Port Louis, the capital city, is cupped by the Moka mountain range and overlooked by two of the highest peaks on the island: Le Pouce at 812m and the Pieter Both at 821m. Protected by a mountain range on one side, the other opens out onto the port .Its urban design is simple with the cultural or commercial activities in specific areas (i.e. the port, the china town, the waterfront etc).
Despite best efforts of decentralisation, Port Louis still remains a hubbub of activity causing traffic congestions particularly during peak hours (7.30am – 9.30am & 3.30pm – 5.30pm). Since few people live in Port Louis, the city is very quiet at night once the workers have left the city for the more residential parts of the island.
You can visit the capital in one day and enjoy the colonial architecture, the eclectic atmosphere in the streets and in the markets.
With its busy streets with cars, bikes and street hawkers, old run down shops backing onto new modern sky scrapers...Port Louis is something different! More eccentric than beautiful, the city mixes the old colonial and Creole style with the more modern office structures. A mixture of Chinese pagodas, Hindu temples and old colonial mansions and the colourful sari’s shows off the city’s rich cultural diversity. You will want visit the citadel and see the fabulous panoramic views over the city and its port. At the port, you can shop among the old historic buildings before returning to the waterfront.

SOME RESTAURANTS...
Cheap and cheerful

 Bouillon Boulettes
Opposite line barracks in a small yellow and orange coloured room with simple tables and benches, a Chinese chef cooks up great ‘bol renverser’ (Chinese fried rice in a bowl which is then turned out) , fried or steamed noodles, soups, meat and veggie balls all very cheap. The room is old and run down but the produce is fresh and the kitchens are very hygienic. A restaurant recommended by the locals.

 Chez Ah Niong
Open every day for lunch during the week and at night only with a pre booking. The restaurant is situated slightly outside the centre and the menu consists mainly of dishes from Reunion Island (goat masala. Goat cooked with banana flowers, black pudding...). The restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere and the manager is very friendly. A hit with the Mauritians!

 Le Calife
In this small dim restaurant you’ll eat the best biriani in town! Also on the menu is steamed noodles, bread with sautéed chicken, bol renverse (Chinese fried rice in a bowl which is then turned out)...You can eat in the restaurant or take away. You’ll need to book as Mauritians flock here as from 11am.

 Lai Min
Open every day for lunch and dinner. The restaurant is situated in the main street in Chinatown and has been going since 1946! A huge menu is offered at very affordable prices.

 La Singapoura
With crispy ducks hanging in the windows, this restaurant decorated in red is the classic cheap and cheerful Chinese restaurant. Open every day for lunch except on Sundays. Located on the first floor of a building frequented by the locals, this restaurant offers a rapid, tasty and inexpensive meal. There is a wide choice of starters and main courses on the menu but no deserts. Many of the dishes are meat, chicken or fish based...

International Standard restaurants at the waterfront
If you’re looking for a pizza or a plate of pasta, the Borsalino is a good address as is the Keg and Marlin for a typical style English Pub...

 Beer and Spice
Open every day from 10am to midnight – different opening times to other restaurants for a different concept – a Mauritian style pub where you can enjoy the famous Mauritian Phoenix beer and local food. The decor is original with its wooden floors, corrugated iron walls and bottle display and is a perfect setting for discovering their local and international dishes. Battered fish and veggies, samossas, sautéed octopus, lamb or chicken curry are on the menu as well as exotic pizza’s ‘tou le zour’ (every day)! Also on the menu are a choice of salads, grilled meats and pastas often at promotional prices for all – tourists and Mauritians alike.

 Black Steer
An American style bar and grill with decor to match in western style (red Indian dug canoes, animal hides, flags etc. On the menu: steaks, ostrich fillets, pork ribs, grilled chicken and fish’n’chips...And the traditional ice cream sundaes, chocolate mousses, crème caramel for desert! Prices are inexpensive.

For those with a delicate palate, Port Louis has some good restaurants, some of which have been open for many years. The prices are more expensive than the cheap and cheerful restaurants mentioned before.

Good Restaurants

 La Bonne Marmite
The restaurant is open for lunch during the week only. This is a great address for Indian, Creole and European food and has been going for over 30 years! The restaurant is divided into two, the first floor for business lunches or a la carte dining and the ground floor which is much more relaxed. A great place to sit is at the back in the interior courtyard near the fountain. The service is fast and attentive and is excellent in terms of quality / price. The menu is broad with a choice of daily specials and a buffet is also available. Adjoining the restaurant is a small pub called ‘The rocking boat’ which has a very relaxed and cool atmosphere.

 La Boussole
This well decorated restaurant is opened every day from 6.30am to 10.30pm and is situated within the warm and friendly atmosphere of the Suffren hotel. The attractive menu has been created and is supervised by the famous Labourdonnais Hotel chef Nizam Pedro. Flavours influenced from the Mediterranean (aubergine antipasti and tomato platter, parmesan shavings and mixed salad), Creole (crab soup flavoured with lime leaves), Asian (Madras rice with mushroom Makhani and paneer)etc, and a few pasta dishes ( including delicious spaghetti with a tomato and salted fish sauce). For desert, pumpkin and vanilla from Chamarel crème brule, pancakes served with pawpaw compote, red fruit soup...

 Cafe du Vieux Conseil
Open every day for lunch except on Sundays. Good Creole and European cuisine is served here at reasonable prices (salads, gratins, pancakes, vindays, rougaille...) Tables are set in a garden away from the noise of the city. A little oasis.

 Le Capitaine
This is the sister restaurant to the famous Capitaine restaurant in Grand Bay and is situated in the waterfront facing the port. The restaurant is well decorated in a marine style and offers a variety of fresh sea food. For starters (medley of sea food and chicken with a selection of sauces, lobster ravioli, Crab and palm heart gratin...), main course (fish or sea food, such as the delicious filet of fish marinated in curry spices and cooked in a banana leaf. Sea food platter and fish of the day sold by weight, equally delicious are the meat and chicken dishes such as roast lamb fillet with raspberry vinegar and mushrooms). For desert (citronella crème brule, papaya and orange compote, baked bananas.....a great address.

 L’escale (Hotel Labourdonnais)
L’escale is a real escape from the heat and dust of the day, a perfect stop for lunch in a beautiful air conditioned dining room. The menu is vast at a variety of prices: salads, pastas and pizzas, a number of Mauritian specialities, meat based dishes, fish and shell fish...impossible not to find something you like! Among our favourites is the palm heart tapenade, lightly pan fried scallops with a cold lime leaf sauce, salmi of octopus with island flavours and banana chips and for desert the millefeuille of seasonal fruits served with a bourbon vanilla cream. You can also eat outdoors under the shady terrace.

 La Flore Mauricienne
This restaurant is one of the oldest on the island (founded in 1848) and is situated in a modern building. It’s the meeting point for businessmen and is reputed for its quality European and Mauritian dishes. Mouth watering pastries, breads and buns are also available – (Gourmandise d’Anne).

Top Restaurants

 La Rose des Vents
This gastronomic restaurant is situated in A loveliest hotel in Port Louis. Chefs from around the world are regularly invited and throughout the year culinary events are organised. Other than the menu offering traditional dishes by the chef Nizam Peeroo, there are also four themed menus available (the lunch menu is shorter).: Mauritian Fusion, classic French, sea food and deliciously Japanese. The dishes are changed every fortnight. A la carte, typically in his style, the chef combines flavours such as the excellent tuna robed with foie gras with black truffle or sea urchin remoulade and lightly sautéed fresh water prawn ...The restaurant and interior design, from furnishings to lighting and crockery has been re fitted in 2006 – one of the best restaurants on the island.

 Le Courtyard
Open every day for lunch and Friday nights. Without a doubt this is the prettiest courtyard in Port Louis. The restaurant is charming and sophisticated with a traditional feel and is a calm haven in the city centre. The chef cooks up quality food using local produce with international influences: Scallop carpaccio served with pickled lemons, grilled vanilla calamari, black truffle risotto, orange jelly... A new gastronomic restaurant which is worth a stop between sites.