Le Casablanca is a hidden gem of the byward market! The food was beyond delicious, the service was kind and helpful and the restaurant offers a fun and cozy ambiance. read more

The Short Version: Casual Moroccan restaurant in the Byward Market Square building. Food is pre-made and on warming trays so service is quite quick. The Long Version: I believe I have eaten at La Casablanca before but it was many years ago before I was on Yelp. Most recently I got food from here through the Too Good to Go app. (It's an app to reduce food wastage. Restaurants sell leftover/day-old food at a discounted price on the app. The catch is it's a surprise bag so you don't know what you're going to get.) I was on my way home and was walking by the restaurant and noticed they had a surprise bag for sale on the Too Good to Go app for $9.99 and I decided to buy it. The man prepared my meal by scooping various items in the warming trays into a takeout box. I got some chicken skewers, rice, roasted potatoes, cabbage, and a vegetable stew (which consisted of carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and broccoli). I seemed to get a few rogue chickpeas too, lol. The food was flavorful and I liked the seasonings on it. I also liked the variety and that I got to try a little bit of different items. I felt it was a satisfactory deal for $9.99. However on the app it did list that the value of the surprise bag was $29.99, which I don't feel is true, lol. For the $10 I paid, I'll rate it as 4 stars. I'd give it half that rating though had I paid $30 for a takeout box of food (mostly vegetables and rice) from warming trays, lol. The restaurant is inside the Byward Market Square building so it's kind of food court-like but each restaurant has its own seating. The vibe is very casual. The man serving me was courteous. A good place for quick casual Moroccan food. Review #233 (2025) read more

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This is a popular spot in the food court serving Moroccan dishes. The store is gorgeous with sitting area decorated with Moroccan style covers and pillows. Got to try the incredibly huge lamb shank. Such tender soft meat with amazing marinated flavor. Same goes with the chicken leg, that is also cooked similarly. Both dishes had complementary rice and vegetables. I tried the mix chicken shawarma too, another good item, that felt it needed a sauce on the side. The food is pre-made, so it comes out within minutes after ordering. They just warm it up and serve. The service is good overall. read more

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I love the location of this place! It's in the middle of the Byward Market, the restaurant is open to the street and you can eat and people-watch! (Don't mind the strong smell of weed and cars that zoom past every once in a while haha....). Overall, the food did not disappoint and the portions were huge! The lamb shank was really good with the veggies and rice & couscous on the side. It was a great meal. My only complaint is that some parts of the lamb shank were a little hard/tough. But closer to the bone it was tender! We also got the mint tea which paired perfectly with all the food! This place is definitely worth stopping at if you are looking for a meal in the area! read more

Le Casablanca - Lamb shank w/ half rice, half couscous - Moroccan Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Very good food portion for 20-25$. Warm affordable and tasty. Staff is friendly they have cute little table. I had the lamb, the chicken (forgot to take a picture). Both very good I like the spice on the chicken a lot. Everything tasted fresh and authentic. read more

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I visited Ottawa, Ontario on business recently from the U.S. and on one of the evenings, I was hungry for something different, but didn't know where to go. I YELPed the area, as I alway do, and I discovered this little gem. I decided to try it out. I was so glad I did! if you're visiting Ottawa, or live here, this little place is a must. La Casablanca is a jewel tucked into the Byward Market. Great laidback atmosphere and amazing Moroccan food. I had the lamb shanks, rice, and mix vegetables. It was very good! I definitely recommend this place. I'll be back!! read more

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Daughter picked up something from the bakery nearby and Mrs was happy with a bagel, I wanted something savoury and heavy for brunch as we were going to be in the road. This joint peaked my interest and ordered a simple Couscous with Vegetables. The owner very helpful and told me which items had meat and dairy. For about $10+ including taxes got a takeaway container with couscous that was cooked to perfection with little salt and no fat that I could detect. The chunky vegetables were piled on the couscous such as carrots, sweet potatoes, cabbage, chickpeas and onions (lots). All cooked perhaps only in their respective juices and salt some spices that I could hardly taste (very mild). They also poured spoons of liquid from the onions and vegetables pan which made the couscous moist and more tasty. Even though generally I prefer spicy foods, because this was simple it worked! And it was so light after I polished of the entire container. A good source of vitamins, protein and fibre. Would definitely go back. read more

Le Casablanca - Couscous with mixed vegetables and chickpeas. Very good - Moroccan Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Tasty spices and substantial portion. I had the chicken shawarma which was filling and flavorful.

Super rich flavours, just the right amount of heat. I ordered the roasted eggplant platter. It came with your choice spiced rice. It looked infused with turmeric or saffron; not quite sure because I had the couscous. While ordering I saw a gal having the lamb. So I ordered a side piece of lamb of roasted lamb. The eggplant was slow roasted, savoury. It came with an assortment of roasted root vegetables: carrot, potato,squash and leafy greens. There was broccoli as well, and it was crisp. Delicious. The lamb was fall off the bone delicious. I grew up with North African cuisine and though there's a difference in the spices it was great. You like Moroccan, you'll be very satisfied here. And it was a super good deal. Very good value for the money. Very reasonably priced. So what are you waiting for?!! Y'allah! Y'allah! read more

Le Casablanca - Roasted eggplant and lamb, with roasted root vegetables and crisp broccoli on a bed of couscous. - Moroccan Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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Very delicious! Family had the lamb shank and I had the chicken leg. Huge portions. Note: when we went on a Sunday, web says open at 11, we arrived at 11:15, they weren't set up for dine in yet. Went back at 11:30, was seated. However, food served at 12:00. Owner apologized and said he was making all the food fresh. Well worth the wait! read more

Doesn't look like much from the outside. But my friends and I were interested to try it out. The food was subpar. But the service was horrible. The whole time the owner was learing at us and openly flirting. It was so uncomfortable. Ladies beware. read more

A great place to enjoy genuine and good quality Moroccan food with a taste of friendly and cultural ambiance. The price is fair with generous size for a family. The restaurant owner is attentive to what we need for dinning service. We will return in the future. read more

Tasty, healthy meals made with love. I like the mint tea here as well. I have tried few items and they are all very tasty. read more

Le Casablanca - Kafta platter. - Moroccan Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

This is inside the beautiful and wonderful Byward Market. It's at the heart of downtown Ottawa. Wonderful staff and wonderful customer service. Nice selection of items. Not too expensive. However, the beef shank is about $16 after tax. read more

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This is one of Ottawa's hidden gems. They have food already prepared in steam trays so you can get down to business quickly if you are in a rush. The lamb is excellent. But it doesn't stop there. They have a skilled chef that prepares fresh, exotic dishes. I have been going there for decades, but I got a surprise this time. I didn't see the usual spanakopita. I asked and the chef said "sit down, I'll make it". I was surprised to see him pull a box of fresh philo sheets and fresh spinach out. I have never had a fresh out of the oven spanakopita. Wow! What an experience! Ten or fifteen minutes in, there it was. It was by far the best one I have ever had, and I am retired from the restaurant industry, and now I just wonder around, sample dishes and drop reviews. The spinach had a much better texture. You could tell it wasn't a re-heated one. Even good Greek restaurants bake them in the morning then re-heat them. So, hey LE CASABLANCA...Bravo! read more

I loved this little place in the Byward Market building. I've walked by it a number of times and not really quite realized that it was a Moroccan restaurant. (If I had, I'd have stopped in sooner.) I had the lamb shank dinner and it was *delicious* with perfectly cooked vegetables. The Husband and I also split a Spinach roll, simply because they looked good - and it was. The décor is simple but comfortable - nothing fancy. Service is with a smile. Would I return: Absolutely Would I recommend: Yes read more

The hidden gem of Byward Market and Ottawa! My friend and I were just looking for something different to eat for lunch, so we went inside Byward Market and just decided on Moroccan food. Best decision ever. It's one of the most memorable food I have ever eaten (I would rank it in the top 2, for sure). Changed my life. I never liked lamb, but after dinjng here, it's become my favourite. That lamb shank...I'm a new person. read more

Really good taste and good portion too. Loved the lamb shank, juicy and tender. First meal in Canada and feel satisfied :)

Excellent place for something different. Leg of lamb and the sole was excellent. It's a market place so do not expect 5 star settings. But service was nice. read more

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Great quality food served in a fast food format, so you are getting an amazing deal. Everything is also fresh and made right in front of you. read more

Le Casablanca - Moroccan Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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This place is right inside byward market and looks really authentic. We ordered vegetarian dish which consists of spiced potato, rice, salad with spices, grilled eggplant. I was expecting to taste the real spices but was disappointed as it tasted more like boiled vegetables. Has having high hopes with look and feel of this place and feel taste could be better. Also they should take care to use different service spoons for veg and non veg. read more

Le Casablanca - Menu - Moroccan Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

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I am going start this by pre-facing with.... I don't know anything about Moroccan food. I know they use these beautiful looking dishes called Tajine. That's about the extent of my knowledge of this cuisine. Now while I can't just their authenticity (and I don't doubt it either), I can however give you my opinion of the taste of this stuff and unfortunately it's mediocre. The chicken was extremely dry and lacking in flavour. There wasn't much spice nor flavouring in it. Even the curry gravy that was smothered on it didn't taste like much. The vegetables were equally disappointing with very little flavour of any sort. The only surprise was the coucous, it was pillowy and nicely salted. I also didn't like the fact that despite my partner asking for chicken curry gravy it ended tasting like goat. Now, I am okay with that but some folks don't like the strong gamey flavours of goat. Last but not least, the biggest deal breaker is perhaps the price. Understandably this is a tourist area and you're bound to be trapped but at $15 for a chicken leg, veggies and some couscous it is steep! Only try it if you can appreciate all I have said above. read more

Even without considering the small space they have to cook in, the food was amazing. Ordered the lamb and had the chicken pastille later in the day. The lamb was moist and perfectly cooked.The chicken pastille was a unique dish, a chicken almond blend wrapped in philo dough with cinnamon sugar( I believe) on top. Both served with veggies. And amazing couscous (or rice) topped the meal off with some amazing Moroccan mint tea Live in the U.S, not very close to Ottawa, but would make the drive to eat here again. read more

My friend and I stopped @ Casablanca for the first time this evening! We lovedddd it! Food was great, fresh and healthy !!!! We took a mix plate for two and we were full at the end read more

Seeing how the reviews were on Yelp, we decided to try this cute little place out in the Byward market. I absolutely love this little place. Although small, the seating area was super comfy with pillows. As for the food, the combo with meat, veggies, and grains came up to only $10 (not bad for a market with lots of tourists!). And I was shocked at the HUGE portions here! I had the cooked veggies, rice, and chicken. I have no knowledge of moroccan food and its authenticity, but the food was nonetheless delicious. Nicely spiced and seasoned, and not too oily. We were so stuffed, we struggled to finish our plates! read more

Very tasteful, colourful dishes! The lamb shank was well-cooked and seasoned. The kuftah kabab was good but very few in number (only three small-sized kuftah). The service was great; fast, polite,and helpful. The location is perfect, and the interior space is big enough for small groups. The decor was appealing too. read more

Ate here today for lunch. Chicken and lamb was great with the rice. Fish too bland no taste. Very busy nice people. Terrible coffee. Difficult to find seats. Would eat here again. read more

Le Casablanca - Chicken meal with rice salad - Moroccan Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

Were it a stand alone restaurant rather than fast food sit down place in a market it would be a 5. Food is consistently good, fresh, and served warm. Portions are good sized. Service is warm also. The kind of place you would go everyday for lunch. read more

Nice little place! Came here for lunch while visiting the city. Ordered the spinach pie, which came with a side of couscous, carrots, potatoes, and squash. The spinach pie was great! It was a pretty big portion and split one plate with my boyfriend. It was a pretty hearty meal. Recommend coming here for a quick lunch! read more

Le Casablanca - Moroccan Near Me - Ottawa, Ontario

I personally really loved to food here. If you have the chance I recommend you get the couscous

We had travelled to Morocco earlier this year. Couscous is one of those things that is a friday "thing", so when my gal saw it...she wanted it. We spoke to the guy at the counter and ordered our food. It wasn't that good. When we paid in the end...it turned out to be more than we we're told. The original guy said the wrong price and told us he was new. Fine. Further, we LOVE mint tea and decided to have that afterwards. Twenty minutes later...still no tea. We asked about the tea and they hadn't started it. It wasn't busy...So, we left. They didn't return our money. My suggestion is to move on, unfortunately. read more

Excellent food and service. Ingredients were fresh and food was bursting with middle eastern spices. I would definitely go back and would recommend this place. I had the spinach and feta wrap and I tried the bistillas read more

I've been to Morocco twice and I have to admit for being an ocean away the food was excellent! A bit expensive but worth it for the amount of food you get. Everything was fresh and we'll presented. I ordered the lemon chicken and it came with a plateful of delicious sides including cous cous, vegetables and chickpeas. read more

I went in and ordered the chickpeas, eggplant and potatoes. I specified that I am a vegetarian twice and they said it was meat free. I found a large piece of meat in my eggplant. The man said it was because she poured a sauce over it and however I know for a fact she didn't. Not only that but the food was cold and tasteless When I brought the food back they did not even offer me a refund. They just lost a customer. read more

Great food. Super tasty with lots of large chunks of root vegetables. We tried roast chicken, cabbage roll, and a round pastry full of chicken and almonds. All were awesome! read more

The location is convenient right inside byward market. The service is quick and the price is reasonable. Was not a big fan of the food as the spices did not Measure up to what I expected. The lamb sausage was a disappointment. Rice was ok. read more

Just finished working a trade show for the day. Looked around for a place I could eat alone and not feel awkward. This place was perfect. It's quiet and friendly. Cafeteria style but with home cooking. I couldn't have been happier eating in my friends kitchen. The food is just delicious. I had the daily special of slow cooked chicken. It came with roasted root vegetables, saffron rice and salad. A perfect end to my day. read more