Usually, the visit to Mauritius is directly linked to postcards because that is what most people visit there for. Yes, you are thinking right, I am talking about eye-hurting bright ones that have turquoise water and luxury resorts that look photoshopped and you have to decide whether you should hit the pool or the beach.
But the story is different if you and I are the same, and yes, I mean the foodie category. If you are in that group, then it’s a simple revelation that the real soul lies not in those postcards or the hotel lobby, but in the roadside grill that is smoking and attracting. Or the rush hours in local markets and the shops that feel like gems and can only be found offline.
My last trip to Mauritius was a mission to discover, a mission to taste the Island’s history. This mission became scattered yet accomplished when I met the flavors in mountain villages, sprawling across city markets. I realized that you have to move to actually find the flavors.
Breaking Free from the Tourist Trap
The first mistake that everyone is prone to make in Mauritius is relying on resort shuttles or taxis. Although it looks convenient, they limit the adventure. They usually take you to where they want you to go, places like markets that might rip off tourists with high expenses and other tourist traps.
I, as an adventurer, absolutely despise having limits to enjoyment and thus to chase the scent of frying chili cakes (gateaux piments) down a side street without having a fixed schedule, I devised a plan to have my own set of feelings. The roads are well maintained, and navigation was easy, so it motivated me further to look at everything thoroughly, and for this I chose Crystal Car Rental, and I think I would call it a lifesaver because I was able to explore not just blend with the traditional vacation. It gave me freedom to wake up and catch the fishermen at Mahebourg and watch the sunrise, or simply stay up late at a night market in Port Louis without checking my watch.
The Melting Pot on a Plate
After getting the freedom of the wheel, the trip catalogue was like an open menu. Mauritius is not a single culture; it is a soup of a variety.
The first place that grabbed my attention was Port Louis. The energy in the capital is on the rise, and it’s busy with a great aroma. My parking spot was the Central Market, aka the Street Food dreamland, with the aroma of cumin, turmeric, and fresh herbs.
My starter was Dholl Puris, aka the heavyweight champion of Mauritius street food. They are soft flatbreads, very thin yet packed with split peas and served with bean curry, rougaille (a spicy tomato sauce), and pickles. The vibe it gives while eating it, as the sauce drips on your hand, is something that’s making me hungry again while writing.
Having a car motivated me to not stop here, and so my next stop became Grand Baie, where I would stop randomly whenever I saw a crowd gathered around a food cart. This is my go-to strategy even now because it led to the best Boulettes (Mauritian dim sum) tasted, as though I can still feel it today.
The Coastal Drive: A Feast for the Eyes
The meals are awesome, but the beauty drive in between them is something else. One afternoon, I just got up and set out to the south of the island down the coastal road. The part was more rugged and wilder as waves crashed harder against the cliff with salt spraying right through open windows.
I was able to see the Gris Gris beach and Rochester Falls, which I would’ve missed on the tour bus. I got to hunt dinner after a blissful hike down to a waterfall with freedom.
The diversity of food made me realize how the world is different yet carries different tastes everywhere, as it isn’t about the heavy curries alone but the unparalleled freshness of seafood. Near Le Morne, I spotted a small shack grilling fish caught that morning. I stopped to taste the green chilli pasted fresh fish that brought my taste buds to life. I am just glad I stopped.
Quenching the Tropical Thirst
The food is like a flower in Mauritius, but the beverages take the shape of dewdrops on it, enhancing their charm. The tropical sun enhances the thirst, and it calls upon the island’s liquid heritage to quench it. Between the sea spraying salt water and the heat, I found myself desiring a glass of Alouda, which was a treat of its own, as it is a chilled, milky concoction thickened with agar-agar and sweet basil seeds. It is the best antidote for such heat & humidity. The stops just aren’t just for drinking, but the view they give is a feast of its own. Whether you just want to sip sugarcane huice or just take a detour inland to the misty tea plantations of Bois Chéri for a vanilla-infused brew, you must enjoy the drink.
Navigating the Menu
Trips or even planning them can be overwhelming with so many dishes listed yet sounding unfamiliar; that’s a given. I was just closing my eyes and pointing to random things on the menu and ordering, hoping that I didn’t blunder.
Even a little research can come in handy at such times. To understand what you were eating, you need to know the basics. I became a pirate like Captain Jack Sparrow, moving north to south, finding the essentials to have when in Mauritius, be it noodles or curry dishes. I made my own checklist, and I treasure Mauritius Food to this date.
Why the Journey Matters
The end of the week was not surprising for me, but for those who saw my camera roll, because it wasn’t filled with selfies but rather with food like Mine Frites (fried noodles) tossed in woks over high heat, bowls of Halim (a slow-cooked soup), and endless fresh coconuts, and the sceneries I had captured uniquely.
I was able to remember my way back, not because I remembered the path, but through that I ate there, like that curve in the road is where I had the amazing pineapple with chili salt. This stretch of highway is where the sugar cane fields turn golden at sunset.
Mauritius is a destination for curious people and adventurers because it rewards them; it’s a place you can relax and choose between a luxury hotel or a relaxing roadside tea stall.
If you are planning to go there, then I recommend getting your ride ready with a map and a lot of hunger. The island is small enough that you can cover it in a day, but the depth of flavors can keep you there for a lifetime. So, pack your bags and make memories!