Durban Restaurants and Dining

(Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa)

Durban can offer an amazing variety of restaurant styles and cuisines. African, European and Asian cuisines are all well-represented on Durban's varied restaurant menus and within its innumerable international dining establishments.

Traditional restaurants abound, but trendy contemporary-styled eateries can also be found. Visitors who are eating out on a limited dining budget are very well-served by the vast array of takeaway foods on offer in Durban.

When to Eat / Opening Hours

Cafes are generally open only during the day, from 09:00 to 17:00, and are good places to enjoy breakfast, light lunch or afternoon tea. Many restaurants open for lunch service as well as offering dinner in the evening.

As a rule, dinner is served between 18:30 and 22:00. However, some of Durban's busier restaurants may stay open later. Most dining venues do tend to close for at least one day a week, usually Monday.

What to Eat

Durban's cuisine is hugely diverse, with specialities on offer that are influenced by countries on every continent. However, Durban is perhaps most famous for its Natal curries and visitors should try to sample some of the city's Indian-influenced dishes when dining out.

They range from the hottest vindaloo to more mild curry dishes. The 'Bunny Chow' - half a loaf of bread stuffed with curry - is a particular favourite at many of the city's Indian-style restaurants and is a staple on takeaway menus. So too, is the 'roti', a flat bread that is filled with curry and rolled up.

The city of Durban is also fortunate in having a wealth of fresh ingredients practically on its doorstep, from exotic fruits and spices to fresh seafood and vegetables. Seafood dishes include langoustines and prawns from nearby Mozambique.

Whilst international flavours permeate many of Durban's dishes, it is possible to savour the delights of more traditional African fare. These include 'pap', a dish made from cornmeal, and dumplings known as 'mogodu'. 'Peri-peri' chicken can be found in most neighbourhood restaurants.

Where to Eat

Head down to the seafront in Durban and you can be guaranteed a good choice of seafood restaurants. Wilson's Wharf situated on the Victoria Waterside is popular with visitors who like good seafood and a good sea view to match. After dark, the view becomes even more impressive, as diners can admire the twinkling of a myriad harbour lights.

Perhaps the ultimate dining establishment with a view in Durban is the Roma Revolving Restaurant. It's reputed to be the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere and has been delighting visitors with its breathtaking panoramic views since 1973.

Durban's Indian restaurants and eateries can be found all over the city, including the Golden Mile, central district and some of the city's suburbs. However, Grey Street is the place where visitors can find some of the best Indian restaurants in the city. Most of Durban's Indian dining options also offer a good selection of vegetarian dishes.