Best Restaurants in Durban: Curry Houses to Beachfront Dining

Durban’s restaurant scene is defined by its Indian heritage. The Indian community — descended from indentured labourers brought by the British in the 1860s — created a distinct curry culture that has evolved independently from subcontinental Indian cooking. Durban curries are hotter, more tomato-forward, and served in formats unique to this city. The bunny chow (a hollowed bread loaf filled with curry) is the city’s signature contribution to food history. Beyond curry, Florida Road and the Umhlanga strip offer a full range of restaurant styles. For the food culture background, see the Durban food guide.

The Curry Institutions

Goundens — Grey Street, Indian Quarter

The most cited bunny chow institution in Durban. A counter-service takeaway in the heart of Grey Street, operating since the 1940s. Queue, point at what you want (quarter, half, or full; bean, chicken, mutton, or prawn), pay, eat standing up. A quarter bean bunny from approximately ZAR 45 (as of 2026). No frills; genuine.

The surroundings are working Grey Street — not a tourist precinct — but perfectly safe during daytime. Part of the experience is the setting.

Patel’s Vegetarian Restaurant — Grey Street

The definitive vegetarian Indian restaurant in Durban, operating from Grey Street since the 1970s. Bean curry bunnies and vegetarian thalis at ZAR 60–100 per person. The bean quarter bunny here is widely regarded as the standard. Longer queues at lunch. Consistently recommended by Durban locals for authentic cooking.

Britannia Hotel Restaurant — Point Road

One of the oldest restaurants in Durban, operating from the Britannia Hotel in the Point area. Established curry house with a long reputation for consistent cooking. Bunny chow from ZAR 50; sit-down curry meals ZAR 100–180. The colonial-era building has character; the food is reliable without being innovative.

Victoria Street Market Curry Stalls

The market’s upper floor has several curry counter stalls serving bunny chow and curry plates at market prices (ZAR 45–80). Not the best curry in Durban, but genuinely decent and very accessible for visitors already exploring the market.

Mid-Range and Fine Dining

The Chairman — Morningside

A creative tasting menu restaurant on Florida Road focussed on South African ingredients and technique — KwaZulu-Natal prawns, Midlands game, coastal fish. The best fine dining in Durban for visitors interested in SA cuisine as a contemporary subject rather than a heritage one. From ZAR 600–900 per person. Booking essential; small covers, frequently full.

Bean Bag Bohemia — Morningside, Florida Road

An eclectic, long-running Florida Road institution — heavy furniture, world music, a menu spanning burgers, curries, pasta, and salads. ZAR 180–320 per person. More relaxed than the Chairman; the kind of place where you stay for hours. Popular with a mixed local crowd. Good cocktail list.

The Grill House — Umhlanga

A reliable steakhouse in Umhlanga with South African dry-aged beef and a broad menu including seafood and salads. ZAR 300–500 per person. Popular with Umhlanga’s hotel guests and local families. Good wine list, predominantly South African.

Roma Revolving Restaurant — City Hall area, CBD

On the 32nd floor of John Ross House — a slowly rotating restaurant with 360-degree views over Durban Harbour, the Golden Mile, and the hills behind the city. The rotation completes in approximately 45 minutes. The menu is Italian-international: pasta, seafood, steaks, at ZAR 250–450 per person.

The food is good rather than exceptional — you’re paying significantly for the view, which is worth it once. Best at sunset or after dark when the city is lit. Booking recommended, particularly for window tables (which all tables become, as the restaurant rotates).

Tashas — Umhlanga (La Lucia Mall)

A premium café chain with a good Umhlanga branch — breakfast, brunch, and lunch in a polished setting. ZAR 150–250 per person. Reliable for a good breakfast before a beach day. Popular with Umhlanga’s hotel crowd.

The Sugar Club — Beverly Hills Hotel, Umhlanga

The Beverly Hills Hotel’s flagship restaurant — refined East African coastal cuisine with a strong focus on local seafood. ZAR 400–600 per person. Best for a special-occasion dinner in Umhlanga. The views are part of the proposition.

Budget and Casual Dining

BAZ Bar — Florida Road

A Florida Road bar and kitchen with a casual menu (burgers, wings, wraps, salads at ZAR 80–150) and a reliably social atmosphere. Popular with the backpacker and young traveller crowd — many staying at Tekweni Eco Backpackers walk here for the evening. Good beer selection, affordable for Durban.

Spiga d’Oro — Florida Road

A solid Italian restaurant on Florida Road — pasta, pizza, and a reliable wine list. ZAR 180–300 per person. Good for a break from curry culture or a straightforward dinner without booking far ahead.

Indian Sweet Shops — Grey Street and Fordsburg

Not a restaurant, but an essential stop: the Indian sweet shops along Grey Street sell mithai (Indian sweets — barfi, gulab jamun, jalebi) for ZAR 5–20 per piece. Also samoosas (ZAR 8–12 each), which are the best value snack food in the city.

The Oyster Box Sunday Curry Buffet

A Durban institution that deserves its own mention. The Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga runs a Sunday curry buffet that has been operating for decades — a broad spread of Durban-style curries, condiments, and sambals at around ZAR 350–400 per person (as of 2026). Non-guests can reserve a table. The setting — pool terrace, lighthouse view — matches the food. Book ahead; it fills up consistently.

Quick Reference

Restaurant	Area	Type	Approx cost per person
Goundens	Grey Street	Bunny chow takeaway	ZAR 45–80
Patel’s Vegetarian	Grey Street	Indian vegetarian	ZAR 60–100
Britannia Hotel	Point Road	Curry house	ZAR 100–180
The Chairman	Florida Road	SA fine dining	ZAR 600–900
Bean Bag Bohemia	Florida Road	Eclectic, casual	ZAR 180–320
The Grill House	Umhlanga	Steakhouse	ZAR 300–500
Roma Revolving	CBD	Italian/views	ZAR 250–450
Oyster Box Buffet	Umhlanga	Sunday curry buffet	ZAR 350–400
BAZ Bar	Florida Road	Bar kitchen, casual	ZAR 80–150

For more on Durban’s food culture, see the Durban food guide. For where to stay near Florida Road and the Golden Mile, see where to stay in Durban.