There’s something special about a dish that defines a restaurant – the one that keeps customers coming back, time after time. From comforting classics to bold, creative plates, these signature dishes offer a delicious glimpse into the heart of our local food scene.
At Olive and Oil in Westville, their famous Marrakesh Pizza is a real winner. It’s a thin base pizza topped with mozzarella, marinated harissa chicken strips, crispy onions, coriander and Greek yoghurt. R149. Details: 031 266 1391.
Out of Café Sparrow in Hillcrest comes the Soul Bowl – a mighty vegetarian meal made with avocado, cucumber, zesty herbed coleslaw, edamame beans, pickled ginger and toasted sesame seeds on colourful quinoa with a miso sesame ginger vinaigrette. For a little extra, you can add grilled chicken, smoked trout or calamari. R135. Add grilled chicken R35, smoked trout R70 or calamari R75. Details: 071 147 6922.
Voted Durban’s best burger spot and famous for knockout gourmet smash burgers Smokin’ Joe’s (Cowey Road or Palm Boulevard, Umhlanga) is home to its namesake, the mouth-watering Smokin’ Joe’ burger boasting two 65g beef patties, cheese, caramelised onion, roasted tomatoes and other fresh and delicious ingredients. R117. Details: Cowey Road Durban is 071 885 1046, Umhlanga 079 242 5135.
With locations in Westville, Pietermaritzburg and Kloof, Atasca’s signature dish is their iconic Portuguese speciality Beef Espetada – six-week aged picanha, cut into large cubes each with an enticing bit of fat waiting to be crisped, rubbed with coarse salt and bay leaves, flame grilled to perfection and topped with either a garlic or peri butter tie that when twisted drizzles down the hanging skewer. R240. Details: 065 878 3775.
