Monakko Restaurant — Restaurant in KwaZulu-Natal

My partner and I are still reeling from the extraordinary dining experience at Monakko Restaurant! Every aspect was meticulously crafted to impress.

Ambiance: 5/5 Elegant decor, warm lighting, and a cozy vibe made us feel right at home.

Service: 5/5 Our manageress, Ntombi, was exceptional! Attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu.

Food: 5/5 Each dish was a masterpiece! The Prime rib steak was tender, flavorful, and presented with flair. The muscles and crispy squid was a symphony of textures and tastes.

Standouts:

Tempura prawn: Sublime fusion of flavors Prime rib: Perfectly cooked, melt-in-your-mouth texture Oreo Sushi: Rich, decadent, and indulgent

Portions were generous, and quality shone through. Even sides, like the chips thats Ntombi sent out, were thoughtfully prepared and care was taken in every meal presented.

What truly impressed us was the staff's genuine care and attention to detail. Every need was anticipated, every request met with a smile.

Five stars aren't enough! Monakko Restaurant earns a solid 10/10. We'll be...

For lunch, we tried a new spot on the block: Monakko Umhlanga. We kicked things off by letting the bartender surprise us with cocktails based on our preferences — something different but so needed because their cocktails aren't the usual! I had a Kiwi & Cucumber G&T: gin and tonic (of course), kiwi and cucumber purée, and — wait for it — salt and pepper. Sounds strange, but it tasted amazing (better than the girls’ picks, if I do say so myself).

For starters, we had tempura prawns served on a bed of shaved cucumber and sesame seeds — the perfect fresh touch. For mains, I went with a medium beef fillet and a side of mash. The fillet was juicy and full of flavor, and the mash was smooth and buttery.

The restaurant was quiet — I’m guessing because it’s still new — but the staff were super friendly and helpful. I'm definitely planning...

Chilled laidback vibes. Design, decor and finishes were stunning. The starters were excellent along with complimentary snacks (crisps and olives). Sushi was fresh and well made. The grills and sides were also good, very generous portion sizes. The waitresses were friendly but there were certain menu items they were unsure of. We asked for ice and were told they were waiting for a delivery which was disappointing as our drinks got warm quite quickly. Restrooms were clean and well kept. Overall a good dining experience and Monakko deserves more attention, go visit and enjoy some good food away from the hustle and bustle of Umhlanga.

Edit: Revisited and the food was not as good as the first time. The service was also average, our waitress looked like she didn't want...