Mauritius - Mauritius, Reunion and Seychelles - page 237

Like a microscopic Port Louis, Mahébourg has dozens of back alleys riddled with hidden
eats known only to locals. If you're planning to swing by for a visit, make sure you come
on a Monday when the local market is in full swing - you'll be treated to the colourful
clanging of street stalls as vendors hawk savoury snacks to lines of shoppers. Mahé-
bourg's the perfect place to get lost and stumble upon your own tucked-away treasures.
The face of Mahébourg's dining and drinking scene may change radically over the
coming years as developers have their eye on the town's port with plans for a large water-
front complex to rival the Caudan in Port Louis.
An eclectic assortment of quality dining options also awaits the palate in Pointe d'Esny,
just south of Mahébourg. For a supermarket, try Kong OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (

631 9252;

9am-7pm Mon-Sat, to noon Sun) . 47 Royal Rd;

Tabagi Bambous
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP

STREET FOOD €

( 796 0070; Rue du Bambous; rotis Rs 10; 7.30am-9.30pm) Dark, dimly lit and usually dingy,
tabagis (convenience stores) line the streets of every town and township in Mauritius -
they're an essential part of the local lifestyle. If you have yet to visit one, the unusually
popular Bambous is the perfect place to lose your tabagi virginity. Customers come to vis-
it Amrita, the proprietor, who is constantly dishing out her signature rotis while Bolly-
wood heroines clink their bejewelled costumes on the TV screen. Amrita herself is quite
the anomaly - it's very rare for a woman to run her own business in the less-developed
parts of the country.

Shyam
( 764 2960; rotis & dhal puris Rs 10; 11am-4pm) For the best dhal puri in town, look no further
than Shyam (you can call him 'Sam'). He scoots around town scooping out flavourful
snacks from an empty aquarium tank on the back of his motorbike. On Monday you'll
find him at the market, and he always makes an appearance at the public schools when the
students are set free from class in the afternoon. If you're desperate for dhal puri , just
give him a ring and he'll come find you.

MAURITIAN €

Pyramide
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP

STREET FOOD €

( 631 9731; Rue de Labourdonnais; kebabs Rs 50, small/large briani Rs 80/110; 9.30am-4pm or 5pm Mon-Sat)
This hero of the street-food scene is located beside the petrol station at the market