Anfa
The Vibe
Old money quiet with diplomatic discretion—where Mercedes sedans purr along tree-canopied streets and villa gates reveal nothing. The atmosphere feels worlds away from central Casablanca's hustle, almost suburban in its remove. You'll spot well-dressed families at sidewalk cafés, embassy staff conducting discreet business lunches, and joggers along the Corniche at sunset. The rhythm is unhurried, the aesthetic carefully maintained. Best experienced during afternoon strolls when golden light filters through the palms, or evening promenades near the ocean. Bring proper attire for upscale venues—this neighborhood values polish and presentation over bohemian spontaneity.
Description
Casablanca's most exclusive quarter, where palatial villas hide behind high walls and jacaranda-lined boulevards recall the 1930s French colonial vision of a garden city. In January 1943, the Anfa Hotel hosted Roosevelt, Churchill, and de Gaulle for the landmark Anfa Conference that shaped Allied WWII strategy and called for surrender. Post-independence, Morocco's elite claimed these sprawling estates, joined by embassies and multinational headquarters. The neighborhood centers around the Corniche extension, where Art Deco mansions face the Atlantic. Unlike Casablanca's dense medina or chaotic downtown, Anfa maintains deliberate tranquility—guards at gated compounds, luxury cars gliding past, tennis clubs tucked behind hedges. The Morocco Mall anchors the modern Anfa shoreline, while inland streets preserve mid-century elegance.
Neighborhood Stats
Popular With
- Tourists
- Locals
- Explorers
Key Attributes
- Cultural
- Local
- Authentic
Food Scene
La Sqala (Boulevard des Almohades) serves traditional Moroccan cuisine in a converted bastion overlooking the medina—couscous and tagines in garden courtyards. Rick's Café (248 Boulevard Sour Jdid) recreates the Casablanca film atmosphere with piano bar romance and Continental-Moroccan fusion. Villa Zevaco offers refined dining in a preserved modernist landmark. The beachfront dining along Ain Diab Corniche provides fresh seafood with Atlantic views—upscale and relaxed. Le Cabestan commands ocean-facing terraces for sunset aperitifs. Most restaurants here skew formal with prices reflecting the neighborhood's affluent clientele and emphasis on service, wine lists, and imported ingredients.