Big Willy's Beach Bar

Big Willy's is the archetypal Mauritian beach bar — a weathered wooden shack with a corrugated iron roof, bar stools facing the sea, and ice-cold Phoenix beers served by a team who have been doing this for decades. The grill runs from noon serving fresh fish, grilled octopus, and Creole snacks. There is no cocktail menu, no dress code, and no pretension. It gets busy on Sunday afternoons when Mauritian families come to the beach, and the atmosphere becomes genuinely festive. Prices are local rates — significantly cheaper than hotel bars.