Food and Drink in Mauritius: A Traveler's Guide

A melting pot on a plate

Mauritian food is where India, Africa, China and France meet in the Indian Ocean. Decades of immigration created a cuisine that is bold, spicy and unapologetically mixed. You can eat a Creole curry, a Chinese noodle bowl and a French-style cake within one afternoon in Port Louis.

Signature dishes to try

• Dholl puri the national obsession: soft flatbread stuffed with ground yellow split peas, served with bean curry, rougaille and tangy chutneys. Two for around Rs 25.
• Rougaille a Creole tomato-based stew with garlic, thyme and ginger, often cooked with sausage, fish or eggs.
• Vindaye fish or octopus marinated in mustard seed, turmeric and vinegar, sharp and addictive.
• Cari Mauritian curries are gentler than Indian ones; cari poulet with rice and a spoon of pickled lime is a classic.
• Mine frire and bol renverse Sino-Mauritian fried noodles and the famous upside-down rice bowl.

Street food and snacks

Mauritian street food is some of the best value in the world. Look for gateaux piments (deep-fried split-pea fritters), samoussas, boulettes (steamed dumplings in broth) and farata with curry. The roti vans near Port Louis Central Market and Flacq Market are legendary. Finish with a napolitaine, a shortbread biscuit sandwich topped with pink icing.

Drinks

• Alouda a sweet milk drink with basil seeds, agar jelly and rose syrup, sold cold at the market.
• Phoenix beer the island's pilsner, an institution since 1963.
• Rum Mauritius is serious about sugarcane rum. Visit Rhumerie de Chamarel or Saint Aubin for tastings of aged and arranged (spiced) rums.
• Fresh sugarcane juice and coconut water sold from roadside stalls.

Practical dining tips

• Carry cash in small rupees; many street vendors and markets do not take cards.
• Tap water is generally safe in towns, but many travelers prefer bottled.
• Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory; round up or leave 5 to 10 percent in restaurants.
• Eat where locals queue, especially at markets around lunchtime when food is freshest.
• Spice levels can be high; ask for mazavaroo (chili paste) on the side if you are unsure.

Stay connected in Mauritius

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