Durban’s Florida Road has revived its food scene post lockdown. Here are eight new or revamped restaurants to visit.

The Firehouse: The home of Wood–fired Pizza

275 Florida Road, above House of Curries, between FNB and SPAR, Morningside

Tel and WhatsApp: 067 165 2437. Email: thefirehouse031@gmail.com

Graham Bennett is bringing wood-fired pizza to the Durban streets, this small restaurant with minimal sit-down space, and take-away and delivery on both Mr D and Uber Eats. The customer favourite is hands down the Esplanade, a vegetarian pizza as colourful and vibrant as the Esplanade near Durban’s harbour.

Their Margherita is said to be the best in Durbs by many who have tried it, even well-travelled visitors from all around the world.

They cater for everyone, with an extensive vegetarian selection on their menu, as well as gluten-free pizzas and vegan/plant-based alternatives.

The current load-shedding special is that during the restaurant’s load-shedding hours, pizzas are R100; no delivery (see @firehouse). Outside catering and exclusive dine-in experiences are also bookable.

Next Chapter Durban

167 Florida Road, Morningside

Tel: 031 312 1099. Cell: 084 478 8647

Mike and Shirley Holland own the wonderful Next Chapter Restaurant. This family-style restaurant is open from breakfast till dinner. It caters for all age groups and most dietary requirements, including gluten free, vegan and vegetarian.

Their favourite Big Boss breakfast, consisting of eggs, mushrooms, onions, tomato, sausage, bacon, steak and chips, comes with two slices of toast of your choice. Also popular is the Costanzo Pizza, consisting of a tomato base, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, sweet chilli, bacon and chicken.

It has a large open balcony for covered outside dining, as well as inside, and they have a generator so are totally unaffected by load shedding.

They can elegantly cater large and small functions from engagements, birthdays, graduations and anniversaries. Menus and other information is available on their Instagram page. Both dine-in and take-away options are available.

Doughed

196 Gordon Road, Morningside

Tel and WhatsApp: 067 170 7034

Doughed is the “new kid” around the corner. This newly opened wood-fired pizzeria is around the corner from Florida Road on Gordon Road.

David and Ishara have transformed an old house into a warm, inviting, homely restaurant where customers are guests and the food so delicious that guests return so often they become family.

They have mastered the Napoli-style sourdough pizza, offering a Napoli-style pizzeria and wood-fired dining experience, Italian-European with a dash of South African flair. Every Wednesday night is “fresh pasta night”.

They are open even through load shedding and have candlelit dinners in the evening. They do have gluten-free options but this preference needs to be stated when booking. Both take-away and dine-in are available. Booking is essential. Follow their Instagram page for regular updates.

Madam & Sir

Shop 8 and 9, 262 on Florida Road, Morningside

Tel: 031 816 6670 or WhatsApp: 060 485 1504

Perched on top of the new Pick n Pay building at 262 Florida Road is the new Madam & Sir Restaurant owned by Nqobile and Mholi Mthembu.

This casual to fine dining establishment caters for all but is frequented by the younger crowd.

The menu has a variety of dishes from grills, seafood, curries and desserts.

Dishes include the Sir’s Beef Burger, a favourite for burger lovers – BBQ-basted 100% beef patty on a toasted brioche bun, loaded with cheddar and mozzarella cheese on a bed of guacamole with bacon, grilled onion and tomato, and served with chips; and Creamy Chicken Tagliatelle – chicken, white wine creamy garlic sauce with onion, mushroom and bell peppers.

They have vegetarian and gluten-free options, as well as take-away options via Mr D and Uber Eats.

Sabroso Restaurant and Lounge

237 Florida Road, Morningside

Tel: 031 234 5678

At Sabroso you will find everything from delicious tapas dishes, pizza, pastas, Mexican dishes, steaks and desserts.

Their dishes have been created to showcase quality produce and offer a well-judged balance of flavour. The result is an inspiring menu that is as diverse as Durban itself. This restaurant is unique as it has three designated areas for dining, a lounge and a bar. The Sabroso Grill serving two and including brisket, ribs, sausages, six chicken wings, three sides, small chips and a salad, is a favourite with the regulars.

So is the Mexican Rump, a rump grilled with Cajun butter, topped with cheddar and creamy jalapeño sauce, served with a side of your choice.

The menu also has a wide range of cocktails to choose from, as well as vegetarian options, and it is dine-in only.

Glamwich

Florida Fields, 295 Florida Road, Morningside

Tel: 067 840 8457

Situated in the new and fashionable Florida Fields, Glamwich brings glam to open sandwiches and bagels, using locally sourced whole grain breads and bagels, and fresh ingredients. They also pride themselves on home-crafted dressings, gourmet nutritious fillings and classic flavours. They promote the healthy new-age lifestyle, experimenting with various nutritious food options such as whole grains, complete proteins, leafy greens, vegetables, super seeds and healthy fats.

The Norwegian Delight – smoked Norwegian salmon ribbons on a base of smooth cream cheese, fresh rocket leaves, topped with crunchy red onion slices and spring onions, served in a fresh bagel.

Dazzling Vegan Mediterranean Veg – aubergines slices topped with Balsamic dressing, grilled red peppers on a hummus base, topped with peppadews and black olives.

They provide outside catering and are serious sustainability ambassadors for the planet. Vegan and vegetarian options are available and they are Halaal.

Ben & Bun

Florida Fields, 295 Florida Road, Morningside

Tel: 065 859 5374

Surprisingly this is one of the very few bunny chow places on Florida Road. Thankfully they have not lost the essence of the bunny chow, still using normal unsliced loaves of bread but amping up the flavour of the curries that fill the bunny.

They also serve a selection of burgers, eggs Benedict, curried sandwiches, as well as pancakes.

The Bunny Chows are available in lamb, chicken, broad beans and sugar beans in two sizes, quarters and mini (a kid’s size or for the not-so-hungry), all served with a traditional carrot salad.

The Reloaded Benedict – poached eggs, lamb rashers, avocado and cocktail sausages on an English muffin topped with Hollandaise sauce.

Nutella Pancakes – triple-stacked pancakes served with Nutella sauce, whipped cream and strawberries.

They are Halaal and have vegetarian options.

Dukkah

59 Florida Road, Morningside

Tel: 031 271 3531

This is an African dream on a grand scale, a fusion of Durban and East African food created from spices collected along the spice route from Zanzibar to Durban. This super stylish restaurant is on the quieter end of Florida Road. It has three separate venues for private functions of variable sizes.

They have a Main Restaurant which offers mainly East African cuisine for both lunch and dinner. Dinner does lean more to fine dining, not your jeans and T-shirt Durban supper vibe.

Food ranges from pastas like Seafood Linguine – mussels, prawns and squid in a chardonnay cream with chilli and gremolata, to the Morningside Lamb Curry, a Durban-style lamb curry served with sambals, pappadums and dhania.

Desserts include Cardamom Crème Brûlée – pistachio ice cream, chocolate crumb, orange curd and turkish delight.

On weekends they host live music, a great way to recharge for the week ahead.

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