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What Food To Try in Mahe Island and Food Prices

How much does lunch and dinner cost

Examples of food prices, cafes, street food and other dining options in Mahe Island for 2025.

National currency: Seychelles Rupee, symbol — (international currency code SCR).
General Cafe Price Guide
Average prices in Mahe Island cafes and restaurants
$18.6 
Quick Lunch for One
Starting from $14.85
$66.8 
Dinner for Two
to celebrate your trip
Starting from $51.98
$7.6 
Combo Meal
Starting from $5.94

What to Try in Mahe Island

Must-try Dishes
Breakfast Curry - Cari de Légumes (vegetable curry) - A fragrant mix of local vegetables simmered with coconut milk and spices, served with a side of rice. Locals often enjoy it for breakfast, appreciating the fresh ingredients and hearty start to the day.

Fish Cakes - Bouillon de Poisson (fish cakes) - Made from locally caught fish, these cakes are lightly spiced and pan-fried until golden. You’ll find stalls around the markets serving these warm delights, perfect for a midday snack while exploring.

Coconut & Breadfruit Stew - Cari de Pain de Sucre (breadfruit curry) - This main course features tender chunks of breadfruit slow-cooked in coconut broth with a blend of aromatic spices. It’s a staple at family gatherings, often savored during dinner, and brings everyone together over shared flavors.

Grilled Fish - Poisson Grillé (grilled fish) - Fresh fish seasoned with local herbs and grilled to perfection, usually accompanied by a side of rice and salad. You can sample it at beachside cafes, where locals unwind after work, relishing the catch of the day.

Octopus Salad - Salade de Pulpe (octopus salad) - Combining tender octopus with tangy dressing and fresh vegetables, this dish is surprisingly refreshing. Locals often order it during a beach picnic, where the sea breeze complements the flavors beautifully.

Pumpkin Soup - Soupe de Potiron (pumpkin soup) - A creamy blend of local pumpkin and spices, served warm and often garnished with coriander. It's particularly popular in the cooler months, enjoyed as a comforting starter during family meals.

Special Cairn - Plat National (Cairn dish) - A meat stew rich in flavor, cooked with root vegetables and local spices, served on a communal platter. Especially popular during special occasions, it's a dish that brings families together to enjoy a hearty meal.

Sweet Potato Fritters - Beignets de Patate Douce (sweet potato fritters) - Crispy on the outside and soft inside, these treats are often sold on the streets as finger food. Locals love them at gatherings, often paired with a dipping sauce, right around sundown for that perfect snack time.

Desserts & Drinks
Coconut Water - L'eau de Coco (refreshing beverage) - Freshly harvested coconut water, served chilled straight from the coconut. It's the go-to drink on a hot day, especially enjoyed at the beach or during family picnics.

Seychellois Rum - Rhum Seychellois (local spirit) - A robust sugarcane spirit, often enjoyed neat or in cocktails. Locals sip it during gatherings, and it’s commonly paired with grilled fish during summer barbecues.

Black Tea - Thé Noir (brew of the island) - Locally grown black tea served hot with a splash of milk and a sprinkle of sugar, perfect for a morning pick-me-up. It’s a favorite companion during long conversations on a cozy afternoon.

Coconut Tart - Tarte Coco (buttery pastry) - A delightful pastry filled with sweetened grated coconut and baked to perfection, giving it a golden hue. Often enjoyed as an afternoon treat, and you might see locals buying it at bakeries to savor with tea.

Ice Sorbet - Sorbet de Fruit (frozen delight) - A refreshing frozen dessert made from local fruits like passionfruit or mango, often served in colorful cups. This is especially popular during festivals or summer celebrations when everybody is looking to cool down.

By the way, try to grab the coconut tart early in the day; they're known to sell out fast!

Food and Groceries in Mahe Island

Vegetables, Fruits and Bread
Bread $1.23
Oranges $2.72
Potatoes $1.67
Apples $3.79
Beverages
Water 1.5L $1.36
0.5L Local Beer $1.97
Imported Beer $3.34
Wine Rating >4.0 $12.07

Various Groceries
Chicken $5.01
Cigarettes $11.07
Rice $1.9
Local Cheese $13.61

Overview of Cuisine and Specialties

Driving through Victoria around lunchtime is a feast for the senses. You can smell the fragrance of freshly grilled fish wafting from street vendors, mixed with the aromatic spices of curry from nearby cafes. Schedules on Mahe Island are quite fixed around mealtimes, with locals sitting down for lunch around noon to 1 PM. If you’re roaming about at that time, prepare yourself for a busy scene. The tables fill up quickly, especially in the popular dining areas like Beau Vallon and the bustling marketplace in Victoria.

Dining prices can significantly vary depending on where you find yourself. For a satisfying meal, expect to spend about 150-300 SCR (Seychellois Rupee) at a food stall or small eatery. For instance, I grabbed a delightful tuna salad from a vendor yesterday for 200 SCR. However, in a fancier restaurant in Beau Vallon, the same dish could set you back 600 SCR or more. This price disparity is crucial to know for budgeting your culinary explorations.

Most places accept cash, but you'll find a growing number of establishments accommodating credit cards. Still, it’s wise to keep cash on hand, especially in local markets or food trucks. Interestingly, tipping isn’t mandatory here; rounding up your bill or leaving small change is entirely acceptable, reflecting the laid-back nature of dining experiences on the island.

A common visitor mistake is assuming meal times are flexible. Early diners might find restaurants opening later, around 6 PM, for dinner. Arriving early can lead to a frustrating wait. Also, many locals prefer to dine late, shifting dinner to as late as 8 PM, which mirrors island life moving at a relaxed pace.

More than just meal timing, you’ll notice the culinary custom of sharing meals with family or friends. It’s not unusual to see a table full of various dishes served communally, reflecting the social nature of dining here. Plus, don’t forget to check if reservations are necessary if you’re eyeing a popular spot, particularly on weekends—they can fill up quickly.

As season changes approach, so too do shifts in price levels—expect an uptick around holiday periods. Some restaurants might center their menus around local delicacies, following seasonal availability. It’s an excellent time to experience new flavors in a contemporary setting, blending local tradition with modern culinary twists.