Often described as the 'melting pot of flavours', Mauritius offers a wide variety of food from different cuisines. A number of markets sell global food products in Mauritius. It is interesting to know that there is no distinct Mauritian food; the island was uninhabited until the Portuguese found it on their voyage through the Indian Ocean. With colonial governments turning Mauritius into a plantation colony, slaves from and indentured servants from South Asia and swaths of Africa were brought to work in them. Eventually, voluntary migration also took place. Over the generations, their cuisines also got mixed into a Creole. It is clearly evident that their diverse food is a must-try.
Here is a list of delicious food of Mauritius: 1. Curries - Popular Mauritian Cuisine 2. Farata - The Mauritian Version of Parata 3. Alouda - Almond Flavoured Faloda 4. Bois Cheri Tea - Mauritian Chai 5. Dim sums - Momos of Mauritius 6. Mauritian Biryani - A Hyderabadi Variant of Biriyani 7. Seafood - Mauritian Sea Dish 8. Dholl Puri - Wheat Pancake Stuffed with Ground Peas 9. Sugar from L'Aventure du Sucre 10. Mithai - An Indian Dish turned Mauritian 11. Coconut cakes - A Sweet Dish 12. Mine Frites - Fried Noodles 13. Rum - Green island and Pink Pigeon 14. Coconut Chutney 15. Palm Heart Salad - The Millionaire Salad 16. Bol Renverse - Layered Rice topped with Fried Omelette 17. Boulettes - A Variant of Chinese Dumplings 18. Achard Legumes - Pickled Vegetables 19. Gajak - Deep Fried Snack 20. Roti Chaud - Indian Flat Bread
1. Curries - Popular Mauritian Cuisine
Source Curries have become a major component in the Mauritian cuisine due to strong Indian influence. They are however different from the traditional Indian curries. The Creole curries have garlic, onion and curry leaves as their base. Often savoured with rice and bread, curries of Mauritius are not too spicy when compared to their Indian counterparts. The octopus curry on near Gris Gris beach will be a delight to your taste buds.
Where to try: Sunshine Fusion restaurant in Poste Lafayette, Roti Aka Vinoda restaurant in Flic en Flac, House of India in Trou aux Biches, Sitar Indian Restaurant in Moka, Saffron Grill restaurant in Riviere du Rempart and Mich Resto in Chamarel village.
2. Farata - The Mauritian Version of Parata
Source Sounds similar to parantha, right? Farata is the Mauritian variety of Indian parantha. It is often eaten with curry or chutney (read more on chutney later). Besides Farata, Roti Chaud is also served with chutney and curry. They are widely sold on the streets alongside all Indian restaurants.
Where to try: La Chaumière Masala Restaurant, Ile aux Cerfs island, Mauritius and House of India in Trou aux Biches
3. Alouda - Almond Flavoured Faloda
SourceSounds familiar again? Alouda is the variant of Indian Falooda. It is either pink or green in colour and is made by dissolving agar agar( which is in turn obtained from seaweeds), basil leaves and milk with essence. The best place to try Alouda is Alouda Pillay in Port Louis. It is also sold widely in the central market of Port Louis so that you won't miss it anyway.
Where to try: Banana Beach Club in Grand Baie, Big Willy's in Tamarin Village, The Oberoi Bar in Pointe aux Piments
Where to try: Bois Cheri Tea factory in Bois Cheri Road, Mauritius
5. Dim sums - Momos of Mauritius
Source Dim sums are a part of the Sino-Mauritian cuisine. All Chinese restaurants in Mauritius serve dim sums. They are small bite-sized portions of vegetables or meat. Dim sums are wrapped in dough, or steamed and fried. They are often served with chutneys. Don't you find it similar to the Momos sold in your street? Momos and Dimsums are in fact the same dish. Momo is the Tibetan name for Dim sums of China. Some Chinese restaurants in Port Louis will quench your hunger for Dim sums.
Where to try: Asian Restaurant in Pointe de Flacq, Chez Patrick in Mahebourg, King Dragon in Quatre Bornes, Canton in Port Louis
6. Mauritian Biryani - A Hyderabadi Variant of Biriyani
Source Apart from being another Indian dish, Mauritian biryani is very similar to Hyderabadi Biryani. The flavoured rice is made with a huge list of spices, long-grained Basmati rice and yoghurt. Also, potatoes are placed at the bottom to prevent the rice from burning or sticking to the vessel. Le Tandoor, near Grand Bay, is touted as the best place to enjoy Mauritian biryani. Crunchy Socarrat, don't you love the crust of biryani rice that forms a layer at the bottom of the pan?
Where to try: Pyramid snacks, Rue de Labourdonnais in Mahebourg city
7. Seafood - Mauritian Sea Dish
SourceIt is very obvious that an island surrounded by waters has some great seafood in store. Mauritian cuisine is said to be sea-food heavy as it forms a major part in stews and curries and other dishes as well. Crab curry, coriander and chilli fish, fried squid, Vindaye ourite, Vindaye poisson and other seafood based dishes are a must-try. The best seafood of Mauritius is found along the beach roads and in the stalls along the beach. Get ready to eat the fresh catch from waters!
Where to try: La Capitaine restaurant, Amigo Restaurant in Cap Malheureux, Cabane du Filao in Pointe aux Piments, La Terrasse in Grand Baie, La Plage Restaurant in Palmar
8. Dholl Puri - Wheat Pancake Stuffed with Ground Peas
SourceDholl Puri is the best street food of Mauritius. Thin wheat bread is stuffed with ground split peas. It is served with curries, pickle and chutney. It is sold all over the island, and you cannot afford to miss this dish.
Where to try: Dewa Dholl Puri in Rose Hill, Dewa Restaurant in Moka, Four Angels Dholl Puri Restaurant in Bel Air
9. Sugar from L'Aventure du Sucre
SourceTrue, Sugar can never be a dish. For centuries Mauritians used sugar as a currency. Sugar is Mauritius is the most exported commodity of the island. You get to taste all types of sugar manufactured in this island at L'Aventure du Sucre, a sugar museum. You will have to visit this museum to taste variants of sugar for free!
Where to try: L'Aventure du sucre sugar museum
10. Mithai - An Indian Dish turned Mauritian
SourceSounds very Indian? If you are a sweet-toothed tourist, Mithais of Mauritius will be a delight to your taste buds. Mithais are sweet and buttery. Bombay sweets Mart, located in Port Louis will let you taste all most of their sweets.
Where to try: Mori Mithai in Long Mountain and Bombay Sweets Mart
11. Coconut cakes - A Sweet Dish
Source Though coconuts are available everywhere, you should not miss drinking from a coconut on a beach in Mauritius. Coconuts are extensively used by Mauritians to make chutneys and cakes. Made from grated coconut and sugar, coconut cakes of Mauritius are delicious cookies. They are called tomahto in Mauritius, though they are not made using tomatoes. Many restaurants in Port Louis sell delicious coconut cakes.
Where to try: La Toque Blanche, Frame n Grill, La Route Du restaurant
12. Mine Frites - Fried Noodles
Source It is another street dish in Mauritius. A fried noodle, this dish is topped with fried onions and chilli. The best place to eat this Chinese food is from any stall in the China town. The noodles are fried in soy sauce; you will love it if you are a fan of Chinese cuisine.
Where to try: Asian Restaurant in Pointe de Flacq, Chez Patrick in Mahebourg, King Dragon in Quatre Bornes, Canton in Port Louis
13. Rum - Green island and Pink Pigeon
Source Mauritian rum is pretty good, though it does not reach the standard of Caribbean rum. The best places to taste Mauritian rum are many: St Aubin, Chateau Labourdonnais, Rhumerie de Chamarel among others. Rum is produced in various flavours like vanilla, coffee, kumqar, spices and citrus fruits.
14. Coconut Chutney
SourceEvery curry meal in Mauritius is accompanied by chutney, of which coconut chutney is the most favourite one. It complements a spicy curry. Coconut chutney is another Indian dish, which is widely eaten with Idlis in southern India.
Where to try: La Chaumière Masala Restaurant, Ile aux Cerfs island, Mauritius and House of India in Trou aux Biches
15. Palm Heart Salad - The Millionaire Salad
SourceCalled as the 'Millionaire' salad', Palm heart salad is a Mauritian delicacy. After palm trees grow old, for about seven years, they are cut down. An arm-sized tube inside this trunk is sliced and eaten as a starter, which is later eaten with salad.
Where to try: La Table du Château, Restaurant Bambou, Four seasons restaurant, La Pirogue
16. Bol Renverse - Layered Rice topped with Fried Omelette
Source Bol Renverse is a type of biryani consisting of three layers: fried egg, chicken or seafood stir-fried with vegetables and sauces and finally the boiled rice. While preparing the dish, the fried egg is first placed in the bowl, then the fried veggies with chicken and lastly, cooked rice. However, while serving it is turned upside down. It is available in few Mauritian restaurants in Port Louis.
Where to try: Pyramid snacks, Rue de Labourdonnais in Mahebourg city
17. Boulettes - A Variant of Chinese Dumplings
SourceBoulettes are another variant of Chinese dumplings. When dim sums are served with flavoursome bouillon, they become Boulettes. Dumplings are made of meat, pork, fish or even vegetables. Streetside vendors at China Town in Port Louis cook tasty Boulettes.
Where to try: Asian Restaurant in Pointe de Flacq, Chez Patrick in Mahebourg, King Dragon in Quatre Bornes, Canton in Port Louis
18. Achard Legumes - Pickled Vegetables
SourceThis popular Mauritian pickle is made up of vegetables. Carrots, cabbage, French beans and fried chillies form the main ingredients of this dish. Have it as a sandwich filling or with bread and biryani.
Where to try: La Chaumière Masala Restaurant, Ile aux Cerfs island, Mauritius and House of India in Trou aux Biches
19. Gajak - Deep Fried Snack
Source These deep-fried Mauritian snacks are sold everywhere over the island. You will find gajak being sold everywhere, from small, stalls to street vendors and luxury restaurants. It is ostensibly the favourite snack of Mauritians.
Where to try: eating from the street vendors will be the best
20. Roti Chaud - Indian Flat Bread
Source Roti Chaud is flat Indian bread, served with various curries and pickles. They are sold on the street, carried on the back of a motorcycle. They are identical to Indian rotis. Trying Indian rotis in Mauritius is a great experience anyway.
Where to try: Sunshine Fusion restaurant in Poste Lafayette, Roti Aka Vinoda restaurant in Flic en Flac, House of India in Trou aux Biches
Food in Mauritius is undoubtedly a melting pot of cuisines. With these dishes in your list, your food tour in Mauritius is going to satisfy your taste buds.
