Over 40 (forty!) restaurants popped up and opened in the course of the last 12 months in Durban alone, with two thirds of them being in the North Durban area. The ongoing corporate development and tourism hub around the greater Umhlanga area seems to have attracted a lot of potential for hungry patrons. How many of these restaurants have you noshed at?

Here’s the list of most of the spots (if we missed any, let us know!), arranged by location and alphabetical order, followed by a thankfully short list of which restaurants have closed:

North Durban

14 on Chartwell
Cocktail lounge and gastro-pub

031 561 1017
14 Chartwell Dr, Umhlanga

Afro’s Umhlanga
The beachfront yellow container brings its legendary grilled chicken burgers to the Umhlanga neighbourhood.

061 418 7300
Shop 5, Lincoln on the Lake, Parkside, Umhlanga Ridge

BrewHaus
Popular burger joint, Republik’s craft beer and nosh extension upstairs

031 764 0749
First Floor, cnr Broadway and Kensington Drive

The Coop
Delicious chicken-themed takeaway and relaxed dining

031 563 2452
Mackeurtan Avenue, Durban

The Digs Kitchen
Health food chow by a team often seen at events and markets

082 763 3543
17A Mackeurtan Drive, Durban North

Downtown Premium Bar & Bistro
Burgers and draughts with a sea view in Umhlanga

031 561 7740
7 Mc Causland Crescent, Umhlanga

El Toro
Mexican chow and cocktails

031 564 3015
5 – 17 MacKeurtan Avenue, Durban North

Four15 Burrito District
Burrito bar and taqueria in the new restaurant hub of Durban North

031 564 0415
41 MacKeurtan Avenue, Durban North

Gazi
Greek souvlaki bar – get the coffee and skip the falafels. Find the Cuizine article here

031 561 1967
Umhlanga Village, Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga Rocks

Greedy Buddha
Moved and transformed to its new upmarket residence in Gateway, serving gourmet Asian fusion

031 566 4383
Shop 1A, 12 Palm Boulevard Umhlanga Ridge Palm Boulevard, Umhlanga Rocks

Green Parrot
Teriyaki, steamed buns and Japanese beer, find them all here

031 564 2939
12 Mackeurtan Avenue, Durban North

Home Bru Graft Cafe
Work, chow, drink coffee

031 020 0190
Retail 12, 21 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga Rocks

Julio’s Umhlanga
Portuguese food by well-known restaurateur

031 561 1958
Shop 2. 4 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga Rocks

La Bella Trattoria
From the same La Bella team in Essenwood, this is the Riverside branch

031 573 1182
12 Radar drive, Durban North

Lupa Durban North
Pastas, pizzas and other Italian nosh

031 941 1181
6-12 Swapo (Broadway) Road, Durban North

Mr. Browns BBQ & Smoked Food
Pulled pork and gourmet shakes

031 561 1953
Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga Plaza

Nü Health Food Café
Another great health food bar

031 561 1807
Beacon Rock, 21 Lighthouse Road, Umhlanga

Old Town Italy
Italian market of yesteryear brought to Durban, we wrote about here

031 566 5008
39 Meridian Park, Meridian Drive, Umhlanga Rocks

Pintxada
A pinch of this and a pinch of that… tapas bar by the Havana team

082 688 1310
16 Chartwell Dr, Umhlanaga Rocks, Umhlanga Rocks

Rocomamas Durban North & Gateway
Fast casual burger bar franchise by the Spur group

031 563 0925 / 087 808 6980
Shop 21 – 23, Mackeurten AvenueDurban North

031 566 2441
Shop G353, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, 1 Palm Boulevard, Umhlanga Ridge New Town Centre, Umhlanga Rocks

Tree Natural Concept
More healthy nosh with a side order of yoga

031 561 1169
Ground floor, Protea Building, Corner of Lighthouse Road & Ridge Road, Umhlanga Village

Siam Restaurant
A taste of Thailand in Umhlanga

031 561 1237
Shop 8, 4 Lagoon Drive, Umhlanga Plaza, Umhlanga

Union Square
Burgers, ribs, wings, waffles and shakes

031 563 0923
59 Adelaide Tambo (Kensington) Drive, Durban North

Durban & greater Durban area

Atasca Malvern
Great traditional Portuguese dishes

031 463 3411
Malvern Park Shopping Centre, Malvern

Big Easy by Ernie Els
Take a swing at their food and wine at the Hilton Hotel

031 336 8166
Hilton Hotel, 12-14 Walnut Road

Canecutters
Curries and bunnies made the way they should be

031 201 1603
53/55 Helen Joseph Road (Davenport rd), Durban, South Africa

Distillery 031
The home of artisan food and craft gin

087 941 4540
The Foundry, 43 Station Drive

Fusion French Café
From the Fusion World Food Café in Silvervause Road, this is their Alliance Francaise branch

031 825 4357 / 031 262 0621
22 Sutton Crescent, Morningside

Lola’s Bistro
Café food at the Quarters Hotel, previous location of the Brasserie

031 828 7011
101 Florida Road, Quarters Hotel

Pop-Up Society
Milkshakes made for Instagram, on Davenport Road

031 201 5566
132 Helen Joseph Road, Glenwood

S43
Craft beer, great nosh, cool decor, by Marcelle and Shaun Roberts, the Cafe 1999 team

031 303 2747
43 Station Dr, Berea

The Vintage Café
Nice food, good music

073 211 5567
26 Eaton Road, Glenwood

Upper Highway

Chilliplum
Vegan food that tastes good

031 765 2590
Shop 9. The Village Richdens Shopping Centre. 57 St Margarets Rd, Hillcrest

The Juice Kitchen
Healthy juice bar with snacks

082 344 8796
Shop A8, Lillies Quarter, Old Main Road

K.B. Burger House
Burgers. It does what is says on the box.

082 606 7091
Gillitts Shopping Centre, 2 Clifton Road, Gillitts

Pallet Jack’s
Kids are the focus here

031 765 2954
9 Old Main Road, Oxford Village, Hillcrest

Poco Loco
Chef-owned and run little nook

031 262 0684
157 Blair Athol, Westville North, Durban

Now Unfortunately Closed:

The Pitz

The Roost

Chuck & Bob’s

Spoonful Eatery

The Corner Cafe

Vicky Christina’s – Florida Road

Bud’s on the Bay

Big Apple Pizza Company

Cottonfields Durban North

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