Where to Eat in Durban - International Cuisine
Even though Durban is a port city on the warm Indian Ocean, and although there are some fine seafood restaurants, the real culinary attraction of the place is - admittedly - curry. The sad thing is, not everyone loves a curry (or fish). Luckily, for those looking for something else to eat in Durban, the city does have a decent spread of other kinds of eating houses, conveniently dubbed "international cuisine".
For more on Durban's restaurants, check out Durban's fish restaurants and Durban's curry dens.
9th Ave Bistro
If you think a ragout is something to wear, stay clear of chef-patron Carly Goncalves' Morningside delight. Blackened, seared tuna, demi-glazed duck, scallops on a du puy lentil ragout are among the treats to tempt you. Salad and side-dish flavors run the gamut through rocket, fennel, parmesan, red onion, pomegranate, kumquat and avocado vinaigrette. While Durban eateries are not generally famous for their wine lists, this place is an exception, with dessert wines and Champagne (including South African sparkling Method Cap Classique brands) offered by the bottle or glass.
Address: Shop 2, Avonmore Centre, 9th Avenue, Morningside
Contact: Tel 031-312-9134
Bean Bag Bohemia
Also in trendy Morningside, this place is decidedly arty and gay. Downstairs is casual, while upstairs more suited to conventional dining. Creamed chicken and spinach pasta or chilli pesto are dependable favourites, but the lamb shank is celebrated.
The ambience is both hectic and elegant, certainly never dull, so don't bring your bank manager here unless it's to gloat.
Address: 18 Windermere Road, Morningside
Contact: Tel 031-309-6019
Engine Room
Chef Monique Kurvers bends some cooking rules, à la Heston Blumenthal, with steak in chilli and chocolate, or tartare (fillet or fish) with ginger parsnip purée, a lemon mascarpone and caper-stuffed raspberries: it's all about taste sensations and it is a dining sensation. Once again, bending the local rules of beer beer beer, much thought has gone into the complementary wine list. Slate, timber and glass add a very modern, urban atmosphere. Don't miss the two pages of “etiquette” at the back of the menu which, incidentally, changes often.
Address: 59 Kensington Drive, city
Contact: Tel 031-564-5458
Havana Grill & Wine Bar
This is a really classy steakhouse, not one of those franchise joints that pock the planet like a culinary rash; pity then that you'll find it in Durban's most faux pleasure palace. Search no further than the well aged rib-eye steaks. Or try the ostrich fillet - a red-meat revelation to anyone who hasn't tried it before (it's got the lowest cholesterol of any terrestrial beastie).
Address: Suncoast Casino, North Beach
Contact: Tel 031-337-1305
Ile Maurice
The Mauritius connection here is that Durban is home to a lot of French-speaking Mauritian expats. Chef Robert Mauvis is joined by brother Jean and Madame Mauvis to create a truly Gallic dining extravaganza in a gracious old house in Umhlanga. Expect to be greeted by menu items such as Camembert aux Amandes (deep fried cheese with almonds and sesame seeds and served with red currant jelly) and Pâté de Choux a l'Epinard et Saumon Fumé (choux pastry filled with spinach, smoked salmon and cottage cheese). There are classic French country dishes as well as Chinese, Indian and Creole touches, as you would find in Mauritius. Sit out on the sun deck in good weather (it's always good) and submit to gastronomic heaven.
Address: 9 McCausland Crescent, Umhlanga Rocks
Contact: Tel 031- 561-7606; website and map
Something's Smoking
South African restaurants have a blanket no-smoking policy, but most have a special enclosed smoking section: best to check when booking.
A Word About Street Names
Durban is going through a bit of a street name-change fracas, with old “colonial” names giving way to more African-liberation ones (Che Guevara, Mahatma Ghandi et al). Some new ones are all but impossible to pronounce so most folk still use the old names, as do most maps.
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