Restaurants

Mauritius is not just about breathtaking landscapes or sandy beaches stretching as far as the eye can see…it is not merely a feast for the eyes or the soul but a delight for the taste buds as well.

Could it be that within such a tiny place, there has been a fusion of the myriad of flavours and fragrances, passed on through generations by successive waves of immigrants in the course of the island’s history? These culinary secrets also have their place in our cultural heritage, coming from such faraway places as France, India, Africa or China.

Such strong culinary links from the outset have helped in establishing a sense of style and savoir-faire which, to this day, have remained firmly embedded in our customs and traditions.

With time, this blend of various communities has given rise to a typical Mauritian cuisine. Locals here start off the day with a continental breakfast consisting of coffee and croissants or else tea and bread rolls with butter and jam, then have delicious noodles for lunch, nibble petits fours and other small cakes during their break, have ‘dholl puri’ at tea time washed down by ‘alouda, a refreshing local concoction made up of milk to which cordial, gelatin and basil seeds are added, and end the day dining off a casserole, reminiscent of the strong links which Mauritius has maintained with France. This dish, generally served with wine, is a ragout made with tomatoes, onions and garlic.

The arrival of Indian labourers from various parts of India after the abolition of slavery will somehow disrupt the culinary habits of the islanders. Bringing their own traditional way of cooking from their respective regions, using spices such as saffron, cinnamon, cardamom or cloves, they have managed to add to this art form a subtle but strong oriental flavour, which, to this day, enhances our taste buds.

During the 19 th Century, the arrival of Chinese immigrants, particularly from the south eastern provinces, will further add to the development of our cuisine. Appealing to our senses through its colours, forms, flavours and delectable taste, Chinese cuisine has been rapidly adopted by the local population and has become part of our staple diet. Let’s face it: the Chinese might be a minority but their cuisine is definitely one of the most popular on the island, the number of restaurants offering this type of food bearing witness to this fact.

However, over the last twenty years, the eating habit of Mauritians has changed somewhat with the introduction of fast foods and pizzerias.

It is not because Mauritius is a small spot in the ocean that the cuisines of the world are beyond our reach. Whether they are Japanese, Mexican, Thai or European they are not only served in the special restaurants but it is also possible for those who wish to prepare their own meals, to find all the ingredients they need for these dishes in markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets.

As for the local cuisine, you are advised to try the local delicacies in restaurants and establishments recommended for high standards of hygiene. Some spices might to be hot for those who are not used to them, so beware…

Furthermore, it is advised to drink mineral water…