Local Favourites
Dewa & Sons
Family business widely regarded as the island's dholl puri benchmark. A naturally vegetarian, very Indian-friendly snack stop.
Order Dholl puri with bean curry and chutney
Indian Ocean · Mauritius
Mauritius
Lagoon beaches, mountains, waterfalls and a warm Indo-Creole culture make this Indian Ocean island a relaxed honeymoon favourite for Indian travellers.
Best timeMay to December
Ideal trip5–7 days
Budget level₹₹₹₹
Getting thereSir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU); direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi
Visa (Indian passport)Visa-free for Indian passport holders for short stays, with return ticket and hotel booking (approximate — verify before travel) Other passport, or hold a US / UK / Schengen visa? Check the visa guide
Great Okay Not ideal
HoneymoonBeachesWater sportsFamilies
Four ways to see Mauritius
Touristy, offbeat, local or hidden?
Every traveller is different. Browse by style, then let the planner mix them into a day-by-day plan.
The famous must-sees
Le Morne BrabantFree
UNESCO-listed mountain at the island's southwest corner, with a famous beach and a historic link to escaped slaves. Hiking needs a guide.
scenic · about 3 hrs · best in the morningChamarel Seven Coloured Earth≈ ₹500
Dunes of rust-red, brown and violet sand with a nearby waterfall viewpoint and giant tortoises on site.
nature · about 2 hrsFree alternative: Alexandra Falls viewpoint — Free viewpoint over a layered gorge and waterfall, though it lacks the multicoloured sand.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden≈ ₹570
Garden famous for giant water lilies and spice trees, one of the oldest in the southern hemisphere.
nature · about 2.5 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Curepipe Botanic Garden — Free small garden with palms and a quiet lake, less famous than Pamplemousses but similar.
Ile aux Cerfs≈ ₹2,900
Island off the east coast reached by speedboat with turquoise water, snorkelling and a beach barbecue lunch.
beach · about 6 hrsFree alternative: Trou d'Eau Douce public beach — Free east-coast beach with turquoise water near the Ile aux Cerfs launch point.
Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)Free
Sacred crater lake with towering Shiva and Durga statues, central to Mauritian Hindu pilgrimage, especially during Maha Shivaratri.
spiritual · about 2 hrs · best in the morningFlic en Flac beachFree
Long white beach on the west coast with calm water and sunset views, plus restaurants and water-sport hire.
beach · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonTrou aux Cerfs volcano craterFree
Extinct volcano crater at Curepipe with a 360-degree view of the central plateau. Easy walk around the rim.
scenic · about 1 hrQuieter, still easy to reach
Blue Bay Marine Park≈ ₹1,500
Protected southeast lagoon with coral gardens and clear water, ideal for snorkelling and glass-bottom boats.
nature · about 3 hrs · best in the morningFree alternative: Pointe d'Esny beach — Free beach on the same southeast coast with calm water and snorkelling from shore, but fewer coral features.
Black River Gorges National ParkFree
Forested reserve with hiking trails, rare birds and viewpoints over waterfalls; entry is free, but carry water and mosquito repellent.
nature · about 4 hrs · best in the morningRochester FallsFree
Wide basalt-columned waterfall near Souillac, a short walk from the car park. Watch for slippery rocks.
nature · about 1.5 hrsBois Cheri tea estate≈ ₹950
Working tea plantation with a factory tour, tea tasting and a lake view, with a lunch restaurant.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the morningMahebourg and Naval Museum≈ ₹200
Charming southeastern town with a small museum of colonial naval battles and a seafront promenade.
culture · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonFree alternative: Mahebourg seafront promenade — Free coastal walk with views of the bay and local life, minus the museum exhibits.
Food, markets, crafts and people
Port Louis Central MarketFree
Bustling market selling spices, vanilla, fruit and snacks, a window onto Mauritian daily life; keep bags secure.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the morningDholl puri street food≈ ₹300
Try the national street snack, a soft flatbread filled with split peas and served with curry and chutney. Vegetarian by default.
food · about 1 hrRhumerie de Chamarel tasting≈ ₹1,100
Visit a sugar-cane rum distillery set in plantation land, with tastings of aged and spiced rums.
food · about 2 hrs · best in the afternoonMahebourg Monday marketFree
Big weekly market selling fruit, fabrics and crafts, with locals and fishermen mingling; arrive early before it gets hot.
shopping · about 2 hrs · best in the morningCreole home cooking experience≈ ₹3,500
Cook and eat fish curries, rougaille and chutneys in a family home with a local host. Vegetarian meals are easy to arrange.
food · about 3 hrs · best in the afternoonSpots most visitors miss
Gris Gris cliffsFree
Wild southern cliffs where waves smash into black rock, with a calm path and views; swimming here is dangerous.
scenic · about 1 hr · best in the morningTamarin salt pans≈ ₹300
Traditional sea-salt works beside the Black River coast with mountain views and artisanal salt for sale.
culture · about 1.5 hrs · best in the afternoonPoste Lafayette beachFree
Quiet east-coast beach with ironwood trees and rocky swimming holes, far less developed than the west.
beach · about 2 hrsAlbion lighthouseFree
A red-and-white lighthouse on a rocky headland on the west coast, great for sunset away from resort beaches.
scenic · about 1 hr · best in the eveningEntry fees and times are approximate, per adult, and change often — we confirm everything before you book. Last reviewed November 2026.
Specialities
What Mauritius is famous for
food
Dholl puri
Soft flatbread stuffed with ground yellow split peas, served with curry and chutney.
food
Fish vindaye and rougaille
Creole fish in mustard-turmeric sauce and tomato-based stews, served with rice.
food
Gateau piment
Crispy chilli-and-chickpea fritters sold from street stalls.
drink
Alouda
Sweet milk drink with basil seeds, jelly and vanilla, popular street refreshment.
drink
Mauritian rum and tea
Sugar-cane rum from Chamarel and vanilla-flavoured black tea from island plantations.
craft
Model sailing ships
Handbuilt wooden replicas of historic sailing vessels, sold in craft markets.
souvenir
Vanilla and spices
Vanilla pods, sugar and spice mixes in small bags, good as gifts.
experience
Sega dance evening
Colourful Creole music and dance performed on beaches and in hotels.
Where to eat
A taste of Mauritius
From the stalls locals queue at to the tables critics travel for — chosen for flavour, character and a warm welcome.
Must try
- Dholl puri vegSoft flatbread stuffed with ground yellow split peas, wrapped around bean curry, rougaille and chutney.
- Gâteau piment vegCrisp split-pea and chilli fritters - the island's favourite street snack.
- Mauritian curry and rougaille vegIndian-influenced curries and a tomato-based Creole sauce; both easy to get vegetarian.
- Octopus curry / vindayeCreole seafood classics; vindaye is a mustard-turmeric pickle-style dish.
- Alouda vegSweet milk drink with basil seeds and agar jelly, sold at Port Louis market.
- Mauritian rum vegAgricultural rhum from sugar-cane estates such as Chamarel; tastings are a popular outing.
Street food trail
Port Louis market and dholl puri trail
- Best time
- 8 am - 12 noon, Monday to Saturday (the best snacks sell out by lunch; Sunday is quiet)
- Takes
- 2-3 hours
- Start at
- Port Louis Central Market, Farquhar and Queen Streets
- Budget
- approx MUR 400-800 (Rs 760-1,520) per person
- Central Market (Bazar Port Louis) snack stallsPort Louis city centre
Try Dholl puri, a soft flatbread filled with ground yellow split peas and served with butter-bean curry, rougaille (tomato sauce) and chutney (veg). Farata, a flaky flatbread with curry (veg).
Busiest from 9 to 11 am. Ask for 'pa met pima' if you do not want chilli.
MUR 50-120 (Rs 95-230)Map
- Alouda stalls in the Central MarketCentral Market
Try Alouda, a cold milky drink with basil seeds and agar jelly (veg).
The traditional jelly is agar (seaweed), not gelatin, but ask if you are strict. Long-running market stalls have served it for generations.
MUR 50-80 (Rs 95-150)Map
- Market snack vendors: gateau piment and samoussasCentral Market and Corderie Street
Try Gateau piment, chilli fritters made of split peas (veg, vegan). Vegetable samoussas (veg). Bhajias (veg).
Buy from vendors frying fresh batches. These are sold by the bag and are best eaten hot.
MUR 30-80 (Rs 55-150)Map
- Chinatown (Royal Street area)Port Louis Chinatown, near the Jummah Mosque
Try Boulettes, Chinese-Mauritian dumplings in broth. Choose the chou chou (chayote) or vegetable ones (veg, ask about the broth). Mine frite (fried noodles) with vegetables (veg on request).
The broth is often chicken or fish-based, so ask for vegetable broth or eat them dry with chilli sauce on the side.
MUR 100-250 (Rs 190-475)Map
- Caudan WaterfrontPort Louis harbour
Try Coconut water, fresh fruit with chilli salt, or an ice cream on the promenade (veg).
A clean, safe place to finish, with shade, toilets and seating. It is a good fallback if the market feels too hectic.
MUR 100-250 (Rs 190-475)Map
Eat smart · every traveller
Diets & dietary needs
- Vegetarian
- Very easy. About half of Mauritians are of Indian descent, so dholl puri, farata, curries, gateau piment and samoussas are everywhere. Hotels are used to vegetarian Indian guests.
- Vegan
- Easy for street snacks such as dholl puri (ask for no butter or ghee), gateau piment and fruit. Harder with dairy desserts.
- Jain (no onion, garlic)
- Fairly realistic. Many Hindu Mauritian families cook without onion or garlic for religious fasts. Hotel kitchens and Indian restaurants will often cook Jain food on request, but street curries usually contain onion and garlic.
- Halal
- Easy. There is a large Muslim community, especially around Plaine Verte in Port Louis, many eateries are halal, and the halal biryani is famous.
- Gluten-free
- Fair. Dholl puri and farata are wheat-based. Rice and curry, gateau piment (split peas) and fruit are safer.
- With children
- Alouda, fruit, samoussas, fried noodles and ice cream are kid-friendly. Gateau piment is mildly hot inside.
- Spice level
- Heat is added at the end with chilli paste (pima). Simply say 'pa met pima' (don't add chilli).
Say it like a local
Useful phrases
- I am vegetarianMo vezetarien (Kreol)mo vay-zay-ta-RYEN
- No meat, no fish, no eggPa met laviann, pa met pwason, pa met dizefpa met la-VYAN, pa met pwa-SON, pa met dee-ZEF
- Not spicy, pleasePa met pima, silvouplepa met pee-MA, seel-voo-PLAY
- How much?Konbien sa?kom-BYEN sa
- Delicious!Li bon mem!lee BON mem
- Market stalls are cash-only, so carry small rupee notes. Cards work in malls, restaurants and hotels. Many people also speak Hindi, Bhojpuri, French and English.
- Hygiene varies. Eat from stalls with a crowd and fast turnover, and choose freshly fried items. If the main market feels too hectic, the small market at the Victoria bus terminal is an alternative.
- Port Louis empties after 5 pm and on Sundays, so do this trail on a weekday morning and keep valuables close in the crowded market.
- For a second round, many locals swear by dholl puri in Rose Hill, about 25 minutes inland. Ask your driver for their favourite stall.
Trail stops, hours and prices are approximate and stalls move — check locally. Pronunciations are simplified guides. Last reviewed 9 November 2026.
Where to eat, by budget
Street food, markets and humble legends
Acclaimed cafés and celebrated mid-range tables
Smart & Stylish
L'Alchimiste (Rhumerie de Chamarel)
Restaurant at the Chamarel rum distillery; pairs well with the Seven Coloured Earth and waterfall nearby.
Order Creole set lunch after a rum distillery tour
Smart & Stylish
La Table du Château (Château de Labourdonnais)
Refined dining on a restored colonial estate with orchards, combined easily with a château visit.
Order Menu built on the estate's fruit and vegetables; rum and fruit-liqueur tasting
Award-winning tables, tasting menus and grand hotel dining
Fine Dining & Splurgeiconic luxury-hotel dining
Le Barachois (Constance Prince Maurice)
Reached by a lantern-lit pontoon through mangroves, its decks float over a fish reserve - one of the island's signature romantic dinners.
Order Seafood dinner on the floating decks
Fine Dining & Splurgeiconic luxury-hotel dining
Le Château de Bel Ombre
An 18th-century plantation house with lawns and verandas, serving Mauritian flavours with French polish.
Order Franco-Mauritian dinner on the colonial veranda
Restaurants change hours, menus and prices often; awards are as published at the time of checking. Approximate — verify before you go. Last reviewed 9 November 2026. All our food picks
Time it right
Festivals & events
JanWorld
Cavadee
Tamil temples across Mauritius, Mauritius · About 22 January 2027 (lunar calendar — confirm closer to the time)
Mauritian Tamil devotees fast, then walk in processions to temples with decorated kavadi arches. A vivid, community-led spectacle that reflects the island's Indian roots.
Tip: Dress modestly, stay respectful near fire-walking and piercing rituals, and ask before photographing devotees.
Local tip: Rent a car with driver for a day for the south, since public buses are slow, and avoid cyclone season.
Make Mauritius yours
Build a free itinerary in a minute, or let our team plan it all — stays, transport and a clear price.