Back on the street: Durban

Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga Rocks

A heady mix of cultures and cuisines, Chartwell Drive is a vibe (well, until curfew clocks us out). Fine dining doesn’t get better than The Chef ’s Table, and the sommelier won’t so much as blink at your beach attire. Butcher Boys and Little Havana serve some of the best steaks in town, and if the humidity is getting to you, most Chartwell establishments spill out onto the pavement for a sea breeze. Don’t leave without buying great-quality boardies and bikinis at the legendary Tallyho, a quaint, family-run business that’s been around for three decades. Then head to The George — probably the street’s most enduring watering hole. 

Adelaide Tambo Drive & Mackeurtan Avenue, Durban North

This hub is fast becoming a great place to gather. Start your day at Colombo Coffee & Tea, where you can stock up on freshly roasted beans, while Sun Sun Asian Food Market stocks both imported goodies and locally grown Asian produce. Kensington Square is home to surf shops, boutiques, and Poobie Naidoo’s, a legendary KZN sports store. Then head down to Mulligan’s Irish Pub & Eatery on Mackeurtan Avenue. The family-run Bartho’s Fish Co offers the freshest in retail seafood. 

Florida Road, Morningside

This resilient road is one of Durban’s most authentic snapshots of KZN culture, boasting projects such as Florida Fields and the “Streatery” concept, where inside meets outside, art meets urban design, and old meets new in refreshed Edwardian buildings and creative meeting spaces. Bibliophiles head to Ike’s Books and Collectables just off Florida on 4th Avenue. Wicked Donuts is an unmistakable pink cloud of confectionery heaven, and don’t miss out on the Middle Eastern flavours of Falafel Fundi, or Roti & Chai’s comforting naan wraps. 

The Golden Mile, Durban Central

When the going gets tough, Durbanites head for the big blue. Start harbour-side just off Signal Road at Point Waterfront, newly opened in November 2020. Enjoy great coffee, breakfast, Thai food, sushi, and wood-fired pizzas while surveying the harbour traffic up close. Durban Brewing Co has also moved its brewing facility here, with a full bar on offer. BESETdurban’s legendary urban walks may be on hold for now, but its Monday-morning 5km loop still starts at 5.30am at The Bike and Bean on the promenade. Rent a bicycle or hire a SUP and cruise between Addington Beach and the Point, ending the day at Surf Riders Cafe with a soft-shell crab burger. 

• From the November edition of Wanted, 2021.