Boat House (Beau Vallon)

This North Coast restaurant's main draw is the varied dinner buffet, held daily from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Dishes served are primarily Creole specialities, with seafood (tuna steaks on grill), meat, and vegetarian dishes represented, along with a traditional salad buffet selection.

• Address:

  Mount Fleuri Road, Beau Vallon, Mahe Island

• Phone:

  +248 4 247 888

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am-11pm

Cafe des Arts (Praslin Island)

Perhaps Praslin's finest restaurant, Cafe des Arts (at Le Duc de Praslin Hotel) offers beachfront seating and serves a wide variety of Creole dishes, with a heavy emphasis on seafood (the menu even includes sushi and sashimi). During the daytime, it operates as a beach bar.

• Web:

  www.cafe.sc

• Address:

  Cote D'Or Esplanade, Baie Ste Anne, Praslin Island

• Phone:

  +248 4 321 555

Del Place (Port Launay)

Del Place is easily the best restaurant on Mahe Island's west coast: the cooking is excellent, centred around fresh seafood and Creole flavours, the views are unbeatable (thanks to the restaurant's scenic waterfront setting), and the atmosphere tropical yet refined.

• Address:

  Port Launay Rd, Mahe Island

• Phone:

  +248 2 814 111

• Opening hours:

  Daily 11am-11pm

Le Combava (La Digue)

La Digue's Domaine de L'Orangeraie resort contains the island's most refined restaurant - Le Combava. This one is the place to go if you intend to splurge, for opportunities are ample - Le Combava lists lobster, giant prawns, and fine wines on its menu - among other dishes, all exquisitely presented.

• Web:

  orangeraie.sc/dining

• Address:

  Anse Severe, La Digue

• Phone:

  +248 4 299 999

Les Lauriers (Praslin Island)

For those who still aren't converts, Praslin Island's Les Lauriers whips up an excellent Creole buffet, one that has repeatedly convinced even the most discerning diners. The meal starts at the abundant salad bar, only to be followed by grilled meats and fish.

• Address:

  Anse Volbert, Praslin Island

• Opening hours:

  Thurs-Tue 7.30-10pm

Marie-Antoinette (Victoria)

The set menu offered at Marie-Antoinette has barely change since the 1970s, and consists of a variety of traditional Seychellois Creole dishes, which gives patrons a chance to sample several at once. The restaurant is set inside a former colonial mansion, which forges a distinctive ambience of olde.

• Web:

  www.marieantoinette.sc

• Address:

  Serret Rd, Mahe Island

• Phone:

  +248 4 266 222

Club Liberté Casino (Anse Soleil)

Worry not if this is your first time contemplating a visit to the casino: Club Liberté is exceptionally newbie-friendly, with staff ready to walk anyone through the basics of each game. It's a great place for a nice night out, too, with a surprisingly affordable (despite being adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel) on-site restaurant and live music and entertainment every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The casino even offers its own pick-up and drop-off service (call to arrange).

• Web:

  www.casino-liberte.com

• Address:

  Petite Anse, Anse Soleil, Seychelles

• Phone:

  +248 2 605 462

• Opening hours:

  Open till 4am

Honesty Bar (Anse Lazio, Praslin Island)

Once run on the honour system, the bar had, unfortunately, discovered that the concept might not quite work out the way it was intended to. Luckily, this wasn't the end for the business, and the now-attended establishment continues to welcome in anyone looking for laid-back drinks at (what might just be) the world's best hideaway bar.

• Address:

  Anse Lazio, Praslin Island, Seychelles

• More info:

  Uphill from the southern edge of Anse Lazio

The Boardwalk (Eden Island)

This bar set on a floating platform was Eden Island's first, and remains an attractive evening hangout spot to-date. The weekends see party vibes set in at Boardwalk, while any day of the week is excellent for drinks overlooking the water.

• Address:

  Eden Island, Mahe Island

• Phone:

  +248 2 515 734

Trader Vic's (Beau Vallon)

Although not unique to the Seychelles, Trader Vic's is a worthwhile location for an evening out on Mahe. Service is impeccable, dishes served - varied and scrumptious, and live music plays most nights. The cocktails are an attraction in and of themselves. Seating available on the outdoor terrace.

• Web:

  www.tradervicsseychelles.com

• Address:

  Bel Ombre Road, Mahe Island

• Phone:

  +248 4 387 000

• More info:

  At the The H Resort Beau Vallon

Baobab Pizzeria (Beau Vallon)

This genuine waterside eatery serves what is, many would argue, some of the best value Italian eats on the island. It is normally very busy, but service is fast and the atmosphere pleasantly animated. Most patrons go for one of the pizzas paired with an ice-cold beer.

• Address:

  Main Road, Beau Vallon, Mahe Island

• Phone:

  +248 4 247 167

Chez Jules (La Digue)

One of La Digue's best casual restaurants hides in a secluded location on Anse Banane, in a place that's nearly impossible to accidentally stumble upon. Try the seafood offerings of octopus salad and grilled tuna while taking in direct sea views, and follow-up with a freshly squeezed juice or smoothie.

• Address:

  Anse Banane, La Digue

• Phone:

  +248 4 234 287

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am-6pm

Loutier Coco (La Digue)

The honest eatery on La Digue's beautiful Grand Anse must certainly be any visitor's lunch spot of choice: the daily lunch buffet offering is generous, and includes a continuous barbecue (the grilling starts at 12.30, arrive early). The dining area is set directly by the water.

• Address:

  Grand Anse, La Digue

• Phone:

  +248 2514762

• Opening hours:

  Daily 9am-5pm

Maria's Rock Cafe (Anse Gouvernment)

The curious jungle cafe is stylised with pirate-themed decor and paraphernalia, seating offered in the cavernous inside space or the outdoor terrace. Meats and seafood are brought to and grilled directly at patrons' tables. There is an adjacent art studio run by the cafe owner's husband.

• Address:

  Anse Gouvernment Rd, Mahe Island

• Phone:

  +248 4 361 812

• Opening hours:

  Wed-Mon 12-9pm

Paradisier (Praslin Island)

The breezy restaurant with a patio covered by a palm-thatched roof serves quality Creole, French and Italian cooking. Pizzas are by far the most affordable choice (a moderately hungry party of two could share a single one), but the menu extends to include pricier meat and seafood.

• Address:

  Grand Anse, Praslin Island

• Phone:

  +248 4 237 537

• Opening hours:

  Tue-Sun 12-9pm

Snack Bellevue (La Digue)

The unbeatable panoramic views make this La Digue establishment one of the top contenders to the title of the archipelago's finest. Specially organised transfers bring diners part of the way to the establishment; the hike all the way up is just as steep as the prices, but surely worth the investment.

• Address:

  Nid Aigle, La Digue

• Phone:

  +248 2 527 856