You have arrived at your guesthouse or hotel, perhaps already enjoyed the first sunshine and the gorgeous Seychelles sea, and now you are hungry. If you are staying in a hotel, you can of course eat there. But it is not our top recommendation. Not because the food is bad, or because we want to talk you out of half board. Eating outside the hotel, or occasionally in a different hotel, is simply more varied, more individual and more authentic.
Where you can eat
In the Seychelles there are essentially three ways of eating out. The price differences are big, so it is worth mixing them.
Takeaways
Takeaways are simple snack places where local people also have their lunch. You get a box of rice, curry and salad, often with fish, chicken or octopus. Most are open mainly at lunchtime, and many close in the early afternoon and open only briefly in the evening, or not at all. If you want lunch, do not leave it too late. Payment is usually in cash and in rupees.
Restaurants
The classic restaurants serve grilled fish, curry and seafood, often with rice and salad on the side. Many are right on the beach or overlook the bay. On Mahé you will also find Chinese and Italian cooking.
Hotel restaurants
Hotel restaurants also often welcome guests from outside. It is worth it for a special evening, but it is usually the most expensive option. Ask for a table in advance.
| Type | Typical | Guide price per main course (as of November 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Takeaway | Curry box with rice, lunchtime | about 70–150 SCR |
| Restaurant | Grilled fish, octopus curry, seafood | about 250–600 SCR |
| Upscale beach or hotel restaurant | Menu, fish, lobster (seasonal) | from about 400 SCR, menus often 600–1,000 SCR per person without wine |
The figures are rough guides based on recent travel reports. The menu on the spot is what counts, and prices in luxury resorts are considerably higher. If you would rather cater for yourself, you will find advice under Self-catering in the Seychelles.
Creole cuisine: what to try
Creole cooking blends French, African, Indian, Chinese and English influences. Fish is the foundation: tuna, bonito, kingfish, grouper, jobfish, red snapper, barracuda and squid. It usually arrives as a curry, with rice and vegetables such as aubergine, pumpkin or breadfruit. The Creole sauce made with tomatoes is generally milder than the curry sauce. Start carefully with chutney (satini) and chilli.
- Fish curry and octopus curry: the standard dishes, available almost everywhere.
- Grilled fish with Creole sauce: usually served with rice.
- Palm heart salad (salade de palmiste): also called millionaire's salad, a speciality for special occasions.
- Kat-kat banane and bouillon bréde: simple local dishes that you are more likely to find in small eateries.
- Breadfruit, lentils and vegetable curries: the basis of vegetarian dishes.
Local recommendations and examples by island
What we mean by this: trust us. For every occasion we will show you, and recommend, exactly the right restaurant in the Seychelles. We have eaten in all of them and know which ones we are happy to recommend and what suits which occasion.
Feel free to ask our Seychelles assistant at the bottom right, even on the spur of the moment in the evening, where you can go for dinner.
You can see all restaurants in the Seychelles in our overview.
For orientation, here are some well-known addresses. Opening hours, closing days and buffet evenings change, so check briefly before you go.
| Island | Local spot | Location and type |
|---|---|---|
| Mahé | Marie Antoinette | Victoria, Creole menu in a colonial house, in operation since 1972, better to book in advance |
| Mahé | Boat House | Beau Vallon, Creole buffet in the evening, right on the beach |
| Mahé | Del Place | West coast, fish and seafood with sea views |
| Praslin | Les Lauriers | Anse Volbert, Creole buffet, with live music on some evenings |
| Praslin | Café des Arts | Côte d'Or, upscale cuisine right on the beach |
| La Digue | Fish Trap | on the beach, fresh fish and cocktails |
Creole buffets are offered by only a few places, and usually just on certain evenings of the week. Find out the day before you make a special trip. For how to get to the restaurants, see Travelling by bus and Car hire.
Bill, tipping and booking
For paying by card or in euros and for the currency, read Money and banks. General opening times of shops and public offices are under Opening hours. If you are hungry straight after the flight, you can ask about a place near your accommodation during the airport transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does dinner cost?
For a main course with a drink in a mid-range restaurant, allow roughly 300 to 500 SCR (as of November 2026). In upmarket restaurants and hotels it is considerably more, and drinks push the bill up further.
Are there vegetarian dishes?
Yes. Vegetable curries, lentils, breadfruit and salads are widespread. Some places offer a vegetarian menu of their own. Say so when you order, as fish sauce and fish stock are common in kitchens here.
Do I need to book?
For buffet evenings, small places and larger groups, yes, especially in high season. Takeaways do not need a reservation.
Can I pay by card?
In hotels and most restaurants, yes. In takeaways, at markets and on the bus you need rupees in cash.
