Are you looking for dog-friendly restaurants around the Durban area? You’ve arrived at the right place.
From casual beachfront cafes & stylish urban courtyards to tranquil spots on the Dolphin Coast, this article highlights some of the best spots in the city that offer a great dining experience for you & your furry companion.
Additionally, whether you’re exploring a new restaurant or lounging at home, it’s always reassuring to know that your pets are taken care of when it comes to regular vet appointments & unexpected medical bills. MediPet offers various pet insurance plans that provide comprehensive, genuine, & transparent cover. Get an obligation-free quote online in seconds today.
Key Takeaways:
- Durban offers a diverse mix of pet-friendly cafés, bistros & beachfront restaurants for every occasion.
- From relaxed spots like FOAM Café to luxury venues like The Oyster Box, pets are warmly welcomed & well accommodated.
- Spots like Surf Riders Café in Umhlanga and Bellevue Café in Hillcrest serve dedicated dog menus alongside good food, giving your pup plenty of reasons to wag.
Top 9 Dog-friendly Restaurants in Durban
With its sunny weather & beachside culture, Durban boasts a fantastic restaurant scene where many establishments eagerly welcome your whole family, pets included.
We’ve curated this list based on venues offering prime locations, ample outdoor patios for pets to settle comfortably, & any specific features like dedicated menus for dogs.
Continue reading to browse our top choices across the North Coast & city, ensuring you & your canine companion find the perfect spot for a delicious & fun outing.
● African Roots Café
Location: 15 Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga, Durban, 4320
Situated in the vibrant heart of Umhlanga Village, African Roots Café blends contemporary flair with African-inspired warmth. Its relaxed setting, earthy décor & lively street-side atmosphere make it a popular gathering spot for locals & travellers alike. Whether you’re grabbing a morning coffee or meeting friends for lunch, this café offers an inviting space that celebrates community, creativity & coastal charm.
To find out more about their menu, specials or contact details, visit the African Roots Café website. They’re typically open daily from 7:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Pet-Friendly Features
African Roots Café is proudly pet-friendly, welcoming well-behaved dogs on leads in its outdoor seating area. The shaded patio offers a cool & comfortable environment for pets to rest while their owners enjoy a meal. Staff are known for being friendly & welcoming to dogs, often offering water on request.
What's on the Menu?
The menu showcases a fusion of fresh, locally inspired flavours. Expect hearty breakfasts, wholesome wraps & indulgent desserts. They also serve excellent artisan coffee & refreshing fruit drinks, ideal for Durban’s sunny weather.
● Bellevue Café
Location: 5 Bellevue Rd, Kloof, Durban, 3610
Bellevue Café in Kloof offers a cool, leafy escape just behind the Delcairn Centre. This much-loved local spot combines a relaxed, neighbourhood feel with contemporary flair. It’s known for friendly service, a peaceful garden setting, & an easy-going charm that keeps regulars coming back for breakfast with friends or long, lazy lunches.
To book, use the reservation form on their website or call them. Daytime bookings are available for groups of eight or more, while smaller groups are seated on a first-come, first-served basis; dinner bookings are accepted for any group size. Bellevue Café is open from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm on Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 am to 9:00 pm on Saturdays, & from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm on Sundays. Hours may occasionally change for private functions & weddings.
Pet-Friendly Features
Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, where the shady trees & open space make it a perfect stop for pet owners exploring the Upper Highway area. The café’s calm environment & welcoming team create a genuinely pet-friendly vibe that’s ideal for families, friends & furry companions alike.
What's on the Menu?
Bellevue serves breakfast, brunch, lunch & dinner. Expect freshly baked pastries, wood-fired pizzas from a traditional Pavesi oven & fresh pastas, along with bistro favourites like chicken-&-prawn curry, fillet medallions with mushroom sauce & a liquid-centred chocolate pudding. Carefully blended coffees & a handpicked wine selection round things off.
● FOAM Café
Location: Shop 1B, 30 North Beach Road, Umdloti Beach, eMdloti, 4350
Nestled along the shoreline of Umdloti, FOAM Café is a relaxed coastal gem loved by locals for its fresh seaside air, ocean views & laid-back atmosphere. The café’s beachy décor & friendly staff make it an inviting spot for breakfast, brunch, or a sunset coffee after a walk on the beach.
You can check daily specials, updates & opening hours via the FOAM Café Facebook page. They’re open daily from 6:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Pet-Friendly Features
FOAM proudly welcomes all well-behaved pets on leads into the café. Dogs are provided with fresh water bowls & plenty of affection. The open, breezy layout ensures pets stay comfortable, while the café’s dog-friendly approach has earned it a loyal following among local dog owners.
What's on the Menu?
Human guests can enjoy barista-made coffee, wraps, salads & baked treats crafted with fresh ingredients. The menu reflects the relaxed beach vibe – simple, wholesome & full of flavour, ideal for a post-surf snack or an easy morning meal. Planning a beach walk first? Our guide to the best dog-friendly beaches in Durban covers nearby stretches of sand that welcome pups.
● Lupa Osteria
Location: Shop 6, 157 Jan Hofmeyr Road, Westville, Durban, 3629
Lupa Osteria is a traditional Italian restaurant known for its authentic dining & homely neighbourhood feel. Founded in 2013, the group’s Westville branch was its first franchise & remains a firm local favourite. Its casual yet refined atmosphere makes it a go-to spot for leisurely lunches & relaxed evening meals.
For reservations, visit the official Lupa Osteria website or give them a call. The restaurant is open from Monday to Saturday, 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm, & on Sundays from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
Pet-Friendly Features
This branch offers a dog-friendly patio, where guests can dine outdoors with their pets. The space provides a comfortable setting for dog owners to enjoy classic Italian dishes while soaking up Westville’s easygoing community vibe.
What's on the Menu?
Menu highlights include wood-fired pizzas, crispy arancini, pretzel-dusted calamari & classic pastas like Bolognese & gnocchi gorgonzola. The signature dish is fettuccine with truffled mushrooms & bacon, tossed in a flaming Parmesan wheel, & dessert brings tiramisu, gelato & the rich Cremino al Cioccolato. It’s ideal for sharing meals with family & friends, including your four-legged companion.
● Mahā Café
Location: 5 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Point Waterfront, Durban, 4001
Tucked into Durban’s revitalised Point Waterfront, Mahā Café brings together fine-dining finesse & relaxed coastal charm. The café celebrates local ingredients, modern design & a passion for speciality coffee, making it a refined yet welcoming spot for slow brunches, a post-walk coffee stop, or relaxing with your pup by your side.
To make a reservation, visit the Mahā Café page on the Point Waterfront website, call them or send them an email. They’re open daily from 6:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Pet-Friendly Features
Mahā Café’s resident dog, Daisy, is a much-loved mascot – a clear sign of its pet-friendly spirit. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor seating area, where you can enjoy harbour breezes while your pup lounges nearby. It’s a stylish yet laid-back space for dog owners looking to unwind after a walk along the Point Waterfront or nearby Vetch’s Beach.
What's on the Menu?
Breakfast brings eggs, bowls & bakery favourites, while lunch leans towards seasonal fish, house charcuterie, salads & heartier plates. Small-batch breads & pastries are baked daily, & a tea list, wine list & daytime cocktails complement the all-day speciality coffee.
● Mimosa Restaurant & Bar
Location: 1 Old Fort Road, Foxhill, Salt Rock, Dolphin Coast, 4420
Nestled within the scenic Sage Centre in Salt Rock, Mimosa Restaurant & Bar offers a relaxed garden dining experience that perfectly captures the North Coast’s laid-back charm. Surrounded by lush greenery & rustic-chic décor, it’s a favourite for families, brunch gatherings, & pet owners looking for a tranquil outdoor escape.
To make a reservation, visit the Mimosa page on the Sage Centre website or call 032 061 0336. Opening hours on Monday are from 7:30 am – 3:00 pm, Tuesday – Sunday’s operating hours are 7:30 am – 4:00 pm, extended to 8:00 pm for Friday dinners.
Pet-Friendly Features
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in Mimosa’s spacious outdoor courtyard, where shaded tables & fresh coastal air make for a comfortable experience for both pets & owners. The restaurant’s friendly staff are known to accommodate furry guests with a warm smile & fresh water on request.
What's on the Menu?
The menu celebrates wholesome, seasonal ingredients with a contemporary twist. Expect wood-fired pizzas, vibrant salads, flavourful breakfasts, & freshly baked treats, alongside craft coffees, smoothies & cocktails. Mimosa’s Friday dinner service adds a touch of coastal elegance for a night out with your family & furry friend.
● Old Town Italy
Location: 39 Meridian Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, 4319
Old Town Italy captures the warmth & authenticity of a traditional Italian marketplace in the heart of Umhlanga. With rustic décor, aromatic coffee, & the buzz of its in-house deli, it’s a favourite for leisurely breakfasts, hearty lunches or sociable dinners with friends or family.
To make a reservation, use the booking form on the Old Town Italy website or call ahead. They’re open Monday to Saturday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, & Sundays from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Pet-Friendly Features
Pets are welcome in the outdoor seating area, where well-behaved dogs on leads can relax beside their owners. There’s plenty of pavement space for your pup to settle in, making it an easy spot to share a morning coffee & pastry with your furry friend.
What's on the Menu?
The menu features hand-stretched Neapolitan pizzas with real mozzarella, authentic pasta dishes, cuts from the butchery & grill section, panini, piadina & fresh salads, all made without GMO products. Their bakery serves croissants, sourdoughs & pastries, perfect with a barista coffee or an afternoon Aperol Spritz.
● The Oyster Box
Location: 2 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga Rocks, uMhlanga, 4319
An icon of luxury on the KwaZulu-Natal coastline, The Oyster Box is one of South Africa’s most celebrated hotels & one of the few five-star venues in Durban that truly caters to pets. Overlooking the Indian Ocean & the iconic red-&-white Umhlanga Lighthouse, its elegant charm & exceptional service extend seamlessly to the relaxed Ocean Terrace.
To reserve a table, visit the Oyster Box website or give them a call. The Ocean Terrace is open daily for breakfast, lunch & dinner.
Pet-Friendly Features
Well-behaved pets are welcome on the Ocean Terrace, where a special pet menu is served at breakfast, lunch & dinner. Options range from Plain Ol’ Kibble (R95) to the Hot Diggity Dog with boerewors & scrambled eggs (R150), with treats for cats too. To extend your stay, the hotel offers pet-friendly accommodation in its Superior Garden Villas.
What's on the Menu?
For humans, the Ocean Terrace serves an exquisite range of meals, from wood-fired pizzas & the hotel’s signature seafood curries to decadent desserts & cocktails, all with sweeping views of the lighthouse & ocean.
● Surf Riders Café
Location: 17 Erskine Terrace, South Beach, Durban, 4001
Surf Riders Café is one of Durban’s best-known beachfront brands. After more than a decade on South Beach, the original Golden Mile café closed in 2026, but its dog-loving spirit lives on at the Umhlanga Cabanas branch on the promenade. Floor-to-ceiling windows look straight out to sea, & a lower outdoor deck faces the promenade, making it an ideal stop after a long walk along the Umhlanga beachfront.
Surf Riders Cabanas is at 10 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga. The café is open daily from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm. Its second Umhlanga branch is at The Boulevard, 19 Park Lane, Parkside. Check the Surf Riders website before visiting for current hours.
Pet-Friendly Features
This café is celebrated as one of Durban’s most genuinely pet-friendly venues. Surf Riders describes itself as pet-friendly & offers a specialty “WOOF” menu dedicated entirely to its four-legged guests. Dogs can relax with their owners on the outdoor deck, & Umhlanga Beach is right on the doorstep for a pre-lunch walk.
What's on the Menu?
For human guests, the menu offers a diverse selection of contemporary food. You can enjoy everything from hearty breakfasts & in-house burgers to thin-crust pizzas, gourmet hot dogs, salmon ramen & a Korean fish sandwich, along with fresh seafood, steaks, curries & vegan options. Indulgent milkshakes in flavours like caramel popcorn & bubble gum are a crowd-pleaser.
Final Thoughts on the Best Pet-friendly Restaurants in Durban
Durban has pet-friendly cafés, restaurants and hotel terraces, from Surf Riders Cabanas in Umhlanga to Mahā Café at the Point and The Oyster Box in Umhlanga. Check each venue’s current pet policy before you go.
As you plan your next meal out with your pup, make sure you’re protected with reliable pet insurance. Explore our pet insurance plans & get an obligation-free quote online in seconds today.
For more inspiration, explore our guides to pet-friendly accommodation in Durban or doggy daycare options across South Africa. Because with MediPet, your pets are always part of life’s best moments.
A little note: the providers, products & services featured in this article are here to help with your research, not to crown any winners. This isn’t an exhaustive list, an official ranking, an endorsement, or a recommendation by MediPet. We’ve included providers based on publicly available information at the time of writing. As always, do a little digging of your own to find the option that feels right for you, your pet & your family.
This article was last updated on 29 October 2026.
