3 Durban restaurants you should check out

When it comes to South Africa’s coastal cities, Durban is definitely a gem. More than 3 million people call this city their home (making it SA’s third largest metropolitan area). Durban has some excellent beaches, but that’s not all that this city offers. Besides having some excellent morning markets this coastal gem of a city also offers some amazing restaurant choices for some fine dining. Johannesburg, Cape Town and Pretoria have all recently had restaurants featured on the Junk Mail blog, so it’s only fair that I feature 3 Durban restaurants you should check out today. I’ve had some excellent suggestions from a few Facebook friends who live in Durban.

The Factory Cafe: This awesome Durban restaurant / coffee shop / tea room is located at 369 Magwaza Maphalala (formerly known as Gale Street) inside the Colombo Coffee Roastery building.  The Factory Cafe has been serving patrons coffee and making them smile since 2011. Coffee aficionados will most likely feel that they’ve entered coffee heaven when they see the selection on the Factory Cafe’s menu. Patrons can enjoy a Macchiato (an Espresso “marked” with micro textured milk or foam), a Grande Cappuccino (double Espresso with 230 ml of micro textured milk), some slow brewed French Press, various specialty teas and much more. They also offer offer some delicious light meals for breakfast and lunch.

The Factory Cafe was voted the number 1 cafe in Durban by the Sunday Tribune last year and is open from 07:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday to Friday), from 8:30 AM to 2 PM (Saturdays). They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.  For more information check out their official website and the Factory Cafe Facebook page or follow @TheFactoryCafe on Twitter.

Mamma Luciana’s:  This Durban restaurant is located in Glenore Centre at 39 Park Drive in Glenashley. Mamma Luciana’s is very colourful and very Italian. Their menu is influenced by Mamma Luciana’s hometown of Modena in Italy. Expect Al fresco dining on a deck that could turn into a long and lazy lunch with sea-views.  Sink your teeth into some tasty home made pastas like Mamma’s home-made lasagne, the meat cannelloni (oven baked chicken and beef filled tubes of pasta with an Alfredo sauce) or the prawn panzerotti (pillows of pasta filled with prawns in a creamy white wine and garlic sauce with a dash of Napoli).

 If pasta is not really your thing, tantalize your taste buds with one or more of Mamma’s infamous wood-fire oven baked pizzas, enjoy a healthy insalata or treat yourself to something delicious in the second piatti section of the menu. Mamma Luciana’s truly has a wide selection of authentic Italian food on their menu, so you have a lot of choices. For more information visit their official website, join the Mamma Luciana’s Facebook page or follow @Mammaluciana on Twitter.

Taco Zulu: The trendy Durban restaurant is located at  237 Florida Road in Windermere and is an upbeat Mexican grill house and cocktail bar. Patrons are invited to enjoy their carnival atmosphere, friendly service, contemporary Mexican cuisine and legendary cocktails. Treat yourself with the best prawn cocktail in Durban, Trinchado, sesame prawn lollipops (dipped in sweet chili with mayo), Papas Fritas (deep-fried potato & sweet potato slices served with homemade coriander pesto), nachos, quesadillas, burritos, fajitas, taco meatballs, one of their delicious gourmet burgers or a sweet mango chicken salad (featuring sesame chicken strips, fresh mango, cashew nuts and a light dressing). The fact is: there really is a wide selection of delicious food on the Taco Zulu menu.

All this talk about delicious food has my tummy grumbling already. I have not been to this restaurant, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Taco Zulu is definitely one of those places that one should check out in Durban. For more information visit their official website, check out the Taco Zulu Facebook page or follow @TacoZuluDbn.

Well, there you have it, 3 Durban restaurants you should check out. If you have any other suggestions, feel free to comment on this article. If you’ve enjoyed reading this, spread the word about these three awesome eateries. Share this article with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Remember: Sharing is Caring.

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