The summer heat can be brutal, unrelenting during the holiday season. Lucky for you, we have compiled a collection of the “coolest” and sweetest places in Umhlanga for you to escape the legendary Durban heat.
The Ocean Terrace
With its unobstructed sea views and signature candy-stripe décor, The Ocean Terrace has become a firm favourite with in-house guests and local visitors. Their dessert menu is a particular speciality, featuring unique cheesecakes, creative tarts, a selection of rich ice cream flavours, and milkshakes to help you escape the stifling summer heat.
Introducing the new and exclusive to The Ocean Terrace, indulgent Choc-Nut Sundae! “Death by chocolate” no longer has a place in the dessert world; this is a life-giving artisanal dessert. Made with double chocolate ice cream, cookies and cream ice cream, hot chocolate fudge and custard chocolate brownies, chocolate sauce, and topped with chantilly cream, assorted candied nuts, wafer biscuits and cherries. This sundae is every chocolate lover’s dream come true. Not forgetting the accompanying cinnamon biscotti, whose wonderful aroma fills your senses as the dessert arrives.
This sundae is so beautiful, you almost don’t want to eat it, but you also can’t wait to dig into that enticing arrangement of chocolate, cream, and nuts. This is a treat that must be savoured slowly with each bite taken from it. On a hot summer’s day, sit back, relax and enjoy this delectable concoction created just for you this holiday season. Summer has never been sweeter.
Instagram: @theoysterbox
Rox Coffee Co.
Created in 2017 with their first store opening in the lifesaving club on Umhlanga beach. They’ve become a regular attraction on the Umhlanga promenade with locals and visitors alike, and one can smell their freshly baked buttery pastries a mile off. Their menu is well-executed and simple, with a mix of coffees, raw juices, smoothies, chillers, and milkshakes. Their top seller is the Golden Smoothie – a turmeric-based smoothie blended with nut milk, pineapple and banana. Its bright yellow colour will sure put you in a happy mood. They’ve also recently added fresh deli sandwiches, granola, and oat pots to their line-up. Incredible views, great coffee, and chill times!
Instagram: @roxcoffeecompany
Earth and Ice Smoothies
A new local KZN brand, created by ‘health and fitness’ conscious founders who have recently evolved from active careers in Sports and Recreation to new roles as parents to twin boys, thus appreciating and recognising the need for ‘convenient, healthy meal options’.
These easy DIY smoothie kits come in a range of flavours, each tailored to taste great while maintaining a “healthy” and “balanced” mix of nutritious ingredients; all you need is a smoothie machine and 250mls of your preferred liquid.
Their DIY packs are sold in most Spars across KZN, or alternatively, their smoothies can be found ‘ready-made’ at select local coffee shops or drive-thru spots.
Instagram: @earth_and_ice_smoothies
Batter
Batter is a little dessert bar that offers a variety of both classic and contemporary desserts. Constantly whipping up fresh batches off multiple types of batter daily during lockdown, experimenting and searching for the best recipe outcomes, the name Batter just fell onto our laps, sometimes quite literally. Batter keeps adding new creations to its current menu of waffles, crepes, brownies, Panzookies and more. The Barista can create delicious coffees, Growlers and Milkshakes to suit everyone’s taste buds.
Instagram: @batterumhlanga
The Italian Corner
Specialise in homemade Italian Gelato, as well as delicious, refreshing sorbets and sugar-free options. All of their ingredients and machinery are imported from Italy; they have their own unique recipe, which was learned by attending speciality courses in Italy.
Sold by the scoop, amazing milkshakes made directly from their huge variety of flavours (over 20). Their main shop is situated by Umhlanga main beach; they also have a mobile trailer they bring to markets, events, kids parties to bring their delicious confectionery everywhere.
Instagram: @theintaliancornerupperhighway
Shoots and Leaves
Inspired by travel and the differing experiences worldwide and spurred on by the fantastic produce and suppliers at their disposal in this area as well as having worked closely with a wide range of people in different settings led them to defining the type of establishment and the sort of menu they wish to offer. All these experiences and ideas inspired us to put their individual stamp on this concept or style of Eatery.
Located In the heart of the bustling Umhlanga Ridge lies Shoots and Leaves. They celebrate seasonal, local produce in the most wholesome and honest form. Locals and office workers wander in for their daily hit of Bluebird Coffee, a good brekkie, try out their healthy and delicious chilling drinks, or enjoy the vibrant harvest style lunch with friends.
Their vibe is simple, easy and uncomplicated. Quality food, coffee and people.
Instagram: @shoots_and_leaves_sa
Sugarlicious
Sugarlicious is the taste experience you’ll never forget. A dessert and ice cream store serving a deliciously wide range of ice creams wrapped in delicate French macaron shells dipped in premium couverture chocolate. They also have a variety of layered sponge & mousse Pillow Cakes or try one of their choc fudge heat and treat desserts. Chillout with their famous Milo Dinosaur frappes. Their latest offering is the Croffle, a sweet marriage between a croissant & a waffle. You’ll always find the perfect excuse to indulge your tastebuds.
Instagram: @sugarliciousza
Plan B Dessertery
Plan B Dessertery, situated at Cornubia Mall, is the perfect spot for the whole family this summer. With a wide range of delicious sweet and savoury treats to choose from – we guarantee that everyone’s taste buds will be tickled! From Bubble Waffles, Churros and Milkshakes to Ice Cream cones and Dessert Tacos – they know that you’ll be able to cool down with one of Plan B’s tasty treats. The Chocoholic Bubble Waffle is their top seller, along with their selection of mouth-watering milkshakes.
Update: They unfortunately closed their Cornubia branch at the end of December 2021.
Instagram: @planbdessertery
Surf Riders Café
Looking for an escape away from the bustling Umhlanga? Boy, do we have a place for you! Their motto is “Just good chow”, and they definitely deliver on that front. Situated on the beachfront, they are a family restaurant and even have a dog menu. They cater for everyone; they have recently developed and introduced an all-new vegan menu in addition to their regular items. Changing their menu often and serving craft beers keeps everything exciting and allows their customers to keep experiencing something new. This is definitely a refreshing spot for your family to explore and relish your holiday time together!
Instagram: @surfridersdbn
