cafe hafa

Tanger

Cafe Hafa, founded in 1921, is located along the cliff top overlooking the Bay of Tangier. Opened in 1921, the cafe has retained the 1920s style of decor and through the years has been visited by famous writers, singers, painters and designers, from Paul Bowles and William S. Burroughs, Matisse, to The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Yves Saint Laurent.

The legendary cafe is known for its mint tea with a view.

The pure simplicity and dominance over the Strait of Gibraltar, the multicolored and plastic chairs, mosaic tables, blue walls, trees that grow without concern to none and with charm to which no one can resist.

So on the first afternoon in Tanger we walked to the cafe on the coast (elatedly) and found it completely empty...

Not a single soul on the terrace. Only empty tables, piles of plastic chairs and a few cats.

We were a little disappointed and wondered if the abandoned sight was due to Ramadan or maybe because the cafe no longer existed.

A neighbor told us that we had to come back in the evening to see what it's like during sunset.

After wandering around on the 'holy ground' where Yves & Pierre once enjoyed the view, we did the same and decided to return in the evening.

As we approached the sunset on the way to Cafe Hafa, hordes of locals walked in the same direction.

Once arrived at the place, the terrace was packed with people, with their home-cooked meals installed on the tables for iftar, waiting for sunset.

Very special and moving to experience the gathering and as soon as the sun went down in the ocean, everyone started eating and drinking quietly.

We had a glass of mint tea and enjoyed this impressive moment.