COME AND MEET JEAN-CHARLES BERTRAND

THE NORTH COAST

Jean-Charles Bertrand, founder of the Mafate Café, has reinvented the Creole art of brunching in the heart of Saint-Denis and, more recently, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. His unique vision combines Reunionese culinary tradition with a touch of modernity, giving pride of place to forgotten flavours and products of the terroir. More than just a café, the Mafate Café provides its customers with a truly immersive experience, between urban getaway and respect for ecological values. A concept that delights locals and visitors alike.

©Jean Charles Bertrand P1050444 Zartisans Du Gout@irt Zest.re Dt Dec 2034

Enhancing Creole flavours with modernity

Jean-Charles Bertrand initially imagined the Mafate Café as a 100% local coffee shop. What he wanted to do was clear enough: highlight the Reunionese terroir’s products while infusing them with a touch of refined modernity.

For the last six years, this café in Saint-Denis city centre has been emblematic for rediscovery of Creole flavours from a fresh angle. From traditional heated rice to various kinds of cakes revisited, each dish takes diners on a culinary journey that combines nostalgia with innovation.

Jean-Charles Bertrand doesn’t just serve meals, he provides his customers with a real experience in which yesteryear’s tastes go hand-in-hand with contemporary momentum. “Yesterday’s tradition is tomorrow’s modernity”, he asserts, illustrating his philosophy with dishes that revisit childhood memories and turn them into unique culinary creations.

A Creole brunch in the heart of the city

The Mafate Café is at the origin of the Creole brunch concept, in which warmed rice takes centre stage. This speciality, inspired by the breakfasts enjoyed by our forebears, has revived the taste for dishes prepared the day before. As Jean-Charles explains, “It’s what our grandparents ate before setting off to work in the fields. We’ve modernised it while respecting its origins.”

But brunch doesn’t stop there. Sweet-potato cakes, manioc pancakes and other traditional recipes are revisited to provide a touch of originality. This marriage between authenticity and creativity is part and parcel of an approach that prioritises short supply chains and local producers, who share the Mafate Café’s eco-friendly values.

Inspiration drawing on Reunion Island’s soul

Jean-Charles Bertrand designed the Mafate Café as a place where you can get away from it all. On Reunion Island’s north coast, he has recreated the spirit of the Island’s highlands: unspoilt nature, authentic flavours, a little Creole hut and a warm welcome. With its “brown coffee” and local spices, the Mafate Café pays tribute to the Island’s natural heritage while adopting a modern, urban approach.

As Jean-Charles sees it, each dish tells a story: the tale of a rich terroir and a living culture. The Mafate Café, with its delicatessen and ecological commitment, has transcended simple catering to become a true ambassador of the Reunionese soul.