MAURITIUS – MARKETS, MENUS & MUSIC!
Beyond the sun, sea and sand, Mauritius offers fine dining and plenty of opportunities to shop and enjoy the local nightlife:
Gastronomy:
Dining in Mauritius is a journey of discovery, from the Creole rougailles, Indian curries and Chinese sweet-and-sour pork to the haute cuisine of the French. But the spread of menus reflects the diversity of Mauritian culture, with Creole cuisine focusing on tomatoes, onions, ginger, garlic and chillies; the French using elements such as palm heart, giant prawns, venison and wild boar, while fresh fish and seafood set the tone for Chinese cooking.
Fruits of Mauritius
The most authentic Mauritian cuisine is generally found outside the resorts, slightly off the beaten track. Creole restaurants, for example, will feature daube (a beef or chicken stew), vindaye (deep-fried fish coated with turmeric, mustard seeds, ginger and chillies), as well as chevrettes (shrimps) and tec-tec (clams). Street food in Mauritius tends toward Indian or Chinese influence.
Mauritian cuisine is proud of its past but has also gained the finest reputation in the contemporary world. Leading chefs such as Paul Bocuse and Alain Ducasse have visited the island and contributed to boost this top-quality cuisine. The local chefs show positive creativity and ‘savoir-faire’ in recipes of their own, where traditional and local ingredients, used boldly for a perfect blend, are found in the most famous hotels.
Shopping:
The shopping experience is no less diverse. Duty free goods are available in the air-conditioned shops and designer boutiques at the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis or for a more colourful adventure, the large Central Market buzzes with bargaining. Visitors should expect some joyful haggling and aim to pay 20-30% less than the asking price. Local markets are also held in most Mauritian villages.
Shopping in Port Louis
Mauritius is a major textiles exporter so factory outlets are a great hunting ground for bargains especially in Curepipe, Quatre Bornes and Floreal. Taking a little something back home, be it a diamond necklace or a cashmere pashmina, a rack of spices or a colourful basket, Mauritius has shopping opportunities for all.
Nightlife:
Resort nightlife can be anything from Sega dance troupes to rock bands. There is a lively atmosphere with nightclubs, pubs and restaurants; international DJs are often invited for special occasions. French, English, techno or jazz music are all on offer. People staying in the north west of the island are best placed for nightlife beyond the resorts, with Grand Baie being the island’s fun capital. Flic en Flac also has some action.
Warm, starlit evenings provide an idyllic setting for alfresco dining, dancing and romantic strolls on the beach. Or try your luck at one of the local casinos!
