KwaZulu-Natal Restaurants

Situated in the Glenwood shopping centre with an interior dressed in orange and pink shaded in soft palates on the wall, A Cabana serves authentic Portuguese cuisine. Some of the favourite starters include the traditional grilled portuguese sardines with coarse salt, served with a touch of olive oil and vinegar or chickenl with garlic, wine and peri-peri sauce. For mains, try the prawns a cabana - 12 succulent prawns with garlic and lemon butter or the cabana steak, served with garlic, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions and green pepper sauce. For more exotic dishes try the bacalhau or the prawn rissoles rounded off by Portuguese pasteis de nata for a popular dessert with a twist - Portuguese kisses. With warm hospitality and traditional fare, diners can sit back and enjoy the authentic ambience alongside fresh grills and seafood served the Portuguese way.

This vibrant Afro setting invites a welcoming African hospitality infused with tastes from around the globe enrobed in ethic murals and plush seating. With over 100 dishes from Africa, Middle East and Asia to choose from including a large selection of starters and salads, diners can immerse the palate in global cuisine with tantalising creations of oxtail, samp and beans, stir-fries, Moroccan pitas and traditional Durban curries. Boasting over 12 different ice creams and array of cold deserts, A2A is a culinary dream garnished with seven island buffet stations including a complimentary bottomless soda fountain to cool off the palate. This delicious buffet feast embraces a fresh and quality approach to dining with exceptional value for money for the whole family.

This culinary journey onboard Allen Gardiner Harbour Cruise Restaurant offers a different and exciting fine dining experience. Sailing all year round and within the scenic and tranquil waters of Durban Harbour, diners experience a spacious and elegant dining saloon, flanked by scenic ocean vistas and marine wildlife. Serving freshly prepared fine foods for breakfast, lunch, dinner and champagne sunset; the menu extends varied choices and dining styles. Choose from the American-style brunch – This 2 1/5 hour 3-course American style brunch cruise welcomes aboard with a glass of fresh orange juice, and 3-course brunch complete with a full English breakfast, hash brown potatoes, hot muffins, apple pie and cream. The a la carte lunch and candlelit dinner cruises from 12noon to 3.00pm. The Dinner cruise is from 7pm to 10pm. The fork lunch and dinner is a three hour cruise, during which a two course meal is served, with choices from the a la carte menu suitable for eating with just a fork. Finally the champagne sunset welcomes aboard with a glass of champagne, and a fully-stocked bar. Throughout the course of the cruise the galley crew serve trays of hot and cold canapés. The Allen Gardiner Harbour Cruise Restaurant offers diners the chance to explore the scenic surrounds of Durban harbour while tantalising the taste buds with decadent fare.

Cradled in the scenic beachside resort of Ballito, Azura Restaurant refreshes the palate with cooling cocktails, romantic dinners and alfresco lunches flanked by ocean views and trailing sunsets. Enjoy an array of dishes ranging from Mediterranean style fare to succulent steaks and Portuguese style chicken. The comprehensive menu boasts delicious grilled steaks, succulent prawns, tender calamari, peri-peri chicken, fresh and delicious seafood dishes as well as combos. Dine alfresco on the wooden deck or by candlelight under a blanket of stars, Azura Restaurant swaddles the palate with a taste of the ocean touched by the murmur of contented chatter.

Situated in the Glenore Centre with views that stretch out onto the Indian Ocean, Bangkok Yum Thai serves superb food prepared by authentic Thai chefs, delicious and healthy, layered with flavour and taste. The décor is simple and calming, warming and welcoming heightened by dark contrasting colours and Thai artefacts. Enjoy delightful tastes from the extensive menu or go for the signature dish chu chee duck, which is crispy duck, served with a killer chu chee sauce, deep fried spinach & jasmine rice. Bangkok Yum Thai transports the palate to sensational Thailand and the authentic fresh flavours compliment and entice with healthy tasty alternatives to everyday dining.

Prepared using the freshest ingredients, herbs and spices, Beira Alta pampers the palate with family tradition of cooking, passed down from generation to generation. Located in the scenic coastal town of Ballito, this elegant and sophisticated restaurant delights with delectable Portuguese cuisine, embracing Continental and African influences. Enjoy a relaxed and tantalising meal soothed by the drifting sounds of smooth jazz and a romantic ambiance. Indulge in a variety of flavours and tastes starting with succulent prawns smothered in a melange of spices, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic and if red meat takes your palate, try the flame-grilled chicken and platters layered with scrumptious pan-fried prawns. Beira Alta Restaurant cooks from the heart and their passion for food will reunite a love affair with decadent Portuguese cooking and rich aromatic wines, for a sensational dining experience.

Housed inside a quaint stone villa with sweeping views of the Mpenjoti Lagoon, Casa Toscana Ristorante charms with fresh enticing dishes that inspire classic cooking techniques and high quality ingredients. The extensive menu boasts mouth-watering dishes with a large selection of daily spreads. Options range from Porchetta - a pork roast flavoured with fennel flowers and garlic, or a choice of succulent fillets. Pappardelle ai Porcini delights with pasta ribbons served with porcini mushrooms, garlic, parsley and parmesan shavings, and the Cappellacci di Zucca boasts delicate, butternut-filled parcels served in a burnt butter and sage sauce. For desert, the grand finale Bongo - a pyramid of éclair balls, filled with crème anglaise, and drizzled with rich, dark chocolate ganache, or traditional moist Tiramisú made with mascarpone, coffee, and dark chocolate shavings. Casa Toscana Ristorante offers outstanding food in a relaxed and warm setting that embodies the heart and passion of Italian cooking on an idyllic banana farm in Trafalgar.

Chandlers Sports Bar and Restaurant sports a casual ambience welcomed by warm faces and friendly smiles with traditional pub grub gracing the menu. With a small menu, options range from sandwiches to sumptuous steak, egg and chips complimented by a delightful selection of beers and wines. Chandlers Sports Bar and Restaurant is the place to meet and share good times in the company of warm faces.

With wonderful views and a setting inspired by sailors at sea, Charlie Crofts Dockside Diner warms the palate with a pub atmosphere and salty sea air. Dine alfresco on the large balcony by lingering daylight or romance the night away with the gentle flickering of candlelight and lapping shores. Charlie Crofts Diner captures simple ocean dining in a rustic setting reminiscent of sea faring days.

A casual place with pleasant indoor and outdoor seating buzzing with happy mouthfuls of Chinese. Sample traditional items including deep fried broccoli and brinjal in a spicy sauce, salty duck or barbeque pork belly followed by fried ice cream at the end. China Plate in Riverside will do when the need for Chinese can be satisfied by no other than China Plate.

A small family run restaurant, Delfi cradles the palate with authentic Greek delights spilling off a simple menu. This unassuming restaurant wraps you up in a cosy and friendly setting delighting the taste buds with home-cooked creations. With a great meze selection and traditional menu, diners can immerse themselves in an array of deep-fried squid heads with garlicky skordalia, spicy Greek sausage flamed in ouzo or sardines with plenty of lemon. Mains include a good lamb shank and to die for stuffed tomatoes or imam. Dine and celebrate the Greek way with traditional Greek dancing and plate breaking concluding a perfect meal at Delfi restaurant in Morningside.

Immerse the taste buds in delicate infusions and spices enhanced by lingering aromas and beautiful draped fabrics dimly lit by Moroccan lanterns. Bold luxurious colours wrapped around bare metals and golden hues of orange and red enrobed in a tapestry of colours awaits you, pampered by floral and rose petals strewn on floors to welcome your arrival. Sumptuous authentic Moroccan cuisine spills off the menu enticed by layers of traditional pleasures and aromatic Hookah pipes. Discover exotic and indulging pleasures at this Fabulous Moroccan Restaurant for a truly unforgettable dining experience.

Step in Friar Tuck and find yourself immersed in forest trees and medieval artefacts that transport you to the days of Robin Hood, romantically medieval. Boasting succulent award winning steaks, this family run steakhouse secures a loyal following, perfectly positioned in the coastal town of Margate. Enjoy a delicious steak with all the trimmings dining within the magical interior alfresco on the elevated balcony, overlooking the hustle and bustle of Marine Drive

Celebrated cuisine that embraces purity and understanding, with no décor to speak of, just a warm heavenly atmosphere for vegetarians. Reminiscent of boarding school dining rooms, Govinda’s serves economical meals just south of Durban in the suburb of Chatesworth.

Nestled in the scenic surrounds of Tinley Manor Beach, boasting simplicity at its best, Impulse by the Sea exudes a causal ambiance flanked by beautiful sea views and the tranquilly of Tinley Manor Beach. This restaurant comes highly recommended for delicious meals of the highest standard and a unique and hospitable dining experience. Renowned for legendary curries and hands-on approach, Impulse by the Sea is a must stop for visitors passing through this scenic part of The Dolphin Coast.

Known as one of the most reputed Indian Restaurant in South Africa boasting several awards and exceptional service, Jewel of India transport the palate on a journey of exotic spices and colours. Experience variety and tastes layered in textures and aromas mopped up with warm buttery naans. The décor wraps around mahogany floors and crisp white linen table clothes heightened by contrasting walls and jewelled artefacts from the shores of India. Catering for all palates with options of Halaal, vegetarian and seafood, patrons can indulge the colourful cuisine and cultural heritage warmed by traditional Indian hospitality.

A steak lovers paradise Joops place is situated off the beaten track located within the trendy Morningside. Brimming with a warm and welcoming ambience, this bustling family run restaurant services up mature cuts of prime beef cooked to perfection and drenched in some of Joops best kept secret sauces. Take delight in a heavenly centre cut super grade fillet, stuffed with pineapple and cheddar cheese, cooked to crisp perfection, finished with button mushrooms and flambéed with brandy. In addition to the steak, Joops Place serves tender and succulent chicken breasts sautéed with bacon, onion and tomato, simmered with sage and rosemary or chicken schnitzel, plain or topped with a zesty cheese and mushroom sauce. For those looking for something a little different, try the oxtail casserole in a rich brown gravy, lamb curry, chicken and prawn curry or veal schnitzel Joops place is renowned for some of the best steaks in the world coupled with a bustling ambience and great hospitality, Joops Place offers your palate a heavenly night out.

Kung Thai Restaurant wraps the palate in Thai infusions and complex flavours fresh from the sultry shores of Thailand. For starters, try the rice paper wraps with fillings that include fresh vegetables, grilled chicken or beef, all of which are served with a mixed salad, herbs and glass noodles or the crispy crab basket with deep-fried wontons filled with minced chicken, crab and coriander. For mains the kung Thai duck wrapped in a pancake served with a ginger and honey based sauce and jasmine rice. The tamarind chicken is a crispy, de-boned baby chicken, tossed in a wok with ginger, chillies, tamarind and bok choi. Steak lovers can indulge in succulent fillet steak served with a variety of sauces including the lethal crying tiger sauce. Thai curries and seafood dishes like the calamari kung Thai with a refreshing garlic, chilli paste, spring onion, coriander and lemon juice sauce will seduce the palate. The wok and noodle dishes offer a wide variety of main ingredients with accompaniments such as stir-fried bamboo shoots with chilli and basil and also cashew nuts, bean sprouts and spring onion. The desserts include jewels such as the deep-fried ice cream with chilli choc sauce and banana dipped in a three-flour batter, deep-fried and served with ice cream, honey and cinnamon. Kung Thai Restaurant will engage and delight the palate with Thai infusions and ambience for a truly authentic Thai experience.

Pampered decor compliments intimate lunches and dinners flattered by an array of delectable stylish cuisine. Dine in the vaulted conservatory style restaurant or alfresco in the quaint courtyard exploring the intoxicating Ala Carte menu. Take pleasure in the char grilled fillet of beef medallions on sweetcorn potato cake and roasted cherry tomatoes served with a mustard seed butter cream or the aromatic duck simmered in a star anise, cinnamon and gingered infused court bouillon then oven glazed with a basting of hoisin and soy sauces served on a vegetable brioche. La Brassiere at Quarters Hotel reflects a bygone era restored to its former glory boasting stylish cuisine and intimating settings. Awarded Durban’s best traditional restaurant by KZN Tourism, La Brassiere invokes moments of indulgent pleasure for a memorable dining experience.

This Italian restaurant offers home-style cooking and hearty portions of decadent Italy. The lingering aroma of pizzas baked to perfection in the wood fired oven compliment the vibrant Italian ambiance. The a la carte menu caters for hearty appetites with generous portions of pasta, seafood and meat. Signature dishes such as the Trippa alla Florentina, a delicious vegetable and tripe stew, as well as the slow roasted lamb shanks flavoured with rosemary and red wine take the spotlight. Pop into La Capannina for a welcoming smile and satisfying slice of Italy for a memorable dining experience.

Serving traditional Italian fare in an elegant setting, La Strada Ristorante is the perfect venue for intimate lunches or alfresco dining. The menu boasts extensive Italian food combined with quality local and imported ingredients. Pastas are handmade on the premises with pizzas known as the best in Durban. Boasting a traditional mosaic tiled wood-fired pizza-burning oven using old age Italian techniques, pizzas cook to crispy-layered perfection. Venture off with a daring combination or stay safe with a traditional quattro stagioni or branch out and try one of the unusual gourmet pizzas. For carnivores, there are aged steaks and a wide variety of fish and chicken dishes. La Strada Ristorante embraces Italy with rustic elegance and warms the palate with hearty Italian fare.

Dine in the spectacular thatched surrounds flanked by an age old tree inviting the bare natural elements of life draped in fairy lights and starry skies. The dining room graces the senses with a roaring rock fireplace heightened by a grand marble and thatch bar. Begin a magical journey through Africa sampling the exclusive menu designed by executive chef catering a delicately balanced fusion of flavours and platinum award Diners Club wine list. Alfresco dining on the terrace invites the outdoors overlooking the bush and resident game that graze within close proximity. Le Tala Restaurant secures a fine African dining experience in spectacular surrounds over breakfast, lunch or dinner at Tala Game Reserve, Pietermaritzburg.

Welcoming and accommodating, even when fully booked! Diners enjoy a myriad of South African dishes in relaxed surroundings. The menu offers excellent dishes and delicious flavours that embrace typical South African cuisine while the service compliments with friendly faces and competence. Dining at Lighthouse Restaurant is a pleasurable and enjoyable South African experience.

Original recipes and imported products nourish the soul with specialities that had Polish nights and nobilities fighting for more. The menu brims with original dishes such as barszcz (traditional beetroot soup) and includes a range of sausages as well as pierogi (traditional polish pasta pockets), golabki (cabbage leaves stuffed with mince and rice and served with tomato sauce and pickles). Hearty and filling, dishes are made using organic produce following original recipes and techniques. The décor is simple with some tables and chairs scattered inside and out with a few polish touches here and there.

Serving delectable Italian food coloured by traditional murals of Italy and large imported tins of plum tomatoes, Mamma Luciana’s wonderfully warm aroma infuses the senses with heartwarming meals. Unpretentious and vibrant, this restaurant fills the belly with good food, wine and laughter soothed by Eros Ramazzotti drifting in the background. Authentic Italian décor wrapped in warm colours and vibrant chequered white and red tablecloths envelop the floor and walls while diners laugh and indulge in delicious hearty portions of true Italian food. Mamma Luciana’s Trattoria captures the essence and passion of true Italian cuisine along the bustling streets of vibey Florida Road.

Typical Irish tradition invites song and dance into the heart with a warm ambiance. McGinty’s invites and welcomes patrons to enjoy dining at the perfect meeting place. Savour Irish themed pub meals and drinks while dining out on breathtaking views, a stones throw from the beach. Enjoy classic pub fare such as burgers, steaks and light meals. Dine indoors or alfresco at this friendly restaurant on Compensation Road, Ballito.

When the temptation to satisfy a craving for nothing other than Chinese beacons, head on over to Ming Bow restaurant in Chartwell Drive. This standard Chinese restaurant offers efficient and friendly service with delicious food bursting off the Ala Carte and set menus. Small and intimate with sea facing tables and décor typical of traditional Chinese traditions, Ming Bow will do when nothing other than Chinese will do.

This authentic Mozambican barraccas opens its doors and invites an explosion of fusion cuisine embracing the culture and traditions of Mozambique, Portugal and African-European flavours. Situated close to the beach, Mo-Zam-Bik invites a relaxed, tropical setting, reminiscent of balmy summer evenings and a way of life for loving Mozambicans. Excite the palate with piri-piri chicken, mouth-wateringly succulent prawns, Mozambican line fish and meltingly tender espetadas. Mo-Zam-Bik embraces authentic ambiance and festive surrounds that pamper the palate with simplicity and mouth-watering meals.

Located in Sodwana Bay National Park, Mseni boasts a beautiful restaurant flanked by the roaring Indian Ocean and impressive views. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinners, diners can enjoy moonlit ocean views, succulent dishes and ice-cold beers and cocktails for sundowners.

Bridging the taste between South Africa and Europe, Müncher Haus entices a local and international following with there delectable meals, all freshly prepared in comfortable ambiance. Seduce the tastebuds with the likes of juicy steaks, voluptuous seafood and hearty game dishes with the option of lighter meals and crispy wood-fired pizzas. Müncher Haus will delight with international flair and homely hospitality for a delightful take on Continental cuisine.

This rustic style farmhouse restaurant embraces traditional farmhouse ambiance with wooden tables scattered throughout the homely setting dressed with memorable artefacts and décor reminiscent of Afrikaans heritage. Ouma entices with traditional cooked meals that know how to satisfy. Enjoy skaapnek, frikadelle, babotie to mention a few followed by an aromatic cup of Ouma’s coffee. Ouma Se Kombuis is located in Scott Street behind The Lark Inn in Scottburgh.

Located in Roberts Street, Pesto depicts nostalgic scenes of Italy. Red satin underpants and tea towels hang in captured elegance, flapping in the Italian breeze over the bustling and chatter of cobbled alleyways. This impressive yet unpretentious eatery boasts Italian dishes that brim with taste and flavour. From pizzas, pastas and steaks over lunch or dinner to decadent deserts and flowing wine served in original ceramic containers. Pesto is a little slice of Italy in Roberts Road, Pietermaritzburg.

Soak up the laidback ambience garnished with fresh buffets of International and African specialities set in the exquisite Hilton Hotel. Elegant, casual and enrobed in a traditional Zulu ambience infused with a contemporary setting of stainless steal and glass amidst a feast of plump oysters, prawns or melt in the mouth crayfish. Alongside mouth-watering buffet, diners have a choice of selecting the freshest meals spilling off the Ala Carte with the likes of Indian delights such as Samoosa, Crumbed Mushrooms with Paneer and Chilli Dumplings or Prawn Masala, Rack of Lamb, Oxtail Casserole and a trilogy of curries. Alongside the well-catered menu, there are options to indulge in local seafood, midland veal complimented by an extensive wine list.

Cooled by chic wallpapers, elegant chandeliers and warm hospitality, Rendezvous takes the palate on a journey of modern dining infused with a Mediterranean twist for excellent quality food. A relaxed and stylish setting, Rendezvous provides a fusion of food from North Africa, Greece and Portugal providing a festival for the senses. The menu includes great dishes likes of stuffed chicken breast with mushroom risotto or fresh Norwegian salmon, confit baby potatoes and soft poached eggs on farfale. For dessert, indulge in the ginger and raspberry panacotta or the chocolate mousse cake with bourbon sauce. Entice the palate with stuffed deep-fried Calamata olives or a fish cake served with wasabi aioli and coriander verde for starters followed by the Norwegian salmon on pea and crab risotto. For less formal dining, try gourmet-style burgers or hearty pizzas rounded off by silky coffees and soothing cognacs.

With focus on simplicity, Spice Restaurant and Bar Lounge draws taste and décor from extensive travels in Europe, Caribbean and New Zealand. Discover tempting and tantalising infusions such as avocado and prawn cocktail, draped in a coriander cream sauce or black mushrooms infused with crushed peppercorns and Cajun spice. For fish lovers, the Dargle Valley trout stuffed with mango, coriander and bacon and the roasted vegetable crepe, with the vegetables roasted in sesame oil and draped in a blue cheese sauce. For something more refreshing, entice the palate with watermelon, Danish feta and olives on a salad bed with a minted yoghurt dressing followed by grills of Florida rack of lamb crusted with crushed black peppercorns, chilli flakes and garlic. Spice Restaurant and Bar Lounge touches a taste of exotic on the palate with focus on simplicity complimented by clean modern lines in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

With tables spilling out onto the pavement and lively orders flowing into the kitchen, Spiga d’Oro oozes Italian bistro dining with rustic classiness. Embracing a European ambience nestled in small rustic setting, this buzzing lively restaurant offers hearty Italian meals in comfort and practicality. Serving top notch pizzas and pastas Spiga d’Oro seduces the palate with comfort food in just the right amount of garlic, olives and anchovies ensuring hearty helpings of pure Italian food. For Antipasto try the penne pasta with smoked salmon, diced feta, heaps of parmesan topped with fresh ripe avo & ground black pepper followed by the primi piatti cooked with extra virgin olive oil, garlic, chilli and however many prawns you'd like. The traditional menu also offers a take away option. Pizza served Italian style, thin crispy crust brushed with a homemade Napoletana sauce and topped with delicious mozzarella. Open until early hours of the morning along the famous Florida Road strip, Spiga d’Oro serves up hearty Italian fare, loaded with reasonable prices and buzzing ambience like no other.

The Brasserie Restaurant heralds a slice of history and grandeur along the golden shores of Durban’s famous mile. Oozing Victorian opulence pampered by gastronomic delights spilling off the Ala Carte and terrace menu, diners can tempt the taste buds with delicious buffet treats and local dishes using fresh local ingredients. Boasting world-class chefs and contemporary touches infused with global cuisine, The Brasserie Restaurant is an elegant setting perfect for romantic lunches or dinners.

Surrounded by sharks and the deep blue in one of Durban’s most spectacular settings, The Cargo Hold at uShaka Marine World offers diners a unique sophisticated ambience nestled in the stern of the Phantom Ship with superb views of the ocean and shark tank. Brimming with spicy, fruity and exotic flavours conceived from the freshest KZN produce, The Cargo Hold promises a culinary journey of a lifetime onboard the decks of the infamous Phantom Ship.

The Chanteclar Hotel offers a choice of two well appointed dining rooms, each providing a unique setting and ambiance for idle chat and delicious food. The gourmet Zebra and Leopard Room entices with fine fare and excellent service, warmed by a roaring winter fire, perfect for secluded dinners and romantic meals. Enjoy legendary Sunday lunches, which draw regular visitors from all around, an excellent day of fine food and wine. The extensive kiddies play area invites relaxation for parents with an outdoor paved terrace securing a lingering lunch in the solitude and beauty of 1000 Hills. Soak up the balmy summer dining alfresco or enjoy a leisurely meal at the bar. The ladies bar calls for an intimate dining affair shaded by original stonework and crackling winter fire. The Chantecler Hotel is the perfect place to linger and indulge in the beauty of Madwala Conservancy and tantalising fare.

The Crayfish Inn charms the palate with intimate surrounds dimmed by candlelit setting and delicious array of exotic seafood dishes in the tower of La Montagne. Boasting intimate fine dining cuisine and refreshing a la carte menu, The Crayfish Inn flavours a memorable dining experience with old world charm. Enjoy delicious seafood, entrée’s, exotic langoustines and succulent prawn and crayfish dishes complimented by a hand picked selections of fine South African wine. The Crayfish Inn pleasures the palate with seafaring decadence and intimate surrounds, perfect for exploring the tastes of the vast seas.