It would be a mistake, if you haven’t visited yet, to simply try and imagine what dining at The Beach House is like. It’s one of those places that you absolutely need to try for yourself to truly understand its magic. We were recently invited on a taste adventure at this vibey, ocean eclectic Umhlanga hotspot…
Walking into The Beach House is like taking a step back in time – into a very cool surfer beach bungalow in the sixties. You can’t help but stop and take in everything around you. There is so much to see. And taste. Oh, so much to taste.
More than just a restaurant, this is a dedication to and a showcase of Durban’s rich and diverse surfing history and heritage. The décor pays homage to legendary surfers, surfboard shapers and lifeguards from that time in a unique and authentic way. It’s easy to see how much time and careful thought went into the curating of this incredible space. Every piece tells a story and each element adds to the eclectic, surf vibe.
The food, too, has been thoughtfully sourced (farm/ocean-to-table style) and even the wine list and cocktail menus are true to our unique, classic, laid-back Durban feel.
Naturally, we started our afternoon off with cocktails! Creative and inventive (as well as absolutely delicious), The Beach House cocktails are definitely a must-try when you visit this beaut spot. With options like The Twin Fin (vodka, lemon, vanilla, cloudy apple and Indian tonic), The Fallen Siren (tequila, cinnamon, lemon, orange juice, charcoal and dusted and flamed cinnamon powder) and the Howling Hadida (whiskey, lemon, sugar syrup, bitters, ginger root and pineapple), it’s hard to know where to start.
But start we did and we were thrilled, not only with the taste but also the presentation of our drinks, with one cocktail arriving in a plastic bag with faux goldfish and a straw, and another arriving with a paintbrush with shimmery dust. Such fun!
Insisting that we try as many of the dishes from the menu as possible, the friendly team at The Beach House brought us plate upon glorious plate to indulge in and honestly, each one was as impressive as the next. The menu is uncomplicated and the food is made with fresh, high quality produce and exciting and inventive flavour combinations.
There is a wide selection of starters or ‘small boards’, with our favourites being the Panko Prawn Tails with a secret umami sauce and sriracha lime mayo, the Crumbed Deep Fried Olives stuffed with ricotta, chilli and spring onion mayo and the Mac ‘n Cheese with truffle, garlic and parmesan crumb. Absolutely terrific!
Our favourites among the mains (and it was very, very hard to choose) were the Tuna Lollipops crusted in panko and sesame seeds with Teriyaki glaze and wasabi mayo, the Tuna Ceviche served with prawn crackers and the mind-blowing Lobster Roll, served on a toasted brioche with crunchy slaw, lemon mayo, caviar and chives. Another favourite (which came wrapped in tin foil and brown paper and was so much fun to open) was the Seafood Cartoccio featuring prawns, clams, mussels, calamari fired in the bag with tomato and lemon and baked with linguini.
There are other options too, like delicious burgers and pizzas with names like Green Point Vegan, the Hawaiian Pipe and Bay of Plenty Seafood! The dessert menu includes Triple Chocolate Brownies that are to-die-for!
Good food, good times and a great vibe are all on the menu at The Beach House. It’s hard to put into words just how great this spot is and photographs honestly don’t do it justice. Your best bet is just to book a table and try it all out for yourself!
Details: The Beach House – 19 Protea Mall, 3 Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga, @thebeachhousedbn, 031 943 3044
Text: Leah Shone | Photographs: MATTHEW MOON & JARRYD HANS TILTMAN
