Karay Mario specialises on what locals’ call “Manzer longtemps” – dishes inspired by the olden days, whereby fresh ingredients were highlighted and simmered for long hours on the fire. Following the good reviews online, it was without question a matter of time that we were going to eat at Karay Mario.
AMBIENCE
The south of Mauritius is already one of the most beautiful regions of the island where nature is at its most pristine state. Karay Mario, with its colonial style infrastructure without a doubt fits perfectly into the décor. The stone walls, wooden doors and corrugated iron sheets will transport you back in time while you savour a good Mauritian curry.
Entering the restaurant, it felt like going to my grandma’s house for lunch. Cosy and heart-warming! You have the option of dining under the veranda or indoor. We opted for a table inside by the tall window, where we would get some shade but still enjoy the fresh breeze and the reflection of the sun kissing our skin.
The south of Mauritius is already one of the most beautiful regions of the island where nature is at its most pristine state. Karay Mario, with its colonial style infrastructure without a doubt fits perfectly into the décor. The stone walls, wooden doors and corrugated iron sheets will transport you back in time while you savour a good Mauritian curry.
Entering the restaurant, it felt like going to my grandma’s house for lunch. Cosy and heart-warming! You have the option of dining under the veranda or indoor. We opted for a table inside by the tall window, where we would get some shade but still enjoy the fresh breeze and the reflection of the sun kissing our skin.
FOOD
Fresh and authentic is what Karay Mario focuses on. They source their produce daily from the local farmers, fishermen and producers. As Mario mentioned, the menu changes daily depending on the availability of local produce. Besides, the fish we had was freshly caught and delivered that morning.
For entrée, we were served “Merveilles”, which is similar to a taco but made with wheat flour and accompanied with spicy chutney. Crispy yet not oily, the perfect bite size to kick off a Mauritian feast. As mains, we had Pork Salmi, Beef Tongue Salmi, Fish Curry, Lentil Soup and Mauritian condiments (coconut chutney, crushed chili, achard bilimbi) all served with rice. The highlight of our dish was the Beef Tongue Salmi. We’ve never eaten beef tongue before, but Mario encouraged us to venture out of our comfort zone and to try this exotic delicacy. The sauce was rich and flavourful as it was well balanced with the hint of five spices. Texture wise, the beef tongue was soft and tender. However, it was unfortunately not our cup of tea. I think the fact that we knew it was beef tongue made it difficult to digest. Well, that’s what a food adventure is all about!
SERVICE
We had the pleasure of meeting the man in person, Mario. He is a friendly and very convivial person with years of knowledge and experience in food. When he spoke about his recipes and the ingredients he uses, we could see his love and passion for food. He also gave us an insight into his long career in the food industry, where he worked in several renowned hotels of Mauritius. Karay Mario makes you feel at home without being home.
In a nutshell, if you want to discover the old lost recipes of Mauritius, along with the history and culture behind each dish, Karay Mario, is the place to be. Keeping traditions alive is what makes Karay Mario special.
Note: They also have special evenings where they host local artists. Make sure to check out their Facebook to know more!
RESTAURANT CONTACT INFO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karaymario
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karaymario/
Website: https://www.karaymario.com/
Phone number: + 230 630 1682
E-mail: info@karaymario.com
