KwaZulu-Natal Restaurants

This simple little coffee shop lures the palate with the delicious aroma of freshly baked delight and hearty country cooking. Set in a beautiful location, Aladdin’s de Light entices shopping and eating in one swoop with offerings of arts and crafts and delicious meals. Browse the local stores before settling down for a relaxing meal at Aladdin’s de Light in Midlands Meander.

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.

Tucked away in Bergville, Northern Drakensberg, with views of beautiful gardens and the swimming pool is a local hotspot brimming with flavour. The stylish and cosy décor make an ideal setting for relaxing and unwinding, either around the pool or in the lapa. Dine inside or within the boma feasting on contemporary and African dishes prepared using the finest fresh produce and meticulous attention to detail. The a la Carte menu offers wood-fired pizzas alongside tempting light lunches with a wide variety of dishes to suit the mood. Relax and indulge at this social hotspot in Bergville and discover the secret of local food lovers.

Nestled amongst the splendid tranquil grounds of Mitchell Park, Blue Zoo Restaurant in Morningside boasts a dainty little restaurant that spills out onto voluptuous grounds perfect for relaxing or indulging in Sunday afternoon tea. With indoor and outdoor seating and a simple menu that serves traditional Durban / English fare, diners can enjoy a variety of salads, soups and heart-warming meals such as lamb shank and succulent steaks. With weekly live music hosted on the scenic grounds, The Blue Zoo Restaurant is the place to indulge in simple fare and tranquil surrounds.

A vibrant and welcoming atmosphere awaits you at Bush Tavern, Umdloti. This African-themed restaurant/pub is perfectly situated to offer stunning sea views while you drink and dine. If you’re lucky, you may be able to spot a whale or a dolphin from the deck. A vast menu provides the choicest offering for diners at very reasonable prices and includes a dedicated kiddies menu. A superb venue for a relaxed drink or a family meal.

Situated on the sea-facing wing of the Suncoast Casino, hugging the golden shoreline of the Indian Ocean, Café Vacca Matta boasts stylish ambience and fine dining wrapped in delicious Mediterranean flavours. Dine within the indoor stylish ambience or alfresco, enjoying breathtaking views on the terrace sipping cocktails. Boasting mouth-watering signature dishes and extensive range of both local and imported wines, Café Vacca Matta will capture the palate with a distinctive setting and cuisine for a delightful cosmopolitan dining experience.

This concept embraces food for thought; a culinary education through inspiration. Sample an array of gastronomic masterpieces, created at the hand of resident chefs. Through the process of observation, taste and discussion, guests enjoy a casual chat and hands on approach through glass windows with the opportunity to chat and discuss the magic of their culinary creativity. Dine with friends sampling the decadent tasting menu and well paired wines in the kitchen of the chef at the Chef’s Table, Ballito.

Boasting signature dishes brimming with flavour and colour, the prime competition being curries, El-Arish Restaurant invites diners to explore their extensive selection of starters, salads, seafood, curries and pastas. With great food created using only the freshest ingredient spilling off the Ala Carte menu and a small private dining area, diners can indulge in intimate privacy. El-Arish Restaurant is perfect for family dining and corporate function with an extensive selection of food complimented by an elegant setting.

This 60 seater open plan restaurant boasts an a la carte food studio suited for any occasion, perfect for connoisseurs seeking delightful cuisine and legendary Sunday lunches. Exuding a relaxed country feel touched with elements of romance, Green Food Restaurant entices the palate with a selection of delicious meals. Choose from traditional fish and chips, beer battered or pan fried served with creamy garlic butter or mix it up - grilled sirloin with a shrimp garlic sauce, tempura calamari steak strips and crispy onion rings. Succulent sirloin steak melts in the mouth accompanied by jumbo tempura onion rings, side salad and choice of Madagascan pepper corn, mushroom or spicy tomato sauce. A lighter meal calls for chicken spatchcock, rubbed with basil pesto, flame grilled and served with seasonal roasted vegetables or the hearty Lamb lasagne, slow cooked and baked between layers of pasta, tomato and garlic white sauce topped with apple chutney. Green Food Restaurant provides the perfect setting for a lunch and dinner. Located at the Caledon Hotel along the scenic Dolphin Coast.

In the heart of Glenwood is Hemingway’s Bistro and Cafe - a quaint, upmarket restaurant providing an extensive South African menu.Breakfasts, light lunches and main meals are served all day long. There are vegetarian options and only the freshest ingredients are used at all times.The ambience is warm and inviting with a lot of attention having been paid to the decor. An Afro-Latino feel runs through the restaurant with themed dining rooms. Diners may also enjoy their meals on the patio which has earned Hemingway’s the accolade of being voted among the top three outside-dining destinations in Durban.With a friendly and upbeat atmosphere, Hemingway’s is a memorable place to dine away some time.

This buzzing upmarket restaurant is housed in an old Glenwood home worn with intimate ambience and wrapped in exposed bricks, chic chandeliers and themed art deco paintings brushed onto an ivory palate. With contrasting wooden floors and crisp white linen, Hemmingway’s Bistro and Café exudes a unique Afro-Latino ambience. Whether dining in one of the themed dining rooms or taking in the balmy summer sun alfresco, this upbeat and friendly restaurant will delight the senses. Choose from the extensive menu the likes of simple prawn and pesto pasta with roast cherry tomatoes or for formal dining there is crispy duck after a starter of fresh fish cakes with oyster dishes and tapas perfect for light snacks. All meals paired well with a solid wine list. Hemmingway’s Bistro and Café renews the palate with modern South African cuisine. Voted one of top three outdoor dining restaurants in Durban

Tucked away in the history steeped Chaka’s Rock, this tranquil African paradise wets the appetite with traditional cuisine and sweeping sea views. Dine alfresco on the sundeck watching Dolphins at play perusing the a la carte menu exploding with seafood dishes, curries and pastas. Excellently prepared by expert chefs, Hlanganisa Restaurant extends the coastal experience with story telling woodcarvings and authentic ambiance. Kiddies can play in the splash pool and dine from the kiddies menu, making Hlanganisa Restaurant a welcoming getaway for the whole family.

Injobo invites relaxation and tranquillity at this exclusive a la carte restaurant brimming with creatively designed cuisine. Housed inside the Ebandla Hotel, swaddled in the rolling hills of Compensation, Injobo Restaurant immerses the palate in a fusion of modern and traditional cuisine that caters for every desire. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail at the sophisticated cocktail bar before settling down for an intimate dinner creatively designed by Injobo’s resident chef. The contemporary décor infused with tranquil elegance ensures an unforgettable dining experience at this exclusive a la carte restaurant in Ballito.

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.

This lovely restaurant offers relaxing lunches and personal dinners nestled along the scenic Kwa-Zulu Natal. Enjoy picturesque lunches and romantic dinners perusing the a la carte menu with stunning views of the Dolphin Coast. La Montagne Restaurant satisfies local and international palates with hearty cuisine and scenic vistas garnished with frolicking dolphins and miles of sandy beaches.

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.

This family run restaurant strives to be the best. The menu entices with a wide variety of food such as crispy pizzas, succulent steaks, burgers, curries, ribs and seafood. A memorable dining experience that delivers a different and original ambiance. Burn your name into wooden panels and add to the character that makes this establishment so unique. Ideally located on Panorama Parade with an expansive menu showcasing a wide variety of food, diners enjoy scenic surrounds and unique atmosphere.

Inviting and relaxing, Leatherbacks Seafood and Grill compliments visitors and locals with wholesome fare from the expansive a la carte menu. Relax and soak up the chilled vibes dining on delicious pizza, succulent seafood or sizzling steak. Sip a cooling sundowner at the pool bar before settling down for satisfying meal at Leatherbacks Seafood and Grill.

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.

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.

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.

Boasting breathtaking views of the lagoon and ocean, Riptide Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a beachside setting perfectly suited for signature dishes such as the voluptuous seafood platters. Enjoy a platter for 2 brimming with 10 king prawns, 2 pieces of line fish, calamari rings, calamari tubes, mussels, baby sole, baby hake, rice and chips served with garlic butter, lemon butter and peri-peri sauce. Alongside platters, diners enjoy burgers, grills and steaks in the tranquil scenic surrounds of Southbroom.

Nestled in tranquil surrounds of Dolphin Crescent, Stans Seafood Oasis invites seafood and land lovers to enjoy a feast of succulent seafood, tender steaks and delicious curries. Serving an extensive array of fish, calamari, mussels, prawns and every popular bunny chows, diners enjoy lovely surrounds dining on the covered outdoor area or indoors. Choose breakfast, lunch and dinner from the a la carte menu or scrumptious finger food with a refreshing beer with option of a relaxed picnic brimming with Stan’s delectable food. Open Monday – Saturday, Stans Seafood Oasis is a culinary oasis in the quiet town of Blythedale Beach on the North Coast.

Located close to the scenic shores of the Indian Ocean, exuding a tranquil ambiance, Stephward Estate Restaurant and Tea Garden invites mouth-watering dining and Sunday lunches from a set menu. Sporting a comprehensive wine list, maintained in a temperature controlled cellar, diners peruse starters such as soup and melba toast, a fish course, two roasts of the day and Stephens designer oxtail, vegetables and roast potatoes, with a choice between two desserts. Meals are served between 12:h00 and 14:30 and ensure a delightful dining experience in the heart of the South Coast.

Tucked away at Folly Hill, this tranquil country retreat welcomes idle conversation and lingering lunches. Housed in an old milking parlour Sue Tarr’s hosts relaxed country dining with wonderful gift browsing.

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.

Boasting excellent service and quality, diners enjoy the tranquil surrounds perusing languid lunches and sunset cocktails with romantic candlelit dinners, weather dependent. Sunday’s invites a decadent buffet from 12-3 with standard a la carte menu serving culinary needs throughout the week. Breakfast and light lunches are served on deck, shaded by lush trees and flanked by rolling hills stretching towards the Indian Ocean. The Cycad Restaurant secures tranquil dining facilities and relaxed ambiance complimented by delicious cuisine and valley views.

Dine alfresco overlooking the pool or indoors within the balanced and tranquil décor exuding a harmonious ambiance. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner with daily specials and the freshest seafood brimming off the a la carte menu, diners peruse exquisite cuisine soaking up the coastal surrounds. The Lagoon Grill invites a memorable dining experience in the scenic surrounds of San Lameer on the Lower South Coast.

Located in the coastal resort of Scottburgh, Tin Roof Restaurant entices with scenic vistas and cultural ambiance. Afro Jazz drifts in the background while diners soak up the views and golden sunshine dining alfresco on the wrap around veranda. The décor embodies cultural interior with suspended wooden floors, richly decorated décor and intimate seating. The ambiance exudes a friendly, welcoming atmosphere with 180 degree sea views and enticing menu. Watch dolphins at play while pursing the menu brimming with delightful fare catering for all appetites. Try the famous sweet and savoury pancakes with all the fillings or sumptuous breakfast ranges. Fresh line fish and succulent steaks satisfy the appetite presented with all the trimmings. If afternoon tea suits the palate then sip on a richly aromatic coffee complimented decadent cakes. Tin Roof Restaurant wets the appetite and senses with delightful surrounds and cuisine, perfect for any occasion along the scenic shores of the Indian Ocean.

Resident French and Swiss chefs tantalise the senses with African style dishes that embrace tradition and lean on European favourites. Dine on the foothills of a mountain overlooking the banks of the Umtamvuna River over a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner on food that exudes high quality and presentation. Enjoy a decadent selection from the a la carte menu or crispy pizzas straight from wood fired oven. Exuding a rustic ambiance with a modern twist on African décor and breathtaking views, Umtamvuna River Lodge Restaurant offers cuisine for every palate that desires traditional home-style dishes.

Located along the main road in Sodwana Bay, the colourful ambiance and alfresco seating around the swimming pool makes ideal location for lunch or dinner. Dine alfresco on benches scattered around the pool, shaded by colourful island-style parasols. The a la carte menu offers expansive choices and typical South African cuisine, enjoyed around the pool or indoors for a more formal dining experience.

Housed inside a grand historic house, the Wild Fig Café stands proud wrapped in beautiful gardens flanked by ocean views and local fauna and flora. Situated in Umdoni Park in Bothas Hill, open only on Sunday’s for afternoon tea, this elegant setting offers guests time out from everyday life and invites relaxation alongside tasty treats and a hot cup of coffee. Visit Wild Fig Café for a relaxing end to your weekend in the lush surrounds of Pennington, South Coast.

Meticulous sourcing, preparing and presentation of food ensure Zizi’s remains ahead of the game. Dark wooden tables dressed in splashes of red and orange hues contrasted by rattan chairs and soft ambient lighting invite a calm and warm atmosphere. Start with favourites like crumbed camembert and 1/2 shell mussels or for something more adventurous try Rudi's snails. For mains a tender and succulent Lamb Shank or for fish lovers try the popular surf and turf or tasty kassler chops with homemade apple sauce. Dine in the ladies bar, uniquely decorated or alfresco on the expansive veranda looking out onto the ocean. Zizzi’s Restaurant is a welcoming dining experience in Umtentweni.