Réunion is a French overseas region and department in the Indian Ocean, 700 km east of Madagascar and 200 km south-west of Mauritius. This volcanic island of extraordinary drama packs an active volcano, three steep-walled cirques, a UNESCO World Heritage mountain core, dense rainforest, and a warm lagoon into 2,512 km². It is simultaneously French enough to accept euros and credit cards everywhere, and exotic enough to feel like another world entirely.
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Le Grain de Riz
Popular Creole, Réunionese restaurant in Réunion.
Known for: Cari poulet with homemade achards; rougail saucisses
6 Rue Pasteur, 97400 Saint-Denis
La Bonne Marmite
Popular Creole restaurant in Réunion.
Known for: Daily changing cari menu chalked on a blackboard
47 Rue Alexis de Villeneuve, 97400 Saint-Denis
Le Reflet des Îles
Popular Contemporary Creole, French restaurant in Réunion.
Known for: Refined Creole cuisine with French technique
5 Rue Rontaunay, 97400 Saint-Denis
Le Chaudron
Popular Seafood, Creole restaurant in Réunion.
Known for: Fresh grilled fish from Saint-Gilles fishing boats; lobster cari
Rue du Lagon, 97434 Saint-Gilles-les-Bains
Restaurant Chez Madeleine
Popular Creole, Mountain restaurant in Réunion.
Known for: Cilaos lentil cari, Cilaos rosé wine, local chayote chow chow cari
Rue du Père Boiteau, 97413 Cilaos
La Belle Créole
Popular Creole, Seafood restaurant in Réunion.
Known for: Harbour-fresh seafood and classic Creole caris
Port de Saint-Pierre, 97410 Saint-Pierre
Le Délice d'Asie (Chinese Dim Sum)
Popular Chinese Creole, Dim Sum restaurant in Réunion.
Known for: Bouchons réunionnais (Réunion-style steamed dumplings), chow mein, nems
143 Rue Juliette Dodu, 97400 Saint-Denis
Chez Doudou (Saint-Paul Market)
Popular Creole Street Food restaurant in Réunion.
Known for: Best samoussas and bonbon piment in Réunion
Marché de Saint-Paul, Front de Mer, 97460 Saint-Paul (Saturday only)
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Creole
Le Grain de Riz
La Bonne Marmite
Restaurant Chez Madeleine
Restaurant Chez Joëlle (Mafate, Îlet à Cordes)
Saveur du Temps (Hell-Bourg)
Restaurant du Volcan (Bourg-Murat)
Tam-Tam Restaurant (Saint-Leu)
La Table du Cilaos (Cilaos)
French
Le Reflet des Îles
Le Waterfront (Hermitage)
Le Grand Arbre (Saint-Pierre)
Le Barachois (Saint-Denis Waterfront)
Boulangerie Reine des Îles (Saint-Gilles)
La Villa des Cannelles (Cilaos)
Seafood
Le Chaudron
La Belle Créole
Le Paille en Queue (Sainte-Anne)
Le Lagon Bleu (Boucan Canot)
Restaurant du Port (Le Port)
Les Filaos (Saint-Gilles)
Chinese
Le Délice d'Asie (Chinese Dim Sum)
Le Bambou (Saint-Denis Chinatown)
Creole Street Food
Chez Doudou (Saint-Paul Market)
East Réunion Creole
Chez Tatie Marguerite (Saint-Benoît)
Indian
L'Oiseau de Paradis (Sainte-Suzanne)
International
La Vague (Saint-Leu surf restaurant)
Mountain Creole
Le Tamarin (Maïdo Road)
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Tipping practices vary — check local customs. Service charge is often included.
Restaurants may close between lunch and dinner. Plan meals around local dining hours.
Popular restaurants may not take reservations — arrive early or be prepared to wait.
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-15/meal | Street food, local eateries, and simple restaurants. |
| Mid-range | $15-40/meal | Sit-down restaurants with good service and varied menus. |
| Upscale | $40+/meal | Fine dining, international cuisine, and premium experiences. |