqala' is an 18th-century fortified gun platform built to defend the medina and harbour, in the Portuguese-Moroccan coastal-defence tradition. It was later restored and turned into a café-restaurant, keeping its ramparts and several old cannons, so a visit combines a relaxed meal with a genuine piece of the city's fortifications.
La Sqala sits on the medina side of Casablanca's old city walls, close to the port and the start of the old medina. It pairs naturally with a walk through the old medina, the waterfront, the nearby ramparts and, a short distance along the coast, the Hassan II Mosque, making it an easy morning or lunch stop in a wider Casablanca day.
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