5 Best Italian Restaurants in Casablanca: A Local's Favorites (2026)

One thing that always surprises visitors about Casablanca is how good the Italian food is. Maybe it’s the French-Mediterranean influence, maybe it’s the proximity to Southern Europe, or maybe it’s just that Casablancans are serious about food — whatever the reason, this city has a genuinely impressive Italian restaurant scene.

I’ve lived in Casablanca since 2013 and I’ve eaten at more Italian restaurants here than I can count. Some were forgettable. These five are the ones I keep coming back to. Each one offers something different — from a hidden Italian palace turned vinyl-spinning pizzeria to a family-run trattoria where the chef cooks with the kind of love you can actually taste.

Here are my personal favorites, in no particular order.

1. Villa Boga — The Elegant Corniche Classic

Villa Boga is a Casablanca institution. Originally opened in 1982, this charming villa on the Corniche has been a favorite gathering place for Casablancans for decades. It closed for a while and then reopened in 2024 with a refreshed menu and renovated interior — but the same warm, timeless atmosphere that made it famous.

The setting is gorgeous: an intimate villa with garden-like terraces, soft lighting, and an indoor tree that gives the dining room an almost magical quality. During the day, it’s a relaxed family-friendly spot. In the evening, especially on Fridays and Saturdays, the mood shifts — candlelight, live music, and a crowd of well-dressed Casablancans who clearly consider this their place.

What I love: The burrata salad is beautifully presented and genuinely delicious — creamy, fresh, and paired with ingredients that actually complement each other instead of competing. The cocktails are well-made, and the overall vibe makes you feel like you’re dining in someone’s beautifully kept home.

• Location: Boulevard de la Corniche, facing the Atlantic Ocean
• Best for: Date night, special occasion, Friday/Saturday evening with live music
• Budget: Moderate to high — expect 200–350 MAD per person
• Don’t miss: Burrata salad, cocktails, and the crepes for dessert
• Tip: Book ahead for weekends — it fills up fast when the music starts

2. Da Nolita — Creative Italian in a Hidden Palace

Da Nolita is unlike any Italian restaurant I’ve been to, in Casablanca or anywhere else. It’s housed in a former Italian palace in the Gauthier neighborhood that was abandoned for sixty years before being rediscovered and transformed into this stunning, creative restaurant. The moment you step through the door, you feel the history of the building — immense ceiling height, original architectural details — blended with a modern, funky energy that’s completely its own.

What makes Da Nolita truly unique is the music. It’s the first restaurant in Morocco to feature a vinyl record collection and a premium handmade rotary mixer. The soundtrack is Italo-disco and funky, curated with the same attention as the food.

The menu is creative Italian — think Neapolitan-style pizza with unexpected toppings, beautifully prepared pasta, generous antipasti, and a cocktail menu that the stylish bar takes very seriously.

What I love: The whole concept. The combination of a historical setting, curated music, creative food, and a buzzing social energy makes Da Nolita feel like an event, not just a meal.

• Location: 3 Rue Najib Mahfoud, Gauthier
• Best for: Date night, catching up with friends, anyone who loves design and atmosphere
• Budget: Moderate to high — expect 250–400 MAD per person
• Don’t miss: Start with a spritz at the bar, then try the pizza à la crème de courgette or the parmigiana
• Tip: Reserve in advance, especially for indoor tables — the outdoor terrace has heaters and blankets for cooler evenings

3. Briganti — The Modern Trattoria with Soul

Briganti calls itself a “contemporary Italian trattoria” and it delivers on that promise perfectly. Set in a renovated villa on Boulevard Driss Slaoui, the space has exposed brick walls decorated with vibrant street art, hanging flowers, and a modern-rustic energy that feels both stylish and welcoming.

But what sets Briganti apart is the food. The wood-fired pizzas are outstanding — proper thin, charred crusts with fresh toppings and authentic Italian recipes. This isn’t the kind of place that puts a Moroccan spin on Italian food. This is Italian food done right, with respect for tradition and quality ingredients.

What I love: The authenticity. The pizzas taste like they belong in Naples, not Casablanca. The staff are genuinely warm, and the portions are generous without being excessive.

• Location: 76 Boulevard Driss Slaoui, near the Corniche
• Best for: Family dinner, casual evening with friends, pizza lovers
• Budget: Moderate — expect 200–300 MAD per person
• Don’t miss: Any of the wood-fired pizzas, the burrata, the calamari, and the tiramisu
• Tip: Start with an Italian aperitivo — focaccia, burrata, and a cocktail. Briganti does it beautifully

4. Trattoria del Papa — The Homemade Italian Institution

Trattoria del Papa is the kind of restaurant that makes you want to hug the chef. Tucked away on Rue d’Avignon near the Kenzi Tower in Maarif, this intimate spot has been quietly building a reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in Casablanca — not through marketing or Instagram, but through word of mouth and genuinely outstanding food.

Everything here feels homemade in the “someone’s Italian grandmother is in the kitchen” sense. The pasta is fresh, the sauces are slow-cooked, and the dishes arrive with the kind of generosity that tells you the kitchen cares about making you happy, not just feeding you. The open kitchen lets you watch the chefs at work — tossing mushrooms in a sizzling pan, pulling golden pizza from the oven.

What I love: The honesty of the food. Nothing is trying to be fancy or Instagrammable. It’s just excellent Italian cooking, served with warmth and pride. When the chef sends out a complimentary dessert at the end of the meal (which happens more often than not), you realize this isn’t a business transaction — it’s hospitality in the truest sense.

• Location: 6 Rue d’Avignon (Chellah), near Kenzi Tower, Maarif
• Best for: A genuine Italian dining experience, cozy dinner, comfort food
• Budget: Moderate — expect 150–250 MAD per person (excellent value for the quality)
• Don’t miss: The fresh pasta, the truffle burrata, the pizza frutti di mare, and the truffle fries
• Tip: Ask the staff for their personal recommendations — they know the menu inside out and will steer you right

5. Da Lucca — Authentic Italian in Bouskoura

Da Lucca is a bit of a drive from the city center — it’s located in Bouskoura, about 20–30 minutes south of downtown Casablanca — but it’s worth every minute in the car. This cozy Italian restaurant has earned a devoted following among Casablancans who are willing to make the trip for genuinely authentic Italian food.

The first thing you notice is the open kitchen. The chefs work in full view, which is rare in Morocco, and it tells you something about Da Lucca’s philosophy: transparency, quality, and nothing to hide. The pasta is fresh, the bolognese is rich and slow-simmered, and the service is the kind of attentive and personal that makes you feel like a regular from your very first visit.

What I love: The combination of exceptional quality, personal service, and the feeling that you’re eating at a restaurant run by people who genuinely love Italian food.

• Location: Green City / CGI, Bouskoura (20–30 min drive from city center)
• Best for: A special Italian meal, families, anyone who appreciates authentic cooking
• Budget: Moderate — expect 150–250 MAD per person
• Don’t miss: Spaghetti bolognese, the profiteroles (seriously, don’t skip dessert), and any of the fresh pasta dishes
• Tip: Da Lucca does not serve alcohol as of my last visit. They also offer delivery, perfect for a Sunday pizza night at home

Quick Comparison: Which One Is Right for You?

Why Italian Food Works So Well in Casablanca

I’ve thought about this a lot, and I think it comes down to shared values. Both Italian and Moroccan food cultures are built on the same foundation: fresh ingredients, generous portions, meals as a social event, and the belief that food is an expression of love. Casablanca’s proximity to the Mediterranean, its French colonial heritage, and its cosmopolitan population have created the perfect conditions for Italian cuisine to thrive here.

These five restaurants are my personal favorites because they each bring something genuine to the table — whether it’s Villa Boga’s timeless elegance, Da Nolita’s creative energy, Briganti’s perfect pizza, Trattoria del Papa’s homemade soul, or Da Lucca’s quiet authenticity. None of them are pretending to be something they’re not. And that’s exactly why they’re so good.

Have you eaten at any of these restaurants? Or do you have an Italian spot in Casablanca that you think I’m missing? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments!

Read my full Casablanca food guide for traditional Moroccan, seafood, and budget eats. Planning your visit? Here’s my complete guide to things to do in Casablanca. First time in Casa? Read my honest safety guide.