La Table du Cilaos (Cilaos)

La Table du Cilaos is a wine-focused Creole restaurant on Rue des Glycines in the village of Cilaos, in the volcanic Cirque de Cilaos in the interior of Réunion. Cilaos is the only part of the island with a wine tradition, producing a rosé and a white from the Isabelle grape, among other varieties, grown at altitude, and the restaurant is built around pairing those wines with local caris and charcuterie. Per-person spend is roughly €20–€40 with wine. Signature dishes include a plate of charcuterie locale served with Cilaos rosé; a cari chevreau maison, a young-goat curry; and a fondant chocolat coco, a chocolate dessert with coconut. The cuisine is Creole with a mountain accent, reflecting the cirque's produce of lentils, chayote and cured meats. The dining room has an intimate, village character, with a calm tone suited to couples and small groups, and noise levels are low. Dress is casual, though visitors arriving from hikes may change first. The restaurant opens Wednesday to Sunday for lunch (12:00–14:00) and dinner (19:00–21:30) and is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Reservations are required and are made by telephone; booking ahead is especially important at weekends and during French school holidays, when Cilaos fills with walkers. The wine programme is the main attraction. Cilaos wine has a modest reputation and quality varies by producer, so visitors are best served by asking for a tasting recommendation. The cirque is cooler than the coast, with evenings that can be cold, so the dining room is a welcome break after hiking trails around the Bonnet de Prêtre and the Peter Both viewpoint.