La Réunion, an island of a thousand flavors, unveils its culinary treasures through a unique gastronomic experience. The Exsel Hotels Group invites you to discover Creole authenticity in its establishments, where every meal becomes a sensory journey to the heart of Réunion’s culture. From Saint-Denis to Saint-Pierre, our hotel-restaurants reveal the secrets of a blended cuisine, heir to ancestral traditions and multicultural influences.
The Art of Creole Cuisine: A Blended Heritage
Réunion’s culinary authenticity draws its roots from an exceptional blend, a result of the island’s unique history. This cuisine reveals the Creole soul through flavors that narrate four centuries of cultural exchange.
The Foundations of Réunion’s Gastronomy
Réunion’s Creole cuisine arises from the meeting of French, African, Malagasy, Indian, and Chinese culinary traditions. This harmonious fusion creates a unique gastronomic identity distinguished by the use of local spices such as turmeric, bourbon vanilla, kaffir lime, and chili. Iconic dishes like cari, rougail, and achards reflect this exceptional cultural richness.
The Importance of Local Products
Réunion’s terroir products form the foundation of its culinary authenticity. Rice, the king of Creole meals, traditionally accompanies pork, chicken, or fish caris. Tropical vegetables like chouchou, brèdes, and breadfruit enrich dishes, while exotic fruits bring their characteristic sweet flavors.
The Exsel Hotels Group: Guardian of Culinary Traditions
The Exsel Hotels Group is committed to preserving and promoting Réunion’s gastronomic heritage across its eight establishments. Each restaurant reflects Creole authenticity while offering a contemporary culinary experience tailored to travelers’ expectations.
An Authentic Culinary Philosophy
The Exsel Hotels Group’s gastronomy prioritizes short supply chains and local producers to ensure the freshness and authenticity of ingredients. This environmentally and culturally respectful approach allows the preparation of traditional Creole dishes using ancestral methods while incorporating modern culinary techniques.
The Diversity of Culinary Experiences
From business hotels to family-friendly restaurants, each establishment in the group offers a different approach to Creole cuisine. This diversity allows every guest to discover culinary authenticity according to their preferences and the context of their stay, whether for business travel or family vacations.
The Exsel Group’s Iconic Restaurants
The restaurants of the Exsel Hotels Group stand out for their commitment to serving authentic Creole cuisine in exceptional settings. Each establishment highlights a unique facet of Réunion’s gastronomy.
Le Kaloupilé: Reimagined Creole Cuisine
Located at the heart of the Exsel Créolia Hotel in Saint-Denis, Le Kaloupilé offers a contemporary approach to Creole cuisine. This exceptional restaurant reimagines Creole classics with creativity while respecting the authenticity of traditional flavors. The chefs create refined dishes that appeal to an international clientele while preserving the Creole soul of each preparation.
La Marmite: Traditional Creole Authenticity
La Marmite represents the essence of traditional Creole cuisine within the Exsel Hotels Group. This quintessentially Creole restaurant perpetuates ancestral recipes passed down through generations. Wood-fire-cooked caris, traditionally prepared rougails, and naturally fermented achards reveal their full authenticity.
The warm atmosphere of La Marmite transports diners into the authentic Creole universe. Generous and flavorful dishes tell the story of La Réunion through preserved flavors and respected ancestral culinary techniques.
Culinary Experiences by Region
Each region of La Réunion offers its culinary specialties, and the Exsel Group’s hotel-restaurants highlight these local particularities through menus tailored to the surrounding terroirs.
Saint-Denis: Sophistication and Business
In Réunion’s capital, the Exsel Group’s restaurants cater to a discerning business clientele. The Exsel Créolia Hotel, a 4-star establishment, offers refined dining that blends Creole tradition with international standards. The seminars organized at this establishment benefit from customizable culinary offerings tailored to each company’s specific needs.
Restaurant Le Roland Garros, located on the Saint-Denis barachois, is a brasserie-style restaurant that caters for all types of customer. A variety of dishes are on offer, from Creole to metropolitan and beyond.
The West Coast: Seaside Pleasures and Tropical Flavors
Saint-Gilles-les-Bains unveils its culinary treasures through the Exsel Group’s coastal establishments. The Exsel Alamanda Hotel, located at 46 Rue Général de Gaulle in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, offers Creole cuisine tailored to family vacations. Light and flavorful dishes perfectly complement sunny days spent on the Hermitage beaches.
The Exsel Ermitage Hotel, a 3-star establishment at 28 Rue Général de Gaulle, complements the offer with local dining that prioritizes seafood. The freshness of lagoon fish shines in authentic Creole preparations that delight seafood cuisine enthusiasts.
The South: Preserved Traditions and Authenticity
The south of the island fiercely preserves its culinary traditions, and the Exsel Group’s establishments perpetuate this heritage. The Exsel Victoria Hotel, perched on the cliffs of Grand-Bois, offers authentic Creole cuisine in an exceptional natural setting. The traditional flavors of the Wild South are fully expressed in a menu that prioritizes local produce.
In Saint-Pierre, the Le Terre-Sainte Hotel draws inspiration from the artistic ambiance of the fishermen’s district to create a unique culinary experience. This lifestyle restaurant pays homage to maritime traditions through dishes that celebrate local seafood products.
Unmissable Creole Specialties
Discovering Réunion’s culinary authenticity involves tasting the island’s iconic dishes. The Exsel Group’s restaurants perpetuate these traditions through recipes that respect ancestral methods.
Caris: The Soul of Creole Cuisine
The cari is the cornerstone of Réunion’s gastronomy. This simmered preparation reveals the complexity of Creole flavors through the harmonious blend of turmeric, garlic, onion, and local spices. Pork, chicken, beef, or fish caris are traditionally accompanied by white rice, grains (lentils), and rougail.
Rougails: An Explosion of Flavors
Rougails bring the freshness and spice needed to balance Creole meals. The tomato rougail, an iconic preparation, accompanies all main dishes with its tangy, chili-infused flavors. The sausage rougail, a hearty and complete dish, showcases French influence in Creole cuisine.
Achards: The Art of Creole Preservation
Achards demonstrate Creole ingenuity in preserving tropical vegetables. These naturally fermented preparations develop sweet-sour flavors that perfectly complement simmered dishes. Vegetable, fruit, or fish achards enrich meals with their characteristic tangy notes.
The Art of Creole Hospitality
Creole hospitality shines fully in the Exsel Group’s restaurants, where warm welcomes are an integral part of the culinary experience. This tradition of hospitality transforms every meal into a moment of authentic sharing.
Authentic Creole Ambiance
The Exsel Group’s restaurants recreate the convivial atmosphere of traditional Creole homes. Tropical decor, natural materials, and warm colors transport diners into the authentic Creole universe. This ambiance fosters interaction and cultural discovery through gastronomy.
Creole-Style Service
Creole-style service prioritizes generosity and conviviality. The Exsel Group’s restaurant teams perpetuate this tradition by offering attentive service that respects the Creole rhythm. This human approach to dining enhances the authenticity of the culinary experience.
Events and Culinary Discoveries
The Exsel Group’s restaurants adapt to different types of stays to offer personalized culinary experiences. Whether for business trips or family vacations, each establishment provides a tailored approach to Creole gastronomy.
Corporate Dining and Seminars
Customizable dining options for seminars cater to the specific needs of each company. The Exsel Group’s sales team develops tailored offers that integrate the discovery of Creole cuisine into professional programs. This approach allows participants to experience Réunion’s culinary authenticity while meeting the constraints of business events.
Family-Friendly Culinary Discovery
Families on vacation benefit from a tailored approach to Creole cuisine in the group’s coastal establishments. Restaurants offer traditional dishes adapted for all ages, allowing children to discover Creole flavors gently. This gastronomic initiation enriches the family travel experience.
Book Your Culinary Experience
Réunion’s culinary authenticity awaits you in the restaurants of the Exsel Hotels Group. Each establishment offers a unique approach to Creole gastronomy that reveals the cultural riches of the Bourbon Island. From the refined cuisine of Le Kaloupilé to the traditional flavors of La Marmite, discover the Creole soul through an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Book your gourmet stay now and let yourself be captivated by Réunion’s culinary authenticity. Our passionate chefs will introduce you to the secrets of Creole cuisine in an exceptional setting, between the Indian Ocean and tropical mountains. Reserve your table and prepare for a unique gastronomic adventure in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
