Port Louis Central Market
Tropical fruit, spices, dholl puri and alouda, in a colonial-era hall.
Duration
45 min – 1 hr 30 min
Best time
In the morning
Open
Every day
Entry price
Free
The Port Louis central market has run since the 1840s and is organised by section: fruit and vegetables on one side, meat and fish in a separate hall, crafts and spices upstairs.
Two things are eaten standing. Dholl puri, a thin split-pea flatbread filled with bean curry and rougaille, is the Mauritian street dish — it is sold in pairs, never singly. Alouda is a drink of milk, agar and basil seeds, served iced.
Getting there
In central Port Louis, between Farquhar and Queen streets. Ten minutes on foot from the Caudan Waterfront.
Rules on site
The market closes in the early afternoon, and at midday on Sunday. Prices are not posted in the craft section and start high for visitors: ask before picking anything up.