Loren's Guidebook for Dolphin Coast
Food Scene
Concha
4420 Compensation Beach RdHighly recommended for delicious breakfasts, pastries, lunches and bakes!
NIKOS Ballito
12B Compensation Beach RdFabulous Greek food with a view and a vibe!
Ocean Basket Ballito
12B Compensation Beach RdSeafood with a view - what could be better?
Great food and atmosphere. Even better, you can take a stroll there and back on the promenade!
98 locals recommend
Fiamma Grill
63 Compensation Beach RdGreat food and atmosphere. Even better, you can take a stroll there and back on the promenade!
A Ballito institution, with everything from pizza to seafood, and great views to go with it. A winner for take away pizzas. What's more, it's just a short stroll away!
47 locals recommend
Al Pescatore Italian Restaurant
14 Edward PlA Ballito institution, with everything from pizza to seafood, and great views to go with it. A winner for take away pizzas. What's more, it's just a short stroll away!
Just 2km up the road at Lifestyle Centre, The Market is a stunning space to enjoy browsing for some delicious products. This permanent food market includes traders such as Yoli's artisanal bakery, Home Grown organic produce, Taylor's Meats traditional butchery, Science of Coffee, Scoop ice cream, Bavarian Deli, Robson's Brewery, FISH, Bird & Co. and lots more. Great spot for the whole family to pick & choose what they like, then enjoy their selections in the communal seating area. You may be in luck to enjoy some live music while you are there.
47 locals recommend
The Market
Just 2km up the road at Lifestyle Centre, The Market is a stunning space to enjoy browsing for some delicious products. This permanent food market includes traders such as Yoli's artisanal bakery, Home Grown organic produce, Taylor's Meats traditional butchery, Science of Coffee, Scoop ice cream, Bavarian Deli, Robson's Brewery, FISH, Bird & Co. and lots more. Great spot for the whole family to pick & choose what they like, then enjoy their selections in the communal seating area. You may be in luck to enjoy some live music while you are there.
Good food in a lovely, outdoor, safe family environment. Some nice shops to browse in as well :)
73 locals recommend
Sage Cafe & Deli
1 Old Fort RdGood food in a lovely, outdoor, safe family environment. Some nice shops to browse in as well :)
It may be an old North Coast establishment, but it has the best curries and great views.
58 locals recommend
Salt Rock Hotel
59 Basil Hulett DrIt may be an old North Coast establishment, but it has the best curries and great views.
Lovely setting in the middle of a small unspoilt section of indigenous coastal forest right in the middle of town! This means that, after enjoying your meal, you can get back to nature and take a gentle stroll along the beautiful winding Waterberry forest path... and see how many birds and duikers you can spot!
69 locals recommend
The Waterberry Coffee Shoppe
Lovely setting in the middle of a small unspoilt section of indigenous coastal forest right in the middle of town! This means that, after enjoying your meal, you can get back to nature and take a gentle stroll along the beautiful winding Waterberry forest path... and see how many birds and duikers you can spot!
You can't go wrong with Zara's delicious food! Great for breakfast, tea, brunch or lunch!
23 locals recommend
Zaras Cafe
Main RoadYou can't go wrong with Zara's delicious food! Great for breakfast, tea, brunch or lunch!
Different to anything else in town, Peron Peron is an authentic Argentinian grill with an emphasis on the flavours of Buenos Aires and a focus on different cuts and choices of beef. Their forte is aged steaks cooked in front of you on open fires over wood and charcoal. A winner every time!
13 locals recommend
Peron Peron Argentinian Grill
8 Ballito DrDifferent to anything else in town, Peron Peron is an authentic Argentinian grill with an emphasis on the flavours of Buenos Aires and a focus on different cuts and choices of beef. Their forte is aged steaks cooked in front of you on open fires over wood and charcoal. A winner every time!
My favourite restaurant in Ballito, the setting, food, service and vibe are just outstanding. The attention to detail is evident throughout, making for a polished yet uncomplicated experience. Best desserts!
37 locals recommend
45 on Eat Street
498 Main RdMy favourite restaurant in Ballito, the setting, food, service and vibe are just outstanding. The attention to detail is evident throughout, making for a polished yet uncomplicated experience. Best desserts!
Drinks & Nightlife
Recently revamped, great for a draft beer or light meal, and the shortest of strolls away!
64 locals recommend
Hops Restaurant & Bar Ballito
14 Edward PlRecently revamped, great for a draft beer or light meal, and the shortest of strolls away!
Robsons Real Beer
72 Mahatma Gandhi RdGreat vibe, great beer, great food, indoor or outdoor seating
Alchemy at Lifestyle Centre serves fabulous gin from the next-door Blackstrap brewery, and has a selective range of wines to choose from. Great indoor/outdoor setting!
31 locals recommend
Alchemy Bar
Alchemy at Lifestyle Centre serves fabulous gin from the next-door Blackstrap brewery, and has a selective range of wines to choose from. Great indoor/outdoor setting!
Parks & Nature
Lovely protected beach for swimming, just a walk along the promenade away...
14 locals recommend
Granny Pool Beach
92B Compensation Beach RdLovely protected beach for swimming, just a walk along the promenade away...
A touch of the African wild, just 20 minutes away, offering a restaurant, beauty spa, game drives, guided walks and horseriding. Great daytrip for the whole family.
45 locals recommend
Rain Farm Game Lodge
Esenembi RoadA touch of the African wild, just 20 minutes away, offering a restaurant, beauty spa, game drives, guided walks and horseriding. Great daytrip for the whole family.
Thompsons Bay not only has a great beach, but a massive tidal pool too. Not to mention the iconic 'Hole-in-the-wall', which can also be reached on foot from the apartment. This is a stunning walk (give yourself 2 hours to make there and back at a leisurely pace) but only at low tide! Walk all the way along the promenade to Willards Main Beach, then simply walk north on the beach and over the headlands from there.
55 locals recommend
Thompsons Beach
9 Rock LnThompsons Bay not only has a great beach, but a massive tidal pool too. Not to mention the iconic 'Hole-in-the-wall', which can also be reached on foot from the apartment. This is a stunning walk (give yourself 2 hours to make there and back at a leisurely pace) but only at low tide! Walk all the way along the promenade to Willards Main Beach, then simply walk north on the beach and over the headlands from there.
Entertainment & Activities
Superb mountain biking opportunities through the iconic sugar cane farms of KZN
99 locals recommend
Holla Trails
Superb mountain biking opportunities through the iconic sugar cane farms of KZN
Stunning golf course, tennis courts, squash courts and good food available at the clubhouse and bar.
19 locals recommend
Umhlali Country Club
1 Compensation RdStunning golf course, tennis courts, squash courts and good food available at the clubhouse and bar.
A gorgeous small day spa in a serene setting for treatments such as massages, manis, pedis, facials and waxing.
Laura Channing Spa & Skin
97 Sameja DrA gorgeous small day spa in a serene setting for treatments such as massages, manis, pedis, facials and waxing.
Newly opened in KZN, Monkeyland is a free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. It's mission is to educate and foster greater understanding of our primate cousins and the threats and challenges they are facing.
www.monkeyland.co.za
25 locals recommend
Monkeyland KZN
Salt Rock RoadNewly opened in KZN, Monkeyland is a free roaming multi-species primate sanctuary. It's mission is to educate and foster greater understanding of our primate cousins and the threats and challenges they are facing.
www.monkeyland.co.za
About 30 minutes drive away, uShaka Marine World offers a fantastic aquarium, dolphinarium and water slide park. One of Durban's biggest attractions, this is worth a visit especially with kids.
525 locals recommend
uShaka Marine World
1 Signal RdAbout 30 minutes drive away, uShaka Marine World offers a fantastic aquarium, dolphinarium and water slide park. One of Durban's biggest attractions, this is worth a visit especially with kids.
Shopping
Great selection of food outlets and stylish shops in a gorgeous outdoor environment
224 locals recommend
Ballito Lifestyle Centre
Great selection of food outlets and stylish shops in a gorgeous outdoor environment
Look out for the Litchi Orchard Saturday Crafters Market, held every second Saturday morning, or their monthly night market!
118 locals recommend
The Litchi Orchard
Look out for the Litchi Orchard Saturday Crafters Market, held every second Saturday morning, or their monthly night market!
Arts & Culture
Free admission with exhibitions that explore the legacy of Chief Albert Luthuli and the Liberation Movement.
9 locals recommend
The Official Luthuli Museum
Free admission with exhibitions that explore the legacy of Chief Albert Luthuli and the Liberation Movement.
Essentials
Lifestyle SuperSpar
Ballito DriveBest supermarket for groceries, located at Lifestyle Centre