18 Best Restaurants in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

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.

Though you'll be surrounded by the big screens of Hollywood Bets broadcasting live horse races and games, don't be put off. The air-conditioned restaurant, with a large covered deck and dedicated Bunny Bar for take-out, serves up some of the best bunny chow in Durban. The mutton curry is hell-fire hot and the broad beans (try to get it before noon) bunnies are legendary. Prepare to wait for a table, but you won't have to for long.

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. 

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.

This beachfront spot serves a solid menu of all-day breakfasts (they close around 5 pm), burgers, and freshly pressed juices. Try the sunrise smoothie with orange juice, mint, plain yogurt, and honey and one of several eggs Benedict combos—portions are small, made with high-quality ingredients, and hit the spot. On weekends, you'll be hard-pressed to find a table without queuing (lines do move quickly unless you're a large group), so get there before 9 am, or simply drop in to grab a soft-serve ice cream for a stroll on the beach. 

The producer of arguably the best small-batch double-cream yogurt in the country, Blue Cow Deli at Gourmet Greek, situated on a small estate in the heart of the Meander, offers a café-style menu of Greek-inspired items and you can take tubs of yogurt and wedges of cow's milk cheese home. You won't find these products outside the province, so indulge while you can. Filia Dimitriades and her siblings returned from Athens and jointly run the cheesery with her parents, former sugarcane farmers. The feta and halloumi are signature products, and this is probably the best-value breakfast in the area. 

The tables are somewhat grimy and the red interior is unattractive, yet the clientele here remains loyal. You can get a wide range of curries and "exotic" bunnies, with curry fillings like tripe, trotters, and the more regular sugar beans, mutton, and chicken curries. The takeaway section often has a wait-time of 30 minutes or more, so it might be worth your while to book a table instead.

You'll dine on wooden picnic tables at this rustic no-frills seafood shack near (but not on) the bay, where the food is fresh, plentiful, and unfussy—fresh lobster, prawns, whole grilled fish, and a range of salads. Cocktails are taken seriously, and you'll find a surfeit of colorful frozen drinks plus wine and beer. There's entertainment on weekends.

You won't find the most exceptional seafood here, but the views, affordable price range, and menu variety more than make up for it. Order a gourmet milkshake and watch all the yachts and boats bobbing about in the Durban harbor.  

As close to the Indian Ocean as you can get, this restaurant overlooking the main bathing beach has outside tables that are always packed with families sipping milk shakes or friends sharing a bottle of wine and having a bite to eat off a menu with broad appeal. Not the best food on offer in the area, but an unbeatable location.

On Lilian Ngoyi Road in Windermere, which some say is the "new" Florida Road, Love Coffee is your best bet for noncommercial, top-notch coffee in a veritable hole-in-the-wall, of the contemporary, well-designed kind. The bran muffins, rooibos cappuccino, fresh juice, packed salads, toasted sandwiches and brief breakfast menu are highly recommended.

Take respite from the summer sun and enjoy a cool treat at this ice-cream parlor, one of 20 or so restaurants, fast-food outlets, and coffee shops in the Suncoast Casino complex. Even in winter, the creamy ice-cream waffles and creative shakes are a welcome indulgence. You'd do well to enjoy your cone at one of the other popular branches along the Golden Mile, too.

Founded in 1912, this place has built a family legacy of good traditional Indian food. Serving only vegetarian dishes in the form of curries, the restaurant is run by Mr Manilal Patel, now in his late 70s, who lives in the apartment above the shop, and gets up around 2 am each day to start the day's prep. The first customers arrive around 6 am. Food here is cheap, quick, and ever-popular.

This is a popular, if old-school meeting place for daytime breaks and for pre- and post-theater crowds. Crystal chandeliers, etched glass, formally dressed staff, and live piano music in the nearby lounge at lunchtime create a rich atmosphere of old-time colonial Durban. The café serves light breakfasts and lunches as well as coffees, teas, cakes, quiches, salads, and sandwiches.

A welcome change from the soulless chain restaurants that dominate the wharf, this humble mom-and-pop restaurant (opposite the parking area, not the waterfront) serves up its own delightful mix of Italian-Indian cuisine. Portions are large and you can choose from a variety of Indian dishes, like spicy lamb curry, butter chicken, and traditional garlic naan, along with burgers and fish and chips. Everything is served fresh and with a friendly smile.

Tucked away from the road, this café with its fresh palette and friendly service welcomes guests with farm-style food, hearty breakfasts, and healthy lunches; opt for outdoor seating overlooking the Alverstone Valley. The café is a great spot for a cup of coffee and a slice of their famous lemon meringue pie. The venue is sometimes booked out on Saturday afternoons, so call first before you arrive for lunch.

This L-shape restaurant opens onto a veranda overlooking the buzz of Florida Road. A red-and-black interior with ornamental silver mirrors and loads of celebrity photographs creates a vibe in keeping with tasty Spanish cuisine. A spicy, hot tapas selection—think grilled crispy baby calamari, panfried sardines, grilled artichoke hearts—with Catalonian flatbread makes for a light meal, and you can add more if you're hungry. House-made sangria is a good accompaniment.

This popular spot overlooks the Durban harbor and often hosts live music. It serves breakfast until late, as well as lunch and dinner.