Review Ile Maurice - Umhlanga Rocks

My party of four booked lunch to celebrate a birthday. We were the only ones at the restaurant and were waited on excellently. All of our courses were exceptional. The vegan options were particularly delicious. I will be coming back for more!

Wow, what an wonderful experience. Would highly recommend this restuarant. Fantastic food, brilliant service. Best place I have been in a long time.

Quaint little French restaurant in Umhlanga, themed on Mauritius - and certainly does enough to feel different from any other restaurant in Durban. Romantic, dull lighting and great wine selection makes for a memorable evening. The food is expensive, but worth it in the end.

Excellent food and fantastic service. We loved the rustic look inside and the ocean View. Well Done Team

I think it's a place that people might actually overlook because of its location away from the hustle and bustle of chartwell drive. A good place to go on a romantic date, which can we followed by a walk down umhlanga pier. Coming to the food... we didn't leave a single bite behind, and I think that speaks for itself. Had the best French fries in town, at this place. Thin and crisp... just the way I like it

My hubby took me there for my Birthday it was beautiful. Super staff whom helped make my night so amazing. Food was soooooo yummy...

Beautifully situated close to the umhlanga coast. Service is excellent and staff are very friendly. Restaurant is clean and neat with parking. Food is also quite good

Food is exceptional. The owners are accommodating, made last minute new years reservations and they made room for us.

The smoked salmon & cottage cheese 5/5 The Roasted Duck and the Rack of Lamb Great👌Perfection 👍

Loved it all... by far the best prawn curry I've ever had, and service was fantastic. Found my new favourite curry restaurant for sure (and chocolate fondant for that matter)

Great Food and service. Always an enjoyable evening out. A rare treat fo me. Not sure but it might not be child friendly. Have never seen little kids at dinner.

The food was beyond amazing and the service was just as good. Would recommend that you definately try out this place if you are in Mhlanga Rocks, Durban.

We had a great time celebrating the SA 7's World Series win with a special handover to Coach Neil Powell from SA Rugby Legends President Gavin Varejes in commemoration of their fine feat... an institution in Durban and we'll be back!

The best restaurant in Durban. I must commend the manager/hostess on her exceptional service. She made our experience amazing. The waiters were very friendly and helpful. The food was really unique and delicious especially the grilled rabbit. Wonderful ambience and great view. A bit pricey but worth every penny.

My very first time lle Maurice.I was so impressed with the food.Will go back anytime.5star food👌

Excellent food all round. Line fish was excellent, the rack of lamb extra ordinary, the fillet was equally good. The spinach and smoked salmon puff pastry starter was perfect. A great meal all round.

Good experience, tasty food done perfectly. Lamb and chicken done to perfection. Excellent booking experience. Wait staff are not the most friendly. Beautiful views from this venue. Desserts are very pricey.

The service was exceptional. Friendly, knowledgeable waiters, thoughtful hosting, and added personal touch from the chef. The food was below average. For that price one would expect A-plus standards. I had the roasted duck with veggies... such a disappointment... veggies were so tasteless.. duck was covered with a barbecue like sauce. My fiancé had the rabbit marinated in wine, which tasted more like a hot pot... he did enjoy the mash though. Creme brulee was really good. All in all was an OK experience. Food wise they could improve quite a bit.

Booked for our 38th Anniversary a special occasion was placed in a very hot corner. Had to ask to be moved to a better table, moved twice. Very dissapointed in the food after all te reviews. Far over priced and waiter not to great. I asked for desert menu and was given my bill instead. Will definately not see us again.

Absolutely fantastic... The food was made perfectly.. Service was mind blowing.. I would definitely recommend this restaurant and will be returning

Love the ambience and fine dining experience . The seafood platter, more especially the langoustines were delicious !

Great food and very nice and hospitable staff! Will definitely come back before I fly out of Durban.

Ile Maurice is one of my favourite restaurants this side of the country. The legacy of excellence continues with the food, wine and service being outstanding - What a treat �

Beautiful set up, really vintage setting, wooden and welcoming. View from upstairs is a wow. Friendly staff and the service is supberb. Beautiful selection of wines. However the food is nothing to rave about. Needs major improvement and really is overpriced for the taste. The waitress had forgotten I wanted my lamb ribs cut and rushed down to get it sorted which I forgave n then she came up with chips instead of the veggies I asked for. I think waitors are supposed to keep a little note pad and pen to remember orders or an electronic one to take down orders? Getting 2 things wrong on a simple order .....??

The food, service and ambience was fantastic. The only negative was the wine prices. Don't mind paying a tad over the odds but felt completely ripped off. Mauritian prices...🙄

Hubby's birthday dinner last night at Ile Maurice couldn't have been better. Amazing views, awesome staff, delicious food. Well done to the team at Ile Maurice and a special shout out to Lloyd, our waiter, you're a great guy. Last night was our second visit and we will definitely be back! Thank you so much for having us

Authentic and imaginative Mauritian cuisine. Amazing fish including delicately cooked Sea Bass; curries with Auvergne as a base; excellent wine and attentive service. The chef is very personable and eager to explain his art. Loved it so went back again and had an equally good experience.

Considering we had our 2 year old toddler with us who decided it's time to act up during the celebration of our 5th year anniversary dinner, the staff were amazing and so accommodating to our situation! That's before they served us the most perfect selection of amazing fish and king prawns! Will go back very soon ... lol... minus the child!

It is a landmark in Durban and can hold its own anywhere in the world. Seafood is always fresh and all meals are cooked to perfection. Congratulations Mr chef. By the way really the previous review....who expects a great meal at 6pm......you should have maybe gone to McDonald's.

Love this restaurant! Always visit Ile Maurice when we are down from Jhb! Great service, great food and Christian is very hospitable! Highly recommended!!!

Exceptional food, attentive service and great atmosphere. Been there for my 4th time and always an excellent meal.

Never disappointed with the food and excellent service! Thank you! Wonderful evening out with friends!

While I gave a rating of 3 I think it was around 3.5. While they call it a French restaurant, it is actually a Mauritian restaurant. The bread they gave at the start of the meal was basically the normal sliced bread you get in the market which was toasted. I ordered the Crevettes Creole. The food tasted really good and the lentil accompaniment was good. Now why I think it is a 3 is because for the price they charge you the food value can be better. Good ambience and we had a good official dinner

What a wow!!! Great views, impeccable service, delectable chocolate fondant, just a great place to bust a date night with your Spura Maluda 1000.

Fantastic old world setting in the heart of Umhlanga. Fantastic service, with a huge selection in the menu. We had the line fish and langoustines and the Mauritian prawn curry. Absolutely delicious, especially the sauce on the line fish. A bit pricey but well worth it for a special occasion

I was impressed that the chef was so willing to accommodate me and a change to the menu as I am a strict vegetarian, my uncle had the fish which was great and my husband had the rabbit which was bland and tasteless...

great service and Friendly staff...my favorite dish was the lamb rack which was delicious. Great views as well. Didn’t get to try dessert but the menu looked great with a choc fondant on offer

What a delicious meal we had at Ile Maurice. Our evening started with the exceptional staff recommending the chefs special. We started off with fresh Natal oysters for my husband and the mushroom risotto for me. What a treat both the dishes were. For main course, I had the grilled rabbit and my husband had the prawn curry. I luv eating rabbit cooked the Mediterranean way, but this was so much more delicious, served with mash potatoes and vegetables made this a memorable dish. My husband opted for the prawn curry and also enjoyed it very much. We finished off our excellent meal with an espresso. All in all the meal was memorable and I thoroughly recommend the restaurant.

We come here every year as part of our holiday. This is a very pricey restaurant especially the wines, which are extensive. However the ambience and the food are really good. It's not the best food I've eaten and you could argue not worth the price but paired with the atmosphere makes for a very nice romantic evening.

Food: 4<br/>Service: 4<br/>Ambiance: 3<br/><br/>As many places this restaurant is a favorite I'm sure of many. Traditional Creole fine dining. The crepe Suzette is by far the winner and the poached pear is soooo good.

I really enjoyed lunch at Ile Maurice. Besides their exceptional location right on Umhlanga beach, I found their service to be on point and genuinely warm and welcoming. I had the prawn curry for mains...made creole style which was good, but I added extra chili which made it awesome. For dessert we had the chocolate fondant...this was awesome...perfectly gooey

I was extremely excited to try this establishment. But to be honest I left feeling disappointed and a bit ripped off. As did the other 6 guests at our table. The meals don't justify the prices, not even close. I was completely prepared to spend a small fortune on a meal which I was expecting to blow me away, but it was very average. I didn't get photos of all of our meals, just my brother's prawn and chicken curry (R225) and his frog legs starter (R250). The service was excellent and that's what gets the 1 star. But R225 for a sub par curry is just ridiculous (prices are a lot higher than what's reflected on Zomato). The Kingklip was also not the best, nor was the Oxtail apparently. I'm not impressed and really wishing we went somewhere else.

Durban is surprising me on this trip! Came here on a recommendation and wasn't disappointed...hidden little gem opposite Beverly Hotel. From the minute you walk through the door, you experience impeccable customer service on a level few modern restaurants can compete with....the food, the service and the ambience makes this a special trip down memory lane....crab starter a must and curry amazing! A bit expensive, but expected when you leave, you don't feel ripped off!

If you like overpriced , boring , old school food , this is the place for you . The service was possibly the best we have had in years . Prompt , slick , friendly - really top notch . The food was just so dated and uninteresting . The fish drowning in sauce , barely any prawns in the curry and a seriously overpriced veg dish - which one could swallow (!) if it was something special. I'm sure 20 years ago before the food revolution they were okay - but not now. <br/>We were celebrating with friends and complaining would have ruined the occasion , so we chewed through the meal - and it's not like anything was burnt or raw or off , which is a flat out complaint . Just staid, boring food .And very pricey . I told our charming waiter ,who enquired about our meal when we were leaving, that we were very disappointed with our food ,horribly old school in taste and presentation .The weather was glorious Natal at its best and the wine well chilled so all was not lost . Just some feedback for them to consider a rethink on what worked for them 10 years ago .

Whilst the food, ambience and service is great, you'll never know fear until you see the waiter approaching with your bill. Fresh seafood evidently caught in the peaks of the himalya's that afternoon, and sauces so devine one can't even pronounce the french title, Ile Maurice offers a hurtful yet delicious excursion for any person trying to impress the queen of earth...

A truly delicious meal, lived up to its reputation, service was excellent. Lovely and close for a walk on the promenade after dinner. A real gem of a place!

Fabulous Christmas luncheon with our closest family. Great ambience and fabulous food.<br/>Hosting was professional and waiters were friendly and attentive.

We had a great dinner, a bit expensive in my view. I was a little disappointed as we asked them for a seafood platter for 4 people and when dishing up we realised that there was only 6 prawns. One would expect an upmarket place like that would ensure that there are at least 2 prawns per diner.

Service is good. Interesting menu and good wine list. I do not give it 5 stars due to the fact that it is expensive and the atmosphere can do with some warmer colours. But a definite try if you're in the area and willing to spend a bit.

Shocking food at shocking prices. These guys have absolutely no idea what food at those prices should look or taste like!! No effort from staff to even try and fix the absolute mess that was plated as a filet chateau.

Ile Maurice is a lovely Mauritian restaurant. <br/><br/>The decor is quite old and the restaurant is quite dark. <br/><br/>The service is good, the vibe being overall relaxed with soft lighting and music. Our waiter was quite slow and lethargic. <br/><br/>The food was good, not something to rave about, but good. <br/><br/>I would visit this restaurant again...

After having Ile Maurice on my bookmark list for over a year, I finally decided to try it this past weekend. To start we shared the escargots and for the main meal we both opted for the king prawns. The food was fresh and flavorful, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience overall. In addition, try...

Had a great fathers day lunch. The staff were very accommodating especially considering we were a big group. Food was delicious - all 20 of us were more than satisfied. Must tries - starters: creamy prawn or the crab. Main: seafood (all options are great) and the baby chicken. Dessert : chocolate fondant.

I visited an old favourite in Umhlanga and chose to order the crab starter, and it was divine as usual. For main course I ordered octopus curry Mauritian style. Sadly it was out of stock and the chef suggested calamari curry in the same sauce and style of cooking. Definitely not the same as the flavours were just not there. Lunchtime trade is slow with only 2 tables dining including mine.<br/>Pity as I have always rated this restaurant. <br/>Hopefully next time I will be more lucky. <br/>My wife had vegetarian curry and it was a typical Durban curry.<br/>

Always excellent.<br/><br/>The gratinated crab is a must to start with. I usually order it to arrive with the melba toast.<br/><br/>The Mauritian curries are heaven. Try the octopus curry and the rabbit stew.<br/><br/>They also do shellfish brilliantly<br/>

Just had dinner here and loved every minute. I had prawns , sirloin and chocolate fondant which were all superb. Great service and even better food! 😄

As a South African with a Mauritian mother and with family still in Mauritius, I rate this as the best restaurant in South Africa.<br/><br/>When you sit down and eat it's like being a kid again having the meals we had as kids <br/><br/>Whenever we come to Umhlanga we eat here half the time<br/><br/>Back in 2017 and still outstanding

The food is excellent, and what I like more is the personal service. Very well done to the owners for their impeccable customer service. It'll there is a problem it is unquestionably rectified. Il Maurice aim to please. And they have.

Without a doubt the best kept secret in Umhlanga <br/>The attention to detail is fantastic <br/>The service is first class<br/>AND<br/>The food is cooked to perfection and with a passion that shows on the plate.<br/>We save our visits to lle Maurice for special occasions and everyone at our table thoroughly enjoyed this one.<br/>This is not a budget restaurant, however compared to other establishments with similar prices lle Maurice can hold their head high.<br/><br/>

Ile Maurice is definitely one of our favourite restaurants in Durban! It is a great upmarket restaurant with exceptional views of the Umhlanga beach. The service here was the best we've ever received and felt very welcome here. The waiter enlightened us on the different wines and let us sample them until we found the perfect match. The complimentary breads were yummy as well as our main, grilled chicken accompanied by roasted veg. Ile Maurice is a definite must especially if you looking to make your night out extra special☺

Such an amazing supper. Beautiful food. Although there is so much variety, each dish is executed perfectly. All our meals were delicious, ranging from duck to langoustines. The staff are friendly and efficient. I would recommend this to any Cape Townian visiting Durban.

Was a raining night there was someone with an umbrella to fetch us from the car.Very satisfied with the starters especially the Crab head stuffed with crab meat, the onion soup was good too especially when they give u thin slices of bread to dip. For main course we had oxtail and Duck, I find it very normal nothing special on these two dishes so maybe you guys should try seafood it might be better, perhaps the duck was a bit dry.... but compliment to the waitresses was very alert and Smart. No time for desert because we brought Chateau Gateaux for Take away!

Great place. Truly the taste of Mauritius. Excellent service and quality food. One thing to keep in mind is that South African kids don't have the pallet for this place. We asked for something off menu and our 5yr old was pleased.

Had frog legs here for the first time! <br/>Insane experience and very scrumptious! The service is friendly with a nice vibe! <br/>Oh and don't forget the view! 😉

One of the few good restaurants remaining in umhlanga. Good food that is class Mauritian, French and Indian inspired. If you are feeling adventurous then you must try their frog legs starter. The fish dishes are very good. They have a nice collection of wines, both local and international. During holiday seasons make sure you book in advance.

Outstanding service and very beautiful setting.<br/>Ut was nice the Chef came around, talked to all patrons and help where needed. <br/>The mussels where good, I have had better, the gratin was too strong.<br/>The Prawn and chicken curry was ok, but the price was too high for the quantity and quality.<br/>The Kahlua Don Pedro just right.

Been here many times. Every single time was good. The service is excellent. When they have the sea bass- its a must try. Never been dissappointed

Dinner at Ile Maurice is an experience. The menu sounds very chique but the food is really good. The rack of lamb was cooked just like I want it and the portion was more than adequate. The real winner was my wife's fish curry and my prawn mild peri-peri starter. Next i will have 2 starters. The service was very good, attentive but not in your face. Worth a visit when here.

Have visited this restaurant 3 times over the last 5 years and I have never been disappointed. The owner has been present every time we have been there. The food is always great and the service excellent. Love their chocolate fondant and their prawn & chicken curry.

This is one of my favourite places to visit when in durban. The owner is always there and you feel very welcomed with the service being top notch! The food is also to die for authentic mauritian food always fresh and delicious

Elegantly finished. Great view. Staff were very friendly and accommodation, and weren't overly attentive. The duck salad was amazing, incredibly tender and perfectly cooked, with a sauce that perfectly complemented it. Had the octopus curry for mains, was also excellent, good kick but not too hot, and the three pot take on sambles really finished it off well and gives an easy way to increase or decrease temperature as desired. Best eating experience I've had in a while.

Good food just very expensive. It's great for a special occassion. We went a few years ago and the bill was over R2000 it was a good evening. Just need to save for the next time.

We have been coming to this restaurant for years and it never fails to please. We had a large party of 24. Every single meal was superb and the service was exceptional. Without doubt the best restaurant in Durban bar none.

WOW, what an experience! From their starters to their desserts, these guys will not disappoint. Excellent food, great service, great ambience. I'm definitely becoming a regular.

The all round experience here is absolutely amazing, it would be very difficult to fault anything. From starter to dessert, the food is delicious, a perfect fusion of French haute cuisine and tasty island fare. We had the crabe gratin as a starter along with some wild coast oysters, just perfect. As a main I had the chef's special which was a probably the most tender and tasty fish dish I have ever tasted, Patagonian sea bass. Desert was the chocolate fondante, chocolate heaven! Pair with this meal a very abundant wine list and a very chic yet both cosy and warm setting and you have yourself a winner. I will be sure to be back sooner rather than later!

I've lived in Durban my entire life and it's fair to say this is the best restaurant around. Service is amazing and the food never disappoints.

Overpriced, old decor, food mediocre. Won't break anything to rush back. Must be 140 characters, WTF, sometimes less is better, obviously not

Over priced, poor quality food, old and dated decor owner and staff not very accommodating . Would not recommend this place or go back there again.

Awesome! The food was delicious and expertly prepared. The service was excellent and the overall ambience great. The only negative comment I can make is that the building and decor could be upgraded/modernized a bit. Make sure to book!!<br/>

If you are Mauritian this is a no brainer. If you love tasty food this is the best restaurant in KZN and one of my top 5 in SA. The soups are outstanding, the curries are superb, the wine list is varied and high quality. Finally, the service is swift and efficient. A highlight for us every time we come to Umhlanga. <br/>

Food is excellent, ambiance is good, starters were excellent, main course were delicious and best Crepes Suzette in the country. <br/><br/>Pricey but worth every cent! <br/>

One of the best meals I've had in a long time! I started with the crab gratin - delicious. Followed it with Kingklip in a French-Mauritian tomato-garlic-ginger sauce...I think this was the best fish dish I've ever had. I would highly recommend it. My husband had the prawn and mushroom starter and then the beef fillets in a green peppercorn sauce - here my only criticism - it was underseasoned, but that was quickly remedied with a little salt. For dessert we had the baked cheesecake (really yummy) and the chocolate fondant. The decor is simple but elegant and the service was friendly and very helpful. Prices are high but not higher than other on-par restaurants. I would definitely recommend Ile Maurice for a special occasion!

The venue is an institution, it has been open for 40 years. Jean, the owner is a very colorful person and interacts with his guests. The food is good, but it is priced higher than other places in the area. It's has won many awards for its menu and wine list. Make a reservation, before you arrive. <br/><br/>There are always different experiences from this venue. However if there is one bad experience in 300, this is not a bad ratio. Don't complain about the prices after you have enjoyed the food. Rather don't go if that's your attitude. <br/><br/>It's a very enjoyable experience.

Checked in at Ile Maurice on advice from a friend, wasn't really keen as my last trip here a couple of years ago was not my best. <br/>Was staying at the Beverly Hills and took a chance on requesting a table at short notice. <br/>Arrived and was ushered to a table and being Durban was a tad warm for us Joburg lot. <br/>The owners/management team were extremely attentive. We ended up asking for a table on the terrace and soon enough our wish was granted. <br/>As for the food:<br/>We ordered 3 starters <br/>Crab <br/>Yellow fin Tuna & <br/>Scallops <br/>Yummy tasty and very pleasing <br/><br/>For mains we requested crayfish curry and was advised by the owner to rather go fo the langoustine curry. <br/>I had a grilled piece of Rockod which is a white fish mainly coral bound which is fished mainly off the KwaZulu Natal coast. Never heard of it and wanted to try something besides the usual Kingklip. <br/>Both suggestions were top of the pops for me. <br/>Curry was delicious and the grilled Rockod was far superior to any Kingklip or hake. Firm tasty and was filleted perfectly with not a single bone to be had. <br/><br/>I can gladly say this is one restaurant I will definitely come back too. <br/>

Sublime prawn starter perfectly paired with the Cape of Good Hope Ultima Sauvignon Blanc. Prawn Curry also a "must try". Great service to complete the package

My partner and I both ordered the crab starter, which was amazing. I had the octopus curry, it was tasty, but nothing out of this world. My boyfriend had the langoustines that were very nice, but a bit pricey. He also ordered the fondant with ice cream, which was average. I had the sorbet that was very nice. Overall food seemed like a hit or miss, service was amazing, the wine list was great, and ambiance romantic.

Recommended by the Hotel, first impression was good and so was the service, but the food was below substandard. I ordered the prawns, very oily, my partner had the crab, was okay. For mains we both had the langoustines, very very average. And dessert I had the fondant, that was okay. Then the best for last, our bill.... For 2, the bill came to an absurd R2200.00. We were speechless, for the quality, taste and presentation, we felt TOTALLY ripped off. Caution ppl check the prices first cause we believe you can get better food at a better price elsewhere in Durban...

Really stunning, quaint place in the heart of Umhlanga. The service is excellent, as well as the food being superb! It is slightly pricey, but very worth the visit. Highly recommend Ile Maurice, especially if your a seafood lover. <br/><br/>

First time at Ile'maurice. Very impressive. Friendly service and unique, interesting food with well balanced flavours of Mauritius with a very romantic atmosphere. Having tried octopus and rabbit for the first time it could definitely provide an experience never to be forgotten and well worth the price.

Great option for fine dining in durban. I was there for my birthday with a big table. The manager greeted us, the chef came out to say hello. The waitresses didn't make a single error. Great food (as always) n wonderful service. This restaurant may be pricey but you can expect 5 star treatment.

Ile Maurice is in the ideal location.....in Umhlanga and almost on the beach front.<br/><br/>We have been here a few times over the years and 90% of the time we have had a great meal. I do find that it is VERY pricey for Durban.<br/><br/>Having said all the above it is still a fantastic restaurant. The food is delicious with such a variety, There is something for everyone here.<br/><br/>The main attraction for me is the seafood. The crab is phenomenal!!! I have had both the crab soup as well as the crab starter (which comes in a shell). It is my absolute favourite! The deep fried prawn starter is also delicious! <br/><br/>The desserts are divine and there are a few options to choose from. There is some very sweet goods and some more savoury goods for those that don't have a sweet tooth.

After going to Uhmlanga for years, I unfortunately only came across Il Maurice on my last visit. The restaurant is simple in it's decor with a real Mauritian feel. The service is top notch in comparison to other establishments in the Durban area. Our server was, knowledgable, friendly and willing to make suggestions with regard to both food and wine.<br/><br/>As with the decor the cuisine's focus is on the Mauritian style with an excellent selection throughout. A must try is the Gratin de Crab which is simple out of this world. The curries are also excellent and move toward a more subdued style over the the hot Durban style which is the norm in the area.<br/><br/>The desserts are good, although nothing to really write home about. This being said the Creme Brûlée that I had was one of the better ones out there.<br/><br/>I feel that this restaurant is good value for money especially considering the quality that you receive. I will definitely be returning on my next visit to the coast. Give it a try, you will not be disappointed.