Mauritius Food Guide

The cuisine of Mauritius is as colorful and diverse as the island itself and its inhabitants. In my Mauritius Food Guide, I'll introduce you to the most delicious and typical dishes of Mauritius, so you'll know what you absolutely must try during your vacation.

The island of Mauritius is influenced by a variety of cultures. Chinese, Indian, European, and African - they all came to Mauritius and left their unique cultural mark. These multicultural influences can not only be seen in the cultural variety on Mauritius but also in the dishes that are typical for the island in the Indian Ocean. Want to know exactly what they are? Then you are in the right place with my Mauritius Food Guide, as I present to you the most delicious food on Mauritius.

Have you already been to Mauritius and not tried any curry? I would argue that you have missed the best culinary experience Mauritius has to offer! Curries in all variations and heat levels are simply a part of Mauritius. Whether with chicken, beef, lamb, or vegetarian, the typical curry (called Cari in Mauritius) is usually enhanced with vegetables and then served with rice or Roti, a type of flatbread.

You MUST try the curries in Mauritius!

If the Mauritian heat is too spicy for you, you should order a colorful Alouda to accompany it. This typical drink consists of milk and also contains fruit seeds and spices like vanilla, giving the shake an exotic note. Delicious! If you're in the mood for a small snack at lunchtime, you should get a portion of Samosas from one of the many small stalls where you can easily and cheaply get delicious dishes. These fried pastries filled with various goodies like meat, fish, vegetables, or cheese are a popular snack in Mauritius that you should definitely try. The simple Roti, served as a side with many curries, is also a very popular and spicy snack filled with lentil Dal, which has its origins in India and Pakistan.

In Mauritius, just like on the neighboring islands of Réunion and Seychelles, it is quite normal for food to be sold from small stalls or even directly from bicycles. The dishes at these stands cost only a few rupees, are authentic, and give you a good insight into the Mauritian food culture. You usually don't have to worry about cleanliness. Just look for where many locals are lining up - that's usually where the food is best!

Do you prefer something more Eastern? Then you definitely should try the Asian-inspired dishes in Mauritius! Fried or stir-fried rice, called Riz frit, served with crunchy vegetables, egg, and optionally meat, is available almost on every corner and in every restaurant on Mauritius. Fans of Asian noodle dishes will enjoy the Mauritian version of fried noodles, called Mine frite. Both dishes are perfect for takeout, so you can pack them for your exploration around the island or enjoy them at the beach with your feet in the sand. The beauty of the food in Mauritius is that everything is prepared and served quite simply, without much fuss.

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The bridge between Indian and Southeast Asian cuisine in Mauritius is represented by the numerous Biryani creations, which, like Riz frit, come with juicy meat, various seafood, and deliciously spicy sauces and curries. Make sure to try several Biryani dishes during your vacation, as the creations taste slightly different everywhere depending on the chef's preferences.

Now it gets really flavorful, as we turn our attention to the Creole influences in Mauritian cuisine. Creole cuisine is characterized by African, French, and Caribbean elements. It is usually cooked with fresh fish or chicken, hearty beans and potatoes, tomatoes, and savory sauces that include a mix of local spices. If this appeals to you, you should definitely order the whole fish with Creole tomato sauce and onions. Alternatively, you can order Cari de cerf, a type of venison goulash understood as a Creole version of Indian curry, or beef goulash in a fine sauce that strongly resembles French cuisine. At the latest, the juicy meatballs, which are a bit like our European meatballs and are usually served in soups, can surely convince even the most skeptical eater of Creole cuisine. It's best to drink a refreshing Alouda or a Phoenix, the popular Mauritian strong beer, which is also available in a non-alcoholic version.

By the way, rum is also typical for Mauritius, produced from local sugarcane plantations and available in various variations. The rum refined with vanilla was my personal favorite. If you don't want to drink the strong liquor straight, you can have a delicious cocktail mixed for you at a bar on the beach - that really brings on the vacation vibe, doesn't it?

If there's one thing you MUST eat in Mauritius, it's the super delicious fruits and vegetables available at every market, stall, and almost all beaches.

Bananas, pineapples, tomatoes, coconuts, lychees, jackfruits, papayas, mangoes, and other exotic fruits taste fresh and much more intense than what you're used to from back home. The moment a local opened a coconut for me on the beach, transporting dozens of fruits on his little bicycle and served it with a straw, I was hooked - the Mauritius feeling was just perfect at that moment!

Thinking about food in Mauritius is not only making me hungry, but also giving me serious wanderlust. Are you feeling the same? Then read a bit more in my travel magazine and plan your vacation in Mauritius! In addition to the culinary highlights, there's so much more to discover in Mauritius! A cruise, by the way, offers the perfect opportunity to experience culinary specialties.

Featured image: istock.com/byvalet