Beautiful beach town of Ballito – found in KZN’s Dolphin Coast – is about so much more than the stunning beaches and holiday atmosphere it provides, for it’s also a place rich in food culture and top restaurants, to suit every palate and dietary style.
Ballito, found in KwaZulu-Natal, is a beach paradise, filled with gorgeous beach spots, fun local attractions and good restaurants for visitors to enjoy.
Here are the top 13 restaurants to enjoy in Ballito:
#1 Fiamma Grill (Coco De Mer Boutique Hotel)
This Italian grill house focusses on cuts of grain-fed, matured meat, spectacular seafood and seasonal specials, which keep its guests coming back for more.
Situated in the lovely Coco De Mer Boutique Hotel, Fiamma also offers a great wine and cocktail list to help wash down all the tasty food.
The family-owned and operated restaurant dedicates special attention to quality, detail and freshness, even sourcing much of its produce from local markets.
Contact: (032) 946 1029
Website: www.fiammagrill.co.za
Location: Coco De Mer Boutique Hotel, 63 Compensation Beach Road, Ballito, KZN
#2 Mo-Zam Bik
What started out as a dream between two friends – Ryan Stewart and Brett Michielin – has grown into a chain of several family restaurants, spread across both KZN and Gauteng.
The restaurants offer traditional Portuguese cuisine, all based on the authentic Mozambique ‘Barraca’ (which means hut in English). They are rustic beachside eateries, with a menu that caters to all tastes.
These restaurants all share their passion for food and cooking with you, allowing you to encounter Mozambique from SA.
Contact: (032) 946 0979
Website: www.mozambik.co.za
Location: 4 Boulevard Centre, Compensation Beach Road, Ballito, KZN
#3 Beira Alta
Situated in the heart of Ballito’s popular Lifestyle Shopping Centre, Beira Alta is a Portuguese restaurant, with an African influence.
Named for a historic region in Portugal where royalty reigned, this restaurant serves a great selection of starters, soups, salads, meats, seafood vegetarian and of course, dessert.
At this family-owned and run restaurant, they believe in a hands-on approach, and prepare their food using only the freshest ingredients, spices and herbs as they have a firm commitment to quality.
Contact: (032) 946 2388
Website: www.beiraalta.co.za
Location: 445 Main Road, Ballito, KZN
#4 Impulse By The Sea
The temptingly named Impulse By The Sea Curry Restaurant is an authentic and family-friendly Indian restaurant, which has been a family-run, long-standing institution for some 28 years.
It offers magnificent sea views, a relaxed restaurant atmosphere and of course, traditional, flavourful Durban curries. Other offerings include Butter Chicken, masala-grilled fish or even prawn curry. Service is warm and welcoming, particularly from the dedicated owner.
Contact: (032) 554 4626
Website: N/A
Location: 167 Seaview Drive, Tinley Manor Beach, Ballito, KZN
#5 Al Pescatore
This Italian and seafood restaurant offers a unique food experience, with owner-designed specials every day for visitors to enjoy.
It also offers breath-taking views of the warm Indian Ocean, fine food and delightful service.
Contact: (032) 946 3574
Website: www.alpescatore.co.za
Location: 14 Edward Place, Ballito, KZN
#6 Ayoba! (Fairmount Zimbali Resort)
Set in Fairmont Zimbali Resort, Ayoba! Restaurant offers Central American flair and South African hospitality.
The restaurant specialises in “a fiesta of Mexican flavours” and allows diners to choose from a selection of Mexican fare.
Please bear in mind that reservations are recommended at Ayoba!
Contact: (032) 538 5000
Website: www.zimbaliresort.com
Location: The Beach Club, Fairmont Zimbali Resort, KZN
#7 La Piazza
This restaurant is big on family and invites everyone to come together and enjoy a delicious meal.
Serving hearty Italian, including pastas and pizzas, it’s definitely a great spot for big eaters or simply those with a penchant for Italian cuisine… and who doesn’t love Italian food?
Contact: (032) 586 3565
Website: www.facebook.com/lapiazzacontinentalcafe
Location: Albertina Way, Ballito, KZN
#8 Thava Indian & Continental Restaurant
Thava Indian & Continental Ballito is owned by Matthew Abraham, who hails from Kerala, a place of great food and rich mixed cultures and religions.
Thava specialises in Indian cuisine, priding itself on aromatic dishes, made using the freshest ingredients, and a unique Indian tapas offering.
Meal options include an array of vegetarian, lamb, chicken and seafood, as well as curries, biryanis, stews, Tandoori and Masala too, all served with traditional breads, rice dishes and sides.
Contact: (078) 802 7427
Website: www.thava.co.za
Location: 33 Compensation Beach Road, Salmon Way, KZN
#9 Captain Fine’s Fish Factory
This laid-back seafood restaurant offers delicious ocean fare.
They specialise in different types of fish and chips, scampi (queen prawns), calamari and more, offering food that is tasty, yet very affordable.
Service is good and efficient, and the food definitely won’t let you down in a restaurant space that is in no way pretentious.
Contact: (032) 946 3933
Website: www.facebook.com/Captain-Fines-Fish-Factory-Ballito-126402910769883/
Location: Douglas Crowe Ave, Ballito Business Park, Ballito
#10 OSA (Fairmont Zimbali Resort)
Serving fragrant, flavourful fare from India, made from generational recipes, OSA is a wonderful Indian restaurant at the Fairmont Zimbali Resort.
Recommended dishes include their signature Butter Chicken, traditional Thali and signature grills, which will have you drooling from the deliciousness.
Please bear in mind that reservations at OSA are essential.
Contact: (032) 538 5000
Website: www.zimbaliresort.com
Location: Level 1, West Wing, Fairmont Zimbali Resort, KZN
#11 Zaras Café
Located in Ballito Lifestyle Centre, this trendy hot spot offers a fantastic, well-thought-out menu, true commitment to their guests’ enjoyment and an invitingly crisp, clean décor, which complements the beautiful beach town.
With continental cuisines like Greek, Italian and South African, there are breakfasts, salads, speciality meals, pastries, breads and even aromatic coffees to be savoured at Zaras Café.
Contact: (032) 586 3204
Website: www.zarascafe.co.za
Location: Shop 90, Ballito Lifestyle Centre, Main Road, Ballito, KZN
#12 SeaBelle Restaurant
Founded some 40-odd years ago in 1971 by the loving Govender couple, SeaBelle Restaurant has consistently served locals and foreigners alike for many years, offering the same excellent food and service that has always made it such a find.
Although it has undergone some renovation and is now run by the couple’s son, Tony, SeaBelle remains as popular as ever.
Here, an Al Carte menu provides diners with a choice between the likes of: starters, seafood grills, curries (including their famous prawn curry), grills, combos, breyani, kiddies’ meals, platters, pizza, pasta and deserts, with all food made to order.
Contact: (032) 941 5551
Website: seabelle.co.za
Location: 62 South Beach Road, Desainagar, Tongaat, KZN
#13 Xing Ye
This Chinese restaurant is best known for its sushi, which can be enjoyed as either sit-down or takeaway.
It is a small, no frills family-owned gem, which offers decent food at affordable prices. Service is slightly limited, so many visitors prefer takeaway.
Contact: (032) 946 0432
Website: none
Location: The Well, Albertina Way, KZN
These are just some of the top 13 restaurants, which you can feast at in beautiful Ballito and surrounds, if you visit (or are fortunate enough to reside in) this wonderful coastal region of KwaZulu-Natal.
Book your Beautiful Accommodation in Ballito Today!
Ballito is a 45 min drive from Durban.
Afristay also has fantastic Ballito self-catering accommodation.