Mahé Food: Top 5 Drinks & Dishes You Absolutely Must Sample
Planning a trip to Mahé, that lovely island that’s the largest in the Seychelles? You’re so going to love the beaches, the views, and, too it’s almost certain, the food. I mean, it’s truly an experience for your taste buds. Get set to take your palate on a little trip. Here’s a rundown of five food and drink items that are, I mean, absolutely unmissable when you’re exploring Mahé. And I hope that you’re packing your appetite. Oh and do share your delicious finds, that’s very easy using the online travel sharing platform TripTok.
1. Grilled Fish: The Freshest Catch Imaginable
Okay, so I can’t emphasize enough how fresh the fish is on Mahé; I mean, very very fresh. A good number of places, particularly the small, local eateries, will grill up the daily catch, and is that delightful. The simple preparation; is that something with just salt, pepper, and perhaps a squeeze of lemon or lime, that is seriously ideal so that the flavor of the fish can really shine. Fish dishes typically arrive as whole fillets, that are beautifully charred on the outside but still perfectly moist and tender on the inside.
Where to Try It: Head down to the beach stalls at Beau Vallon; I mean, it is for a beachfront barbecue vibe, or visit a local restaurant in Victoria. Ask around; too it’s almost certain someone can recommend a family-run spot with the catch of the day.
2. Octopus Curry: A Creole Delicacy
I find it very hard to recommend the culinary experience in Mahé, so I’ll settle for octopus curry. The octopus, very often, is stewed slowly until is that exceptionally tender, typically within a rich tomato-based sauce featuring coconut milk, onions, ginger, garlic, and a blend of local spices. So, in some respects, a bit like comfort food that’s got a lovely little edge. Each mouthful brings a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors, really, I mean truly a reflection of the island’s Creole roots. The flavor of octopus may, more or less, be a new thing, yet if you eat meat the taste sensation will feel relatively similar.
Where to Try It: Seek out places that really specialize in Creole cuisine; like your Marie Antoinette Restaurant in Victoria, a rather nice place with a traditional vibe.
3. Ladob: Sweet Endings Guaranteed
Looking for that perfect sweet thing to finish a lovely local meal? Ladob might just be what you’re looking for. It is often cooked with ripe plantains or sweet potatoes, simmered in coconut milk, with sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla; yet I guess you can think of it as the island’s answer to bread pudding or a creamy sweet stew.
This very dessert is wonderfully comforting and is enjoyed both warm and cold, making it just ideal to savor on a cozy evening or at a picnic on the beach.
Where to Try It: Ladob often makes an appearance on dessert menus across Mahé; I mean, in particular at restaurants that are more geared towards Creole food. Ask if it’s homemade; that truly makes a big difference!
4. Seybrew: The Local Beer That’s as Refreshing as the Island Breeze
No visit to Mahé would be quite right, I believe, without tasting the local beer: Seybrew. It’s a crisp, I mean, rather crisp, lager that could be seen to mirror the laid-back island life, and that could just be the advertising spin talking. And, clearly, that lager style makes it an amazingly drinkable option in the tropical climate. Have it ice-cold, right by the sea. Okay so, now that is the vacation vibe right there.
Where to Try It: You can find Seybrew really anywhere, any place. In the resorts, and beach bars, corner shops, you name it. It’s basically synonymous with “Seychelles vacation”.
5. Passion Fruit Juice: A Taste of the Tropics in a Glass
Seriously? When you need something bright, refreshing, and utterly tropical, go for fresh passion fruit juice. And as a matter of fact the intense tangy-sweet flavor encapsulates the essence of the Seychelles in a sip, so I suggest this instead of yet another cocktail or cool beer.
Made using the pulp of ripe passion fruits, this juice could be enjoyed on its own or that stuff really mixes well with other beverages to punch things up a bit. So, in some respects, that makes this an awesome addition to your breakfast, brunch, or midday break. I tend to have it with something from the sea, because that juice, yet, is the thing to cleanse the palette after. And of course passionfruit has all those wonderful antioxidants too!
Where to Try It: Most cafés and juice bars across Mahé offer passion fruit juice, and that can be found especially near markets where fruits are sold. The fresh taste is really the main game here!