New and trending, we look at some not-to-be-missed attractions! From foodie spots to entertainment, there’s always something to find and do.
Discover Southeast Asia
Market Kokoro is an upmarket Asian grocery store, bringing you an authentic taste of Asia with a special focus on premium Korean and Japanese products. Every item on the shelves is carefully sourced—direct from trusted manufacturers and countries of origin—so you can enjoy only the best, genuine quality. Step into a convenience-store-inspired space and live out your K-Drama moments—from self-serve noodle cookers and viral convenience-store drinks to trendy snacks straight from Seoul and Tokyo. Whether it’s noodles, sauces, dumplings, or unique treats you can’t find anywhere else, Market Kokoro is your passport to the flavours of Asia, right here in Umhlanga.
Instagram: @market_kokoro
Home. Gifts. Apparel
STORY is a beautiful retail space in Durban North, offering a collection of home décor, unique gifting, and stylish apparel. They’ve lovingly curated a mix of incredible local brands and special finds, making it easy to discover pieces that feel personal and memorable. Shopping here is all about good vibes, great finds, and maybe a little treat for yourself (because why not?). Whether you’re hunting for the perfect gift or just having a browse, there’s something for everyone at STORY. You can find them on the first floor at Kensington Square.
Instagram: @shopstoryza
Community, Connection & Christ
Psalm café is more than just a coffee shop; the goal is to create a welcoming space where people can enjoy coffee and build meaningful relationships. Here faith and fellowship blend perfectly with every cup! It’s a cosy space to enjoy coffees, teas, delicious pastries and cakes, all served with warmth and kindness. They regularly host Christian events, Bible studies, and uplifting gatherings. You’ll find them at Ridgeside Residence in Umhlanga Ridge.
Instagram: @psalm_cafe_umhlanga
Hopping Good Time
Get the whole family down to BOUNCE Cornubia Mall and experience the newly renovated venue, now featuring the miniBOUNCE Zone, created especially for kids under 125cm. Opened at the end of June 2025, the vibrant new space includes interactive walls, climbing structures, and imagination play zones designed to build confidence, agility, and fun. Parents can enjoy the dedicated café seating or join in the action, while two mini party rooms make celebrations unforgettable. With exciting new features added to the popular X-Park, it’s the ultimate indoor entertainment destination for freestyle fun and family adventure.
Instagram: @bouncesouthafrica
Grab a Drink
Pause is redefining the café scene as the first exclusive matcha bar in Durban, KZN, introducing the city to a culture where mindful ritual meets modern luxury. Born inside Plug & Play at Gateway Mall, Pause celebrates the art of the perfect pour—inviting customers to slow down, savour, and connect as drinks are whisked and crafted before them. With an experience-led model rooted in ritual, craftsmanship, and community. Pause is expanding its reach, including a new opening inside an exclusive Musgrave Padel club, setting the tone for Durban’s evolving lifestyle culture.
Instagram: @pausematcha.sa
Booked a Revamp
The Exclusive Books store in Gateway Theatre of Shopping got a major facelift. With an easier-to-navigate layout, expanded collections, and vida e caffè serving up happiness, your reading experience is on a whole other level. Whether it’s popular ‘booktok” reads, classical literature, comics and manga, or the latest on non-fiction, you’re covered. There are also dedicated reading areas for children, with colourful chairs and tables, which is a great way to introduce little ones to reading. If you can’t wait to dig into your own book, there are comfy spots for you to get absorbed into the text.
Instagram: @exclusivebooks
A New Way to Watch Movies
Nu-Metro at Gateway Theatre of Shopping is changing up your cinema experience, bringing you the latest attractions for silver screen features. Nu Metro is constantly improving movie-goers’ experiences. In addition to their iconic Xtreme, VIP, and standard cinemas, they’re introducing screenX. The 270° screen wraps you in an epic panoramic view, accompanied by crisp sound, elevating your movie-viewing experience. It’s a new age of entertainment for Umhlanga.
Instagram: @numetro
With You Forever
Boujee Bae was founded in 2021 by Mia Khan. It is a professional brand specialising in custom-engraved jewellery and a wide variety of high-quality pieces. What began as a small flea market stall has grown into Durban’s first permanent jewellery specialist, with three established locations and a flagship store now opposite Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Known for its heart, hustle, and heritage, Boujee Bae has become a trendsetting force in the industry. Built on bold risks and sleepless nights, the brand is leading Durban’s permanent jewellery revolution with elegance, craftsmanship, and passion.
Instagram: @boujeebaeonline
Afro’s Chicken Shop
Good food, made well with the best local ingredients—that’s the Afro’s promise, now in Umdloti. From humble beginnings 13 years ago in a trailer, Afro’s has grown into a local favourite, bringing their gees, vibes, and lekker chicken to the coast. Open daily from 8:00 to 20:00, the unmissable yellow spot next to the petrol station has something for everyone. Tuck into the cure-all babalas wrap, palate-pleasing paella, or classic strips and chips—your taste buds will thank you. After sundowners with an ocean view? Pull in for the BYOB and ice feature: grab a drink from the bottle store next door, bring your own ice, and Afro’s will supply the glasses—no corkage.
Tel: 031 020 2251