The best bars and cafés Réunion

Budget & Tips

Every town has its own place to enjoy an aperitif: the seafronts of Saint-Pierre, Saint-Leu and Saint-Gilles, the carré Cathé in Saint-Denis or the beaches of Roches Noires and L'Hermitage. Whether on a terrace or with your feet in the sand, in the heights with breathtaking views, there's an embarrassment of riches to choose from in Réunion Island to feast your eyes as the sun sends out its last rays. Just follow the guide!

What's very local

What's a Reunionese aperitif like? Reunion's magnificent sunsets have naturally become an unmissable, almost sacred moment when family, friends, work colleagues and neighbors gather to relax and socialize. There are plenty of beach bars where you can admire the sky while sipping a cocktail, but more often than not it's the ritual of La Dodo and her girlfriends on the beach (Métiss, Dalons and company) that wins the day. A beer, accompanied by chilli sweets, corks, samoussas, chips or peanuts, and that's it. Some prefer a rhum arrangé, served cold over ice. The choice of ingredients varies according to region and season, and includes tropical fruits. Others will enjoy the equally popular punch-coco or ti-punch.

Sunset is also a time to appreciate the natural beauty and tranquility of Réunion Island. This tradition dates back to the island's history, when workers would gather to drink and chat after a hard day's work. Today, it's a tradition firmly rooted in the social life of the Reunion people, who gather to watch the sun set, often to the accompaniment of music.