The 12 best cafés and coffee shops in Durban

Acclaimed British chef Adam Robinson is the guru behind The Glenwood Bakery. After settling in Durban over a decade ago, he opened a small-scale, artisanal establishment.  With a focus on local ingredients free from additives or preservatives, he soon had a huge following. All his breads are hand-formed, slow-fermented and baked in a stone-base electric hearth oven. The aromas that waft from the locations in Glenwood and Morningside are too hard to resist. On the menu is a delightful café mix of all-day breakfast, lunch, pizza, sandwiches and salads. Stand-out items include ‘The Egg’ with coppa ham and roast tomatoes, and, of course, all the sandwiches with the best bread around. I love the chocolate buns and potato and rosemary loaf from the bakery. So, follow the aromas and experience one of Durban’s most popular artisanal spots.

398 Esther Roberts Road, Glenwood, 4001

50 Florida Road, Morningside, 4001

Humble Coffee began with coffee lover and barista Amy Gardiner. Originally from Scotland, she fell in love with Durban during her travels and now calls it home. Deeply rooted in sustainability and the local community, her vision was to create an establishment that embraces local producers, conscious cuisine and exceptional coffee. Today, her philosophy and ethos have secured two locations in the trendy food districts of Morningside. With her women-led team by her side, the café in Churchill Road serves a delicious café menu of vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian dishes. In Florida Road, you can pop in to get your caffeine fix and a sourdough toastie. From the incredible team and the inviting setting to the carefully sourced coffee origins and scrumptious meals, Humble Coffee emphasises the positive impact of following a dream.

21a Churchill Road, Greyville, Morningside, 4001

262 Florida Road, Windermere, Morningside, 4001

Named after the beloved, friendly and people-pleasing ‘Boston’ terrier, this café is quite the buzz! Owner and coffee enthusiast Jonathan Gild set up Boston Brew Coffee within a proud Durban heritage house in Berea. The setting exudes refinement and colonial charm with inside seating and an airy balcony. From their skilled baristas to their perfectly poached eggs and fantastic service, this establishment has a long-standing following. The light menu focuses on breakfast, wraps and toasties. An in-house bakery adds just the right amount of sweetness with a delectable selection of freshly baked cakes and pastries. Only the finest quality beans from the local family-run Manna Roastery maintain consistency and bold flavour in every cup. With top-notch coffee, delicious food and a welcoming ambiance, Boston Brew has made its mark on the local foodie scene.

187 Montpelier Road, Berea, 4001

Madeleines offers a delicious bistro-style menu and baked goods. This is the perfect café if you’re looking for an intimate experience with friendly and excellent service.  Owner and manager Janet Sawkins brings her expertise from the Christina Martin School of Food and Wine to the centre of Hillcrest. With her team by her side, freshly baked carrot cake, pecan nut pie and decadent chocolate brownies, to name a few, tease your sweet tooth. The savoury menu varies from scrummy breakfasts to light meals and cosy homestyle dishes. Also, the selection of ready-frozen meals is ideal for ‘don’t fancy cooking dinners’. The balcony seating area overlooking a beautiful pond and forest gives you a country feel, even though you are in the heart of the suburbs. A long-standing establishment in the Upper Highway, Madeleines passion for tasty, healthy meals and morish baked treats continues to lure in repeat and new patrons.

Oxford Village Market, 9 Old Main Road, Hillcrest, 3610

A slice of the country in suburbia, Millflour Café is the main farm-style restaurant nestled among the trees at Fig Tree Farm family adventure venue. The in-house bakery offers freshly baked sourdough, country loaves and family-friendly meals. The gourmet wood-fired pizzas are a hit, and the generous selection of plant-based dishes has a massive vegan following. A firm favourite is the Coconut Chickpea Curry and the Green Gables Pizza with vegan cheese. Other delicious dishes include pasta, homemade pies, burgers, toasted sandwiches, salads and hearty breakfasts. For those with a sweet tooth, you won’t be disappointed with the variety of freshly baked tarts and cakes, including a deluxe waffle menu. I love going with my children. After a tasty meal, they can play adventure golf while I indulge at the spa or sit and relax under the beautiful trees.

Fig Tree Farm, 57 Inanda Road, Hillcrest, 3610

The green, pastoral fields of Camp Orchards are the beautiful setting for The Harvest, a deli-style eatery that offers delicious farm-fresh food in a peaceful, equestrian landscape. With elegant French country decor and freshly baked artisanal bread aromas, this Hillcrest hideaway is the perfect escape from everyday life. The café is renowned for the central harvest table, laden with focaccias, quiches, brownies, parfaits and much more. The attention to detail is evident from the well-kept surroundings to the mouthwatering seasonal menus. I love the option to book a meat, vegetarian or vegan picnic basket filled to the brim with delectable goodies to savour under the trees. The Harvest Café is a welcome sanctuary where you can eat and recharge while enjoying life’s simple pleasures with family and friends. Booking is advised.

Camp Orchards, 56C Inanda Road, Hillcrest, 3610

This oh-so-cute garage conversion coffee shop is the creation of Dale Sandy. From his travels in New York as a student, he discovered his passion for coffee and an appreciation for maximising small spaces. When he returned home, he used upcycled materials to create the intimate and quirky Crane Flower Coffee in the leafy suburb of Kloof. Meticulously roasting beans on-site from sustainable and ethical local sources, their gourmet coffees have local connoisseurs raving. The Crane Flower team continues to take coffee to new and aromatic heights with naturally-infused lavender and rose sipping sensations. The latte art is on a whole new level, with fun, colourful images of unicorns and dragons. While coffee is the focus here, you can grab a toastie or freshly baked treat to enjoy in the converted space or the outside courtyard.

Robyndale Centre, 8 Msenga Road, Kloof, 3610

Mandala Café is a quaint, colourful café and deli along the Comrades Marathon route in Bothas Hill. Owners and partners Gillian and Malcolm are committed to artisanal and sustainable vegetarian and vegan cuisine. There is an emphasis on ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ from the upcycled décor and vintage-style crockery to eco-friendly packaging.  The seasonal menu is a small yet delicious selection of breakfast and lunch. The Kraken Oyster Mushroom Burger is a firm favourite among the regulars. Choose from a delectable selection of vegan cakes to savour with freshly brewed coffee. Supporting local suppliers, from the coffee to sourdough bread and ingredients, is a top priority. The atmosphere is truly Durbs relaxed, sitting under the trees with vibey jams in the background. Just walk in, be met with warm smiles, and enjoy the vibrant setting.

33 Old Main Road, Bothas Hill, 3660

After six years at sea, chef Samantha Van Der Steen returned home to lead the kitchen of her family’s café. The Neighbourhood Café is a popular local hangout well known for its casual, Durbs vibe atmosphere and friendly service. On the menu are various light and casual dining options, including freshly baked bagels, delectable eggs benedict, toasties and burgers. The café has partnered with Gatvol Coffee, which parks its cute-as-all-heck combi trailer beside the cafe and caters to all your coffee needs. If you want to try something stronger, the cocktail menu has an inviting selection of regular favourites such as mojitos, margaritas and long island ice teas. With the hosting of fun events such as the Silent Disco, Cheese and Wine Tasting and Mystery Murder Evenings, this hot spot is fast becoming a staple in the local nightlife and culinary scene.

30 Braemar Avenue, Beside Still Waters Boutique Hotel, Glenashley

What a unique find. Located on the grounds of the Beside Still Waters hotel, this funky VW combi coffee shop also magically transforms into a cocktail bar at midday, inviting you to sit back and relax. Gatvol is South African slang for “completely fed up or very upset”. With a rich hospitality background, owner Caleb Vandersteen came up with the name due to being Gatvol of burnt and overpriced coffee. His menu offers a vast selection of coffee favourites, from bold espressos to creamy lattes and everything in between, using only the finest Arabica Beans. Grab a decadent brownie or cookie to nibble on or pop next door to The Neighbourhood Café for a more substantial meal. Whether you need an on-the-go caffeine fix or a delicious meal, this dynamic coffee and café duo in Durban North hits the spot.

30 Braemar Ave Beside Still Waters Boutique Hotel, Glenashley, 4051

Across the road from the Ballito beach promenade, you will find Concha Bakery, Café and Deli. Run by three epicurean family members, Xandra, Diogo and Fabien, this establishment brings a little taste of Portugal and its culinary heritage to the north coast. The menu offers a tantalising selection of breakfast, wraps, light meals and salads infused with local and authentic Portuguese flavours. Stand-out items include the prego roll, bino breakfast and Porto wrap. The bakery brings an array of artisanal breads and pastries that are hard to resist. I loved the traditional pastéis de nata (baked egg custard tartlets). Skilfully baked to smooth and golden perfection. Also, there is a menu for the four-legged pooches, who are always welcome to enjoy a meal with their owners. This warm and inviting gathering hot spot is the place to be after a relaxing beach walk to enjoy stunning ocean views and delicious meals.

18 Compensation Beach Road, Ballito

This family-owned establishment has a long local history of 23 years. Colourful and arty, The Waterberry Coffee Shoppe is an inviting breakfast, lunch and cake spot that has become a community hub in Ballito. Owners Peter and Margie Berkley, together with their daughter Haley, blend the art of home-grown, sustainability and creativity into one space. The aroma of locally brewed coffee and decadent displays of home-baked goodies are a feast for the senses. Their baker passionately prepares fluffy scones, gourmet waffles and a delicious variety of cheesecakes, to name a few. The savoury menu offers café dining classics with the chef’s personal touch. Whether you fancy a pastry spoil, a scrumptious meal or the need to explore your creative side, The Waterberry is a haven for culinary delights and relaxing art expression.

Corner of Dolphin Crescent & Leonora Drive, Ballito, 4420