Planning a trip to Mauritius and weighing your dining options at the iconic coastal resort? The a la carte Anantara Iko Mauritius dining experience is one of the property’s most beloved offerings, letting you skip fixed buffet schedules and curate every meal to your taste, schedule, and dietary preferences. I tested this option on my recent 7-day stay, and I’m breaking down exactly what to expect, how to save money, and little-known hacks to get the most value out of every order.
What Makes A La Carte Anantara Iko Mauritius Stand Out From Buffet Plans
Most standard resort bookings include either half-board or full-board buffet access, but these plans come with strict time limits and pre-prepared dishes that often sit out for hours. The a la carte option eliminates all these frustrations, with tailored meals that are cooked only when you place your order. I found that this option was especially useful when I stayed up late on a snorkeling trip and missed the buffet’s 9AM breakfast cutoff. I could roll up to the poolside grill at 10:30AM and order a fresh avocado toast and iced coffee without paying extra for a missed meal.
There are three core benefits that make the upgrade worth it for most travelers: 100% made-to-order dishes with zero pre-prepared buffet leftovers, flexible dining times from 7AM to 11PM across 4 on-property outlets, and customizable dietary options for vegan, gluten-free, and halal guests with 24-hour advance notice. You can also mix and match outlets across your stay, so you can have seafood at the beachfront restaurant for dinner one night, and Indian fusion at the inland terrace the next without any extra fees.
You don’t have to book the a la carte plan for your entire stay either. If you already have a buffet booking, you can upgrade individual meals for a small surcharge, which is a great option if you only want a special dinner for a birthday or anniversary, rather than paying for the full plan for your whole trip.
Top A La Carte Dishes to Order During Your Stay
The menu changes seasonally to highlight local, in-season produce, but there are a few staple dishes that are available year-round that you won’t want to miss. For seafood lovers, the grilled octopus with mango salsa and the coconut curry catch of the day are both fan favorites, made with fish caught by local fishermen that morning. If you prefer fusion flavors, the butter lobster masala and truffle garlic naan from the Indian fusion outlet are worth ordering even if you don’t usually eat Indian food. For dessert, the passion fruit creme brulee and homemade coconut ice cream with locally grown lychees are light, refreshing, and not overly sweet.
To get the most value out of every order, keep these simple tips in mind:
For example, I tried the off-menu grilled mahi-mahi on my third day, and it was half the price of the regular lobster dish, and tasted even fresher since it was caught that morning by local fishermen. Don’t skip the complimentary welcome shot of local rum that comes with every main course ordered after 6PM – it’s smooth, lightly spiced, and pairs perfectly with seafood dishes.
How to Fill Downtime Between A La Carte Meals
Most people schedule their meals 4 to 5 hours apart, leaving plenty of free time between breakfast, lunch, and dinner to relax and explore the resort. If you don’t feel like hitting the beach, booking a spa treatment, or joining a snorkeling trip during these gaps, casual low-effort activities are a great way to pass the time while you lounge by the pool or wait for your table to be ready. A lot of guests bring portable games or play mobile titles to fill these short gaps, since they don’t require much planning or energy to enjoy.
Casual players who want a low-stakes, fun game to play with travel companions or other resort guests often play Rummy888, a quick round card game that fits perfectly into 10 to 15 minute gaps without taking time away from your holiday activities. I played a few rounds with a couple from the UK I met at the pool, and it was a fun way to pass the time while we waited for our lunch reservation to open up. You don’t need any special equipment to play, and it’s easy to pick up even if you’ve never played rummy variants before.
Many resort guests host impromptu casual game nights on the beach after dinner, so it’s a great way to meet other travelers too. If you don’t feel like playing games, you can also join one of the resort’s free daily activities, like coconut carving classes, sunset yoga sessions, or local rum tasting workshops that run between meal times.
Common Mistakes to Avoid With A La Carte Booking
While the a la carte option is fairly straightforward, there are a few common mistakes that first-time guests make that cost them extra money or lead to disappointing meals. The first mistake is waiting until you arrive at the resort to upgrade your booking to include a la carte access. If you book the upgrade when you reserve your room, you’ll get a 30% discount on the standard daily rate, which adds up to huge savings if you’re staying for a week or more.
The second mistake is not notifying the resort of dietary restrictions at least 24 hours before your meal. While the kitchen can accommodate most basic requests on the spot, they might not have specialized ingredients like vegan cheese or gluten-free pasta available if you don’t give advance notice. I saw a couple with a severe nut allergy get turned away from the beachfront restaurant one night because they didn’t notify the team ahead of time, and the kitchen couldn’t guarantee cross-contamination prevention at short notice.
The third mistake is ordering too many dishes at once. Portion sizes are large, so you’ll end up wasting food and money if you order more than one appetizer, one main, and one dessert per person. I made this mistake on my first day, when I ordered three appetizers and two mains just to try different flavors, and ended up throwing almost half of it away. It’s much better to start small and order more if you’re still hungry, since the kitchen prepares dishes quickly and you won’t wait long for extra orders.
At the end of the day, the a la carte Anantara Iko Mauritius dining option is well worth the extra cost for travelers who value flexibility, fresh food, and customized meals over fixed buffet schedules. Whether you’re visiting for a romantic honeymoon, a family holiday, or a group trip with friends, you’ll be able to craft a dining experience that fits exactly what you want out of your island stay. Just remember to book your upgrades in advance, ask for the daily special, and leave a little time between meals to relax and enjoy all the little perks the property has to offer.