The food was super good! I've had authentic Moroccan food before and I think this place is pretty authentic. The soup was very hot and delicious. Had various spices and we all liked it. Once the salad spread came out we were all intrigued. Everything on the plate was to die for. The carrot salad, eggplant salad, HUMUS etc were delicious. The humus was clearly house made with lemons garbanzo beans and good quality tahini unlike most store bought packaged humus. They give you bread to eat with the spread and it is very delicious. Although they should've left the whole basket of bread at our table because we couldn't get enough. The chicken filo dough dish was good, it's a different palette mixing savory chicken and nuts with an almost pastry like filo dough outside with powdered sugar and cinnamon but was also pretty good. We were all very full at this point. The main dishes then came out all four of us got different dishes and ordered a 5th one to all share. The eggplant that came with the lamb was very very good, I'm not the biggest fan of lamb but it was cooked to perfection and super tender. We also ordered the lamb couscous and hen with preserved lemons (not pictured) and those were good as well. The interior is very decorated and makes you feel like you're in a hookah lounge. I'm not sure if the seating arrangements are very practical considering if you sit on the bench/couch side your knees hit the table and you sort of have to hunch over to eat over the table. However everyone else there seemed like regulars as they all came in and sat down comfortably with their alcohol of choice (apparently the place is byob) which was interesting. But considering how good the food is we would go again. The lady was very nice a bit slow, but we didn't mind considering she was the only one serving about 5-6 other tables. She was very attentive and talked story with us here and there. She poured warm water with floral scents which was lovely and different. She also answered all our questions regarding the food and what it's called and how it's made. There are a few parking stalls in the front and they opened promptly at 6pm (we were waiting outside as were 3 different parties. They also served hot sweetened mint tea which was lovely after being stuffed with all that good food. My boyfriend and I have been going on double dates with his cousin and his wife and we've been trying more ethnic places to eat for dinner as we're all pretty tired of the same local restaurants. All in all great food, great service, and a great time. Would recommend and will be going back read more

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Had been waiting for a year to visit Casablanca, and it was worth the wait. Definitely make sure to BYOB. The 5 courses will more than leave you satisfied. In our group, for the main, we all selected the lamb tajin of the different styles, and the special of the day being lamb rack. The lamb rack was definitely the tastiest. That said, next time I plan on ordering the fish. At the start of every other course, they bring around water to pour and clean your hands, as is tradition to eat with your hands (recommended eating with your right hand, as per culture). It's a lovely ritual, and the poring of the water into the reciprocal sounds beautiful. You'll definitely enjoy the ambiance, just like stepping into Marrakech, with the scents of food, and the carpets adorning the floors and the walls. The dishes are served swiftly and politely. Definitely come hungry! read more

If you're looking for a unique foodie adventure i would recommend this place. The experience, food and service was great. The interior was very beautiful. When you first walk in, you almost feel transported someowhere else, which adds to the experience when eating their delicious food. We were greated by friendly staff. Table is big enough for 2 people to share. One person is able to sit on the couch like area while they have little cushions on the ground to sit on also. Very fun. They have a pre-set menu. The only thing that you choose is your main course. Everything else is set. They do have drinks you can order. This place is also BYOB. After you order your main course (I got the house special which was a rack of lamb) they come out with this cute tin and you rinse your hands over it with warm rose water. They also sprinkled some water that smelt like fresh oranges on your hands. They brought out our first appetizer which was Harrita soup-I believe there were lentils with a tomato base soup. Very yummy. They offer what taste like wheatbread to accompany the soup and the platter that came out with it. The platter consisted of stewed/pickled tomatoes and bellpeppers, hummus, eggplant, spiced carrots and a mixture of diced cuccumbers, purple onions and other herbs. It was very good. There are a lot of great flavors for a simple looking dish. The B'stilla ( fillo dough stuffed with saffron chicken, almonds, eggs) topped with powdered sugar and cinnamon reminded me of a nice dessert, somewhat sweet but also saivory when you got those bits of chicken. For my main course i got the house special which was a rack of lamb with Couscous and fresh vegetables. The lamb was very moist, tender and wasn't very gamey. Dessert was almost like a crispy funnel cake that was drenched in honey. They paired it with some fresh speamint green tea that had a hint of sweetness. It was very delicious, light and a great way to end the meal. Overall I highly recommend you give this place a try if you're looking to try something new! read more

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This place has great service but the food is not the main attraction. The setting is breathtaking and welcoming, but the food service was slow. read more

This spot is unique and a fun experience! It's located in Kailua right next to Moke's breakfast. As soon as you enter this restaurant you feel like you are in Morocco! I love the decor in here and the beautiful plates that they use! The 5-course meal starts with hand washing because typically you would eat with your hands. You can request for silverware if that's your preference. I loved their starters veggie platter and their b'stilla which reminds me of a napple flakey on outside covered in powdered sugar and cinnamon with meat inside. The b'stilla was a sweet and savory dish. I loved their mint tea too at the end! Make sure you ask for their daily specials! Also another tip there's few parking stalls right in front of the restaurant or you may Find street parking after 6pm you won't have to feed the meter. read more

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Located in Kailua this is a hole in the wall. Not much parking but so much street parking so don't worry about that. I'm giving 4 stars instead of 5 because of the wait. It is a pre set meal. You pick your entree. Anyway I got the lamb which was the special for the night. Absolutely the best lamb I've ever had. It wasn't gammy it was so tender and amazing. Anyway the wait. Our reservations were at 6:30 and we got out at 10pm. It was almost like a 1 hour per each course which wasn't necessary. I also know the staff is young but they definitely didn't check on their guest enough. We had to ask for more water. It was just a little poor on that end. But if you're looking for some good food I would definitely try it out just get an early reservation. read more

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So far my favorite restaurant on the island. There are not that many Moroccan restaurants in the mainland, let alone Hawaii. So I was surprised to have found this authentic Moroccan restaurant. It indeed made me reminisce about my trip to Morocco. This restaurant is not that big and is only opened for a few hours so reservation is strongly recommended. I believe there are only 2-3 people working so they may be too busy to answer your call. Just call again it's worth it. This place mainly serves 5-course prix fixe meals at a price of $40. The food was great we enjoyed every single dish. The dinner was served over the course 1.5 to 2 hours but we were happy to stay even longer because of the cozy environment and the lovely decor. read more

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In the heart of Kailua, is this family restaurant that has been in business for 20 years! Yes, twenty years! From the outside it looks like an ordinary restaurant. But let me tell you, in the inside it looks like you've walked into another country. Plus it's BYOB (Just wine and beer). It was a whole different experience and it really had me reminiscing of traveling to other countries. Their menu was straight forward and it was a fixed course meal. You choose the main entree. After you order, they come with these washing containers to wash your hands so you can eat with your hands. I ordered the special, which was the rack of lamb. The lamb was so tender and the sauce that accompanied it has plenty spices. The appetizer was full of surprises and had many dips to eat with the bread. The appetizer also came with Lentil Soup. The B'stilla was so tasty. I was amazed at how the sweet sugary outside complimented the savory chicken inside. Everything was great. After our meal, we found out the there were limited staff working who were family, which explained a bit of a lack in service. The chef also assisted in bringing out food. So impressive! This is a perfect place to catch up with friends, drink wine, and have a nice experience at a Moroccan restaurant. read more

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We've been talking about going to eat here for well over a year now and thankfully, we finally went tonight. Let me put the important thing first, it's BYOB ($2.50 corkage fee per person) but can bring beer or any other beverage you'd like. We'd made reservations for a group of 4 at 6pm (not required as people were walking in without them all evening). There are a few parking spots out front, but also free street parking and a lot across the street. I know nothing about interior design, but the inside is awesome, like nothing I'd ever seen. I felt like I was walking into a different country. My parents were visiting and my dad is very hesitant to different cuisines and especially styles of eating. That being said, he loved everything about the experience. You can sit on the floor, on their lowered cushion seats or there are couches that wrap around each table. Normally, they'd prefer you to eat with hands only, using their delicious (and unlimited) homemade bread to scoop up the food and flavors but (due to COVID?) they're providing silverware to everybody. We still tried to eat with our hands for the most part. This is a prixe-fixe menu ($44.50 per person), so all you'll need to pick is an entree. We all got something different so that we could eat family style, but they were all awesome, filled with flavors we'd never had before. I'd say I'd recommend a lamb dish if I went back though the B'stilla and Chabbakia were the highlight of the meal for me. Prior to bringing out the first course they will offer to wash your hands at the table and will do the same prior to dessert. Before the mint tea, they will also offer an orange blossom water to rinse your hands and an optional spray over your head to relax and complete the meal. Overall, I'd definitely go back. An awesome spot to bring family/friends or have a date night to try something new. They've been in Kailua 27 years now and is a true family owned/operated business. The servers were so kind and took the time to explain each dish and custom. One of the better dining experiences I've had in a very long time! read more

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Casablanca isn't just a restaurant, it's an experience. When you walk through the door, you're immediately transported to another place, perhaps even another time. When you're settled on the round cushions, a waiter washes your hands for you with a silver kettle. Then, food begins to arrive, and doesn't stop arriving until you've eaten far too much. My favorite item on the menu; the Moroccan Bastilla. I've been so fortunate to have traveled all over the world, and rarely these days do I have the pleasure of trying something for the first time. This was my first time trying Bastilla, and while I have no other to compare it to, it was remarkable. My second favorite item on the menu, while less exotic, was the green tea. It was the very best green tea I have ever tasted in my life and I'm still trying to figure out why. The experience ended with a sprinkle of orange blossom water on our hands and head. A perfect evening. I can't wait to share this place with my friends and family. read more

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First time here and it was a wonderful experience. Staff are friendly, ambiance , service and food was wonderful. Note: it's a set menu of 5 course meal. We didn't feel overly stuffed nor did we felt under stuffed. Perfect for me and my husband. Definitely recommend! Minus 1 star only due to furniture very worn down and maybe needs replacement. read more

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The ambiance of the restaurant was great but the food was just okay. I went with a group of friends and we had high expectations based on the reviews but left a bit disappointed. The harrira soup wasn't bad but it just tasted like regular lentil soup (there wasn't anything about it that stood out). I think we enjoyed the Moroccan salad the best since everything had different flavors and textures; the eggplant and hummus were our favorites out of the five and the carrots were our least fave. The b'stilla was probably the most interesting dish but it's one of those hit or misses; you either like it or you don't. Out of the group, some of us thought it was excellent but some though it was so-so. The ingredient inside were too dry but I enjoyed the flaky phyllo with sugar & cinnamon (it can almost pass as a dessert tbh). Everyone got to decide their own entrees and I decided to get the chicken with lemon and olives (the server said that this was their chicken tagine). It was good and chicken was moist but really wish they had served some couscous with this dish to balance out the strong tangy flavors. Overall, it was a great space to hang out with friends but the food wasn't memorable. *they have four parking stalls in front of the restaurant and street parking. read more

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What an experience! This was my first time trying morroccan food, and I'm so glad Casablanca is where I was able to do it. They are so traditional in every possible from the moment you walk in until you leave. They wash your hands, have a set menu, and the food is undeniably amazing! Side note: It's also BYOB so don't forget if you do want to drink alcohol. I suggest a light red wine to compliment all the spice and flavors from the different meals. They start with a tomatoe based soup, then bring out bread and the appetozer platter. The platter has hummus, cucumber salad, boba gosh, carrots, totamatoes, and olives paired with a whole grain fresh bread. Next was a flaky light pastry top cinnamon and powdered sugar. Inside was chicken and a type of nut. It was the perfect sweet and savory dish that you dream about. My main course was the rack of lambs that was heavenly. It had couscous and veggies on the side and it was marinated and topped with a delightful browned stewed sauce. For dessert they bring out a type of fried bread covered in honey and paired with a light tea to help you relax after such an amazing meal. My favorite part is before dessert and tea they sprinkle orange blossom rose water on your hands and face to truly help you indulge in the experience of the sweet food. You just had a beautifully spiced meal and they're centering you to leave with sweetness all around. I can't rave about this establishment enough. Support this small business and enjoy a family meal here! read more

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We loved the interior of this restaurant - low tables, cushions and pillows and rugs on the walls; the servers were so sweet and welcoming; the dinner was scrumptious and also made a great breakfast the following morning. Exotic flavors but not "spicy-hot." Great experience. read more

Casablanca - Moroccan Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

This Place Was Delicious! We Came Here Just After The State Re-Opened Things Back Up For Dine-In... Good Thing, Too! I Hear This Place Is Hard To Het In To! All The Courses Served Were Amazingly Good! The Splashes Of Orange Blossom Water Was A Little Surprising! Bring A Face Towel. lol. Overall, Great Experience!!! read more

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Don't get me wrong, it was a really nice experience, that's what you're really paying for. The food was alright, the highlight was the bastilla, for me. However, it felt more like a dessert instead of an appetizer, sweet. Their "salad" was fun to eat, with bread, but the main course took so long that we weren't that hungry by the time it came. I had the honey lamb, off-puttingly sweet that I ended up giving it to my husband, and then I took his dish which was pretty yummy. It was the lamb with prunes. All in all, it was an ok experience, but wouldn't crave to come again. read more

Casablanca - Bastila - Moroccan Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

When you walk in, there is a waiter that greets you. The place took my breath away. It made me feel like I was in a different country. The interior design was so beautiful. The celing had cloth that looked like you are in a tent and the walls were carpeted rugs. Prior to your meal arrives, a waiter comes with a morrocan silverware pitcher and a tall bowl like silverware. He gives each of us a towel and he gestures us to wash our hands. Our meal arrives. It is a 5 course meal btw. You just choose your main entree. Appetizers first: bread with different types of spreads and lentil soup. Then bastilla. Main entree, which I chose the chicken couscous. Dessert: chabbakia with mint tea. The food looked good, but it wasnt to my tasting. The best course to me was the dessert. 3 stars for interior and service. 1 star for food. read more

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I appreciate at this place a vegetarian friendly option for their course menu. Yes, course menu. You can't do a la carte so beware. The appetizer came with a variety and I enjoyed all of them. There was a dish that I thought was going to be savory, but it was more like a dessert dish. In the middle of my meal? Yes, a sweet dish in the middle of my meal. That was a big strange. Overall, I like the home-y feel of this place. It is slow paced so if you're in a rush to eat, this isn't the place. This is a place to just enjoy Moroccan food while enjoying your company. read more

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I had been craving different foods that I used to eat all the time when I was living in Europe. A well-traveled friend of mine suggested Casablanca for Moroccan food. I can't believe they have been here for over 20 years and this was my first time trying this place! Everything from the service to the food was excellent! The menu is a 5-course meal and the only selection you will make is the main dish. The first dish was the Moroccan salad which had a variety of different toppings that could be eaten alone or on the bread provided. Everything on the platter was delicious! Next was the lentil soup which hit the spot since the weather had been so rainy lately. The third dish was the B'stilla...I read the description on the menu before it came out wasn't sure how chicken would go with cinnamon and sugar. Surprisingly it was very good...all of the different flavors worked. For the main dish I HIGHLY suggest the Rack of Lamb...it was delicious!! Perfectly cooked and flavored! I wasn't a fan of the dessert but the tea was yummy. I'll definitely dine here again! read more

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Came here for my bday! wow. is all I can say. We were unable to get a table pre-covid as they were ALWaYs booked! Wall to wall oriental rugs/draperies which makes you feel like you're in a tent in the middle east. On this Thursday night we were one of two clients there so even tho it was INDOOR I still felt safe. The first thing I should mention is ITS BYOB with NO CORK fee. Forgot your adult beverages? no problem! go across the street LOL. The second thing... you don't have a big choice for dinner. Only the main meat. the side dishes etc are all pre-chosen and theres is A LOT of food. This meal is best if you have more than one person to share with and everyone orders a different main dish. dering only an entree given that appetizers and dessert are included with each entree. You essentially have entree options of fish, cornish hen, or lamb in a few forms of dishes. A couple of us ordered coffee which everyone tried as it was a blend of spices, almost like a tea that we decided didn't need cream or sugar. Some of us had soda which came in cans, not a fountain drink. Before dinner you're given the option to wash your hands which given covid is ironic but it's also part of their culture as they eat with their hands (you have the option of cutlery). The appetizer plate was brought as one per table and included toppings that could be placed on top of bread. Toppings included tomato, cucumber, hummus, and a couple others. They were all delicious but our table seemed to enjoy the hummus. A lentil soup also came with this that was delicious. The next round was bastilla, that was like a chicken baklava. Chicken, almonds, the flaky crust of a baklava, sweet, with cinnamon. It was very interesting and good. It was almost like a dessert but it was chicken, although I didn't taste the chicken. Everyone else enjoyed their meals especially that lamb. I LOVED it. cooked to perfection! nothing but bone remaining. My husband had chicken but felt it was under seasoned. Dessert arrived next- funnel cake looking. It came with candles as it was my birthday which was nice, and we shared it among our group. Despite it being funnel cake it wasn't like funnel cake we typically think of from the fair but it looked similar in miniature form glazed with honey. There were bread looking cookies with gummy pieces inside. Service was great. Very attentive. After the meals, we were given the option to wash our hands again. Then got lightly misted with rose/orange water. Overall, a wonderful experience that brought everyone together given the shared food options and surprise of not knowing what was next. We didn't feel we ate a lot of food but we consumed little bits over 2.5 hrs that added up. read more

Casablanca - Inside - Moroccan Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

I previously walked by this restaurant years ago, took a quick peek inside and absolutely loved the ambiance. However, based on the pictures and descriptions of the Moroccan cuisine they served, I wasn't thrilled. To be fair, I am not particularly fond of Moroccan cuisine, but I didn't hesitate to give this restaurant a try. We visited for the first time this year. There was no hostess stand and customers stood around crowding the main entrance. After checking in for our 1930 reservation, the staff proceeded to seat other guests who arrived after us. I had made sure to tell the Casablanca staff (in person and on the phone) that we had a baby joining us. I don't think they were thrilled. It was well past the time of our reservation (30 minutes or so), so we checked in again to see what's going on. This time, they seated us right away (with no apology), but in the back of the restaurant, near the restrooms. I have a strong suspicion we were forgotten because we had a baby with us. No high chair was offered due to the seating arrangements of the restaurant. To provide an authentic Moroccan experience, the menu says "No forks, no knives, just fingers!" Although we ate the Moroccan salad with our hands, we eventually requested silverware for the other dishes. I already knew that Moroccan cuisine is not my thing, but I'm always open to new cuisine and experiences. The staff came out with a metal basin for us to wash our hands. We spread our hands over the basin and they poured water over hands. We didn't expect that at all. So much different than being offered an oshibori. We were then offered a blue hand towel which we kept with us for the duration of the meal. The Harrira (lentil) soup was actually tasty. The Moroccan salad (medley of roasted tomatoes and bell peppers, eggplant, carrots, hummus and Tabouleh) followed along with an offer of warm slices of bread ("take as many as you want.") Up next was bastilla, a chicken pie with almonds. The pastry shell is similar to filo dough. There's a heavy sprinkling of powdered sugar and cinnamon, making it a combo of sweet and savory. I didn't particularly care for this dish. Since lamb isn't part of our usual meal line up, we decided on Lamb Brochettes and Lamb Tagine with honey as our main dishes. I didn't taste the tagine, but the brochettes was okay. Dessert consisted of Chabbakia (funnel cake), biscotti and mint tea. The Chabbakia was soggy and sickly sweet. On the other hand, the biscotti was delicious! The staff sprinkled us with orange blossom water. A couple nearby was offered to have their hands washed with the metal basin after they were done with their meal, but they didn't offer us the same service. While the ambiance was great, the service was inattentive and lackluster. I feel like we were the forgotten table since we had a baby with us. This restaurant is definitely not baby friendly! While I most likely wouldn't visit again, I'm glad I went for the experience. Please note that I can't really judge on what makes a great Moroccan dish(es), but it's not something I'd like to indulge in again. read more

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The highlight of the evening was the ambiance. Since we haven't been traveling since COVID arrived, we've been looking for changes of scenery or experiences on island that make us feel we are somewhere else, even for a little while. Like a mini-vacation. Going to Casablanca was a bit like that. Take a little trip to Morocco. From service to decor, we felt transported the moment we stepped in. There's drapery lining from the ceilings so we felt encompassed inside luxurious tent, with decorative rugs and cushions. The servers being rose water to the table for hand washing, and then proceed to the set course menu. The food was okay, but the plating and overall experience at least elevated it. There is another ritual of orange blossom water and then dessert. While I wouldn't go out of my way to dine here frequently, it's a great experience for something unique and one of a kind here. Its good for groups and perhaps a special occasion. So three stars for food and reasonable price for what you get, but overall four stars due to the context of the entire experience. There's only a few parking spots out front, and I would recommend reservations since they have extremely limited hours. read more

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Dined in with friends and family from out of state here last month and as it continues to be one of our favorite Moroccan cuisine venue's on island. All of my guest said they felt like they were transported to Morocco during their dinning experience due to the ethnic atmosphere and very authentic 5 coursed meal. If you'd like to make your next special event at Casablanca even more memorable, I'd suggest booking a belly dancer for your dining entertainment! read more

Casablanca - Casablanca revamped their entrance! - Moroccan Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

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This would be my fifth time here. Parking, they have four stalls right in front or street parking. Very consistent, good food! Love the ambiance! You eat with your hands on low tables. It's really a great experience overall. You can bring your own wine/booze without a corkage fee. If you forgot your wine, it's a super short walk to Whole Foods, just cross the street and cut through the car dealership. On some nights there is belly dancing to add the the fun. They come to the table to wash your hands. The meal begins with a lentil soup, followed by 5 chilled appetizers that you eat with bread. Then ground chicken in a puff pastry with powdered sugar on top. You select what you want your main course to be. I always get the rack of lamb. It's always perfectly cooked and so tender and juicy. I'd dare to say among the top three places for a lamb rack on the island. Dessert is a funnel cake with biscotti. I really like the sweet mint tea served during the dessert course. If you not been, you need to. read more

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Ever since Luis R. Recommended this place, I knew I had to go try. It was not as easy as I thought. This place is in Kailua. It is only open for dinner reservations. SO we thought the perfect time to come was during Valentine's Day. They had a pre fix menu for a fixed price. We didn't know about it when we made the reservations, but hey it was all good! It made it easier to know the experts picked for us! Things you need to know: Parking sucks. Get there early so you get a good space. We ended up parking blocks down. There is also a paid parking lot, but it still is far. If eating with your hands grosses you out, they do wash your hands prior to you getting the food. they also give a towel to help wipe your hands throughout the whole meal. If you are really that freaked out about it, look at other dinner places or bring hand sanitizer. They only are open for dinner. so PLAN AHEAD! This is not classy place to eat. The price is expensive, but it is worth the experience and the food. We paid $60 a person, not including tax and tip. BYOB! Bring your own Bottle of wine! Dinner: We had a 6 course meal. They gave us time to enjoy each course and came around to change it out as the plates got close to empty. Everything tasted great, but this is what stood out for me: Moroccan salads, couscous with vegetable platter: When the platter came, they showed us a basket of bread. We picked how much bread we wanted for the platter. Pretty killer. I knew it was all vegetables, but this platter was seasoned so well that even meat lovers would enjoy it. B'stilla: My FAVE dish of the night. It was flaky, savory and sweet! The chicken mixed with whatever madness they had in there was delicious. It had my tastebuds firing in all directions. Roasted Rack of Lamb: This was tender, savory and did not have a gamish flavor. This was also my husband's favorite dish. We enjoyed our dinner with our wine from home. At the end of dinner, we were given Moroccan sweets and mint tea. It was fun eating with our hands and sitting on the cushy chairs. Our valentine's dinner was filled with "Oohs" and "Aahs" and maybe a bit too much giggling. Overall, it was a great experience! read more

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5 of us just finished dinner here for the first time and the experience was fulfilling. Staff was tremendously pleasant and attentive and the food was unique and satisfying. The ambience is very relaxing but I do wish there was a little better air conditioning in the back half of the restaurant. Parking is primarily on the street in front of the restaurant. Call for reservations. BYOB is welcomed. read more

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The portions were a bit small, I was hungry when we left still. The lamb was so good! I it was so darn good and moist and tasteful....if there was some rice or more bread, it would have helped with the sweetness of the dish. It's was too sweet to eat without carbs. The appetizers were good, but for 2 people, it wasn't enough to share. My 7 years old would have been able to eat the whole plate platter himself. The ambiance was a relaxed kinda vibe. I believe it was about $50 a person I want to say. You need to rsvp when they open. They fill fast! It was a great experience and I would go again! read more

I actually had a super fun time at Casablanca. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that is BYOB and they don't rush you. We were able to enjoy a bottle of wine before the first appetizers came which is great because I love a relaxed atmosphere. The menu is pretty much prefixed with a set course. You pretty much just choose your entree. The meal starts with a communal hand-washing where they come around with a large pot of warm water and a fancy water catcher. One by one you take turns rinsing your hands. Very cool. The seating is also super fun. Very relaxing sofa or small cushions to sit on the ground. Of course I like to be relaxed so I sat on a small cushion close to the ground. They have a few parking spaces directly in front of the restaurant but if you don't score one of those there is ample street parking all around the restaurant. So no worries. His place is really fun if you go with a small group so I recommend 4 or 6 or more people. Definitely worth checking out! #80/100 Challenge 2017 read more

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This was our first time in Casablanca food is plenty and really good. Especially if you like lamb. One of our company ordered fish and he said mahi was great too read more

This place is AMAZING. Can't recommend it enough. Just make a reservation and go, you will not be disappointed

What an incredible place and experience. I had been here many years ago when I was in the Marine Corps and remember it fondly; glad to say Casablanca is better than ever. A couple things about it: 1) it's very low key and inconspicuous from the outside - it may not show up on a restaurant search for Kailua. 2) everything is made fresh and in house- this will become apparent from the first bite. 3) An excellent value....a five course meal for $60 is hard to beat...especially when it comes to this quality of dining. 4)BYOB - but you may become distracted from your wine by the mind blowing mint tea. My girlfriend and I each had the 5 course pre-fixed menu with the rack of lamb as our main course. All I can tell you is that prepare for an experience. As a snapshot, the lamb itself was perfectly cooked, seasoned, crusted, and none of this drowned out the flavor of the outstanding lamb itself. The only reason my review is not 5 stars is that the service is a bit slow....one server and a family operation, so do not plan on being in and out. That said, you don't want to miss this spot! read more

I have always had an amazing time when I visit and I dream about the food! The service has always been great! Everyone has been so accommodating and welcoming. Definitely recommend if you're in the are!!! read more

Friend suggested this for a birthday dinner. Such a unique experience with the 5 course meal. BYOB. FOOD was amazing and left with such a full and satisfied tummy. The whole place is an experience how they incorporate the culture as well, 10/10. Wonderful service and delicious food as lamb was so tender. read more

Casablanca - Moroccan Near Me - Kailua, Hawaii

We loved this place! It was not just great food but it was an experience. The interior is lined with beautiful rugs and you sit on a couch or on a pillow on the floor! It's then a pre-fixed five course menu where you get to choose your main entree. They wash your hands when you sit down and at the end and spritz you with orange blossom water. The food was very tasty and unique! Highly recommend this place! read more

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Excellent food, service, ambiance !! Family style portions, BYOB, casual. I always go with a bunch of ladies, so much fun making memories They have short hours of operation(6pm-8:30pm) make reservations read more

Awesome experience with really good food & service. BYOB or wine was accepted as well.

Amazing place and will definitely come back! They're only open during a 2.5 hour time frame from 6-830pm so call for a reservation just in case (I've read reviews where they do get busy and stop taking walk-ins). I called for a reservation around 4pm and was able to get my name down for 6pm. Upon entry, the restaurant is small but the ambiance is really nice. Given that I dined in on a Wednesday night, it wasn't busy at all. They offer a prix menu for about $45 and for $5 more, you can get the house special. I ordered house special and it was rack of lambs (definitely recommend, so tender and sooooo good). Also word of advice: don't eat too much bread because I was started to get full before my entree came! lol This place does lean more towards the pricier side but it's all worth it. Great atmosphere, great food, great service. Overall a great experience and I can't wait to eat here again!! read more

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Love this place! The food is delicious and the decor is delightful! Bring your wine or beer as they don't serve alcohol. read more

If you know my food obsession with Moroccan food, then you'll be as excited as I was about trying Casablanca. Imagine the childlike twinkle in my eye and my bounding gleeful giggle as we walked up to the restaurant, knowing that just inside the door was my favorite celebrity of all...BASTILLA. Be still my soul! Moroccan food really is the coolest kid on the playground, the prom king and prom queen, as well as the most talented mom on the PTA. Moroccan has it in the bag, and it knows it. The flavors are intense, wrapping around your mouth like a symphony, and in true Moroccan style, is more like a dining experience rather than just eating. We made a reservation for 4 people and were reminded Casablanca was byob so we grabbed two growlers at Whole Foods and headed over. The interior is soft and supple, with beautiful wall-hangings, carpets, and plush textures on every surface. We had our hands washed by a lovely gal in a beautiful kaftan, and set to the menu to decide our main course. I do get a bit overwhelmed when menus have too many options, so prix fix is my jam. Here, you merely pick your entree, and everything else comes with it. Easy! Our first course was the lentil and veggie soup, which can have a tenancy to be watery or tepid, but this was hearty, flavorful and very hot, which was wonderful. After that, we dove into the platter with hummus, tabbuleh, stewed veggies, olives, spiced carrots, and incredible eggplant dip, with their house-made bread wedges. We loved everything on the platter, but I have to say the hummus and the eggplant were stand out characters. Our next course was the Bastilla, which I still contend is the world's most perfect food to ever be created. This miracle is the most amazing combo of salty/sweet, crunchy/soft, and spicy/mild, all wrapped up in a beautifully decorated package like the best gift under the tree at Christmas. One of our dining guests was vegetarian and they even made her one without egg or chicken which I thought was an awesome and detailed touch. This Bastilla was on par with the best bastilla I've ever had, which is from Marrakesh in Southern California, but with this one being walking distance from my house, this may pull through to #1. After us all exhaling contentedly in a bliss of powdered sugar and crunchy filo dough, we were presented with our main courses, which were all really good, but how can you follow something like Bastilla?! Such a shame really, that they are in Bastilla's shadow, but they were all quite yummy, especially the honeyed lamb and the stewed eggplant lamb. We then had dessert, a honeyed funnel cake, fruit biscotti, and salted chocolate covered almonds with a very hot honeyed mint tea, and were baptized with their lovely orange blossom hand water to wash away any lingering hummus smells. I can confidently say that if you eat a bastilla and don't like it, you should probably get your mouth checked because as they say in Hawaii, this BROKE DA MOUF. This is truly a representation of the elegance, flavor, and lavish attention that Morrocan food brings to the culinary landscape of the planet, and further resonates within me why morrocan is, and will likely forever remain my favorite food. Excellence with every plate, more flavors than you can imagine, and a satiated palate as well as satisfied tummy, Casablanca is not to be missed in downtown Kailua! read more

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I love me a good food excursion! Originally I was in search for an Ethiopian restaurant, but that came to a dead end. Then I luckily stumbled upon Casablanca, which is Moroccan food :) I don't go to Kailua often, so trying a new place in an area I don't get to go to very often, WINNER WINNER! Everyone loves a good adventure right!? When you first enter the restaurant, you really feel like you stepped into a different world. The décor was not what I expected. Photo: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casablanca-kailua?select=bdPxbcrpH029v3KAigUVSg#bdPxbcrpH029v3KAigUVSg This place is really something else! Who would have known there was a place like this in Hawaii!! I thought my whole experience here was fun. You start your meal off by washing your hands at the table with a teapot. This is because you are expected to eat your meal with your hands. However, if you really have a problem with using your hands, they will provide you a fork upon request. Oh and I almost forgot to mention, this restaurant is BYOB. So don't forget to bring some wine for your dinning experience. THE GRUB: [[ FIX MENU $37.50 ]] -- Harrira Soup -- http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casablanca-kailua?select=56B3thAAD45EAHqcEnr37g#56B3thAAD45EAHqcEnr37g The flavor of the soup was wonderful. Very yummy, I definitely tasted a lot of foreign spices that I'm not used to trying. -- Moroccan Salad -- http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casablanca-kailua?select=rSYQH2YpArjsxlrlupCQxg#rSYQH2YpArjsxlrlupCQxg The salad was surprisingly great! When I think salad, I of course think lettuce with dressing. NOT HERE! Moroccan Salad is bread with five different dips you can try. Each dip is completely different from each other, they had Hummus, Tabouleh, carrots, marinated tomatoes and eggplant! Nothing on this plate was disappointing. -- B'Stilla -- http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casablanca-kailua?select=K-Y3W2yQxN4coe070iSNRQ#K-Y3W2yQxN4coe070iSNRQ Now this dish I feel is a hit and miss. It is definitely something I have never had before, so that might be why it did not appeal to my taste buds. When you first look at the B'Stilla, it looks and smells like dessert, mainly because it's in a pastry like puff topped with sugar and cinnamon. However, when you break it in half - it's filled with saffron chicken, almonds, and egg! Very very interesting combination. Honestly wasn't a big fan of this one. -- House Special Salmon -- http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casablanca-kailua?select=N4H22FH0CA7_JltVqjmoEA#N4H22FH0CA7_JltVqjmoEA The salmon was yummy :) covered with spices, onions, parsley, olive oil, lemons, and sweet peppers! Cant go wrong with this salmon. -- House Special Lamb -- http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casablanca-kailua?select=5myYNlyLgrZJM4sOSuZGrQ#5myYNlyLgrZJM4sOSuZGrQ The house special lamb is also covered with spices and breading, cooked to medium YUM! The lamb was a bit gamey. This dish also comes with couscous and vegetables. Before you eat the dessert, they have you wash your hands again. However this time it's in scented water. Super cool and smells really good :) -- Chabbakia with Fresh Mint Tea -- http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/casablanca-kailua?select=Y3CcUJdd7hKrOu6yNacPHA#Y3CcUJdd7hKrOu6yNacPHA Last but not least the dessert! Since Moroccan food is completely new to me, I honestly wasn't a huge fan of the dessert. It was this crunchy sticky thing, haha. It honestly stated like honey orange chicken to me, except had no meat. It was good just not for me. The mint tea that comes with this was good. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of that :( read more

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