Reunion Island’s culinary delights – all 51 of them

Reunion Island has a rich gastronomy fused together from many difference backgrounds. It is a subtle Chinese-inspired mosaic, European, Indian, African, and even Malagasy.

Reunion Island has a rich gastronomy fused together from many difference backgrounds. It is a subtle Chinese-inspired mosaic, European, Indian, African, and even Malagasy. Reunion Island Tourism (IRT), the Reunion of Food Club, and the Union of Trades and the Hospitality Industries (UMIH) are organizing the event “Celebrate Cuisine!” next Thursday, May 21, across the entire island.

The 19th annual “Celebrate Cuisine” event taking place on Reunion Island will be held in 51 restaurants spread across the island, including Cilaos and Salazie. The restauranteurs will work extra hard to cook up a special menu offered at half its usual price and from among the dishes already on their menus.

The day will be dedicated to gourmet flavors, and visitors and locals alike are invited to taste the various dishes offered by Reunion Island restaurateurs. Whether you are with family, friends, alone, or in pairs, May 21 will be an opportunity to celebrate the cuisine in all its shapes, forms, presentations, and tastes.

Anticipating a sell-out crowd in all the 51 restaurants, the IRT recommends advance bookings with the chosen restaurant to avoid disappointment or long waits.

On Reunion Island, the local cuisine has gained a heritage tourism dimension which must be preserved, with the image of the gastronomic meal of the French, registered as a World Intangible Heritage by UNESCO since 2010. The Reunion Island blend of cuisine is the result of an exceptional cultural heritage that invites you to discover and to travel, with the local traditions and values with food becoming a quintessential part of the history of Reunion Island.

The fusion of the cuisine of Reunion Island allows diners to discover a unique history forged by men from Africa, Madagascar, Europe, and Asia. Reunion’s cultural and culinary blends present a universal challenge to successfully integrate, interact, and experiment together rather than just coexist.

Throughout France, food is celebrated during the Festival of Gastronomy taking place this year from September 25-27. Reunion Island is the only French region to actually celebrate the “Fete de la Cuisine.” The event, originally of a national nature, no longer exists in mainland France for many years now. In a week from today, the island’s restauranteurs will put their signature dishes out in the open in the great feast for gourmets and gourmands during a food festival second to none.

The list of 51 restaurants participating in the operation are:

(** Master restauranteur – *** Restaurateur de France)

Saint-Denis

• Arpeggios (Hotel Villa Angélique)
• Art Kan Heaven (ex Chez Piat)
• The Bistrot de La Porte des Lilas ** / ***
• Fujiya **
• The Calumets – Uncle Sam
• The Arbradélis
• Wasabi
• The Austin
• Zanzibar Café
• The case in Bar

Sainte-Marie

• Le P’tit Gillot **
• The 3 Brewers **

The Possession

• The World Home
• Luxor

Saint-Paul

• Chez Paul
• The Landing
• Les 3 Brasseurs

Saint-Gilles-les-Hauts

• L’Auberge Gourmande **

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

• Ti Market
• Bamboo Bar
• Bar de la Marine
• Chez Nous **
• DCP ** Saint-Gilles
• Fuzion
• Ice Spot **
• The Orangine (Restaurant Hotel Lux * Island of Réunion)
• Le Beau Rivage – Cape Lobster **
• Le Paille en Queue (Restaurant du Casino)
• The Saint Michel (Hotel Restaurant)
• Planch Alizé

Three Ponds

• The Goëlo (RN 1)

Saint-Leu

• The Veranda **
• Leu Mélanzé

Plaine des Cafres

• The Grillanoo
• Le Panoramic
• Old Shingle

Le Tampon

• La Fiesta

Saint-Pierre

• Alize Beach ***
• La Plancha ** / ***
• Club Gascon
• The Factory
• Newport’s
• Retro
• The Tropikal
• The 3 Brewers **
• 7Ô’trement

St. Joseph

• At Jo **

St. Philip

• La Marmite ** Fisherman

Sainte-Rose

• Le Poisson Rouge

Cilaos

• The Plane

Salazie

• Chez Alice

For those unable to be on Reunion Island on that day, there is some consolation though as here is a recipe from the island which readers can prepare at home and indulge in while thinking of Reunion Island!

The recipe for Sausages Rougail

Ingredients (for four people)

• 800 g smoked sausages
• 4-5 tomatoes
• 4 large peppers
• salt, pepper
• 3 tablespoons oil

Preparation

• Boil the sausage after “airing” it with a fork
• Drain the sausages and cut into pieces of approximately 2cm
• Chop onions finely
• Cut the tomatoes into small cubes
• Cut large peppers into strips lengthwise but remove the seeds
• Saute in oil the sausage pieces
• Add onions and diced tomatoes
• Season to taste
• Cook a few minutes over high heat
• Add about 40 cl of water and reduce
• Add chilies and simmer before serving

Bon appetite from all the people of Reunion Island!

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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