The historic cafés of Tangier
Tangier is a city of cafés. Some have become legends, frequented by writers, musicians and travellers from all over the world. Here are the places to know.
- Café Hafa and its terraces facing the strait, since 1921.
- Café Baba, in the Kasbah, opened in 1943.
- The cafés of the Petit Socco, in the heart of the medina.
Café Hafa
Opened in 1921 in the Marshan district, Café Hafa is laid out in terraces above the sea. You drink a mint tea looking out over the strait and, on a clear day, the Spanish coast. Its simplicity is part of its charm.
Café Baba
In the Kasbah, Café Baba is a small room with blue walls covered in photos of famous visitors. Opened in 1943 and still a family business, it notably welcomed the Rolling Stones in the 1960s.
The cafés of the Petit Socco
On the small square in the heart of the medina, the café terraces are the best vantage point on Tangier life. The writers of the International Zone era settled there to watch the city go by.
The cafés of the new town
Along Boulevard Pasteur and around Place de France, the large European-style cafés recall the cosmopolitan Tangier of the first half of the 20th century. People have breakfast or a coffee there while reading the paper.
Good to know
Traditional cafés are often frequented mainly by men; women travellers are made welcome, and the more touristy cafés and those in the new town are very mixed. No alcohol is served.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous café in Tangier?
Café Hafa, opened in 1921 facing the strait.
Can you eat at Café Hafa?
People come mainly for the tea and the view; the food on offer is simple.