18 | EXPLORE MAURITIUS
FOOD is an important part of life in Mauritius.
around the island... Mauritian
food is influenced by the islands diverse mix of Indian, Chinese, African and European cultures, creating a literal melting pot of flavours. The island has an incredible street food scene however fine dining is available, both in luxury hotels and resorts and independent restaurants on the island. Here are a few Mauritian dishes we think you should try!
Gateaux Piments
Try gateaux piments (Mauritian chilli poppers) during your stay. Like falafel with a fiery kick, these crispy fritters are a traditional local snack made with split peas, chillies and coriander.
Boulettes
Boulettes are small steamed dumplings that come with all sorts of fillings, including shrimp, lamb, squash, chicken, fish, tofu, fish and calamari. They are served in a hot broth with vegetables and noodles, and they are a popular street food that you can find all over the island. This is the perfect dish for a light dinner or snack.
Dholl puri This is a popular street food
in Mauritius, and you can find it almost everywhere! Dholl puri is a flatbread made from yellow split peas that are ground into flour, then stuffed with a mixture of cooked yellow split peas, chutney and pickles. It’s often served with curry and is a perfect meal for lunch.
Fish vindaye
Fish vindaye is a dish that is typically made with fish, but it can also be made with chicken or vegetables. It’s a curry that is made with mustard, turmeric, onions, and garlic, and it has a tangy, spicy flavour. It’s often served with rice and is a perfect dish for dinner.
Napolitaine
Mauritius is a great place to try pastries, cakes and sweet treats. Napolitaine is a local favourite, often made of two melt-in- your-mouth shortbread slices, sandwiches together with some jam and drizzled with a layer of icing sugar. You’ll find them in patisseries, supermarkets, food courts and tabagie shops across the island.
Bol Renversé
A beloved dish in Mauritius, Bol Renversé literally means “upside-down bowl”.
It’s a
layered dish consisting of rice, stir-fried vegetables, meat or seafood, and a fried egg on top. The dish is then flipped over onto a plate before serving, creating a beautiful presentation.
Jamalac
You can get different coloured jamalac, a sweet fruit filled with water. You might see a street or beachside stall selling cups full of the fruit, drizzled with tamarind juice – plus a bit of salt and chilli on top! Mauritians love chilli!
gourmet, you can taste your way
Home-cooked, street food or
www.nitravelnews.com
July/August 2023
the waterfront, a choice of fine-dining at seven restaurants and extensive watersports including sailing, waterskiing, kayaking and snorkelling.
FLIGHTS
•Gatwick – Mauritius International Airport £850 return HOTELS
•20 Degree Sud Hotel, Grand BaiL:
20degressud.net/en/ •Chamarel Chalets,
Chamarel:
searesortshotels.com/chaletschamarel/ •Paradise Beachcombers Golf and Spa Resort, Le Morne:
beachcomber-hotels.com/ en/hotel/paradis-beachcomber
EXPLORE MARVELLOUS MAURITIUS WITH SOPHIE SPENCER BY SOPHIE SPENCER
WE started our trip in Grand Baie, located on the north-west coast of the island. With lively restaurants, sandy beaches and a vibrant harbour - Grand Baie is the go-to spot for visitors. Sailing and windsurfing enthusiasts gravitate to this area to take advantage of the weather conditions and stable currents. Visitors can also catch a catamaran trip
to the Northern Islands and enjoy relaxing on the white sands of Gabriel Island, reef snorkelling and a traditional Mauritian BBQ for lunch. An all day trip costs around £30 from Topsail located at Grand Baie Harbour.
The best way to get around Grand-Baie is to hire bikes and cycle along the coast to the world famous beaches of Mon Choisy and Trou aux Biches – a 10 mile roundtrip from Grand Baie city centre.
Thirty minutes from Grand Baie lies the Pamplemousses Botanic Gardens which is the oldest garden in the southern hemisphere. A guided tour is recommended, but if you go yourself, make sure you visit the giant Amazonian lily pond.
Next stop was Charmarel located in the south-west primarily known for stunning scenery and natural attractions. Among them are
the Seven Coloured Earth,
Chamarel Waterfall and Black River Gorges National Park. The National Park caters for hiking of all abilities, from a 6km walk on the Petron trail to more challenging hikes to Alexandra Falls and Maccabee waterfalls. The surrounding area is also known for vast sugarcane plantations which is home to the renowned rum - Rhumerie de Chamarel. This exquisite distillery is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Mauritius and visitors can enjoy a guided tour and rum-tasting for as little as £7 per person.
Located just 10km from Charmarel lies Grand Bassin, a picturesque lake that is believed to be filled with the waters of the holy Ganges of India. Our final destination was Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa located on the beautiful Le Morne Peninsula on the island’s southwestern tip for a few days of golf. The resort’s 18-hole championship course offers tropical elegance and boasts spectacular views of the Le Morne mountain around the course. The resort offers easy access to the golf course and combines a feeling of total privacy with such thoughtful touches as a private golf cart and golf clubs. Resort guests also enjoy world-class luxury accommodation including private villas on
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