There is something about a weekday lunch at the coast that immediately feels like a holiday. You can blame the sunshine, the sea breeze or, in our case, Bardot in Umhlanga
Perched just above the hum of the promenade, Bardot is the kind of spot that gives you permission to slow down. We chose a table outside, shaded and breezy, with uninterrupted ocean views. It’s the kind of setting that does half the convincing before you have even opened the menu. The other half? Well, that arrived shortly after.
Starting with the sea (and a little luxury)
We began as one always should when the sea is a few steps away: with oysters. Fresh and topped with caviar, they were a perfect little moment of luxury, especially paired with a splash of mignonette and a squeeze of lemon.
The squid heads followed, lightly crispy, piping hot and dipped generously into lime aioli. But the surprise star of the starters? Bardot’s glazed BBQ wings. Sticky, sweet and absolutely not first-date food, but worth every messy finger!
Mains with personality
Then came the mains, each with its own character.
The sirloin steak arrived perfectly done, a no-fuss, satisfying classic you secretly hope every kitchen can get right.
The filleto pasta was the comfort dish of dreams: ribbons of fillet steak tangled in a creamy pepper-and-mushroom sauce, brightened with tender asparagus. It was an unapologetically indulgent bowl.
On the lighter side, the sushi spread delivered freshness and flavour. The salmon California rolls, salmon roses and prawn crunch rolls were beautifully plated and disappeared suspiciously fast.
Sip, relax, repeat
And because no seaside lunch is complete without something a little cheeky on the drinks list, we toasted the afternoon with shaken margaritas, icy, tart and dangerously easy to sip.
Bardot hits that sweet spot between laid-back coastal charm and grown-up dining. It’s the kind of place you visit for a long lunch that turns into an afternoon, where the food is generous, the view is endless and the world feels just a little softer for a while.
Details: 5 McCausland Crescent, Umhlanga; 031 561 9999; IG: @bardot.sa
Text: Jennifer Campbell Photographs: ACE CONSULTING
