Central Market
Central Market
3.5
About
This bustling, lively open-air market offers a variety of goods for sale including fruit, herbs, spices and potions.
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Best nearby
Restaurants
118 within 3 miles
Attractions
33 within 6 miles
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- PrestonGuildUnited Kingdom55,320 contributionsCentral MarketWe have been here on each visit to Mauritius. The market is in two sides. One part is fresh fruit the other is more into clothes, accessories, gifts. We visited both parts, my wife wanted to some vanilla pods and any touristy gifts to take back. It was worth a stroll but we did not buy much.Visited September 2022Traveled as a coupleWritten September 16, 2023
- GGGClubToorak, Australia1,492 contributionsAnother market...Plenty of booths with local fruits and veges as well as a few sellers of spices and vanilla. Don't go to the first floor with all small boutiques selling souvenirs and clothing; it is a trap for tourists. If you cross the road, you can see the meat market, with poultry, beef, goats etc... Be prepared as the standards of hygiene are low, and go early if you do not want to be hit by the heavy smells.Visited November 2023Traveled with familyWritten November 12, 2023
- htodd38991112 contributionsA typical tropical market. The gift/tourist part is depressingThe market is where it's been for centuries. Carefully look around and you'll see history everywhere. Since most visitors will not be buying anything, to cook, except some spices, it just a colorful diversion. The "specialty" areas are just a monotonous repetition of cheap, poorly designed tourist items. However, if you must buy this kind of thing, with a little bargaining, you can get a decent price. There are money changers here, as well as a post office. You might want to go first thing in the morning since none of it is air conditioned, or even well ventilated.Visited November 2023Traveled with friendsWritten November 17, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
1,098 reviews
Excellent
198
Very good
413
Average
313
Poor
101
Terrible
73
SGVK
United Kingdom17 contributions
Nov 2021 • Business
We visited Central Market based on the reviews we received from a few people and thought as it is in the city, it would be good to see. Unfortunately, I cannot say this was a very nice experience at all. The market is very busy and as soon as you arrive, it is just a lot of people shouting to sell their products - which is to be expected in these markets. If you have anxiety, I would not recommend going here. Also, the products they sell are not reasonably priced at all - especially if you are a tourist. Be prepared to haggle the price otherwise they will be charging you a good £30 for a key ring and one other product (which is not genuine - according to local taxi drivers who advised us afterwards). We actually ended up getting more souvenirs from our hotel resort for less than that for quite a few items so give your hotel shop a try if you struggle to find souvenirs. Port Louis is also very hot compared to Mahebourg so do make sure you drink a lot of water and take a sun hat.
Overall, I did not like the market but some people may find their experience is different.
Overall, I did not like the market but some people may find their experience is different.
Written November 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mootrotter
Birmingham, UK49 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Maybe a tour might be better as it would add some context and history but we just explored Port Louis as it is the capital we thought it might be interesting.
The market is busy, which is a good thing, but it seemed targeted at overcharging tourists for souvenirs and not an authentic market for locals. I could be wrong about that but it seemed that the locals would get food and spices from other places. Loads of building work, traffic and scaffolding everywhere so I think they are trying to make more up market shopping malls instead. We found one which was nice enough but unfinished and overpriced. It’s just a bit of a mixture of things at the moment.
Some nice parts and some not nice parts.
The market is busy, which is a good thing, but it seemed targeted at overcharging tourists for souvenirs and not an authentic market for locals. I could be wrong about that but it seemed that the locals would get food and spices from other places. Loads of building work, traffic and scaffolding everywhere so I think they are trying to make more up market shopping malls instead. We found one which was nice enough but unfinished and overpriced. It’s just a bit of a mixture of things at the moment.
Some nice parts and some not nice parts.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
D3106JRFrancescab
Lucca, Toscana, Italy6 contributions
Feb 2023 • Family
Very disappointing. Be careful. The spice stall inside the market sells spices at double the price of the stall outside, the one directly facing him...very unfair. I paid 500 rupees for a 50 gr sachet and the other vendor asked me 500 rupees for 100 gr.
Written February 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara-BrookeMorales-Murphy
London, UK1,230 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
A very lively, lovely presented marker with a large variety of fruit, vegetables and spices. Wonderful smells, friendly vendors, good prices. You can get anything here for a tasty meal. Stock up on spices before you go home. They vacuum pack them for you.
A delight.
A delight.
Written November 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
acorna
Vilnius, Lithuania4,465 contributions
Mar 2022
I have a partiality for markets, so I try to visit them in every place I go. Central market at Port Louis is quite OK as markets go. It is clearly divided into two parts: one for locals, who are busy buying local produce and one for tourists – souvenir and spice stalls. Here prices are mostly ridiculous. I was already warned by a friendly taxi driver not to buy spices at the market, because same ones can be bought at shops and supermarkets three- to fivefold cheaper. Which is absolutely true. I asked for a price of a small souvenir, heard the price and laughed out loudly. Finally bargained to at least acceptable one. If you buy something - take care.
Written March 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Petraeus Sina E
Stuttgart, Germany2 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We were there after some friends we met at the hotel we were residing tip us about .we wanted to buy spices and yes their was large variety and good price as well . Great people as well and he even speak German. Great!!
Written June 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bhaves P
Perth, Australia66 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Busy with narrow aisles, normal tic tack available. Be sure to haggle as the 1st price you get is never the best price. Be very careful of pick pockets it is notorious for this. There are quiet a few shops around the market which may be worth a visit, but we did not get time. Would recommend about 40 mins unless your into haggling in which case you can spend much longer.
Written March 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kevraquet
Fareham, UK78 contributions
Oct 2021
Wow, love this place,vibrant ,lively and full of colour . I would recommend doing this by private taxi and include on a day out. If you want souvenirs ie your dodo this is the best place. If your shy or easily intimidated it might not be for you. You are harassed constantly by the shop vendors but if you love bartering like me it’s great fun . Always offer less than half what they ask and stick to your guns.fruit and veg market amazing and fish market if you can stand the smell . Go early morning. Thoroughly recommended.
Written November 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jpljacquin01
Mauritius44 contributions
Jan 2020
It's not a 5 Star market like in some world-known countries, but it is melting pot of colours & senses which is worth a visit. Spices, vegetables and everyday food encounter each other with the loud advertising of each Market Trader that makes this market so special. Occidental meets Oriental meets African meets Islanders... Its the place where you really discover Mauritius multicultural island
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GGGClub
Toorak, Australia1,492 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
Plenty of booths with local fruits and veges as well as a few sellers of spices and vanilla.
Don't go to the first floor with all small boutiques selling souvenirs and clothing; it is a trap for tourists.
If you cross the road, you can see the meat market, with poultry, beef, goats etc...
Be prepared as the standards of hygiene are low, and go early if you do not want to be hit by the heavy smells.
Don't go to the first floor with all small boutiques selling souvenirs and clothing; it is a trap for tourists.
If you cross the road, you can see the meat market, with poultry, beef, goats etc...
Be prepared as the standards of hygiene are low, and go early if you do not want to be hit by the heavy smells.
Written November 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patricia M
23 contributions
Bonjour, quel est le jour du marché a Port louis marché central ?
CristinaCaVa
Madrid, Spain29 contributions
Hola, ¿merece realmente la pena? Muchas gracias!!!
Silberloewin
Oberpullendorf, Austria294 contributions
Hola, solamente el mercado seguro non, perro la capital es bonito!
kcirtap
Birkirkara, Malta340 contributions
when is the best day to visit the market and the caudan waterfront?
Escape626061
Chestermere, Canada195 contributions
Saturday was very busy at the Central market, most other days are good. Check to make sure they are open.
Marek
Stochov, Czech Republic67 contributions
Hello, Have you some tips, where can i park my car? I want to visit Central Market.
Thanks
Taking basket weave allow in australia
Mathias M
Marrakech, Morocco87 contributions
Hi, there are some limitations importing organic items to Australia. It is for fruits and that items. Whether a completely dried straw basket belongs to it I can’t give you a certain response.please check with your Airline or if you need to be certain Australian embassy web page.
travellloholic
New Delhi, India223 contributions
Can we find oil psintings in this market ?
Corina
Bucharest, Romania149 contributions
I don not know, I am sorry
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Claim your listingCentral Market - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Central Market
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Central Market:
- Private Guided Tour of Northern Mauritius with Shopping in Port Louis (From $63.32)
- Port-Louis Street Food Tour (From $49.99)
- Mauritius City Tour, ALL INCLUSIVE Day Trip, Private SUV Car with Guide (From $184.41)
- Mauritius Half Day City Tour(All Region) (From $65.00)
- Mauritius Private North Tour (Slightseeing) (From $110.00)
- Hotels near Central Market:
- (0.36 mi) Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel
- (0.54 mi) Le Suffren Hotel & Marina
- (0.22 mi) Kirin Guesthouse and Restaurant
- (0.34 mi) Citadelle Mall Apartments
- (0.40 mi) Le Saint Georges
- Restaurants near Central Market:
- (0.05 mi) Wapalapam La Place
- (0.09 mi) La Bonne Marmite
- (0.06 mi) Au Coin des Saveurs
- (0.09 mi) Debonairs Pizza
- (0.12 mi) The City Orient