Try a bite-sized stopover in Mauritius
Food-inspired travel is a trend that shows no signs of slowdown, with holidaymakers looking to experience everything from street food to fine dining during their travels, as well as adding to their repertoire of dishes to cook at home.
Authentic experiences
Visiting local markets, sampling authentic dishes in family-owned restaurants, taking a Creole cookery lesson or dining in palatial surroundings at a high-end resort are just some of the ways to experience the variety of Mauritian cuisine. And you don’t need a two-week stay to enjoy it all, either – though you’ll no doubt want to come back for more.
Immerse yourself
As the demand for food-based tourism grows, more and more opportunities have risen to meet it, so even a brief stopover in Mauritius can provide foodie travellers with a quick and easy chance to taste something new. Here’s a few of the best ways to immerse yourself in the island’s rich food culture:
- Head to one of the many markets in Mauritius to try out some freshly prepared street food like dhal puri, roti chaud or gajak. The island’s diverse blend of Indian, African, Chinese, Creole, French and British influences can be found across the country.
- Visit an old-time Creole restaurant like Palais de Barbizon, where the recipes have been passed down through generations and the ingredients are grown on site. Or head to Escale Creole and its exotic gardens, for an all-organic menu of Mauritian favourites like rougaille, various curries and homemade Creole sausages.
- Mauritius does produce its own small batch coffee, but tea still rules the roost on this island. Follow the Mauritian tea route and learn all about the history of tea production in Mauritius, followed by a tea-inspired meal at the Bois Cheri estate’s restaurant. You should pick up some ideas for cooking with tea at home, too.
- Sweet-toothed foodies don’t need to look very far for a sugar fix. There’s the ubiquitous and uniquely Mauritian napolitain for starters; a small, jam-filled shortbread sandwich covered in a pale pink fondant icing. Or buy yourself a little box of South Asian mithai for a milk-and-sugar-based treat.
- Mauritius has even gained a reputation for great wine, with many of the island’s luxury resorts home to impressive cellars and world-class sommeliers. You can experience this for yourself during one of the frequent wine-tasting events held throughout the island, like those at Constance Le Prince Maurice and One&Only Le Saint Géran.
Best of all, if you’re travelling in our business class cabin your food adventure begins the moment you board our aircraft. Our Cooking without borders concept sees French, Indian and Chinese techniques applied to a global palette of ingredients, resulting in an international menu where cultural traditions and differences converge.
Stopovers to savour
So if you’re considering a food-filled stopover in Mauritius, take a look at the Air Mauritius website for more information on all our stopover opportunities, including details of how to qualify for one night’s free accommodation. Those staying on the island for up to 72 hours can also benefit from attractive discounts in Mauritius hotels with Stopover Plus, where selected hotels offer the chance to spend up to three nights and pay for only one.
