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Durban has a new taste of Türkiye, and it comes with a rather sweet backstory.
MADO has opened at 101 Florida Road, bringing its Turkish food and ice cream to South Africa for the first time.
The grand opening brought together international guests, diplomatic representatives, business leaders and local hospitality figures. The story behind MADO’s arrival in Durban, though, began more simply: with a family holiday in China.
From China to Durban
The Noor Mahomed family first experienced MADO about 14 years ago. When they encountered the brand again during a trip to China three years ago, they were looking for somewhere halal-friendly to eat.
They found MADO one evening and returned throughout the rest of their trip. That sparked an idea: could they bring it home to Durban?
Three years later, they have.
MADO’s ice cream tradition traces back to Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye, in 1850. The brand has since taken that tradition well beyond its hometown, but ice cream remains at the heart of what it does.
The ice cream that made MADO famous
MADO’s Maraş-style ice cream is unlike your average scoop. For a start, it can be sliced.
Made with ingredients including goat’s milk and salep, it has the dense, stretchy texture that makes serving it part of the fun. With 30 flavours at the Durban restaurant, the dessert counter could keep you busy for quite some time.
More than dessert
The ice cream may be the headline act, but MADO also serves Turkish breakfasts, coffee, savoury dishes, pastries and traditional desserts including baklava and künefe.
There is plenty to take in before the food arrives, too: an elaborate interior, bakery and dessert displays, and a kids’ area.
For Durban, MADO adds another flavour to Florida Road’s restaurant scene. For the Noor Mahomed family, a brand they rediscovered thousands of kilometres away now has a home in their own city.
Where: MADO South Africa, 101 Florida Road, Durban.
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