Review: Good Service, One Thumbs Up for Yucatan

Rabat – How many bars and restaurants are there in Rabat? There are enough that I am regularly surprised by new names in my quixotic quest to review every establishment in the city.

My American friend Brittany, intrigued by this strange project of mine, invited me to join her at the bar Yucatan (of no apparent relation to the peninsula) for a review. She only asked that I not disclose her last name, to spare her the trappings of Morocco World News fame.

I am pleased to report that Brittany made a more than satisfactory replacement for Michael Ader, my inaugural reviewing companion. On November 15, Brittany and I journeyed to Rabat’s homey Hassan neighborhood to see whether Yucatan lived up to a recommendation from Brittany’s friend, who had deemed it worthy of a thumbs up.

The bottom floor of Yucatan was smoky and full—exclusively, it seemed, of men in their 30s and 40s.

Brittany described the scene as reminiscent of a dive bar. I agreed.

Yucatan’s smaller upstairs section, however, was more welcoming: a quiet spot with a few open tables and a mix of young men and women, most seemingly on dates. The sound of blues bubbled all around us.

The place reminded me of a bar I might have frequented during my university days. The waitress was also polite and friendly, though she thought that my name was Lucas for some reason (luckily, I’ve been cursed with a much better name).

Brittany and I initially asked for a negroni and a mojito from Yucatan’s noticeably limited menu of cocktails, but neither was available. We were a bit surprised that the bar was already out since it was only 8:00 PM or so.

We instead went for a pair of Casablanca-brand beers, followed by two glasses of whiskey, which I mixed with Coca Cola because I am not as brave as Brittany. The waitress consistently returned with our drinks in minutes.

Drinks and a side of potatoes at Yucatan.

In addition to drinks, I ordered a seafood pizza that came out in less than 20 minutes. The pizza itself was quite good, and—in a small touch that I deeply appreciated—all the pieces were evenly sliced (when I asked Brittany whether she wanted a slice, she just stared at me menacingly, so we’ll never know her opinion).

Once we finished the pizza and drinks, Brittany and I requested the check. As usual, the waitress took care of this quickly, a major point in Yucatan’s favor: she was the only staff member working the increasingly full upstairs portion of the bar, yet Brittany and I benefited from some of the fastest service I have ever received at a bar in Rabat.

Notwithstanding the disappointing lack of cocktails, Brittany and I had a positive experience at Yucatan. I would return to grab a beer or for a casual meetup, especially on a weeknight. Given the high standard of service, you know that you can be in and out for a quick drink. Brittany shared my opinion.

I would give Yucatan three stars out of five. Drop by—just stick to the upstairs area.