Durban is home to many great restaurants; sometimes you just need a manual to guide you through. We’ve compiled a list of ten easy dinning lessons that’ll hopefully make eating in Durbs a bit easier.

Start small. There’s no need to overdo things because there will always be more to eat up. Mo Noodles offers Japanese/Thai meals that are best enjoyed lightly. Try their famous chicken breast rolled in sesame seeds with chilli and peanuts. It’s served on coconut noodles. And that’s lesson one!

For lesson number two go to the Green Dolphin. Bring your whole family. Let the kids play with their own specially designed menus. Sit by a window and enjoy the view of the dolphins and whales in the ocean. Eating out is more than just about the food.

A word for date night, if you want to take the pressure off go to Yossi’s. That’s lesson number three. The former private home turned 75-seater restaurant will make even the most uncomfortable first dates seem worth it. Their unique mixture of furniture and couches complement their Moroccan, Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. Remember this lesson, because bad dates are even worse in boring surrounds.

Themes are not only for kids parties. Lesson number four. Hemingways is big on décor. It’s all very Afro-Latino. Eat in one of their four-themed dinning rooms and lap up the friendly atmosphere. If you’re vegetarian, no worries, the menu is friendly to all.

Lesson number five, just because you are post-club culture doesn’t mean you’re old or worse, boring. Bean Bag Bohemia is the perfect antidote to sweaty club nights. It’s more than just a restaurant, it’s a lifestyle centred on food, culture and music. If you still want a clubby vibe, there’s a club like feel to the restaurant late at night that maintains the chilled vibe of the place.  

Everybody loves Mexican. That’s lesson number six. Unless they have ulcers, then you have to go easy on the chilli. Taco Zulu is great spot to bring your diverse group of friends. If there’s someone who still insists to be different, fill them up with a margarita, that’ll do it.

It’s always great to have a restaurant where the staff knows you by name. Spiga d’ Oro is a casual Italian restaurant where the owners know regulars like friends, the pizza is thin crusted and the pastas are legendary. Schabir Shaik had a pasta dish named after him. He patronised, and that’s lesson number seven.

Lesson eight, go to Spice and become one of the large number of patrons who can say they’ve eaten at the same place as Bill Gates and Bill Clinton. If bragging annoys you, that’s all right their Florida rack of lamb crusted with peppercorns, garlic and chilli flakes will loosen you up real fast.

Where there’s good food, great music shall follow. Let that be lesson nine. Zack’s an indie café known as much for their food and killer cocktails as for their mini rock shows and open mic evenings. Friday or Wednesday night, every night’s a party.

For lesson number ten just eat seafood, lots of it. The Oyster Bar offers high quality live oysters, fresh mussels and grilled prawns. Just let the chef whip up his magic and enjoy it all. Oh, and try eel while you’re at it.

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