Top things to do in Port Louis

Although dedicated to the world-famous Mauritian one-penny and two-pence stamps of 1847, the Blue Penny Museum is far more wide-ranging than its name suggests, taking in the history of the island's exploration,...

The shrine of French Catholic priest and missionary Père Jacques-Désiré Laval is something of a Lourdes of the Indian Ocean, with many miracles attributed to pilgrimages here. The padre died in 1864 and was...

Set in a refurbished colonial home in the heart of the capital's chaos, Lambic is a beer buff's paradise, with dozens upon dozens of local and imported beers, including a particularly rich selection from Belgium...

Inhabiting its own pontoon across the harbour, the Deck wins plaudits for its setting, which is slightly removed from the clamour of the riverside bars and has nice views. The food is good without being really...

Set around an attractive courtyard, this European-style restaurant also features professional service, and an impressive menu that focuses on a memorable assortment of fusion tastes and fresh cuisine, such as a...

This gorgeous little cafe has an upstairs bookshop, artworks on the wall, a concrete floor, wi-fi and a classy and contemporary feel to it – we could spend a whole afternoon here writing postcards. Food is...

Port Louis' rightly famous Central Market, the centre of the local economy since Victorian times, is a good place to get a feel for local life, watch the hawkers at work and buy some souvenirs. Most authentic are...

Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese fusion cooking fuse seamlessly at this swish and sophisticated restaurant at Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel. The set menus are a wonderful culinary journey, but everything...

The model-ship manufacturer Voiliers de l'Océan has an outlet just outside the Craft Market with dozens of model ships, large and small, on display and for sale.

Aapravasi Ghat, a small complex of buildings located on the seafront, served as the island's main immigration depot for indentured labourers from India. Some of the original stone buildings remain, with displays...

This small but engaging museum, down a cobbled lane opposite the Municipal Theatre, is the labour of love of local photographer Tristan Bréville. He's amassed a treasure trove of old cameras and prints, including...

The city's most imposing boulevard, Place d'Armes is lined with royal palms and leads up to Government House, a beautiful French-colonial structure dating from 1738. Outside there's a typically solemn statue of...

This interesting museum beside the Central Post Office houses a mishmash of commemorative stamps and other postal paraphernalia from around the world. One exhibit details the history of the Mauritius post using a...

The major attraction at this small museum – which was closed for much-needed renovations when we visited – used to be the famous reconstruction of a dodo. But with the museum closed, the dodo has been moved to...

Fort Adelaide resembles a Moorish fortress. Built by the British, the fort sits high on the crown of a hill, offering splendid views over the city and its harbour. The old barracks have been restored and...

The Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel boasts this cool and classy brasserie serving up salads, bagels, pasta, casseroles and prime cuts of steak. There's even a curry bar with six curries to choose from. It's just...

Atmospheric Namaste serves up excellent North Indian specialities such as tandooris, tikkas and butter chicken – the set menus are outstanding and worth getting your head around before ordering. Try for a balcony...

If the age-old rule applies that a good Chinese restaurant is full of Chinese diners, then First is a winner. Packed with large family groups enjoying vast feasts of delicious Cantonese cooking, this is...

One of Mauritius' premier art institutions, this fine space is designed to increase local exposure to high-quality art, with four temporary exhibitions per year. It's overseen by Salim Currimjee, who formerly...

The Craft Market is less fun but also less hassle than the Central Market. You'll find better-quality souvenirs, such as Mauritius glass, artworks and essential oils from the stalls arrayed over two floors inside...