Durban Restaurants

Durban's dining public is fickle by nature, and restaurants tend to change hands fairly often. But don't be discouraged—Durban offers some superb dining options, provided you eat to its strengths. Thanks to a huge Indian population, it has some of the best curry restaurants in the country.

Durbanites eat lunch and dinner relatively early because they're early risers, particularly in summer, when it's light soon after 4. They're also generally casual dressers—you'll rarely need a jacket and tie, and jeans are rarely frowned upon.

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  • 1. 9th Avenue Waterside

    $$$$ | Victoria Embankment

    Durban desperately needed a first-rate seafood offering and this upmarket restaurant perched at the scenic harbor delivers. Think crispy fried calamari with black garlic aioli and pickled cauliflower, grilled baby crayfish with passion fruit and lemon verbena coconut broth, and magnificent seafood pasta. However, chefs also cater beautifully to vegetarians with dishes such as exotic mushroom and butternut cavatelli with vanilla, maple sauce, and mushroom gnocchi with sundried tomato foam. Everything—purées, clamshell bisque, cilantro gel—is made from scratch in the open kitchen and seasonal sustainability is a core focus with meat sourced from the Midlands, fish freshly line-caught from this very coast, and the comprehensive wine list support female wine-makers. It's one of Durban's finest gastronomic experiences, with excellent service to match. 

    9th Avenue Waterside, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
    031-940-4628

    Known For

    • Harbor views
    • Fine dining
    • Seasonal cuisine

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon., No kids under 12 years old during dinner service
  • 2. Govinda's Pure Vegetarian Restaurant

    $ | Chatsworth

    This is an inexpensive yet excellent vegetarian restaurant catering to Hare Krishna devotees, who do not use onions, garlic, or mushrooms in their food. The traditional Indian rice dish biryani (breyani as it's known locally) is a favorite. Try the thali, a mix of several dishes of the day.

    50 Bhaktivedanta Swami Circle, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, 4091, South Africa
    078-849–4291

    Known For

    • Egg-less cakes and desserts
    • Takeaways
    • Paneer butter masala

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
  • 3. Jack Salmon Fish House

    $$ | Glenashley

    A short drive north of the city, the small suburb of Glenashley has an elevated position that offers diners a pleasant sea view, but this restaurant's fresh seafood, prepared in unique and traditional ways, is the drawing card, with excellent service keeping the place busy during lunch and dinner. For starters, opt for the sushi or the Falkland Island calamari tubes stuffed with prawns and peri-peri dressing and then char-grilled. The catch of the day—dorado, swordfish, or Cape salmon—or Thai-inspired seared tuna as well as the variety of seafood platters are recommended mains. If you have room, round out the meal with a panna cotta—flavors change daily.

    1 Aubrey Dr., Durban, KwaZulu Natal, 4051, South Africa
    031-572–3664

    Known For

    • Fresh seafood
    • Excellent view
    • Panna cotta

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
  • 4. Mahā Café

    $ | Beachfront

    This casual cafe restaurant in the reinvigorated Point Waterfront district is great for coffee (especially if you’re averse to the crowds of uShaka Marine World) and a fancy breakfast that won't break the bank. Vegetarians will love mixed mushroom with dune spinach on sourdough with nasturtium and sunflower seed pesto, while classic orderers might enjoy the herby pork sausage or generous croque monsieur, and the counter is always stacked with pastries and tarts. 

    5 Mahatma Gandhi Rd., Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
    082-817–2957

    Known For

    • Fresh all-day dishes
    • Great coffee
    • Within easy reach of the promenade
  • 5. Spiga d'Oro

    $ | Morningside

    Perched at the top of the ever-popular Florida Road, Spiga is something of a Durban institution, and it certainly represents the attitude and overall feeling of Durban—unpretentious with an animated atmosphere that makes diners feel part of the crowd. The Italian menu is not always classical in its interpretation, but you can count on it being delicious and a good value (pasta dishes come in medium or large portions). The bruschetta di pomodoro is a good way to start, with lots of ripe, well-seasoned tomato on grilled bread, and the Linguine di Casa, made with prawns, olive oil, chili, and a Napoletana sauce, is perennially popular. And, if you enjoy taking your time over a meal, there are no overzealous staff trying to turn your table. Be prepared for a wait.

    465 Innes Rd., Durban, KwaZulu Natal, 4001, South Africa
    031-303–9511

    Known For

    • Buzzy atmosphere
    • Bruschetta di pomodoro
    • Seafood pasta

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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