Best Restaurants on the KZN North Coast: 27 Places from Zimbali to Zinkwazi
by I Love Ballito Writer · · Updated · 6 min read
This is our pick of 27 restaurants between Zimbali and Zinkwazi, town by town. It is a selection, not a ranking, and we did not eat our way through it for this guide. Each place is here for a reason we can point to: decades in business, a local vote, a view, a cuisine nobody else on this coast does, or being the good option in a small village. Each was confirmed as trading in October 2026. Hours change, so book or check before you go.
Pick by occasion
- A sea view: Al Pescatore (4) in Ballito, and Sala Beach House (16) above Thompson's Bay.
- With children: Donna Modern Italian (22), which has a supervised playground, and Siggi's (18), which has a playground and a beer garden.
- Been here longest: Al Pescatore since 1989, Siggi's since 2008 and La Piazza since 2013.
- New in 2026: Big Easy Winebar and Grill (3) and Kung Thai (21).
- Voted for by locals: Mozambik (5), La Piazza (6) and Alchemy (15) have won in every edition of the Best of Ballito awards. That is a public vote, so it measures popularity and not a critic's opinion.
- Worth the drive inland: Abbiocco (25), for handmade pasta on a farm in Umhlali.
Zimbali
The restaurants inside Zimbali Estate are behind the estate gates, so book first and ask the restaurant how entry works. Zimbali Lakes is open to the public.
1. Fireroom Sushi and Grill
1st floor, The Capital Zimbali
Sushi and steak, turning into a supper club at night.
- Try
- Sushi on Fire, flamed at the table
- Price
- RR
- Booking
- Reservations required. Dineplan
3. Big Easy Winebar and Grill
Zimbali Lakes Clubhouse, 14 Sierra Lane, Zimbali Lakes
Ernie Els's restaurant at the new clubhouse, open to the public since May 2026.
- Try
- One of the signature cuts from the grill, such as the 1 kg tomahawk
- Price
- RR
- Closed
- Mondays and Tuesdays
- Booking
- Dineplan, or WhatsApp 082 742 6769
Ballito
7. Fiamma Grill
Coco De Mer Boutique Hotel, 63 Compensation Beach Road, Ballito
Sushi, pizza, pasta and grills at the Coco de Mer Boutique Hotel on Compensation Beach Road.
- Try
- Fillet medallions, grilled on the open flame
- Price
- RR
- Open
- 07:00 to 23:00, kitchen 07:00 to 10:00 and 12:00 to 21:30 (May 2026 menu)
- Booking
- Phone 032 946 1029
8. Kuta-Kola
17 Compensation Beach Road, Ballito
Breakfast, lunch and cocktails on Compensation Beach Road. Daytime only.
- Open
- 07:00 to 17:00 (listed hours)
- Booking
- Walk-ins only
9. The Fig Tree at Simbithi Country Club
Simbithi Country Club, 2 Club Lane, Simbithi
Inside the estate, and open to the public.
- Try
- The curry buffet on Wednesday nights, on the club's calendar
- Price
- RR
- Booking
- Phone 032 946 8360
At the Ballito Lifestyle Centre
11. SOI 55 Thai Eatery
Eat Street, Ballito Lifestyle Centre
Thai street food and curries cooked over an open flame, listed among Eat Out's Neighbourhood Gems.
- Try
- Chu Chee, from the chef's favourites: crispy fried and topped with a red curry
- Price
- RR
- Open
- Daily 11:00 to 22:00
- Booking
- Online, or 032 032 0019
More detail on the Ballito ones is in where to eat in Ballito.
Shaka's Rock
16. Sala Beach House
75 Ocean Drive, Thompson's Bay, Shaka's Rock
The restaurant of a boutique hotel above Thompson's Bay. Non-guests can book lunch and dinner, by reservation only. Both are three-course set menus.
- Price
- RRR
- Open
- Lunch 12:00 to 14:00, dinner 17:30 to 20:00
- Booking
- Reservations only, through Dineplan. No casual visits for drinks
Salt Rock
17. Salt Rock Hotel
59 Basil Hulett Drive, Salt Rock
Curries, wood-fired pizza and a Sunday buffet lunch at the hotel that started the village.
- Try
- The mutton curry, named Best Curry in Ballito three years running
- Price
- RR
- Open
- A la carte 10:00 to 21:30. Sunday lunch 12:30 to 14:30
- Booking
- Suggested for Sunday lunch
18. Siggi's German Restaurant and Pub
Salt Rock
Eisbein, schnitzel and German draught beer, with a beer garden.
- Good for
- Families: it has a playground as well as the beer garden
19. Ray's Kitchen
Dunkirk Estate, Salt Rock
A bistro in the Dunkirk Estate clubhouse.
- Try
- The tuna lollipops, the starter reviewers single out
- Open
- Tuesday to Saturday 08:00 to 21:00, Sunday to 15:30
- Closed
- Mondays
21. Kung Thai
Shop 2B, New Salt Rock Centre, Salt Rock
The Durban North Thai favourite opened a Salt Rock branch at the New Salt Rock Shopping Centre in early 2026.
- Try
- The Kung Thai: crispy chicken or duck in the house chilli, garlic and lemon sauce
- Price
- RR
- Open
- Tuesday to Sunday
- Booking
- Dineplan
22. Donna Modern Italian
Shop 1, New Salt Rock Centre, Salt Rock
Italian, with a supervised playground for children.
- Try
- Focaccio Prima Donna: prosciutto, rocket, gorgonzola and fresh tomato
- Price
- RR
- Booking
- Dineplan
23. Butcher and Wine
Shop 2A, New Salt Rock Centre, Salt Rock
Grill, sushi and a bar.
- Try
- The T-bone Temptation, 500 g
- Price
- RR
- Booking
- Dineplan
Our Salt Rock guide has the rest of the village.
Umhlali
25. Abbiocco
Shop 10a, Burnedale Farm Centre, Umhlali
Handmade pasta at Burnedale Farm Centre. Lunch from Wednesday to Sunday and dinner on Fridays.
- Try
- Melanzane, lasagne or the home-baked focaccia
- Open
- Lunch Wednesday to Sunday 12:00 to 15:00, dinner Friday 18:00 to 22:00
- Closed
- Mondays and Tuesdays
- Booking
- WhatsApp 082 309 8073
See our Umhlali guide.
Zinkwazi
Good to know
- Club Med at Tinley Manor does not sell day passes, so its restaurants are for guests only.
- No restaurant between Zimbali and Zinkwazi holds a star in the 2026 Eat Out awards. The nearest is Tyler's in eMdloti. The local measure is the Best of Ballito awards, which drew more than 312,000 votes in 2026.
- In December, book. Everything fills up.
Planning a day around lunch? See things to do on the KZN North Coast.
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