Port Louis: Street Food Walking Tour & Local Tastings

Summary

Walk the old streets of Port Louis tasting snacks and stories

You’ll join a small group in Port Louis for a street food tour led by a local guide—tasting dholl puri hot off the griddle, sampling Chinese sweets in Chinatown, and sharing fresh fruit from friendly market vendors. Expect laughter, new flavors, and glimpses into Mauritius’ layered history—plus stories you’ll want to retell back home.

What’s the experience like?

We started weaving through the alleys of Port Louis just as the city was waking up — you could hear the clatter of shutters and smell fried dough in the air. Our guide, Rajiv, waved us over to a stall where he ordered dholl puri for everyone (he insisted we try it with extra chutney — “spicy is good for the soul,” he grinned). I’m not sure I’d ever tasted anything quite like that before: warm, soft, a little messy. The vendor’s hands moved so fast I almost missed it. There was this moment where I just stood there chewing, listening to the chatter around me and thinking, alright, this is what Mauritius tastes like.

We ducked into Chinatown next — honestly, I didn’t expect such a mix of colors and smells in one tiny stretch. Rajiv pointed out a bakery window lined with little mooncakes and sesame balls. He told us about his grandmother making similar sweets for festivals. Li laughed when I tried to say “ni hao” (I definitely butchered it), but she handed me a piece anyway. The sugar stuck to my fingers for ages after. It’s funny how food makes strangers feel familiar so quickly.

Fruit vendors were calling out prices in Creole and French as we walked past the market gardens. Someone handed me a slice of pineapple sprinkled with chili salt — sharp and sweet at once, kind of woke me up after all those carbs. We paused under some trees while Rajiv explained why Port Louis has so many layers — Indian temples next to colonial buildings next to Chinese shops. He seemed proud but also sort of nostalgic? Sometimes you could hear bells from the mosque mixing with traffic noise. There’s no way to see all of it in three hours, but you get these flashes that stick with you long after.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Port Louis street food and culture tour

• Walk through gardens and taste street food
• Explore neighbourhood and try Chinese sweets
• Meet merchants and taste fresh fruit juices

Top questions

How long does the Port Louis street food tour last?

The tour lasts between 2.5 to 3 hours.

Is lunch included on this street food tour?

Yes, lunch is included along with bottled water and all tastings.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is limited to 6 people maximum per tour.

Will there be a local guide during the tour?

Yes, tours are led by an experienced multilingual local guide.

What kind of foods will we try on this tour?

You’ll taste Mauritian street foods like dholl puri, Chinese sweets, fresh fruits, and juices.

Is this walking tour suitable for children?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; infants must sit on an adult’s lap.

How far will we walk during the tour?

The walking distance is approximately 4 kilometers through Port Louis streets.

I have dietary restrictions—can I join?

Please advise any specific dietary requirements when booking so accommodations can be made.

What’s included

Your day includes all food tastings along the route—like dholl puri and Chinese pastries—a full lunch with bottled water provided throughout, plus guidance from a multilingual local expert who shares stories as you explore on foot together through Port Louis’ neighborhoods.