Culinary Travel Mauritius

A warm moment shared around a refined table, a celebration of gastronomy and the art of living according to MJ Holidays.

Culinary Travel in Mauritius: A Gourmet Journey Through the Indian Ocean

From Port Louis street food tours to private chefs in your villa, discover the soul of Mauritian cuisine

A culinary travel in Mauritius is much more than tasting good dishes: it is an immersion into a four-century-old creole culture where Indian, African, Chinese and French influences meet on every plate. From the bustling food stalls of Port Louis street food vendors to the refined tables of our partner restaurants, every meal becomes a discovery of the island. With our luxury villa rentals in Mauritius, you can pair this gourmet exploration with the comfort of a private home, a dedicated concierge and a personal chef cooking Mauritian food at your table. Whether you dream of learning to prepare dholl puri with yellow split peas, sampling fried noodles in Chinatown Port Louis, or pairing rum from Bois Cheri Plantation with sunset views, our culinary experiences are tailored to every palate. From families to honeymooners, food lovers to curious travellers, this gourmet journey reveals the true taste of the Indian Ocean.

The roots of Mauritian cuisine: a creole mosaic

To understand Mauritian food, you have to look back at the island's history. Mauritius was shaped by waves of migration from India, Africa, China and France, and each community brought its spices, gestures and rituals to the kitchen. The result is a unique creole cuisine where turmeric, cumin and ginger meet soy sauce, vanilla and chili. Indian heritage gave Mauritius its curries, biryanis and dholl puri filled with ground split peas. African roots brought rougail, smoked fish and the art of slow-cooked stews. Chinese settlers, especially those from Chinatown Port Louis, introduced fried rice, fried noodles and dim sum sold from busy food stalls. French gastronomy added refined sauces, pastries and fine dining codes still visible in our partner restaurants today. Our Mauritius tourism guide explores these cultural layers in depth, but tasting them is the best way to understand the island.

Chef preparing a refined dish at the MJ Holidays restaurant in Mauritius.
Portrait of a radiant woman embodying the elegance and the sweet life of Mauritius according to MJ Holidays.
Boat gliding on a bright turquoise sea, a symbol of escape and freedom with MJ Holidays.
Typical Mauritian dish with spicy and colorful flavors, a tribute to the culinary richness celebrated by MJ Holidays.

Pairing Mauritian food with your travel style

Every traveller has a different way to eat Mauritius. Some come for the street food tour, hunting the best meal of the trip in the food stalls of Port Louis Central Market, where vendors fry gateaux piments and pour steaming bowls of mine frit. Others prefer slow mornings in the villa, with breakfast served on the terrace and a private chef preparing fresh fish and tropical fruits. Honeymooners often choose candlelit dinners by the lagoon, while families look for fun cooking classes where children learn Mauritian food alongside the chef. Foodies dive into food tours through Chinatown, sampling deep fried snacks, dim sum and Chinese pastries. Whatever your style, our concierge designs a culinary journey that fits your rhythm.

Contemporary villa with private pool in Mauritius offered by MJ Holidays.

To wander through the Port Louis market, discover Mythic

Discover

Three resorts, three gourmet universes

Our three signature resorts each offer a distinct culinary identity, allowing you to choose the setting that matches your idea of a perfect food Mauritius experience. Marguery Villas, on the quiet north-east coast, is the home of intimate creole dining: private chefs prepare Mauritian classics in your villa, from rougail saucisses to vindaye, while the concierge organises beach picnics and barefoot dinners under the stars.

Mythic Suites & Villas, on the west coast, takes a more refined approach. Its on-site restaurant L'Atelier reinterprets Mauritian cuisine with modern techniques and beautiful plating, pairing local fish with French sauces and Indian spices.

Eko Savannah, in the heart of the south, embodies a bistronomic and eco-conscious vision. Its restaurant BOMA serves wood-fired dishes built around vegetables, meat and seafood and local rum, with a famous Sunday brunch.

Gourmet dish served at the MJ Holidays restaurant in Mauritius.

Mauritian dish based on fragrant rice, combining spices and refined culinary tradition with MJ Holidays.
Sparkling turquoise waters bordering Mauritius, an invitation to relaxation and escape signed by MJ Holidays.
White sand beach bordered by sparkling turquoise water, a haven of peace and natural beauty signed by MJ Holidays.
Mauritian landscape between sea and mountains, an invitation to contemplation and serenity with MJ Holidays.

To savour fresh fruit and vegetables, discover Eko Savannah

Discover

Signature dishes you must eat in Mauritius

No culinary travel in Mauritius is complete without tasting the island's iconic dishes. Rougail, a tomato-based creole stew flavoured with ginger, garlic and chili, is the heart of Sunday family lunches and pairs beautifully with rice and lentils. Briani, the local biryani, layers basmati rice, saffron, potatoes and slow-cooked meat, seafood or chicken in a fragrant bouquet of turmeric, cumin and cardamom. Dholl puri, a thin flatbread stuffed with yellow split peas, is the king of Mauritian street food, sold by vendors in Port Louis street food markets and eaten with rougail and pickles. Mine frit, a wok-tossed plate of fried noodles with vegetables and shrimp, is the legacy of Chinatown Port Louis, while vindaye showcases fish or octopus marinated in mustard, turmeric and vinegar. Gateaux piments, deep fried split peas fritters, are the perfect aperitif with a cold Phoenix beer.

Waiter presenting a dish at the MJ Holidays restaurant in Mauritius.

Immersive culinary experiences around the island

Beyond your villa, the island offers countless culinary experiences that turn a simple holiday into a real food tour. Mornings can begin with a street food tour at Port Louis Central Market, where the chef walks you between food stalls. Further south, the Mahebourg Monday market is a sensory feast of tropical fruits, fresh fish and homemade chutneys, while the Grand Gaube market charms travellers with its village atmosphere and direct contact with fishermen. Cooking classes are organised in your villa or at the resort: learn to cook Mauritian food, master the art of curry pastes and discover the right balance of spices. For an unforgettable afternoon, head to Chamarel for a rum tasting at one of the island's most reputed distilleries, or visit the Bois Cheri Plantation to pair tea with local pastries.

Tailored culinary formats for every moment

The beauty of a culinary travel in Mauritius lies in its flexibility. Our private chefs can shape every meal of your stay, from sunrise breakfasts of fresh tropical fruits and vanilla pancakes, to lazy poolside lunches built around grilled fish and creole salads. Beach barbecues are a guest favourite: marlin skewers, lobster, sausages and grilled vegetables served on the sand at sunset, paired with a chilled rum cocktail. For active days, we prepare gourmet picnics to take on hiking trails, catamaran cruises or visits to the Black River Gorges. Romantic dinners can be set up on the terrace with candles, flowers and a tasting menu featuring vindaye, briani and a curry leaf creme brulee.

If you want to combine cuisine with sightseeing, our tailor-made holiday in Mauritius blends food tours, cooking classes and cultural visits into a single seamless itinerary.

Traveler reviews

“Culinary travel in Mauritius: Port-Louis market with the chef, Creole cooking class in-villa, candlelit dinner with Mauritian menu. I learned to cook rougail, biryani and dholl puri. A human and gourmet experience.”

Ines — Marguery Villas — May 2025

“BOMA, the Eko Savannah restaurant, is a revelation. Wood-fired bistronomic cuisine, Sunday brunch with locals, cocktail workshops. And the chef who comes to the villa for private dinners... an unforgettable culinary travel.”

Roman — Eko Savannah — March 2025

“L'Atelier at Mythic offers refined Mauritian cuisine. But the must was our private chef Nitish: every dinner was a celebration. Vindaye, chili cakes, curry leaf creme brulee. Unforgettable.”

Camille — Mythic Suites & Villas — September 2025

“We toured the island through cuisine: Mahebourg market, cassava biscuit factory, Chamarel distillery, beachfront restaurants. Concierge organised everything. Our private chef Sunny closed beautifully with a Creole dinner.”

Fabrice — Marguery Villas — December 2024

“Family culinary travel with two foodie teens. Cooking class for the kids, Sunday brunches at BOMA, in-villa dinners, rum tasting at Chamarel. Everyone learned something. Delicious.”

Valerie — Eko Savannah — April 2025

Restaurant team welcoming customers with a smile at MJ Holidays in Mauritius.

Ready to plan your culinary travel in Mauritius? Talk to our concierge team to design your gourmet journey.

Sparkling private pool in the heart of a tropical garden, an oasis of privacy and serenity with MJ Holidays.

To uncover the secrets of rum and vanilla, discover Marguery

Discover

Need help ?

Most frequently asked questions:

It all depends on your desires. Marguery Villas is ideal for families and active travelers, between sea and mountains, as well as those looking for everything on foot, thanks to its village life. Mythic Suites & Villas will appeal to lovers of peace and elegance, as well as vacationers looking for very spacious accommodations and vacations near the beaches and the lagoon. Finally, Eko Savannah will please you if you are looking for nature, a warm atmosphere and a country club spirit. Our teams are there to guide you according to your style of stay!

You can book directly on our site or contact us for personalized support. Our team will help you refine your project, choose the ideal villa or apartment, and prepare for your arrival with confidence!

Sporty escape, relaxing retreat, or family adventure each MJ Holidays resort offers a different face of Mauritius.

Marguery Villas, in Rivière Noire, is perfect for exploring the island’s South and West. Try kitesurfing at Pointe d’Esny, kayaking with dolphins, hiking Le Morne or Black River Gorges, or sunbathing at La Preneuse or Île aux Bénitiers. There are also plenty of family activities: zoos, golf, waterfalls… All set in a friendly, village-style atmosphere between lagoon and mountains.

Mythic Suites & Villas, in Grand Gaube, invites you to discover the North and East of the island. Take a catamaran to the northern islets, tour colonial mansions, explore Port Louis, go scuba diving, hike in Ferney Valley or Le Pouce, relax on sandy beaches, or tee off at a scenic golf course. So much to do within easy reach of the resort!

Eko Savannah, on the edge of the savannah, is your ideal base to explore the West and Central regions of Mauritius. Enjoy a walk through tea fields, mountain biking in the savannah, a visit to Grand Bassin Hindu temple or a local rum distillery, family outings to the zoo or golf course, or a hike to the Seven Cascades. You’ll love the warm country club spirit and all the nearby activities!

Three resorts, three vibes but always the same promise: freedom, privacy, and heartfelt hospitality.

Ask a question

Can't you find what you're looking for?

search
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.