An essential part of a happy summer holiday is knowing where to find flavoursome food, but with Ballito bursting with superb restaurants and coffee shops, especially for visitors or new residents, it can be daunting. We’ve asked our readers to vote for their favourite foodie spots in six categories, and here are the results:
Best Ice-cream: Peppe Pistacchio
Nothing says summer quite like the first lick of a cool, creamy ice-cream cone in the Ballito sunshine. But not all ice-creams are created equal, and our readers were clear about Peppe Pistacchio serving up their favourite frozen delight. With less fat, a creamier texture, using natural ingredients, and being 100% vegetarian and Halal certified, a scoop or two from this premium gelateria instantly transports you to another time and place. Choose from masterfully churned gelato flavours such as litchi, honeycomb, pistachio, pavlova, blood orange, or vanilla. Or how about something a little more chocolatey like Ferrero, Rafaello, or Nutella? Using the traditional Italian slow-churn method and only the finest ingredients ensure every scoop is pure creamy indulgence.
@peppepistacchio
Best Pizza: DoughPamine
For exceptional sourdough pizzas conveniently delivered to your door or enjoyed on site, our readers recommend DoughPamine. Judd Campbell’s original vision was to create a dark kitchen, preparing pizzas exclusively for delivery. However, his business model quickly evolved when he started hosting parties and functions. Today, DoughPamine is most of our foodie readers’ go-to for ordering in, eating out, or having private events that call for seriously good pizza. Withkiff pizza names like ‘Winnie the Pooh and Piglet’, ‘Mangosuthu Buthelezi’, ‘Victoria Beckham’ and ‘Egg on Your Face’ (does not actually come with egg!) and a plethora of drinks available, fortified by an ‘BYOB (bring your own booze), no corkage’ policy, you can’t go wrong with DoughPamine.
@doughpamine_rsa
Best Bunny Chow: It’s a tie between Legacy Food Ballito and Westbrook Bakery & Take-Away
Bunny chow is Durban’s most famous street food export and a proud symbol of KwaZulu-Natal’s rich heritage. Loved by locals and visitors alike, it captures the heart of the province’s unique food culture.No trip to Ballito is complete without a hearty bunny chow from Westbrook Bakery & Take-Away (especially their prawn bunny) or Legacy Food Ballito at the Sangweni Tourist Information Centre.
A bunny chow is a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with hot, fragrant curry and eaten by hand. The standard serving is a quarter loaf, though larger portions are popular with the hungry. Part of the joy lies in picking off the gravy-soaked inner walls of the bread – a flavourful ritual that true Durbanites swear by.
Fillings range from mutton and chicken to bean or prawn, each with its own distinct flavour. Whether enjoyed seaside or shared at home, a bunny chow is more than a meal – it’s a warm, nostalgic taste of Durban tradition.
Legacy Food Ballito: 065 956 1831
Westbrook Bakery & Take-Away: 032 943 1028
Best Sushi: Yori Oki
If it’s Japanese flavour, precision and perfection in sushi you’re after, then look no further than Yori Oki Sushi & Grill. With a focus on presenting distinctive flavours of contemporary Japanese fusion, Yori Oki at the Lifestyle Centre offers an expansive range of classic and signature sushi, augmented by poke bowls andatarashii sebiche – an exciting new style of fusion sashimi with salmon or tuna. For those who want to try something else, their main menu offers a variety of meat and seafood dishes as well as small dishes, dim sum, ramen, and dessert. With eat-in or take-away options available, you can book a table or order online.
@yori_oki
Best Coffee and Pastry combo: Another tie!
Yoli’s Bakeryis a haven for anyone seeking exceptional coffee and indulgent pastries. Their coffee, crafted using the Science of Coffee method, is rich, aromatic, and perfectly balanced, making each cup a comforting start to the day or a leisurely mid-morning treat. Complementing this are their freshly baked pastries, from flaky croissants to buttery Danish delights, all made with high-quality ingredients and meticulous attention to detail. The combination of expertly brewed coffee and melt-in-your-mouth pastries creates an irresistible experience that keeps locals and visitors returning.
Concha Bakery and Café is a must-visit for anyone who loves exceptional coffee paired with freshly baked pastries by the beach. Their speciality coffees are full-flavoured and aromatic, providing a delightful kick-start to the day. Complementing this are their artisan pastries – from golden croissants to sweet and savoury Portuguese-inspired treats, all baked with top-quality ingredients. The café’s beachy outdoor ambiance and friendly service make it an ideal spot for a leisurely breakfast or a mid-morning treat. Concha is pet-friendly and centrally located, making it the perfect starting point for swimming, walking, running, or cycling along Ballito’s scenic pathways.
Best Family Value: La Piazza Continental Café and Restauranthas long been regarded as one of the town’s best family-value restaurants, offering a warm, welcoming environment combined with authentic Italian food. Located at The Well Centre, it offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner and is ideal for families seeking a relaxed dining experience. The dedicated and safe Bambini Kids Entertainment area ensures children are happily occupied while parents enjoy their meals. The menu features wood-fired pizzas, rich, flavourful pastas, and mouth-watering mains, including the popular Tomahawk steak and classic seafood options. Our readers voted La Piazza as a top family-friendly restaurant, highlighting its generous portions, superb value, and excellent service.
WORDS: JACQUELINE HERBST
