6 Best Restaurants in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Durban

This award-winning steak house has a modern dining room—expect well-dressed diners on romantic dates or small business teams strategizing over lunch. The steaks are unmissable (try the chimichurri sirloin), though the line fish with coconut and lime and the homemade gnocchi will satisfy those without carnivorous tastes. There's a tightly curated local wine list. Men won't go amiss wearing a shirt and pressed slacks here, though the attitude, like that of all of Durban, is welcoming and approachable.

This chic outpost of Old Town Italy is a cleaned-up, thoroughly modern version of an old-fashioned Italian delicatessen, with a restaurant serving simple, wholesome fare, that seats patrons indoors and outside on the pavement—a favorite in warm weather. Order a platter of the finest, cured meats or cheeses; heartier appetites may look to Cobb salad or Florentine Tomahawk steak. There's a wide selection of Italian wines available, too. The white metro tiles and plenty of wood detail create a fresh, inviting space. The real joy of this place is browsing the various "stations" inside for homemade sauces, fresh pasta and salami, cooked lasagna to heat up at home, fresh veggies, and a selection of (pricey) Italian-inspired gifts. The location may seem strange—away from the beach and near designer kitchen outlets, but every meticulous detail makes sense.

You can't go wrong with the fantastic and well-priced Mediterranean-inspired fare like the meze board to start, followed by main courses like calamari, gorgeous grills, pasta with delicious flavors, and tasty pizzas. The large restaurant is not suitable for a romantic night out, but it's great for families and offers consistently good food and service. If the weather's warm, try for a table on the veranda.

This is an Argentinian-styled mecca for red-meat lovers where steaks are cooked on an open charcoal fire and South American music dictates the atmosphere. There's also an on-site butchery where local grain-fed beef is aged and cut to size to suit all appetites. Cuts are served with a choice of sauces (mushroom and red wine, cheese, or garlic to name a few) and vegetable sides. Alternates include deboned chicken and freshly seared tuna. Their exclusive Malbec is an obvious wine choice, with a range of other high and low vintage reds and whites to choose from.

Follow your stomach 15 minutes north of Umhlanga to Umdloti where you'll dine on Italian fare with a contemporary twist. The seafood is outstanding—think line fish baked in the wood-fired pizza oven and perfectly cooked calamari or prawns done in a garlic, white wine, tomato, cream, and chili sauce. Italian staples like pastas, pizzas, and risotto also hit the spot. The wine list is noteworthy and waiters are knowledgeable, although there are sometimes delays with food when the restaurant is busy. To make the most of the gorgeous sea views, book for lunch or an early dinner.

The menu features mainly North Indian dishes that are so large and filling that—take our word for it—appetizers are not needed. Standout curries include butter chicken, lamb gosht pasanda (done in an almond-and-cream sauce with saffron), and the navratan korma (mixed vegetables cooked in cashew gravy with fruit). The interior provides a sophisticated dining experience, which continues onto an enclosed terrace. There's a good, reasonably priced buffet on Friday and Saturday nights and a carvery for Sunday lunch.