9TH AVENUE WATERSIDE RESTAURANT: A FEAST IN EVERY SENSE FOR ZAMA GCABA MABASO & NONI XABA

9th Avenue Waterside – The Durban restaurant that is a treat for all the senses.

At the crossroads of Durban’s marine sights, sounds and flavours, is a restaurant that has been catching the attention of the city’s in-crowd. Serving original and imaginative cuisine along with delicious sunsets and waterfront views, it’s the address on everyone’s lips. Including prominent local businesswomen Zama Gcaba Mabaso and Noni Xaba, who couldn’t wait to try it.

The open plan space and kitchen provides a welcome opportunity for customers and the chefs to interact in an elegant space. The restaurant also boasts a private dinning area upstairs with a view of the wine cellar with a top selection of local and international wine and bubbly.

The mood is relaxed, sophisticated but not pompous. There’s a great mix of people but it’s not crowded and has a fantastic cocktail bar upstairs with mixologists ready to create your ultimate cocktail.

“I love the entire setup of the place. It actually feels like a boathouse. It’s a very relaxed environment – so tranquil – I just wish we had more restaurants like this in Durban,” says Zama.

Executive Chef Andile Ndlovu’s kitchen supports sustainably farmed food, offering Durban’s local and international guests the proudest South African produce from across the country.

He prepared the friends a delicious meal of kingklip seared with garlic butter and herbs and served it with a parsnip puree and delicate selection of baked vegetables. The second was cured then oven cooked duck with carrot and cumin puree, duck joux and greens.

The sights and textured surroundings had set the scene but the flavours, hands-down, stole the show.

If you love to dine with an ocean view, this spot is for you. The restaurant is on stilts right on the harbour, so you’ll feel like you’re on board a yacht in the middle of the sea. The large windows all around the restaurant, ensure that every table has a beautiful view but if you want a closer look at the harbour, be sure to book a table on the deck.