RESTAURANTS IN DURBAN

 

The following selection of restaurants in Durban is not a comprehensive list, but some suggestions for fine dining based on my personal experience.

 

uShaka Marine Park

 

There is a huge variety of inexpensive cafes and take-aways. For a proper meal, there are the Cape Town Fish Market (with a very good sushi bar, tel. 337 0598) and an Indian restaurant Mahal Al Nur (North Indian cuisine and halaal = no alcohol, tel. 337 7615). The attraction is of course the Phantom Ship with two venues: buffet on the Upper Deck (tel. 328 8067) or a la carte inside the Cargo Hold (tel. 328 8065) around a fish tank with sharks. The latter is a great experience, over lunchtime there should be tables available, but a bit expensive.

 

SunCoast Casino

 

Again, plenty of cafes, take-aways, and restaurants. Special are Havanna’s (tel. 337 1305), sort of Cuban food and drinks (try their Mojito) and Jaipur Palace (tel. 563 0287) with delicious Indian food.

 

Durban

 

Bangkok Wok on Wilson’s Wharf: super Thai food, has the best duck in Durban in my opinion (tel. 305 1636)

 

Famous Fish Company in Point Road Waterfront: for me the best fish restaurant in Durban (tel. 368 1060)

 

Roma Revolving Restaurant in Victoria Embankment: the only revolving restaurant I know in SA with superb views on Durban. Italian cuisine (tel. 337 6707)

 

9th Avenue Bistro in Avonmore Centre: upmarket place with a mouth-watering menu. (tel. 312 9134)

 

Yossi’s in Davenport Road: charming venue with Moroccan Middle Eastern cuisine. Very tasty food. (tel. 202 83 53)

 

Florida Road

 

This has become a very trendy area with shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs with probably every kind of food one can imagine. Almost all places I know are good, but I like particularly Bistro 136 with continental and Swiss cuisine (tel. 303 3440) and Christina’s with sumptuous breakfasts (tel. 303 2111). There is a new one I have not yet tried out, but which sounds interesting: Society.

 

Umhlanga

 

Ile Maurice: French and Mauritian cuisine. Upmarket, but worth every cent (tel. 561 7609)

Vegetarians: I don’t know any exclusively vegetarian restaurant, but each restaurant I have been to has vegetarian options.

 

Some places are closed on Sundays or Mondays. On Friday and Saturday night, a reservation is advisable.

 

Elke Steinmeyer

27 June 2005