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Marion Esterhuizen

Roma Revolving is still turning heads after 50 years!


Roma Revolving, Durban activities, Ballito Activities, Durban Restaurants, Italian restaurants durban
Roma Revolving

This iconic 5-star, revolving restaurant was officially opened in 1973.


Roma Revolving Restaurant is one of the most unique restaurants in Durban, with a 360-degree view overlooking the whole of Durban and surrounding areas with excellent harbour, sea, and bay views, enhanced by the lights at night. The restaurant is on a revolving platform, situated on the 32nd floor of the John Ross House. While dining, you can take in the 360-degree view without leaving your table. It has a speed control mechanism allowing a full revolution of anything between 60 and 90 minutes. This slow-moving platform enables you to enjoy the full experience without motion sickness.

Roma Revolving, Durban activities, Ballito Activities, Durban Restaurants, Italian restaurants durban
The View over Durban and the harbour

The Roma was born from a concept pioneered by Bartholoeo Ribero, Turi, and Gino Leopardi. Now proudly owned by the Reelin Group and managed by the Leopardi brothers.


Roma Revolving is the only genuine revolving restaurant in the Southern Hemisphere and the 3rd of its kind worldwide. Roma Revolving Restaurant also boasts the unique feature, as two others do, of a revolving window and floor area!

Roma Revolving, Durban activities, Ballito Activities, Durban Restaurants, Italian restaurants durban
Revolving dining area with 360-degree views.

The Roma Revolving Restaurant offers a large spread of charming, old-school Italian cuisine prepared with personal service while fully licensed. Fresh fish and seafood are a speciality along with the veal. The dessert trolley is still doing its round. It has a superb view of the City of Durban and overlooks the tranquil setting of the Durban Yacht Mole.

Roma Revolving, Durban activities, Ballito Activities, Durban Restaurants, Italian restaurants durban
Gino Leopardi - Long time owner of Roma Revolving

Leopardi worked at the restaurant since it opened in 1972 as a maître d' before co-owning Roma Revolving in 1975. In 1980, Leopardi became the owner of Roma Revolving with another partner with whom he ran the business for the last 43 years.

In many ways, Gino Leopardi is the Roma Revolving Restaurant.

The old Italian man walking around and personally taking people's orders in his leather notebook gives the restaurant a sense of history and authenticity.

Telling stories of his homeland and how he grew up in South Africa also gives you a sense of nostalgia, as Leopardi mentioned some of the big names that dined at his place

Roma Revolving, Durban activities, Ballito Activities, Durban Restaurants, Italian restaurants durban
Upstairs seating area/ casual lounge with views

Roma boasts its latest innovation of having Gino's Sky Bar located on the 33rd level, a truly one-of-a-kind venue in South Africa, and Reelin D' Vine restaurant, conference, and function room located on the 31st level. These venues are also available for private and corporate parties

Roma Revolving, Durban activities, Ballito Activities, Durban Restaurants, Italian restaurants durban
The view from Roma Revolving

Come and watch the majestic African sunset from above while dining on Durban's finest Italian cuisine.

Roma Revolving, Durban activities, Ballito Activities, Durban Restaurants, Italian restaurants durban

To reserve a table: 031 337 6707

32 John Ross House, Jonsson Ln, Durban.

Dress: Smart/ casual (no jeans, longs)

5:30pm until late.

Traditional Italian Cuisine






North Coast Holiday Homes is a leading luxury holiday let company specialising in the Dolphin Coast area, including Ballito, Simbithi and Zimbali. Their expertise is second to none, and you can rest assured that your luxury holiday on the Dolphin Coast will be a memory to last a lifetime.




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