Sizzling steaks and side to go along with them, here’s where to get the perfect steak in Durban:

Joop’s Place (Morningside)

If there is one steak restaurant that you need to visit when on a trip to Durban it’s Joop’s Place. Established in 1993, it has built a reputation for its top-quality steak, cooked to perfection every time. What sets it apart is that it is the only grill restaurant in Durban where you can look into the grill area to watch your steak being cooked before your eyes. You can opt for the classic chargrilled steak (any cut of your choice) which comes with the option of chips, baked potato, rice, buttery mash, mielie pap or side salad and if you desire, they have all the standard sauces as an added extra. Be bold and choose one of the specialities like the Jalapeno Popper Steak (succulent rump topped with three jalapeno poppers) or Mandla’s Surf and Turf Steak (chargrilled sirloin covered with queen prawns, smothered with Joop’s Entrecote butter) among others.

The Baron (Umhlanga)

The Baron has always been a well-known name in the Joburg restaurant scene and last year it finally made its debut in Umhlanga, Durban. A much-anticipated addition to the 031’s food scene, The Baron has delivered not only on its food but the ambience too. With exceptional service and top-quality cuisine, this is a spot to make a point of visiting. They offer a wide range of food; however, they are especially known for serving up juicy, mouth-watering steaks. Choose your cut of meat and have it just like that or choose from any one of their additions such as cheese slice pepper (topped with a slice of melted cheese and creamy pepper sauce), jalapeno (stuffed with chopped capsicum, mushrooms, onion and jalapeño chillies then topped with a delicious jalapeño cheese sauce) or creamy garlic with crispy garlic (a rich and creamy sauce with subtle flavours of garlic with crispy garlic bits) among others. You can also choose to go with a more traditional sauce like mushroom or monkey gland.

 

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Little Havana (Umhlanga)

Known as one of the most popular steakhouses in Durban, Little Havana was voted the Best Steakhouse in South Africa by Wolftrap in 2015. The aesthetic of the restaurant draws inspiration from Cuba mixed in with the plantations and colonial-era of KZN. They have an in-house butchery where their free-range hormone-free meats are processed and aged. Their menu offers a wide range of cuts, including ostrich and venison. You can then choose the perfect sauce to accompany your protein such as roasted garlic, whiskey, thyme, shallots and cream; red wine and pearl onion; mushroom; chimichurri or Béarnaise among many others. You can also add toppings to your meat choosing from a variety of options like crispy bacon and camembert; mussels, whisky, thyme and cream; or prawn and porcini Béarnaise among others.

 

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Butcher Boys (Morningside & Umhlanga)

Butcher Boys first opened its doors in the well-known Florida Road in 1999, offering up the best South African beef from local farmers. Twenty-two years later and with a branch now in Umhlanga too, they are renowned for their wet or dry-aged cuts that are always grilled to perfection in their famous basting sauce – served with your choice of chips, baked potato, rice, mustard mash or mielie pap. You can choose to add a sauce or topping to spice things up or choose to fire up your taste buds with one of their famous speciality dishes. These include their avocado and prawn fillet stack (choice 250g beef fillet saddled with two king prawns and sliced avocado, served with creamy lemon-herb sauce) or try the fillet espetada (a 250g fillet is cubed and skewered with fresh bay leaves, then marinated in olive oil, black pepper and sea salt. Chargrilled and served espetada style, dripping with your choice of lemon, garlic or peri-peri butter).

 

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Mundo Vida (Umdloti Beach)

What makes this restaurant so special is by far the location. Perched on an idyllic deck with unparalleled 1800 views of the Indian Ocean, it’s the perfect spot to tuck into a juicy steak. You would think that a seaside restaurant would specialize in seafood only, however, this little gem that is hidden away in Umdloti also offers some of the best steaks in the area. Try the famous Fillet Cardinal (250g of perfectly cooked fillet topped with prawns in a creamy mushroom and cheddar sauce) or the Rump Jalapeño (300g rump steak topped with mozzarella and a cheese and jalapeño sauce) both served with herby roasted vegetables and rustic French fries. If you’re a purist you can opt for plain chargrilled 250g fillet or 300g rump, also with the same sides, and choose to add a sauce of your choice such as Madagascan green peppercorn or creamy mushroom.

 

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Fiamma Grill (Ballito)

Owner inspired and run, this popular spot situated on the Dolphin Coast in Ballito is a crowd favourite for a late boozy lunch and is the location of many a birthday celebration or get- together. With a pool on the outside deck and numerous dining areas, there is truly a place here for everyone. The restaurant boasts a wide array of options on the menu, including some sizzling steaks that will be sure to delight the taste buds. They offer a selection of cuts including fillet, rump and rib-eye among others, all grilled on an open flame. You can then choose from a selection of sauces to accompany your meat. Choose the classic mushroom and cream, or the Madagascan green peppercorn and cream; or be a little more adventurous and try the Italian tomato, olives and white wine or the fresh sage and lemon butter sauce among others.

 

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