EATING ON A BUDGET IN MAHE

SEYCHELLES (BRADT TRAVEL GUIDE)

This new sixth edition of Bradt's Seychelles has been fully updated and remains the only travel guide giving comprehensive information on the biodiversity of the islands and updates on the conservation efforts in an easy to read format (over 40% of the Seychelles land is under environmental protection).

We knew that in moving here it would be expensive as it’s known worldwide as a luxury getaway, however we still kind of hoped we could eat out from time to time without gaping at the check. In terms of holiday makers, luckily, the Seychellois run self-catering accommodation, so you are not restricted to high end hotels only.

We will blog about favourite budget accommodation so watch for that one. For locals, finding a place to rent long term is extremely challenging and best is to make connections and hear through word of mouth. There are also the following facebook groups which are more useful than any websites: Real Estate Services in Seychelles, Real Estate Seychelles, Arriva Real Estate, Bedsitter-Apartment-House-Land-Property-Shop:Buy,Sell, Rent Seychelles, Seychelles houses for rent/ for sale, Seychelles houses, land, apartments and bedsitters for sale or for rent, Buy Sell & Rent Real Estate Seychelles, Seychelles Buy Sell Rent. Most houses come fully furnished including cutlery and dish wear, so you needn’t ship your grandmother’s china. If you need any bits and bobs for the house the cheapest option is the Indian shops, however, don’t expect dollar store prices! Remember, minimalism and creativity for living over here.

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For groceries, we like to buy organic when possible so we support Geffroy’s Farm which sells imported non organic produce as well as said local organic produce. We like to pick up produce from road side vendors who grow their own and can speak about if they use chemicals, maybe honestly, and you can smell it to see if it smells like spray. We also use the big supermarket STC at Bois de Rose mall which sells local produce and imported. We like to shop there for our organic dried goods which can be plentiful some weeks and at other times scarce. Many people here purchase a lot of one item in order to ensure they have a stock pile at home should the grocery store run out for months at a time. Something which happens very frequently. So you might get used to a particular product and be loving it, only to find you never will see it again. Best not to buy too many imports and try to learn how to eat the local vegetables, all of which seem to be green and strange at first. Check out our other blog on what we do with these exotic foods and we also have some videos on the fun facts, local uses, health benefits and how to prep each one, including fruit.  

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If you are vegan/vegetarian there are lentils but I haven’t found tempeh, or organic tofu, or even organic beans therefore it is very challenging. I was mostly vegan before we moved here and I have to admit we do eat the fish as it’s so crazy fresh, and fairy cheap and there is not a lot of options as a vegan here. Including good quality vitamins or supplements, it’s very challenging. Eating as the locals do, the fresh coconut, fish and local greens is a great way to ensure you are getting what you need. As well as that daily dose of sunshine and sea water.

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If you fancy eating out this is where the budget aspect gets tricky. If you are on a very strict income such as us, then we only afford to go to the local eateries. These have warm lunches and are usually things like a rice soup called Bouillon Brede which is the local spinach and sometimes other greens like Chinese cabbage and rice, fish curry, chicken curry, Chinese noodles with vegetables, cooked lentils and grilled fish served with rice and mango chutney. The price of one meal is about 40-80 Seychellois Rupees. How to find these joints? Well at lunch hour you will see a little hole in the wall type restaurant or food truck with a big queue.

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These eateries aren’t open in the evenings so best to get your dining out between 11-1 usually. Otherwise you can easily pick up vegetable or fish samosas at 5 rupees each at almost any Indian shop. They also tend to sell deep fried fish cakes, or balls and banana beignets. We like to get our vegetables in so we generally pick up some raw vegetables to cut and add to our picnic. There are a few budget eateries for your meals which are Baobab pizzeria in Beau Vallon where a pizza costs around 120 for a margarita, and Copper Pot Indian restaurant in Beau Vallon too.

For any type of budget activities I would recommend brining your own drinks and snacks to the beach, and hiking and picnicking. The reason why you come here is for the spectacular beaches and they don’t cost a thing, so enjoy!