Best vegetarian restaurants in Durban

If you’re looking for a restaurant where meat is very much not invited to the party, Buttercup is the place. This vegetarian eatery serves everything from its renowned KFV and tikka burgers to mash and gravy, vegan ‘chops’, meat-free braai packs, and frozen vegan Christmas roasts.

• Address 1: 23 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban
• Opening times: Monday–Saturday, 11am–6pm | Sunday, 11am–4pm | Wednesday closed
• Contact: 069 1111 444

• Address 2: 346 Florence Nightingale Drive, Chatsworth
• Opening times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am–6pm | Sunday, 10am–4pm | Wednesday closed
• Contact: 064 011 1101
• Menu: Check their Facebook page

A Durban institution since 1976, Spiga brings traditional Italian cooking to the vegetarian table. The menu includes vegetarian antipasti, pizzas and pastas, with highlights including minestrone, grilled artichoke, Pasta Alla Sergio and vegan parmesan. Organic gluten-free corn/rice pasta is also available.

• Location: 465 Innes Road, Morningside, Durban 4001
• Opening times: Monday–Sunday, 11am till late
• Contact: 067 138 1115
• Website: spiga.co.za
• Full menu: https://spiga.co.za/#menu

Lupa is a good bet when the table includes both vegetarians and dedicated carnivores. Its homemade pasta can be made with free-range eggs or without eggs, and vegetarian options include Napoli, Spinach and Ricotta Panzerotti, Vegan Artichoke Risotto, Gardeniera, and homemade gnocchi. The menu also includes vegetarian pizzas, burgers, and kids’ options, plus gluten-free pasta and pizza.

• Durban North Location: 6–12 Swapo Road
• Contact: 031 941 1181
• Opening times: Mon–Sat 11am–9pm | Sun 11am–8pm

• Westville Location: 124 Jan Hofmeyr Road
• Contact: 031 266 8793 | 031 266 5877
• Opening times: Mon–Sat 12pm–10pm | Sun 12pm–8pm

• Umhlanga Location: Shop 4, Lighthouse Quarter, 14 Chartwell Drive
• Contact: 031 940 6689
• Opening times: Mon & Sun 11am–9pm | Tue–Sat 11am–10pm

• Ballito Location: Shop 3, Ballito Lifestyle Centre, Cnr 398/498 Main Road
• Contact: 087 357 7409
• Opening times: Mon–Sun 11am–10pm

• Website: lupa.co.za
• Full menu: Click HERE

Known for its Italian-inspired pizzas, pastas and salads, Col’Cacchio has plenty for veggie diners. The Brioso salad brings together beetroot, feta, butternut, rocket and cranberries, while the Norm’s Pralina pizza piles roasted butternut, feta, pumpkin seed praline and rocket onto a butternut and tomato base. Delish!

• Location: Shop 7, New Salt Rock Shopping Centre, 1 New Salt Rock Drive
• Opening times: Monday–Sunday, 11am–9pm
• Contact: 032 940 1222 | saltrock@colcacchio.co.za
• Website: colcacchio.co.za
• Full menu: Click HERE

For Turkish comfort food with a vegetarian twist, head to Sofra Istanbul. Start with the traditional lentil Meremek Corba and wood-fired Turkish bread, then tuck into the falafel platter with hummus, salsa, fried brinjals, yoghurt sauce, salads and Turkish flatbread.

• Location: 245 Florida Road, Morningside, Durban
• Contact: 031 303 2285 | sofraistanbul1@gmail.com
• Full menu: Check their Facebook page

The South Beach location may have closed, but there are still two Surf Riders spots to try! This is handy for a relaxed vegetarian breakfast or beachside bite. Options include the Cypriot breakfast wrap, granola and Turkish eggs, alongside vegetarian pizza, halloumi fingers and a choice of potato, zucchini or sweet potato fries.

• Gateway Boulevard: Shop 3B Ground Floor, The Boulevard, 19 Park Lane, Parkside, Umhlanga Rocks
• Contact: 031 065 2797 | boulevard@surfcafe.co.za
• Menu: https://surfriders.co.za/umhlanga-boulevard/

• Umhlanga Cabanas: Cabana Beach Resort, 10 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga Rocks
• Contact: 031 065 3444 | cabanas@surfcafe.co.za
• Menu: https://surfriders.co.za/umhlanga-cabanas/

The Break Room takes the ‘something for everyone’ approach seriously, with most of its menu able to be made vegan or gluten-free. Vegetarian-friendly choices include Cowboy Beans, The Croast, Peanut Butter Choc Oats, The Turkish and The Forager, plus smoothies, poke bowls, salads and vegetarian Sushi Dogg options – among many others!

• Location: 2 Quarry Road, Hilton
• Opening times: Monday–Saturday, 8am–3pm; Sunday closed; public holidays open
• Contact: 076 676 3140 | leehankey@gmail.com
• Website: thebreakroom.co.za
• Menu: thebreakroom.co.za/menu

Doppio Zero’s vegetarian offering covers salads, pizza and pasta. Try the Halloumi & Roast Veg Salad, Bellissimo pizza, Vegi Vegi pizza or Aglio E Olio Alla Greca with grilled halloumi and parmesan. From dedicated vegan eateries to Italian classics and Turkish favourites, Durban’s vegetarian scene is proving that going meat-free doesn’t mean settling for a sad side salad.

• Pinetown/Hillcrest Location: Shop 1129, Cotswold Square, 109 Inanda Road
• Contact: 076 510 8823 | cotswold@doppio.co.za
• Opening times: Sun–Mon 7am–9pm | Tue–Thu 7am–10pm | Fri–Sat 7am–10.30pm

• Umhlanga Location: Shop A221, The Pearls Mall, 6 Lagoon Drive
• Contact: 010 900 3173 | umhlanga@doppio.co.za
• Opening times: Monday–Sunday, 7am–10pm

• Website: doppio.co.za
• Full menu: Click HERE