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Eat

As Durban has one of the largest Indian populations outside of India, a Durban curry is a popular dish and can range from mild to very hot. There is also the bunny chow which is unique to the city, a quarter loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with a curry of your choice. Check out restaurants at the Workshop shopping center for some of the best bunny chow in the city. Or head over to the Indian neighborhood near Victoria Market for more authentic Durban Indian food.

Good Indian dining is at Vintage Restaurant next to Bean Bag Bohemia - Windemere Road

Try the Roma Revolving Restaurant at the top of John Ross House on the Esplanade for Italian food and the best view of Durban.

Wilson's Wharf is a long pier built into the harbour. It hosts a wide selection of international restaurants and watch the busiest harbor in Africa's activity. Take in a show afterwards at the upstairs Catalina theater.

Try Morningside restaurants, along Florida Road, for trendy cafe sidewalk eateries including one Italian style, Spiga d'Oro, frequented so often by South Africa's notorious businessman, Schabir Shaik, that a dish is named in his honor 'Pasta a la Shaik'. Bill Clinton and Bill Gates ate at "Spice" set off the busy street in a quiet upstairs courtyard. And nearby, be nearly guaranteed to rub shoulders with the up-and-coming in-crowd at the Bean Bag Bohemia, Windermere Road, a restaurant that makes great dining an artistic event.

Definitely try some 'biltong' when you're in South Afri…

Drink

Zacks, at Wilson's Wharf on Victoria's Embankment, is a popular place to get thirst-quenching drinks and relax and enjoy the view of the harbour. Joe Kool's, on the beachfront, is also well known as the best place for a "sundowner" after a long day on the beach. Check out their roof-top deck for the best views. The BAT Centre, at the port, is also a good place for a quick meal or drink. There's free jazz most nights and other concerts, hip-hop and the occasional poetry slam. Cool Runnings is a reggeaton place with cheap beer and a relaxed atmosphere. Durban is known for its pot and you will easily find it around the clubs, but beware that the police do care if tourists break the law and you can be thrown out of the country if you are caught with it.

Stay safe

thumb|Mounted police

The beach strip is frequently patrolled by policemen, there are CCTV cameras and many lights at night. As everywhere else, there are several basic safety rules to follow. Avoid dark, deserted areas, and do not go out alone in the early hours of the morning. The promenade along the beach is safe to walk, but do not venture to the side and back roads of the hotels.

Avoid the Point Road (aka Mahatma Gandhi Road) area at all times.

At night, it is still a good idea to stick to the main streets and not go out at night unless you are very familiar with a particular area. Avoid the usually busy central business district, which is empty after dark. Above all, use common sense.

Remember, you're a tourist, not a celebrity. Dress down to blend in with the people in the CBD (keep the fancy stuff to a minimum).

The harbour area is quite safe, as are the shopping malls and higher residential areas.

The Point, the area between downtown and the port, is known for prostitution and cheap hotels and has a higher crime rate (although parts are undergoing a massive redevelopment). Avoid walking here alone or at night and take cars or metered taxis if you need to go to this area.

Street children can be a problem, and it's best to keep clear of them. Many sniff glue, carry knives, and act quite unpredictably.

Stay healthy

Travel vaccines and general practitioner services available at Umhlanga Sports and Travel Clinic Umhlanga Hospital Helipad, 323 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga Rocks. +27 31 560-5569

Go next

Umhlanga Nature reserve Go south along the Sunshine and Wild Coast through South Coast and to East London, Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route Go south along the Hisbiscus Coast through Port Shepstone, visit the Oribi gorge and blue flag beaches. Go up the North Coast and visit Ballito, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park or drive further on to Eswatini (Swaziland). Valley of 1000 hills