Banner image: View working from the balcony at Cafe La Scene. Fink, 2025.

One aspect of life in Morocco that I didn’t consider before arriving in the country is the cafe culture. I was a little shocked at first when the cappuccinos and lattes I ordered didn’t come out as I expected them to. However, this is also coming from a very American perspective; I haven’t done much international travel, so I didn’t have much to compare Moroccan cafes to besides the classic iced almond milk vanilla latte what-have-you that I always find in the US.

Additionally, I was unaware of the trend that most cafes in Morocco tend to be male dominated. Although this isn’t inherently bad, as a woman studying abroad here, I’ve had to look a little further to find good cafes I like that are comfortable to sit down and do work for a while. In this post, I will give my tips on what coffee drinks to order, what to look for in a good work cafe, and which ones I recommend.

The cappuccino in question from Dar el Karam Fatima. Photo credit: Fink, 2025.

Tea and a view at Dar el Karam Fatima. Photo credit: Fink, 2025.

My first week in Rabat was so exciting; I was surrounded by infinite newness as I explored a new and beautiful city. On our first weekend, a few friends from the program and I explored the medina and Oudayas, and we stopped at a cafe called Dar el Karam Fatima for coffee. Some girls and I ordered cappuccinos; others ordered Turkish coffee and a latte. A man came to deliver our drinks as we enjoyed the panoramic view of the city, and it’s safe to say we were all a little surprised by what he set on the table. Our cappuccinos looked (and tasted) more like a hot chocolate, the Turkish coffee resembled an americano, and the latte was basically a glass of milk. The view was amazing and the drinks still tasted good (except maybe the latte), so it was still a positive overall experience, just not what we anticipated. I’m only sharing this as an example because we were all not expecting the coffee to be so different in Morocco as compared to the US or other home countries. Also, I still highly recommend this cafe for tea! It’s definitely not the place to go if you're looking to do work, but the view is very beautiful, and there are usually people playing music, so it’s a super fun place to sit down and relax after a walk around Oudayas.

On that note, here are the drinks that I recommend you order! (also, if you want to order in Arabic, say “bġit [insert name of drink] 3afak”; “ بغيت […] عفاك ”; which means “I want […] please”):

- Nous Nous: similar to the cappuccino or latte we were expecting to get; it’s half espresso half steamed milk, and it’s my favorite drink to order in Morocco! Probably won’t be on the menu at whatever cafe you end up in, but the barista will still know what to do.

- Crème Tirée: kind of similar to a Nous Nous but has more milk.

- Cafe au lait: order this from the small coffee stands in the medina! You can also just ask for milk with the coffee and they will give you the same thing, but it's some of the best coffee I’ve had in Rabat!

Honestly, it’s been kind of fun ordering random coffee drinks and seeing what I get, so I would still recommend exploring the menu and figuring out what you like! Additionally, at some of the more “western vibe” cafes around Rabat, if you order a latte you will definitely get a drink similar to what you would find at any coffee shop in the US.

Here are my tips for looking for good cafes to work at:

- The presence of women: obviously, as a woman, any cafe experience is more positive when there are other women around.

- The presence of other young people: I’ve found that my favorite cafes also attract other young people as a place to hang out and do work. Seeing other young people at potential cafe options is usually a good sign when looking for a new study spot.

- Wifi and outlets (of course)

- Good lighting and big tables: this is just my personal preference, but I am rarely productive when the lighting is either too dark or too fluorescent. I also tend to spread out my books when I do work which can be challenging if the table only fits my laptop. This is especially relevant when studying with multiple people.

These suggestions are not end-all-be-all, just a few common themes that I’ve observed in all the cafes that I have enjoyed working at so far in Rabat.

Finally, here are my cafe recommendations:

Cafe La Scene (266 Av. Mohammed V, Rabat 10010): This cafe has really good crepes, coffee and atmosphere in general. If you’re lucky, you can get a seat on the balcony looking over the plaza and people watch while you get some work done. This space also attracts a really fun crowd, and it’s a good place to try and meet new friends, especially at their open mic night on Monday evenings! The music is awesome, and it can be a fun break from school work.
Awal Cafe (n 4, 35, Av. Oqba Ibn Naafi, Magasin, Rabat 10090): Across from the Botanical Gardens, this cafe is one of my favorites in Rabat! It’s walking distance from Amideast and has amazing food. The interior design is also really cozy and the vibes are immaculate. I love studying here then walking around the gardens to relax. Also, if you're lucky, a cat might come and sit on a nearby chair to provide some much needed study support! 10/10 I love this place.
Simple Coffee (35 Rue Aguelmane Sidi Ali, Rabat 10000): This cafe is also walking distance from Amideast, and it has pretty good coffee and a great vibe too. Unfortunately, the space is kind of small, and it can often be hard to find a seat–especially if you are choosing to study with other friends. I still think it’s worth checking out, and if you can’t find a seat, there are a few other nearby cafes that work as good plan-b’s.
F Cafe (Av. Al Atlas, Rabat): This is the closest cafe to Amideast. I’ve only been a few times and have had pleasant experiences, but I’ve also heard a couple mixed reviews from other people on the program. However, this cafe is still a really nice option because it’s so close to Amideast’s building, and one of the guys that works there really loves to help you practice Arabic!