Past security in T1, this is basically the only restaurant
Departures Restaurant sits airside in Terminal 1 after security at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and, for a plated meal, it’s basically the one option. Bloggers and FlyerTalk trip reports from 2014 onward all say the same thing: at the departure gates there’s this sit-down spot plus a couple of small snack outlets, and that’s about it.
Pricing runs in the mid-range ($$ by airport standards), so think resort‑area café rather than street food stall in Mahebourg. Expect standard international dishes rather than anything ambitious: sandwiches, burgers, basic pastas, and occasional local touches. If you want to sit at a table, order from a menu, and have food arrive on plates rather than in plastic, this is where you land.
Airside food choice at MRU is famously thin, and regulars in Mauritius Facebook groups say they budget time to eat at their hotel or a restaurant in Mahebourg before the 15–20 km drive to the airport. They then treat Departures Restaurant as a backup for a drink, coffee, or a quick top‑up if it happens to be open when they clear security.
Evening departures are where people get caught out. Multiple Facebook comments note that several outlets, including this restaurant, can be closed later in the evening, especially on quieter days with fewer long‑haul flights. That’s how you end up boarding a late Air Mauritius or Air France departure with nothing more than a packet of crisps from a kiosk.
Watch out for: short opening hours and almost no alternative once you’re in the T1 departure zone. Don’t count on wandering around to compare menus; one sit‑down restaurant means one menu. If you’re flying after dinner time, assume you might not be able to get a proper meal here.
Practical tip: eat properly before you leave your hotel or resort, then plan on Departures Restaurant only for a drink or light snack if you see it open after you clear T1 security.