Durban Restaurants

Good food (not great - I've lived in North Africa, so I should know), but service with a sneer.

Unfortunately, given that this was supposed to be a sumptuous evening for birthday out, it was not one to be repeated. Insensitive waiting staff (apparently my drink was in the wrong place, so that when our waiter tipped it, he didn't feel the need to replace it) and host (with a great 'can't do' attitude) put a negative spin on the whole experience.

Too bad since the place had great atmosphere. Moroccan themed, with a lot of energy spent making a place that felt like another world. Too bad it wasn't a world with people whom I'd care to spend any time with.

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We were so lucky to be able to eat here, lucky for us Keith and Pat of Smiths Cottage invited us to dinner with them and their friends.
Ushaka is located on the beachfront in central Durban. You do not have to visit the Marine world centre to go into the restaurant.

The food was amazing, more expensive that we usually spend, but the quality was fabulous and the service was brilliant too.



Favorite Dish:
This restaurant is unique because it is located in the ship that stands at Ushaka. The restaurant is centred around the huge shark tank, so if you book early (Which is highly recommended for this restaurant), you can reserve a table right next to shark tank - it's a pretty cool experience.

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One of the walls of the restaurant is actually a huge fish tank with sharks and other fishes.
It is a really incredible experience: book early!

Favorite Dish: The food is excellent cross cuisine. The menu changes frequently.

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The Sugar Club

This is a fabulous restaurant situated inside the Beverly Hills hotel on Umhlanga Beachfront...Definitely one for special occasions! I have been there a few times and have always been wow'ed by the service and special touches given to the dining experience.

We usually have drinks on the Pool Terrace, before heading indoors and starting our meal.

Favorite Dish: I started with Carpaccio of Ostrich, with wasabi mayonnaise, vegetable sushi and tomato ginger compote. For mains, both mum and I had Chicken Tikka, with Indonesian Stir-Fry vegetables, with a mango tumeric and coconut sauce. This was accompanied by a deep fried banana with sesame seeds - divine! My dad had Lobster Broth to start, which he found amazing (if a little too filling) followed by roast rack of Karoo lamb, ratatouille and fried potato cakes, natural jus and roasted vegetables.

After all that I thought I was too full for dessert, and then I saw what was on offer and couldn't resist! I ordered the Baked Lemon Pudding, with iced lemon tequila mousse and candied orange segments.

As if one visit wasn't enough! I then took one of my best friends there for dinner on my last night in South Africa. This time, I had the African Caesar Salad (with Biltong shavings) and Spiced Chicken soup with fresh vegetables, while Kerry had the most incredible goat's cheese starter, followed by Beef Wellington.

Between courses we ordered the Strawberry Champagne Sorbet - it came served in an ostritch egg-sized carved ice bowl - one of the most incredible things I have ever had the good fortune to try! I highly recommend it (mind you it is a whopping big portion, much larger than the usual sorbet servings in between meals!)

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After a hectic afternoon shopping in the Pavilion - a large shopping mall on the outskirts of Westville - we decided to take a break, put our feet up and enjoy a coffee in Fego's.

An extension of the bookshop, Exclusive Books, Fego's is situated on the lower level of the Pavilion, just around the corner from the cinema. A great place to sit back and watch the world wander by, Fego's is relaxed, cheerful coffee spot serving a variety of snacks from toasted panninis to salads to sandwiches, teas, coffees and its famous milkshakes. The service was friendly and fast. I ordered a Chocochino, a chocolate and coffee mix, complete with a melted pool of dark Belgian chocolate lurking near the bottom of my glass - bliss!

Mum ordered a cappuccino and our friend Gayle a rooibos tea with lemon. All drinks were served with dainty short bread biscuits, a perfect accompaniment!

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As we were going away for mum's birthday, her very good friend Felicity decided to treat her to an early birthday lunch at a wonderful restaurant in Westville, called the Wine Domain. This is actually a wine shop with a small restaurant opening up to one side. I had been in a week earlier to buy a selection of wines for my dad's birthday. The owner, a chap called Kim is incredibly knowledgable and was able to recommend some fabulous bottles for my dad.

Kim and his wife Rhona, own both the wine shop and the restaurant. Rhona does all her own cooking and the dishes on offer range from light salads to quiches - all accompanied with Kim's wine selection - teas, coffees and light desserts.

The dishes become firm favorites with the locals - Felicity even went so far as to put in an order for smoked salmon quiche the day before so it would be on the menu when we returned the following day! The dishes are seasonal and do change daily depending on the fresh ingredients available at the time.

Favorite Dish: I ordered the smoked chicken, bacon and feta salad, mum and Fe had the smoked salmon quiche. Mine was exquisite and it was all I could do to refrain from licking the plate afterwards. Kim and Rhona make their own salad dressing which was incredible. With wild abandon I poured it all over my salad! Together with the wonderful wheat bread and excellent wine, the meal was incredible.

Mum and Fe loved their quiche (in fact there were only two pieces left when we arrived so Rhona hurried over to ask if we would like her to hold onto them until we were ready to order - what a question!)

We had earl grey tea and a latte to finish, I had half a slice of lemon tart - tart and fresh - divine! Fe had half a slice of cheesecake - also a winner! They offer half slices - a wonderful idea if you have just enough room left over after the mouthwatering mains!

Nice view over the sea and beach. It was raining so we couldn't sit on the balcony but sitting outside on a sunny day should be very nice. Friendly staff and owners. A bit expensive. Gary believes in eating real Indian curry when in Durban so this one was his treat. The kids had hamburgers. I had a basket of curry goodies. Wasn't too impressed.

Favorite Dish: Gary had lamb curry that was so hot it made him sweat so he was completely happy.

Beautiful setting. On the Wilson's wharf with a view over the harbour and the boats. Big outisde covered deck. Two years ago we were at another restaurant in the same area, in the middle of winter and sat outside on the deck.

Wide variety of seafood, from crayfish to normal fish and chips. Also steak etc for the kid who doesn't eat fish. Three of us had calamari and it was excellent. I had a sudden need for creamed spinach and although it did't come standard with the calamari the waiter organized a plate of spinach. Gary had Trout with a spinach and mushroom filling and he loved it.

Favorite Dish: Calamari cooked to perfection. Anyday as good as Sagres in Mozambique. See my Mozambique page.