Durban is loved for its tropical climate, beautiful beaches and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy – but this balmy, coastal-lying KZN city also offers some top notch eateries too.

Here are some of the best restaurants to try:

#1 Mali’s Indian Restaurant

This delicious Indian restaurant offers a broad menu, which incorporates both North and South Indian dishes.

Enjoy the likes of dosas, seafood, lamb, vegetable or chicken curries – or order a thali, with soup, succulent lamb curry, butter chicken, naan bread and so much more to enjoy… either way, your mouth will water from the spicy goodness that is Mali’s!

Contact: (031) 312 8535

Website: none

Address: 77 Smiso Nkwanyana Road, Morningside, Durban, KZN

#2 Butcher Boys

Butcher Boys is, as its name implies, a haven for meat-eaters. With a focus on succulent rumps, sirloins, rib-eye steaks, fillets and espetada to name but a few delicacies – this restaurant pays great attention to good-quality meat.

In fact, the beef is all wet- or dry-aged, over a period of 25–35 days, before being carefully basted and then expertly grilled over an open flame, according to your order preferences.

Contact: (031) 312 8248

Website: butcherboysgrill.co.za

Address: 170 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban, KZN

#3 Little India Restaurant

Serving Indian classics, this first-floor, open plan eatery – which offers both a delightful balcony and modern décor – strives to provide diners with an ultra-satisfying, yet modern dining experience.

Here, one can enjoy diverse dishes from all major corners of India.

Contact:  (031) 201 1121

Website: littleindianrestaurant.co.za

Address: 155 Musgrave Road, Berea, Durban, KZN

#4 The Wok Box

Take a culinary trip to Thailand with The Wok Box’s fresh and delicious dishes.

Think steaming soup or roasted duck with pancakes and honey, ginger and sesame sauce, served with steamed rice.

Contact: (031) 564 2939

Website: none

Address: 10-D, 8-12 Mackeurtan Avenue, Durban North, KZN

#5 Jack Salmon Fish House

This restaurant prides itself on offering a range of fresh seafood offerings. It has a lovely Mediterranean feel, which adds to the overall ambience.

Prawns, calamari, kingklip, oysters, mussels and more are available for your seafood/fishy enjoyment.

Contact: (031) 572 3664

Website: www.jacksalmon.co.za

Address: Shop 15, Glenore Centre, 1 Aubrey Drive, Glen Ashley, Durban, KZN

#6 Spiga D’oro

Spiga is known for consistently providing wholesome food – suitable to vegetarians and vegans, as well as meat-eaters.

The food is good – but so is the atmosphere, with visitors comparing it to a corner café in Italy.

Contact: (031) 303 9511

Website: www.facebook.com/SpigaDurban

Address: 200 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban, KZN

#7 The Grill Jichana

This steakhouse provides diners with quality, flame-grilled premium cuts, sourced from the best local producers before they are seasoned, infused and flavoured with exotic African East Coast spices.

Jichana means ‘eating good’ in Swahili slang and at The Grill Jichana, you’ll be doing just that!

Contact: (031) 362 1300

Website: www.tsogosun.com/grill-jichana

Address: Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, 63 Snell Parade, Durban, KZN

#8 The Chefs’ Table

Executive Chef Kayla-Ann Osborn and her 12-chef brigade have crafted their menu to revolve around fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, with dishes inspired by readily available ingredients.

The menu changes a bit every day, so there’s always something fresh to be had, and diners can enjoy watching the chefs work their magic thanks to the open plan kitchen.

Contact: (031) 001 0200

Website: www.thechefstable.co.za

Address: 23-24, Protea Mall, Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, KZN

#9 Lupa Osteria

With a quartet of stellar branches spread across Hillcrest, Westville, Durban North and also, Fourways – this Osteria is a neighbourhood spot where locals can enjoy a casual and above all, reasonably priced, meal with their loved ones.

The pasta is homemade, while the wood-fired pizza is made using only the finest imported Italian flour, free-range chickens and best veal going. Enjoy the likes of pizza, pasta, shellfish, veal, with a range of drinks to wash it all down with.

Contact: (031) 941 1181

Website: www.lupa.co.za

Address: 6-12, Broadway Shopping Centre, Swapo Road, Durban North, KZN

#10 Joop’s Place

Situated in trendy Morningside, this bistro-styled steak restaurant, established in 1993 by former Capetonians, Joop and Wendy Mol, offers a warm and welcoming ambience.

Chef-patron Joop – formerly a butcher – cooks all the meat, with special dishes like Joop’s Special or Joop’s Chicken Cacciatora.

Other highlights include: chicken/veal schnitzel, oxtail casserole, lamb-, chicken- or prawn-curry – and of course, the ‘steaks with a difference’!

Contact: (031) 312 9135

Website: www.facebook.com/Joops-Place-225680304118860

Address: Shop 14, Avonmore Centre, 9th Avenue, Durban, KZN

#11 Mozambik

With several equally highly rated branches spread between KZN and Gauteng, this restaurant serves mouth-watering Mozambique-Portuguese food. At Mozambik, guests can enjoy rich meat and seafood dishes alike.

Highlights are chicken livers, trinchado beef and grilled calamari.

Contact: (031) 303 2135

Website: www.mozambik.co.za

Address: 198C Florida Road, Windermere, Berea, KZN

#12 Capsicum Restaurant

This popular Durban eatery is situated within the rather historic Britannia Hotel, and is famed for its authentic Durban curries and bunny chows.

Contact: (031) 303 2417

Website: none

Address: Britannia Hotel, 1299 Umgeni Road, Durban Central, KZN

These are just a small, but good selection of some of Durban’s best eat-out spots.