Things to do in Mauritius
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L'Epicerie Gourmande
Self-servers will find a delightful assortment of gourmet imports at L'Epicerie Gourmande.
reviewed
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Le Ranch
Located along the main road at the southern end of Black River towards Le Morne, Le Ranch offers competent riders the chance to do one- to three-hour trots along the sea or in the hills nearby. Beginner rides around the farm are available as well.
reviewed
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Le Rochester Restaurant
The charming Madame Appadu, who once ran the Cabane en Paille restaurant at the Vallée des Couleurs, now has her own family restaurant in an old colonial building by the bridge to Surinam. A delightful mix of Creole, Indian and Chinese staples are served on a shady terrace situated atop a gushing ravine. Upstairs you'll find three small guest rooms (singles/doubles including breakfast Rs 900/1600), but they're nothing to write home about.
reviewed
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Les Ecuries de Pointe Coton
The island's best stables are Les Ecuries de Pointe Coton, located adjacent to the Cotton Bay Hotel. The friendly team can cater to all levels.
reviewed
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Les Enfants Terribles
The top pick for a night out on the town, the 'little terrors' has a roaring dance floor, a chilled-out lounge and a special VIP section that overflows with champagne. Walls bedecked with hundreds of crinkled photos of partiers confirm the sociable local vibe.
reviewed
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Le Souffleur
Le Souffleur, a hidden attraction known only to locals, isn't exactly a stone's throw from Souillac like the other sights in the area. You'll need a bit of gumption (and a 4WD) to tackle this one, but if you ask anyone in the know, they'll all say that it's well worth the adventure.
Situated on the coast about halfway between Souillac and Blue Bay, this geological anomaly is a half-formed grotto on the side of a cliff that spouts a geyser-like fountain of water (up to 20m in the air!) when the seas are rough. As the waves crash against the cliff the seawater pushes through a crack in the bluffs like a blowhole on a whale. If the seas aren't particularly rough during your…
reviewed
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Les Sirandanes
Slide between the crisp white walls of the Bay Hotel to uncover Les Sirandanes perched directly along the sea under generous thatch awnings. Stare out to the bobbing fishing boats in the lagoon while savouring a delectable assortment of gourmet spins on Mauritian cuisine.
reviewed
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Le Waterpark & Leisure Village
For a fun half-day away from the beach, swing by Le Waterpark & Leisure Village, which offers rides, slides and thrills aplenty spread across 10 hectares of an old sugar estate.
reviewed
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L'Impasse
Homemade teas, fresh French- and Thai-inspired salads, and fish from the Seychelles makes this little eatery well worth finding. Follow the signs down a back alley – it's next door to the Vaco gallery in 'Dodo Square'.
reviewed
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London Way
London Way looks a bit worn out, though locals prefer it to Kaddy Plus as it has a wider selection of items.
reviewed
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London Way
The modern London Way is on the main road heading towards Pointe d'Esny.
reviewed
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Maeva
reviewed
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Magic Sails
Magic Sails offers a unique product – a two-day live-aboard boat trip that takes in the island's mountain-backed western coast.
reviewed
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Martello Tower
In the 1830s the British built five 'Martello' towers – copies of the tower at Mortella Point in Corsica (vowel order was apparently not a priority for the British) – to protect their young colony from predators (namely the French who were suspected of supporting a slave rebellion). Although the other towers have fallen into ruin, the one at La Preneuse has been converted into a small museum. Captions explain the tower's ingenious design – walls measure 3m in thickness and are crowned by a copper cannon that could apparently destroy a target 2km away.
reviewed
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Mauritius Glass Gallery
reviewed
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Mauritius Gymkhana Club
reviewed
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Max Gelato
Widely considered the best gelataria on the island, Max whips up a scrumptious assortment of flavours to cool you down after a day in the sun. We especially liked the vanilla cream and nutella. A half-kilo case of takeaway treats costs Rs 250.
reviewed
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Mazavaroo
Hikers tackling a scenic east-coast jaunt can take a lunch break at this very casual affair. Hunker down on chopped palm trunks to savour home-cooked seafood (smoked marlin, grilled fish, prawns and lobster) served on painted pastel tables.
reviewed
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Mirador
It's well worth planning your visit to Casela around lunchtime to grab a bite at the on-site restaurant. This charming open-air cafe has photogenic views of the sea and western plains, and serves a variety of international and local dishes (including a scrumptious heart of palm salad sourced from within the reserve).
reviewed
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Monday Market
Don't miss the 'foire de Mahébourg' held every Monday in central Mahébourg near the waterfront. The initial focus was silks and other textiles, but these days you'll find a roaring produce section, rows of tacky bric-a-brac and steaming food stalls. It's the perfect place to try some of the local snacks – gâteaux piments, dhal puris, samousa and chilli bites – usually dispensed from boxes on the backs of motorcycles. It doesn't take long to navigate the snaking rows of vendors, but it's well worth visiting if you found the market in Port Louis far too touristy.
reviewed
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Municipal Theatre
The appealing Municipal Theatre has changed little since it was built in 1822, making it the oldest theatre in the Indian Ocean region. Decorated in the style of the classic London theatres, it seats about 600 over three levels, and has an exquisitely painted dome ceiling with cherubs and chandeliers. Performances are in the evenings – usually at 8pm, and cost upwards of Rs 100. Look for announcements in the local press or call the tourist office to find out what's on. Theatre tickets can be purchased at the box office in the theatre itself.
reviewed
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Murphy's Irish Pub
What were the odds that Mauritius' first Irish pub would land in tiny Pereybère? Perhaps more suited to Grand Baie, Murphy's makes an unusual bedfellow for the swanky Sea Lovers Restaurant, run by the same team. In true Irish-pubs-abroad style, it looks nothing like an Irish pub, but has cold beer and big-screen sports.
reviewed
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Natural Spring
The actual 'trou d'eau douce' for which the town is named can be found in a man-made stone hole next to the national coast guard's office. To find the natural spring, follow the fork in the main road away from the Gothic church as it slopes down the hill to the docks – the well is on the right side. Locals visit the stash of fresh water when the government supply gets corrupted after a strong storm.
reviewed
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Niu
Niu employs a minimalist design scheme befitting the hippest address in London or New York. Fresh sushi and sashimi is the name of the game, though continental treats, like spring rolls and fried rice, further spice up the menu.
reviewed
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Ocean Spirit Diving
reviewed