Maison Eureka, Mauritius by Obelix

Maison Eureka is a traditional colonial house built in 1830 near river Moka. It's one of the largest colonial houses on the island. The original family living there had 17 kids and by the 20th century there were more than 100 heirs.


The decision was made in the 1980s to restore the Maison and open it to the public as a museum. To assist with the upkeep, there is an admission fee or you can order a three course lunch and tour the house, garden and cascade waterfall for free.

Fruit juice

Bread and condiments

Lunch... that was what I originally came for. A traditional Creole lunch made not by a chef but by a cook. In fact it was made by the lovely lady serving us at the table laid out on the picturesque veranda over looking the garden. I felt like I had stepped back in time.


Maison Eureka


Maison Eureka

Whilst we waited in between our various courses, we toured the rooms of the house. It was breathtaking and I got goosebumps. You know, like good goosebumps when you walk through a place steeped in history.

For entree we all shared samosas and gateaux piment (chilli cakes). I didn't get to try the samosas because Kiddo snaffled it all but the gateaux piment was crunchy on the outside and creamy in the inside like how the good ones should be.

Feeling like I should be making wiser eating choices, I ordered myself a smoked marlin salad. It was so crunchy and fresh.


Maison Eureka

Beef curry with peanuts and croutons

It was the mains that really made my day. I'll go so far to say that it was one of the best traditional Creole meals I've ever had. P had the beef curry which was a dry curry with peanuts and croutons.

Chicken masala

Heaven on a plate!

I had a traditional chicken masala. This, my friend, was to die for. The meat was so tender and the sauce so aromatic.


Maison Eureka

Side dishes

The curries were served with rice and a selection of side accompaniments - peanut rougaille (P's favourite); pumpkin fricasse (my favourite); coconut chutney and olive pickles.

Lentil stew

Rice

And we also had a serve of lentil stew to go with. The stew itself was like a comforting hug - lovely to gloop over the curry and rice.

Kiddo ordered the grilled chicken and chips. It was a tender slice of breast with a side salad of coleslaw and chips. She ate it all with relish.

Vanilla ice cream with caramelised coconut

Fruit platter

Desserts were a fruit platter and vanilla ice cream with caramelised coconut.


While we were eating we were blessed with a visit from a Mauritian Fody which is a rare indigenous bird. It was a male fody with its red body. The setting couldn't be more magical.

Verdict

We loved it.

Mid value (when converted to Australian dollars)

Overall

I originally visited Maison Eureka for a taste of traditional Creole cuisine but was equally blown away by the house and garden. An afternoon of good food and history - perfect.

Find it at

Maison Eureka
Moka, Mauritius
Phone: +230 433 8477