Soak up the sun as you dine al fresco in Durban

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Soak up the sun as you dine al fresco in Durban

Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 by Amy Carlisle

Antique Cafe (Morningside)

This quaint café is sure to delight! Antique Café has been on the Durban restaurant scene for quite some time now and definitely isn’t going anywhere. They have a beautiful courtyard outside where you can enjoy something savoury or something sweet. Book it out for your next birthday celebration or make plans to meet there for lunch with friends – it offers something for everyone and is also certified halaal. Try out the ricotta hot cakes for breakfast with honeycomb butter, caramelised bananas and caramel sauce, or go for a more savoury option like the vegan breakfast consisting of a slice of health or rye bread topped with nuts, avo, caramelised onion, roast tomato and sweet potato fries.

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Bel Punto (Umdloti)

If you’re looking for superior quality food with a view of the Indian Ocean then look no further. Bel Punto offers just that, with its vast balcony giving you 180-degree views of Umdloti beach. Enjoy the warm sea breeze and tuck into one of the mouth-watering dishes like the Gamberi alla Padella, consisting of 8 butterflied king prawns pan-seared with garlic, white wine, Italian tomato, cream and chilli. This is the perfect spot for a lazy Sunday lunch where you can relax and indulge in delicious food and wine while watching a pod of dolphins swim by.

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A post shared by Bel Punto (@bel_punto) on Nov 11, 2019 at 3:50am PST

The Grand Exotic (Salt Rock)

This unique little restaurant is truly a sight to behold. Stepping through the doors, it feels like you’re being transported to Morocco with its bold colours and eclectic mix of tables and chairs. At the back of the restaurant lies the real treasure – a beautiful garden oasis with a flowing waterfall and a lush abundance of plants and flowers. It truly is the perfect spot to sit with a book and a slice of their famous carrot cake, or to enjoy a light lunch on one of their charming mismatched plates. There’s also a spa so you can have a full day of pampering by treating yourself to a fresh set of nails after lunch!

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A post shared by The Grand Exotic (@the_grand_exotic) on Jul 14, 2020 at 3:53am PDT

Market (Morningside)

When you think of al fresco dining in Durban, one of the first places that springs to mind is Market. Situated in Morningside lies a quiet courtyard set behind a classic 1930s colonial building. Sit in the dappled sunlight beneath the Leopard trees and enjoy quality food using ingredients that are all locally and organically sourced. Their fine-dining dinner specials are the perfect way to treat a loved one for that special date night or birthday. If you’re heading there for brunch, the smoked salmon on sweet potato cake comes highly recommended. It’s topped with poached eggs, herbed cream cheese, red onion and crispy capers.

The Shed (The Litchi Orchard, Salt Rock)

This outdoor eatery and bar has become a firm favourite for the North Coast crowd, offering gastro pub food such as a magic mushroom burger smothered in truffle-infused mushroom sauce, crispy bacon and caramelised onions, as well as a wide range of beverage offerings. Sit outside and enjoy sunny summer days with friends while listening to live music. One of their iconic offerings is the regular Friday night Band Jam, where anyone can call ahead to book a slot. They’ve also decided to re-introduce their weekend picnics now that lockdown regulations have eased, so go and book your spot and enjoy a pre-prepared picnic on their lawns!

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A post shared by The Shed Salt Rock (@theshed_saltrock) on Mar 20, 2020 at 12:56am PDT

Surf Rider Café (South Beach Promenade)

This Durban beachfront favourite is the perfect spot to quench your thirst and refuel your system after a surf or a day on the beach. Situated on the promenade, it’s just a 20-metre stroll to put your feet in the sand. Enjoy a sundowner while listening to the sound of the waves or try something from the food menu. Go for the Camemburger, which features melted camembert, balsamic jam and a berry relish. It’s the perfect place to take your kids as they also have a children’s menu – and when the kids get bored, they can run off and play on the beach!