Posted on May 10 2018
I’m talking delicious, mouth-watering food, great coffee, tranquil garden settings, child friendly, family-style coffee shops perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch or just a cuppa and a freshly baked treat. I’ve found them for you, look no further…Just scroll down for the 14 Best Garden Coffee Shops In Durban!
Let’s dive right in, because I know you’re hangry and you’re thirsty and you need a relaxing garden coffee shop experience right now.
I’ve broken the 14 Best Garden Coffee Shops In Durban into 3 sections:
- Durban (the actual city i.e. Morningside, Greyville etc)
- Hillcrest / Bothas Hill
- Ballito / Salt Rock
Got it? Let’s GO
D U R B A N
1. ANTIQUE CAFE
The very essence of quaint, oodles of character and oozing with charm – this is Antique Cafe. You can sit inside where it’s cozy, or head through to the courtyard for the garden experience…this is my preference, it’s shady and cool under the massive leopard trees, ahhh sit back and relax!
THEY SERVE: Breakfasts galore with vegetarian, vegan or meaty options and free range eggs. Lunches which include flatbreads, toasties, wraps, soup, a large selection of pasta dishes, salads and signature meat, fish and seafood dishes. And of course coffees, teas, pastries, cakes and desserts. (Fully Halaal)
Check out my full post on The Quirky Antique Cafe Durban
WHERE: 91/93 Churchill Rd, Morningside, Durban
WEBSITE: antiquecafe.co.za
2. FREEDOM CAFE
You feel a little cooler when you walk into Freedom Cafe. It’s arty, quirky and pretty inspired – just a couple of containers turned into a trendy coffee shop with a relaxed vibe and healthy, modern food. It’s pretty fun dining on a banquette inside a container! Or enjoy the dappled shade of their glorious trees and comfy chairs outside.
THEY SERVE: Inspired breakfasts with free range eggs, vegan and vegetarian friendly, chia seed pots with fresh fruit. Lunch includes bruschetta’s, burgers, veggie rolls, meat, fish and seafood, salads, toasties and kiddies meals. Coffees, teas, healthy smoothies and fresh juices, as well as freshly prepared sweet treats.
WHERE: 43 st Mary’s Ave, Greyville, Durban
WEBSITE: tastefreedom.co.za
3. BLUE ZOO CAFE AND TEA GARDEN
If you’re looking for tranquil – this is the place. In amongst impossibly tall, beautiful trees in an impeccably manicured, colourful garden/mini-park, sits Blue Zoo Cafe And Tea Garden. I was so impressed with the loveliness of this place! There is a massive, shady play area for kids, an actual mini-ZOO boasting an ancient tortoise, exotic birds, buck, crocodiles, monkeys and bush babies. And a huge amount of lush green lawn for kids to run around.
THEY SERVE: Traditional breakfasts as well as vegetarian and vegan options. For lunch there are toasted sandwiches, wraps, salads, meat, fish and seafood dishes, pasta, curries, burgers and kiddies meals. Coffee, tea, smoothies, and freshly baked sweet treats.
Check out my full post on Blue Zoo Cafe And Tea Garden Durban
WHERE: 6 Nimmo Rd, Morningside
WEBSITE: bluezoo.co.za
4. ST CLEMENTS
This is your classic tea garden, nestled behind a charming old house with hardwood floors, a little oasis if you will. Shaded by a lovely old Clementine tree you will sit and enjoy some peaceful moments and truly delicious food. There is a cute little garden nursery here, buy some seedlings as you leave if it pleases you.
THEY SERVE: Traditional breakfasts, french toast with berries, granola and fresh fruit. On the lunch menu – sandwiches, salads, meat dishes, stir-fries (some vegetarian/vegan), burgers, steak rolls, seafood. As well as coffee, tea, smoothies and a selection of pastries, cakes and desserts.
WHERE: 191 Musgrave Rd, Durban
WEBSITE: stclements.site
H I L L C R E S T / B O T H A S H I L L
5. BONA TERRA CAFE
Two words – family friendly. But also, completely awesome in every other way! Its rustic, open and spacious feeling is rivalled by no other. Welcome to Bona Terra Cafe – you probably won’t want to leave. Sit inside or out, the inside is so open to the outside that it doesn’t really matter. The food is amazing, the staff SO friendly and efficient, and the garden is lush and gorgeous. There is a lovely safe play area for kids, and plenty of lawn for them to roam.
THEY SERVE: Many gorgeous, freshly baked cakes and pastries and organic coffee. A large variety of breakfasts, some vegetarian/vegan. Lunch menu consists of sandwiches, wraps, burgers, wonderful fresh salads (they grow their own lettuce on site), meat and fish dishes.
WHERE: 1 Bona Terra Rd, Assagay, Hillcrest
WEBSITE: bonaterracafe.com
6. TREAT CAFE
Nestled in-amongst rolling hills and tall trees, Treat Cafe is a heavenly escape. Sit in the garden and soak up some dappled rays, or get cozy inside, looking out at tree-top level onto the garden below. They serve trendy, unusual food here that I loved and you will surely love too!
THEY SERVE: A selection of baked tea time treats, coffee, tea, healthy fresh juices. An array of lovely breakfasts, some vegan/vegetarian options. Creative burgers (I had the portobello mushroom burger (Vegetarian) – it was GREAT!), sandwiches, soup, pasta, meat and fish dishes.
WHERE: 67 Old Main Rd, Bothas Hill (At Talloula wedding resort)
WEBSITE: talloula.co.za
7. CONSCIOUS CAFE
Step back in time…visit Conscious Cafe at the Castle. Calling all vegans and vegetarians, this is where you’ll want to hang out – the menu is meat free. They even offer cappuccinos made with almond milk! For those of you who are not vegan, you’ll love it here too – it’s a lovely, quirky garden setting under beautiful old trees, and there’s a cute jungle gym for kids.
THEY SERVE: Delicious coffee, tea, fresh juices and healthy smoothies – all with vegan options. Awesome falafel or halloumi wraps, spinach and butternut lasagne and much, much more all made with the freshest, healthiest ingredients on site with love.
WHERE: 24 Old Main Rd, Hillcrest
FACEBOOK PAGE: conscious cafe
8. THE POT AND KETTLE
As far as breathtakingly stunning locations go, the Pot And Kettle Family Restaurant gets first prize, hands down. Situated overlooking The Valley of a Thousand Hills, there is a magnificent tranquility that envelops you here, and invites you to stay a while. Plenty of seating undercover if the weather is cooler, as well as outdoor shady seating as close to the view as you can get. They have an outdoor play area for children.
THEY SERVE: Homemade cakes and scones, coffee and tea, traditional breakfasts. Lunch includes sandwiches, burgers, meat and fish dishes, desserts. On Sundays they offer a carvery, which consists of homemade soup, salads, 2 roasts, curry and rice, vegetables and desserts.
WHERE: 168 Old Main Rd, Bothas Hill
WEBSITE: potandkettle.co.za
9. CAFE 66 @ HEY JUDE’S
Through the leafy trees, lies the start of The Valley of a Thousand Hills, a gorgeous view to further enhance a cup of tea or coffee and something tasty. Cafe 66 is a part of Hey Jude’s which is a charming antique shop, chock-a-block with nicknacks and little treasures to browse around.
THEY SERVE: Steaming hot coffee and tea, shakes and juices and freshly baked goods. A selection of creative breakfasts. Lunch menu – they’re famous for their truffle burger, bacon and brie burger, vegan burger and tuna melt, pasta dishes, fish dishes and salads. Waffle baskets with a variety of ice creams and toppings for dessert.
WHERE: 66 Old Main Rd, Bothas Hill
FACEBOOK PAGE: cafe 66
10. THE OLIVE GARDEN
A cute and cozy little spot, tucked away in a flourishing garden nursery with an open deck, this is home away from home food. Hearty, comforting and fresh. You can stop in for a cup of coffee and a snack or a full-on Mediterranean meal.
THEY SERVE: Coffee, tea, homemade cakes and scones. Traditional breakfasts, for lunch you will find soups, quiche, sandwiches, salads, roasts, meat dishes and fish dishes. Pancakes, waffles and desserts. They serve roast lunches every Sunday.
WHERE: 4 Bona Terra Rd, Assagay, HIllcrest
FACEBOOK PAGE: the olive garden
B A L L I T O / S A L T R O C K
11. SAGE CAFE AND DELI
One of my favourite places to stop off and enjoy a red cappuccino and a scrumptious plate of food! Not to mention the uplifting, peaceful environment that Sage Cafe And Deli offers. Sit under the dense leafy trees, on the open deck or under one of the detached roofs. Kids will LOVE this massive play area, it’s fantastic!
THEY SERVE: Everything they serve here is mouth-wateringly good! From coffees, teas, fresh juices, healthy smoothies to croissants, scones, homemade cakes and desserts. Traditional breakfasts, flapjacks, health breakfasts, vegan options, bagels, incredible omelettes. There is a HUGE selection for lunch – sandwiches, pizza, mezze platters, salads, risotto, pasta, burgers, meat and fish dishes and kiddies meals.
WHERE: Old Fort Rd, Salt Rock
WEBSITE: sagecafe.co.za
12. BURNEDALE CAFE
A truly lovely, open garden setting, Burnedale Cafe sits alongside a collection of gift, clothes and baby shops for you to browse on your way in, and an ice cream shop for you to peruse on your way out, wink wink. There is a great play area here for kids as well as some adorable farm animals for them to love.
THEY SERVE: Coffees, teas, fresh juices, smoothies, freshly baked cakes, muffins and pastries. Traditional breakfasts, for lunch they serve toasted sandwiches, quiche, wood-fired pizza, pasta, salads, burgers, meat and fish dishes.
WHERE: 1 Salt Rock Rd, Salt Rock
FACEBOOK PAGE: burnedale cafe
13. SALT ROCK HOTEL
Ok, this is not exactly a “coffee shop”, it’s a hotel. BUT, as far as tranquil garden settings go, this one is INCREDIBLE, not only do you have rolling lawn for days and curvy palm trees, you have the ocean…in all its blue, rumbling glory, right there in front of you, the whole time you eat your delicious scone. You will step through the doors and feel like you’re on an island, on vacation. I always feel that way there.
THEY SERVE: A full buffet breakfast, it’s pretty impressive! Or traditional menu breakfasts. For lunch – toasted sandwiches, burgers, meat and fish dishes, they’re famous for their curries of all descriptions and also serve salads, pizza and desserts. You can of course have dinner here too! It’s wonderful on a warm summer evening.
WHERE: 59 Basil Hulett Dr, Salt Rock
WEBSITE: saltrockbeach.co.za
14. DELISH SISTERS
A delightful little coffee shop tucked away in the Litchi Orchard, this is another peaceful gem of a place with a modern, fresh take on food and drink. Try their cucumber and mint juice, so refreshing! And on your way in, or out, take a look at the ice cream shop, bakery, florist and kids clothes store. So much to see here!
THEY SERVE: Coffee, tea, fresh juices, healthy smoothies galore, freshly baked cakes and treats – some of which are sugar and gluten free. Unusual breakfasts like pecan crusted french toast, guacamole and coriander toast, zucchini stack, plus the traditional fry up. Lunch is a wonderful harvest table that changes weekly and you help yourself – vegans and vegetarians will find great options here.
Check out my full post on The Litchi Orchard & Delish Sisters Coffee Shop.
WHERE: 1 Old Fort Rd, Salt Rock
WEBSITE: delishsisters.co.za
And there you have it, a more scrumptious line up of the 14 Best Garden Coffee Shops In Durban you will never see.
These are the VERY BEST of the best, the top of the tops – from ambience to food and drink to child / family friendly-ness and amazing service from the lovely welcoming staff, all wrapped up in a big bow…
From me to you, with understanding and compassion that the hangriness is real. And an awesome garden environment is a welcome and heart-warming addition.
GO WILD, visit them all, I did.