DURBAN

Smoking

Wi-Fi

Take-Aways

Kid-Friendly

Winner: Best Everyday Eateries

Bookable on the Eat Out app

Durban Beachfront and Central Durban

9TH AVENUE WATERSIDE

BEST FOR Some of the city’s best. FOOD With a setting that locals will now proclaim suits the offering much better, it’s great to see that all the favourites are still there, plus an array of new seafood dishes that taste better with a view of the sea! Simple flavours are married beautifully with fresh ingredients in highlights such as langoustine with creamy orzo; delicate gin-cured salmon dotted with dill, trout roe and crème fraîche; and mussels in a sea-salty broth. A casual daytime menu caters to the lunch crowd. Try the crisp roasted free-range duck or the squid-ink linguine laced with tomato-and-fennel cream and topped with prawn tails and chilli pesto. A decadent chocolate hazelnut pot de crème and apple, pear and raisin bread pudding drenched in whisky sauce with honeycomb and honey ice cream make fitting endings to the feast. DRINKS Boutique SA and international wines and craft beers. SERVICE Charming, effortless, exceptional. AMBIENCE An exquisite view of the marina by day is drop-dead gorgeous at night. (NA)

2 Maritime Place, Harbour; 031 940 4628; avg main meal R245 lunch: Tue to Fri dinner: Mon to Sat

AFRO’S CHICKEN

BEST FOR Great views. FOOD A simple menu of chicken and tjips means their food is consistent. They’ve recently added chicken livers to the menu and you can get a breakfast fix early in the morning. The ‘regmaaker’ has become a Durban institution – a toasted roll filled with egg, bacon, strips, tjips and chicken livers, or you can trade your livers for another egg. Bacon and egg rolls or scrambled egg-filled wraps also feature. For lunch, opt for a burger, wrap or salad and choose whether you want your chicken strips lemony or with chilli – or go 50/50. Sides include pineapple relish, chilli chutney, mango, fresh avo, coleslaw, bacon and cheese. DRINKS Bottled water, coffee and hot chocolate in biodegradable cups. SERVICE Order from the serving hatch, wait for your number to be called, and people-watch. AMBIENCE Coastal casual with a view of the Indian Ocean and beachfront passers-by. (NA)

2 OR Tambo Parade, South Beach; 065 5862707; avg main meal price R60 breakfast: Mon to Sun lunch: Mon to Sun

BIG EASY WINE BAR & GRILL DURBAN BY ERNIE ELS

BEST FOR Business dining. FOOD For starters, order the trio of lamb – masala-spiced mini boerie roll with tomato relish, lamb shoulder fritters in apricot chutney and a lamb slider with cumin raita. Other favourites are the rolled pork belly and the lamb ribs. For mains, the focus is on their selection of grills. The slow-cooked lamb curry bunny chow or braai platter for two – comprising chops, boerewors, steak and chicken wings – are good. Seafood includes a masala-spiced kingklip with sweet potato and coconut lemongrass sauce, or Norwegian salmon with fennel-and-white wine reduction and veg. There are also salads, sandwiches and wraps. For dessert, try an espresso and Amarula crème brûlée, passion fruit cheesecake with blueberry coulis and crushed lemon meringue curd, apple and raisin crumble, brandy and date pudding with butterscotch ice cream or Midlands cheeseboard. DRINKS An extensive South African wine list, with spirits, beers and cigars. SERVICE Attentive. AMBIENCE Sophisticated. (NA)

Hilton Hotel, 12 – 14 Walnut Road; 031 336 8166; avg main meal R150 lunch: Mon to Sun dinner: Mon to Sun

HAVANA GRILL

Perfectly prepared steak. To start, try a deconstructed prawn samoosa, then move on to bang bang prawns in a crisp tempura crust with sriracha dipping mayonnaise. The star of the show here is beef, all cuts either wet- or dry-aged for a minimum of 21 days, simply seasoned with salt, pepper, thyme and mustard seeds. Specialities include fillet on the bone in a red-wine-and-onion sauce, or the shisa nyama thin-cut short ribs. The sides are as good: add basil pesto gnocchi, sautéed garlic mushrooms or wok-fried rice. Seafood ranges from a delicately flavoured Well-researched, mostly local wine list. Helpful and attentive. Elegant velvet chairs and deep-buttoned leather banquette seating offers magnificent views.