THE JOURNAL

Mont Choisy is the longest beach in the north. In Pointe aux Canonniers, right next door, a snack fills bread from the wok for 75 to 150 Rs, to take away.

The snack opens at 7am, Monday to Friday. What you eat there in the morning, what it costs, and why it is the quietest hour at the counter.

A counter, a wok, fresh bread filled to order and one pot cooked in the morning. What you eat at Chez Boom, when to come and what it costs.

The north eats lunch at a counter, not at a table. One snack in Pointe aux Canonniers as the shared canteen of the coast villages, Monday to Friday.

One pot, cooked in the morning, empty before 1pm. What is on the plate, why it changes every day and how to be sure of getting one.

One address, two counters, one family: the snack runs 7am to 2pm, the club trains in the evening. How to time your meal around the sessions.

A wok, a fierce flame, fresh bread filled to order: the sauter is the island's favourite lunch. Here is where it comes from — and how we make ours at Chez Boom.

From the wok heating before dawn to the empty pot at 1pm: an ordinary morning behind the counter of our Grand Baie snack, told straight.

Dholl puri, gato piment, boulettes, filled breads: an honest guide to cheap lunches in Mauritius — at other people's counters as well as ours.

Rice, beans, meat in sauce, salad: the midday plate is a Mauritian institution. Why it changes every day, and why it is gone before 1pm.

The snack's board, price by price: what you get under Rs 100, what the Rs 250 daily menu changes, and the hour you need to arrive.