Review 9th Avenue Waterside - Durban

Had a wonderful time. Great service. Ready to explain the menu. The food was delicious and so fresh and the view pretty great too. There isn’t kiddies menu so you can choose from starters but the Sesame Chicken is a great fit and super soft. We also had the lamb chops which was so juicy and Market Fish which was deliciously crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. For dessert try the Cheesecake it’s amazing.

One of my favourite places to eat! Their food, service and atmosphere are consistently great. The flavours are out of this world and their waiters are highly knowledgeable.

Amazing atmosphere . Waiter Russell was attentive and super friendly. Had a great time. Good wine recommendations for meals.

It is a must try for a Durbanite , views are great staff are friendly and venue is elegant , food presentation is great , taste is quality , the coffee could be better for a Resturant of this standard . Although the waiters were friendly, more attention could be given to patrons , we have had circumstances whereby we had physically go to the bar to order - for a restaurant of this standard we don’t expect this . Other than that is was great . We had the lamb chops - which was great , and seafood pasta with squid ink - which was great as well .

Phenomenal restaurant- food was sublime - I had the duck, fabulous and my husband had the sea bass, delicious. Dessert was a new and fantastic treat- benoit. The service was superb, thank you ChiChi and Brian! All the Staff Team are so warm, welcoming and professional. The design and decor is so understated but pure style and elegant sophistication. The attention to detail is outstanding.

Very friendly and helpful stuff Incredibly amazing views(especially at night) The food is ok.

Fantastic views from this venue, quite good service to back it up as well. The food though is a bit average. I expected fine dining standard cuisine, but this falls a bit short. Still good food but normal, wholesome meals. Priced a bit high but not backed up with high standards of cuisine that I looked forward to. I visited twice to make sure. Once for lunch and once for dinner. I will still visit again and hope that they have improved a bit.

Really nice oysters. Good service. Sadly it's right on the docks and across the street from very run down blocks of flats in downtown Durban. We did not feel overly safe walking into and out of the restaurant. Loads of people loitering around outside.

Top notch restaurant....oooh the service is amazing.👌🏾

The ambiance is amazing , I highly recommend the restaurant the food was delicious and the service was fantastic from the lady named phoebe.

Lovely place to eat with exceptional staff and a great atmosphere.

It was a beautiful experience on Christmas Eve lunch, unassuming quaint restaurant, interior feels like a ship and great service, definitely fine dining in the harbour, food 8/10, ambiance 7/10, decor 7/10 enjoyed the view and sea breeze. The bar upstairs is even better for sundowners. I asked the manager for ladies handbag holder, promised to look into it, waiting for feedback 😊 on this review

The food is absolutely worth the price. The steak was perfectly cooked with the perfect sides. The atmosphere and service is also outstanding. Our waiter was knowledgeable about the menu and offered insights to match our preferences. Highly recommended for a special event

It's a lovely establishment, and the owner, Leona, truly prioritizes her customers. I'm looking forward to returning to the restaurant soon.

One of the rare fine dining options available on this side of Durban but, despite the traffic and overwhelming city-buzz to reach this venue, it doesn’t disappoint whatsoever. Bookings are absolutely necessary and you commit by paying a specified deposit depending on the number of guests you’re booking for. Fortunately the deposit gets deducted from your bill. From the moment you enter this establishment, you’re already geared up for adventure with the number of yachts docked. The staff members are extremely attentive and welcome you with glee. While there is signage about the dresscode, I didn’t observe anyone checking the dresscode or other patrons being really dressed up. I was dressed in a chic Summer dress and sneakers so one would guess that you have to look reasonably decent. They have a great selection of wines and, being right on the harbour, they also have a great selection of fish that gets included as the “catch” or dish of the day. The downstairs area is more formal with patrons sitting in small groups or large parties. The upstairs area is a lot less formal with a bar area and patrons able to mingle more freely. This is one of those restaurants with a fairly open kitchen, hence you can observe the chef and his team preparing your meal. This establishment is an absolute must-see for anyone visiting or living in KZN!

Always an amazing experience here. Service is USUALLY fast and excellent. Love the food, it's nice to sit out on the deck if not too hot. Bar staff upstairs are always lovely and quick to serve.

Excellent service received and food was Devine and well presented

I have never had a bad meal or a less than par experience at this wonderful place. The staff are solicitous, their advise is apt, the general ambience is always exceptional. The food of course needs its own review because I can never do it justice. 6 of us had dinner and we each had something different. I am that guy who always wants to know what the other people's food taste like and the duck, the lamb roast, pork ribeye, ostrich fillet were alll mouth wateringly good. 3 bottles of vino, pink gins all added to a festive festive dinner. Your team is consistently good Thank You

9th Avenue Bistro is not just another fantastic restaurant, it is a perfect balance of sophistication and homeliness, you walk in the door and are greeted like you are family even if it is your first time visiting, you are seated by one of the waiters who are always friendly and very informed, you can see into the kitchen where Chefs are preparing food and laughing happily, nobody screaming at each other like in many restaurants, I think this positivity feeds its way into the food, the food is out of this world, second to none. I recommend you try EVERYTHING! if you hate fish, 9th avenue will serve you fish like you have never tasted it, you will fall in love with dishes you would never normally even order. This place one of a kind and I will be visiting on all my special occasions.

Totally out of this world! Graham is an incredibly talented chef. He takes the ordinary and creates an extraordinary explosive culinary experience. I would highly recommend this as one of Durban’s finest restaurants. I will be back! PS: Matthew offered impeccable service!

The Best food ever!! Im not one to finish my food but I cleaned my plate! The delicious Calamari starter, the Phenomenal duck dish and then the most delectable Crème Brulé dessert. I actually had an Absolute Food Channel experience... Lol... The service from our Waitress was to the T... And the atmosphere was spot on!!! Thank you to the 9th Avenue Bistro Team for such an awesome pleasurable evening... U simply Rock!!!!!

Amazing food, the best service and such warm & friendly staff, our waiter was a legend ! I will definitely be back ! I highly recommend 9th Avenue Bistro.

The duck liver parfait alone is worth 5 stars. The warm, friendly reception when we arrive, the super-efficient service from the waiters, and the top-notch food again and again make this restaurant one of my favourite spots to eat at. See you again soon!

Simply awesome from start to finish. The food was amazing and the service was friendly and efficient. I had the langostine orzo to start which was definitely my favourite dish, I could eat it over and over and over again. Duck as a main course and chocolate mousse for dessert. Washed it all down with a nice white wine. I can highly recommend 9th Avenue Bistro!!

From start to finish this was the most incredible experience, the service was amazing and the food was beyond incredible. We had the tasting menu paired with wine. Everything just worked so well even food I would not normally eat I tried and fell in love with. I will definitely be back to this gem of a restaurant.

Wow what a little gem. We had a fantastic evening for our anniversary here recently. The food was incredible and the service was warm and friendly. They really went the extra mile to make our evening special, you can feel the love the owners and staff put into this place. Our amuse bouchée was just sublime, and I am going back for the tasting menu as soon as possible.

It was an amazing experience to be able to enjoy food of such excellent quality and flavour. Our party of 4 each had a different choice off the menu and each one upon the first bite went wow u have just got to have a taste of this .... the service was excellent. Our first visit and i can addure you we will be back. Highly recommended .

Absolutely lovely place. We loved everything about it. Many restaurants do not remember things of sentimental value and this place did as well as our special waiter. She remembered it was my boyfriend's birthday a few days earlier as well as remembering it was our anniversary. We got a belated ice cream as well as dessert. With congratulations trinkets dropped on our table. It's the small gestures that count. We really enjoyed our meals. Different and unique flavours brought together to create a meal. We will definitely be back..and thank you for your superb service!

The best duck I have EVER had!! Highly recommend this restaurant, lovely owners and great service!!!

Awesome amazing incredible fantastic unbelievable perfect there is so much more... and the staff is insanely well mannered and caring... and I got to give a shout out to Courtney our waitress she is spectacular...will definitely request for her the next time...

My first time at 9th Avenue and it was spectacular !! Three courses and not a complaint about one ! The starter ravioli with butternut and mushroom was my star dish !

What a great evening we had last night. It's rare that you have an end to end, fully integrated dining experience. Each component of the dishes worked perfectly with the others. And the carrot purée is to die for. Yum!

I cannot get over the superb dining experience I had at this place! So my friend was celebrating her birthday and we went there for dinner. We were in a group so we opted for the corporate set menu. All the starters were brought out in platters so I had a little bit of everything. The pear and pea an nut salad was my favorite. For mains, I ordered the braised lamb shoulder. It was cooked to perfection and was so soft and juicy. For dessert, I had the vanilla pavlova. The staff were extremely friendly and professional. I understand it may be challenging to handle a large group dining but the evening went smoothly. I think I might have found myself a new favorite spot.

Had my birthday dinner this past Saturday. We were a group of 10 and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the food. This spot is also perfect for a cosy dinner for 2 . The reviews were right, don't let the surrounding car park turn you off. Go inside and let the service and food speak for itself!. Thanks for having us!

Surprise Date Night - nice for an occasion - I enjoyed the intimate setting. Great for a date - really enjoyed the food. Portions were perfect because the food is rich (we shared a starter and dessert). Service was great - staff were very attentive.

The passion the people at 9th Avenue Bistro have for what they do is palpable. Though the setting/ isn't too appealing, you are quickly absorbed into all the tastes/dish presentations and wines on offer. Go as a treat or for a special occasion!

Cannot fault this place!!!! It's amazing honestly and they always go the extra mile to make it alittle more intimate and special for their guests. Food was sublime, from the starters to the dessert. I felt it was heaven on earth. Happy Anniversary Mavendren Vencatasu♡ and thank you 9th Avenue Bistro for ur service and amazing dinner!!!

I had such a great time here, good food, great service & lovely wine. Definitely coming back & inviting more people here with. Durban’s little gem

Wow, wow, wow!! So we went to this restaurant for a tasting to decide if we wanted to host a client dinner there in October... well they have the job! The food was phenomenal, every flavor and every texture was thought of and came together to create the most amazing dish! We will be back with out a doubt!

This rates and one of my top 5 best meals ever<br/>The service is great the owner clearly knows her stuff and when a wine I ordered was out of stock she sold me another wine and made me realize her choice was a much better choice. <br/>The Lango orzo was just sublime perfectly cooked pasta and a fresh Langoustine the sauce was just delicious <br/>The calamari was perfectly seasoned and the accompanying sauce was so tasty <br/>The line fish was just perfectly cooked kabeljou<br/>The aged steak was tender and perfectly cooked not to mention the best chips ever<br/>For dessert we had the best creme brûlée and cheesecake with Amarula. <br/>The kiddies menu was just as good creamy fettuccine was so good my husband finished it <br/>The freshly baked bread with a great start to lunch with a flavored butter and herbed salt<br/>The small touches are what made the entire lunch memorable like the take home biscotti and Spk wine cork key ring them made from our spk wine<br/>What a lovely hidden hem

We were extremely amped to try this amazingly high reviewed restaurant and I completely understand the hype. This quaint bistro is the perfect spot for any special occasion or fancy day out.. the waiters were very well trained, and welcoming. I loved the little extras they threw in like the birthday confetti and fudge. The food was absolutely delicious and definitely worth every cent. Highly recommended!

No words to describe their elegantly prepared dishes with professionalism and dedication. Place to return for birthday or other important reasons.

Spending a weekend in Durban allowed me to sample some local restaurants and this one certainly did not disappoint. The waiters are all smartly dressed in black, well trained and efficient. The interior is fairly small and intimate with a large covered veranda area also busy. Our starters included fried calamari and a rabbit special both of which were excellent. I had the kabeljou on a bed of risotto which was excellent. The fish was well cooked and seasoned and had delicious crispy skin. Other dishes included the crispy duck and rib eye steak which a large portion of crispy fries. Both dishes looked and apparently tasted good. The place was quiet when we arrived but rapidly filled and the atmosphere became quite festive. The service was attentive and efficient and the evening very pleasant.

What happened on Saturday 29 ? Your usual perfection was marred with 4 out of 7 dishes being quite underwhelming. We started out relishing your normal exceptional standard with the most sublime duck liver parfait and perfect salmon and things started slipping from there. Two of our party had the risotto which was declared one of the best ever. The lamb, however, failed to spark much enthusiasm but the main fail of the evening was the line fish. It was an over-cooked, stingy portion accompanied by under-cooked bits of potato, some nice enough bits of veg but not enough sauce. Hoping that a bit more sauce might redeem the dish the waiter responded quickly but presented something margarine-like and unpalatable which in no way resembled the sauce on presentation. Hopeful of a pudding redemption those ordered were deemed granola with posh yogurt and limpid meringue. Oops! P.s. service was the normal impeccable standard.

Amazing service and the food was to die for! A very romantic scene was set and the vibe was contagious,filled with laughs and clicks of glass. An amazing special touch they add when it's your birthday. I'm happy.

Always excellent. The wine list and menu offer a tantalizing array of well-thought through combinations. The service is the best you'll find in Durban. And the food is simply superb.

This is my favourite restaurant in all of Durban. Their menu is well constructed and thoughtfully put together. The service is top class with fully attentive but non-invasive waitrons. The list of specials never disappoints and the menu is exceptionally well-priced a restaurant of such high standards.

Just came back from a yet again amazing lunch with 9th avenue Bistro. Wide range of starters and mains and a superb choice in desserts as well. Ordered a great red wine which added to the amazing experience. Overall the food was to die for and the service was impeccable, 5 stars all around❤️❤️

Towards the beginning of this year, a restaurant in Durban – 9th Avenue Bistro – was recommended to me by a fellow foodie friend. The restaurant is based in the heart of Durban and has won numerous awards. 9th Avenue Bistro is a fine dining restaurant offering varying seasonal menus and wine lists as well as tasting menu options.

We went for valentines evening dinner. Limited choices menu with wine pairings added. <br/><br/>To begin with there was a blue cheese something deep fried and tasteless, with a side of the most delicious dish not deep fried score even, one bad one good.<br/><br/>Starters was deep fried calamari and duck parfait. The calamari whist tasty and fresh, battered and deep fried nothing to speak about. The duck however was amazing, the flavour and taste was the best, a very good dish. Again one good one not so good. Score even.<br/><br/>The Wine was a fantastic match... <br/><br/>Mains, Atlantic salmon and a plate of prawns, the main is a make or break here... The salmon, over cooked on top but to perfection at the base, again not fantastic. The prawns whilst messy was tasty we both shared these and left the salmon. However both were plain and ordinary, nothing amazing nothing unique. Nothing fine about any of them.<br/><br/>Desert, they had run out of one desert which was odd, but to their credit made a plan and provided the same but slightly different desert, which was very good. Crème brûlée was amazing, the other desert the chocolate cake was not, the ice cream was the only good part. Again we ate one and left the other. One good, one bad again... <br/><br/>Wine pairings were very good.<br/><br/>Overall my rating provided is accurate, given the place, the expectations and the cost alone, I am saddened to say that the food was not up to par. <br/><br/>The service was fantastic, the wine was perfect and every second dish was great but sadly everything else was not. <br/><br/>The place is a small, very warm with limited aircon, for Durban, and it's VERY noisy given the close confines of the very small room, the reputation I am saddened to say does not live up to it. I would in future go else where and I like fine food places like this. It's quite sad. It's a no for me. <br/><br/>I do hope they can improve.....

The service is absolutely exceptional! I had such a romantic and relaxed evening! The waitor was attentive and quick! The lamb shoulder and steak was Devine but the desserts are just mouth watering! Deft a must try!

This restaurant is a fine dining restaurant with good food and a young atmosphere.<br/><br/>I had came here to celebrate my cousins birthday and we had ordered a pasta which was very tasty.<br/><br/>It was a good experience.

Heard a lot about this place and was dying to try it out whilst in Durban. Wow... what a beautiful almost well hidden gem. I went with my sister and the restaurant wasn't packed therefore the service was efficient and the staff friendly. I will come back

Despite a slow start, the service was welcoming and the food above par. The beef carpaccio was one of the best I've tasted and the lango bisque will be the dish that keeps me coming back for more! It was simply delicious. The lamb shoulder however lacked flavor but nothing a bit of seasoning couldn't fix. Thanks for the warm hospitality and making my boyfriends birthday dinner memorable. ❤️

Wow wow wow. What an amazing find this was. Being a typical joburger I did not expect to find a place servings food this amazing in this area. The atmosphere is cool and relaxed and the decor although simple was also sophisticated and trendy. They use cutting edge techniques like sous vide qual egg yolk which just adds to the dining experience. If you find yourslef in Durban for your Durban vacation and you enjoy great food, then 9th avenue is a must!

I totally agree with the reviewers that say calling this establishment a "Bistro" kind off give you a different mind set. This is high-end!<br/><br/>I was pleasantly surprised by the ambience and the quality of food, with the drinks menu that never ends!<br/><br/>From the starter, which was absolutely delicious, to my main dish, fish, which was seasoned just right, not doused in unknown, pretentious sauces. Everything was fresh and not overly seasoned. I was able to enjoy and taste each and every individual item on my plate.<br/>Culinary pleasure indeed!<br/><br/>I should stop ordering desserts though. I just don't like sweets. I wish I had ordered something mild. When the menu said fruit, I actually expected less sweetness. I always said that in America, the desserts were 150% sweet. Well, this was just too sweet for me as well. I cannot blame the restaurant for my choices though.<br/><br/>My waiter was attentive and made me feel at ease, even though he could not explain the menu items without going to find out first, he made it all up by being really congenial.<br/><br/>As I have mentioned earlier, this is no regular bistro, so the prices are pretty steep. But it was worth every penny.<br/><br/>Please put a hanger for handbags in the bathroom. I hate putting my bag on the floor.<br/><br/>

This was another one of the restaurants showcased as part of restaurant week, and it did not disappoint. Our table of 4 was well received and the food and service was excellent. We did come in just after 8 and ended being the last to leave but we did not feel pressured to finish up and leave. An added bonus was additional main and dessert selection were added. We had the pear salad and ravioli starters, lamb shoulder, pork loin and veg pasta for mains, pavlova, dark chocolate slice and pear souffle for dessert, everything was amazing. Really impressed with portion sizes as well. The wine selection is also good and the place was packed with a nice vibey crowd. Definitely be back when in Durban.

This is not fine dining, it's mediocre dining. Please don't expect much of this place! If you want good food, rather buy a ticket to Cape Town and go to any of the fine dining restaurants there.

I have heard of this restaurant very often as being a true gem in Durban. So I was quite excited to finally go on Wednesday. <br/><br/>I was unpleasantly surprised, post my high expectation, that it did not live up to its reputation. The service was very good, with the waiters being attentive, however the food was lacking. <br/><br/>For starters we had the seared lamb special with bhajias (chickpea fritters), mushroom soup with chicken and fried calamari. <br/>1. The lamb was cooked well, but the bhajia was lacking flavour. The combination of the items did not go well. <br/>2. The mushroom soup itself was good, but the chicken in it felt like a nugget. Once again, mismatched. <br/>3. The calamari was over cooked and lacking in seasoning. The aioli did not do much to pick up the flavors. <br/><br/>For Mains, there was ostrich, fish and the sirloin. <br/>1. The ostrich itself was very tasty. However it had pancetta in it and the person that ordered it does not eat pork. When we ordered this, the waiter knew this about this person. <br/>2. The fish was done well and so was the accompanying risotto, but the flavours did not gel well <br/>3. The sirloin had to be done again. I had asked for it to be done medium, but was very tough. It was returned but was still not very good. The pepper corn sauce was very good. The accompanying veg was just spinach, which was lacking in seasoning. <br/><br/>I was not motivated to have dessert. <br/><br/>So unfortunately, I cannot rave about 9th Avenue Bistro. I was told by one of the people at my table that this was the worst meal he had had there. Alas it had to be the day of my visit. Hope it improves.

We went to 9th avenue bistro for our anniversary. The table was set with anniversary confetti. <br/><br/>We enjoyed the amuse bouche that was definitely value for money. The quantity of food for the price is so generous. <br/><br/>We started with an amuse bouche that set the scene for the start of the tasting. <br/><br/>We also opted to go with the wine and food pairing. I dont believe any of the wines were expertly paired as the wines did not complement and werent complemented by the food. <br/><br/>The food was good, not all great. The duck liver parfait was particularly delicious and the lamb the best I've ever had. <br/><br/>The service is good but the waiters do not have a good knowledge of the food or the wine.<br/><br/>The menu has a great selection.

Warm ambience,good service,excellent food-well prepared and presented with artistic flare.Taste of sublime explosion in each bite.<br/><br/>We had a very pleasant visit to the 9th Ave Bistro on last visit. The setting as has been noted in other reviews is unprepossessing, but the interior was warm and welcoming. The food was good without being special. My pork belly, which was the recommendation of the waitress, contained all the right elements and was very satisfying. My wife found the duck too sweet, however, as had been her starter. It was, however, crispy as advertised, which was nice. Overall a good evening, but did not wow us.

My go to Resturaunt when I want to spoil myself or the family. Consistently good service and great food prepared to perfection. All round fantastic experience, and yes everything on the menu is great!

I had fabulously special dinner at this wonderful venue. This bistro is on the verge of fine-dining. Prices look steep in the menu but the dishes deliver on quality and quantity. The latter being the reason I have (sadly) not managed dessert. I have marked down half a point because possible delusions of grandeur.

9th Avenue Bistro is definitely one of the better restaurants around Durban , we had a big group of about 12 and they accommodated us without a hassle .. <br/>Starters was a baby lango risotto with a white foam - amazing !<br/>Mains was crispy duck done to perfection <br/>Dessert was a baked pavlova with a pomegranate sorbet <br/>Service - 10/10<br/>Taste - 10/10<br/>Presentation - 10/10<br/><br/>A 3 course meal for R280 , now that's what I call value for money ! <br/>Thanks for an awesome evening 👌

Arrived with @lisa botha gibbon and we're seated promptly unfortunately the waiter/manager was having to deal with the door and us at the same time which was a bit of a challenge...once our waitress arrived it was all smooth sailing. (I think her name Tane' apologies if I got it wrong)<br/><br/>The meal was delicious and tasty. My shoulder of lamb and Pavlov Pavlova were superb the other diners had no complaints. I rounded it off with a local Durban made craft beer which was also great.<br/><br/>A definite repeat visit required and if you haven't been to visit them yet, you can do so with confidence. Lisa Botha Gibbon

We had a lovely meal here. I had salmon, the other guys had lamb shanks and pork fillet. It was happiness all round. Dessert was creme brûlée and pavlova - delicious. This is good food, well prepared and tasty. We've been here several times and will return. Service was a little on the slow side (I didn't notice too much was too busy chatting 😊) but overall a good experience.

Cool little spot in Morningside, in a shopping centre with a few other restaurants (one we had tried some time back actually). The style was pretty romantic and chilled, the food was excellent (especially that starter ravioli which was addictive) and the overall experience as great as a bistro can be. You definitely want to be going here if you're in the area!

Very busy evening, packed house.<br/>Starters were butternut ravioli and Gorgonzola pear salad. Salad was an ample helping and by all accounts the butternut ravioli was good.<br/>For mains the catch of the day was yellow tail, the sirloin and the duck.<br/>For desserts an interesting rendition of blueberry cheesecake.<br/>Found the waitress quite distracted. Probably serving too many tables. So as a result there wore long pauses while we waited to place our order, for settings to be removed, to order mains and dessert. Frantic waving of arms to be noticed. Had to ask for coffees to be offered.<br/>And getting the bill.....!<br/>Never sure why this problem occurs with so many restaurants. If you know you will be having a busy evening get more staff.<br/>Always spoils the food.<br/>Must say think 9th Avenue has seen better days.<br/>

Having read the excellent reviews, we chose 9th Avenue Bistro to celebrate my nephew's 16th birthday - a very special occasion!The ambience, and warm reception could not be faulted although being a Monday night, the restaurant was very empty with only a few tables occupied. Our waiter was very new (only started a few days ago) and admit that he was not very familiar with the menu. But this we really didn't mind. The seriously disappointing part of the evening was when my sister found a long black hair embedded in the butternut ravoli starter. It made the both of us feel ill and the manner in which it was handled left much to be desired. While it is appreciated that mistakes do happen, establishments of this calibre should be better prepared to address them and not be simply dismissive of the incident as if they are above making mistakes. We chose to not made an issue but our appetites were definitely gone. All in all, we were left with a hefty bill and a ruined special evening.

What a super little gem! I corresponded with the exceptionally delightful Gina via email, I wanted my husband of 5 days to get to experience scallops. Despite no longer being available on the menu, Gina and the chef specially prepared the most delicious scallop starter. The staff were super and made us feel right at home. Our main courses were so exceptionally yumo, fresh and tasty!<br/>Without a doubt, you will leave there with a very satisfied belly,happy heart and a bounce in your step!

On enquiring for a reservation to celebrate family birthdays, I was concerned about the menu, as we have 2 vegetarians, 1 pescetarian, and 4 non-beef eaters. Where most restaurants are hesitant to deviate from the menu, Charlie (head chef) I think saw this as a challenge.<br/><br/>We did the tasting menu, paired with wines. Having been to several tasting restaurants in South Africa and abroad, I can honestly say this was one of the best I've ever experienced, let alone being able to cater for our diverse dietary requirements. The food was exceptional and the service was outstanding.<br/><br/>This is an absolute gem of a restaurant!

Now, as bistro terminology would suggest, it's supposed to be a restaurant that's rather unpretentious and serves a fair menu. Well, this is a bistro in a different league if that's the case.<br/><br/>I nearly dismissed it based on where it's at - a small shopping Centre in Berea. When we did decide to give it a try - we were taken on a true gourmet journey. <br/><br/>Ambience = 4. Typical small bistro set-up, full with people who strike me as regulars or those on a hunt for great food, or simply sheer different gourmet experience. <br/><br/>Food = 5. What a reawakening of senses! Small well chosen menu with amazing food. The table settled on a variety of starters - duck liver parfait, onion and butternut soup and the winner of the night - roasted butternut squash ravioli! Oh my goodness - what a taste! The taste lingered long after the empty dish was gone - pleasure to the last spoon! This was washed down with NV De Toren red which actually completed the starters quite well. <br/><br/>For mains the table was big on pan roasted Norwegian salmon, served with saffron potatoes, charred cucumber, olive crumble and finished with tomato and pineapple sauce - pure magic. I opted for chargrilled sirloin steak, served with dripping potatoes chips, grilled mushroom, cafe de Paris butter and peppercorn sauce. I was just disappointed with my steak - I got well-done as opposed to mid-well that I had asked.<br/><br/>Wine = 5. Very impressive list with some of the winners. Boasts some international wines...<br/><br/>The mains were washed down with Hartenberg Cab./ Shiraz 2012 . Still a winning bottle after all these years....<br/><br/>For dessert I went with Creme Brûlée which didn't disappoint either. <br/><br/>Service =5. The service was quite attentive - befitting the place. <br/><br/>Parting shot - If you're looking for a new eating experience at another level in Durban - put this joint on your list...

Must be one of the best restaurants in Durban. Seriously good food, excellent service and good ambience. What more could one ask for. Just go, but probably good to book since the place was packed out.

Have been here on many occasions previously when I lived in durban and returned this weekend past with my extended family, a party of 10 of us. The service was fairly good but the dishes did not live up to our expectations as we had all eaten there on previous occasions but felt the food did not taste as good as previous visits, the menu selection also seems a bit limited as we had a few members who did not eat pork or beef and there were no chicken dishes. My steak, ordered medium well was past well done and quite tough, i initially thought that was due to the char grilled finish, many of the dishes had components that the waiter highlighted were out of stock for the day and there were components of both the daily specials as well as regular menu items. The duck ordered by two of our party was good but the kabeljou was not anything special and not as good as the salmon or dorado i have here on previous occasions. The desserts were fairly good (trio of mousse was exceptional an pavlova really good) except for the cheese board which only seemed to have a selection of sour cheeses and not much sweet or soft cheeses. Overall a pleasant experience but somehow not as good as they used to be or we had hoped they would be.

This is such a unique little spot in Durban and I highly recommend it to any foodie! Their combinations on the plate seem simple but leaves you more than satisfied! A lovely experience! The menu changes often...a definite plus!

What a pleasure! A memorable evening with amazing food. Each dish was made with perfection, clear and concise and absolutely delicious. If you would like to share an occasion with friends or family, this restaurant is the place to do it. Compliments to the chef.

If I told you that I go to Durban with the sole purpose of visiting 9th Avenue Bistro would you believe me? Probably not, but I assure you that it is in part true. I do also go for the balmy clear skied winter’s days and to visit friends, but 9th Avenue certainly is a huge draw card and here’s why…<br/><br/>Tucked away in the corner of an unassuming parking lot in Morningside is one of South Africa’s favourite bistro’s. A few years ago it in fact cinched the prestigious Eat Out award for the Best Bistro in the country and it’s easy to see why this establishment has stayed in the news and is a favourite amongst local foodies.<br/><br/>Owned and run by husband and wife team Graham and Gina Neilson, 9th Avenue Bistro aims to create a warm and unpretentious fine dining restaurant. And they seem to do this with ease. Graham also heads up the kitchen where he showcases locally sourced seasonal cuisine with incredible flair and attention to detail and flavour. The restaurant has recently had Head Chef Charlie Lakin join them, making this kitchen team even more dynamic than before. Charlie, for those of you who don’t know got his first kitchen job at the tender age of 12. He grew in a family of farmers and was always surrounded by food. After completing his formal training he went on to work at the Star Inn, in York, in the UK. As the Sous Chef he got to work alongside the then head chef Andrew Pern where their cooking styles and signatures dishes won them a coveted Michelin star. After being at the Star Inn for a few years he moved onto the Faversham Arms before taking up the position of Head Chef at the Marquis at Alkham, more awards were on the cards. During his time there the restaurant won “Restaurant of the Year” in the Taste of Kent restaurant awards, as well as three AA rosettes and a Michelin star rising. He is also no stranger to TV and has appeared on two seasons of Great British Menu. Charlie says he plans on taking 9th Avenue Bistro to new heights which is incredibly exciting as I think that they already soar pretty high.<br/><br/>9th Avenue Bistro offers an A’la carte menu, winter specials menu as well as a Chef’s tasting menu. There are also function menus on offer which is great if you want to book it out for a private event.<br/><br/>Short of naming all of the dishes on the menu (because they are all delish) if stuck as to what to order as a starter, the Creamy shellfish Orzo is a must. Think tempura crayfish, baby lango tails and lemon flat bread which has my mouth watering and which I swear is enough to make me want to jet back up there just to get it in my belly!<br/><br/>The main act boasts dishes featuring duck, lamb, salmon or pork cuts which are all perfectly paired with seasonal side ingredients which perfectly compliment them, and which are all prepared to perfection. <br/><br/>Desserts are naturally carefully thought out and well constructed, it’s really quite hard to pick one, but I would opt for the trio of chocolate mousses again and again and again…rich, decadent and oh so smooth, it would certainly delight any palate.<br/><br/>And then there is the wine list, because no meal such as this would be quite right, well for me anyway, without good wine, and the selection of available wines isn’t just good, they’re great. I think this is owed to Gina, who loves and knows a good wine, and who can certainly recommend the best to go with your meal. And with her running a tight front of house ship one is also assured that the service is at all times excellent.<br/><br/>In ending, here’s all I have to say, it’s only been a couple of weeks and I miss it already. Guess I’ll be seeing you soon again 9th Avenue Bistro. I simply cannot wait!

This was fantastic! I had the salmon and it was outstanding! They also had a very interesting looking tomato tarte tatin. Our table shared a creme brûlée and toffee pudding. Toffee pudding was a bit disappointing. Will definitely be going back to try their chocolate mouse.

A cosy place which is great for a romantic evening out or even just a dinner with friends. The food is very good and I'd go back to try more. There isn't really anything to talk about ambiance wise but it really is all about the food.

Make a reservation and carpool, parking is an issue but you are in for a night of tasty food, portioned for a three course meal. You might be thinking you're in the dining room of a modern three-star guest house but only this time you need a thick wallet. If you bring good company the food will delight you in it's presentation and the service is on-par.

My boyfriend took me here. And wow. What an amazing menu. So unique! The food is deliciously yummy and the calamari starter is to die for! Looking forward to going back there!

Arrived for valentines lunch amidst the regular ESKOM load shedding routine, so needless to say the restaurant was a little dark and a little noisy, as the generators had just kicked in. Starters were great, we had the langoustines and tuna burger. Mains were a little disappointing, stuffing in pork saddle was too bitter. Desserts were delicious paired with a vin de Constance. Service was excellent. Would come back!!<br/>

By far my favorite restaurant! I have never been disappointed during my countless visit. I am the kind of person who believes that you should stick with what you know, so I always have the chargrilled steak frites! Amazing! Accompanied by a pilotage, even better! Although I have my favorite, I have sampled most the other meals from my hubby's plate. All delicious, the only thing we have yet to try is the prawns (and the pork but we don't eat pork anyway). As for the desserts the perfect way to end a meal! You will never go wrong at 9th Avenue Bistro! A must try! ( I wish I could give it 10/5 ;) )

I thoroughly enjoyed this place. I was there with 5 other people and made sure to sample all the dishes on the table. Not one disappointed. I would definitely recommend the quail starter and the prawn and chorizo starter. The best main on the table was by far the duck although the braised lamb shoulder and salmon were fantastic too. For dessert the blueberry cheesecake ice cream was great as was the creme brûlée. Atmosphere was bustling. Service was attentive. Would recommend this as one of Durban's better spots to eat.

The food was amazing, but there wasn't much of an ambiance. The seafood orzo starter is a must. I also had the line fish, which was seasoned to perfection. The service was a bit of a mess, but otherwise everything was great.

Wow!!! I absolutely love this place! The food is always amazing and the service never disappoints.<br/><br/>My favorite dishes here are the deep fried calamari and the Gorgonzola, pear and pecan nut salad. Absolutely delicious! There desserts are superb as well. The triple chocolate mouse always goes down so well after dinner. There are so many options to choose from. If you aren't a chocolate fan then the creme brule is also amazing! <br/><br/>The wine list is also so great with something for everyone. <br/><br/>We enjoy going here for a special occasion. The ambience is great! And the dress is a bit smarter.

Excellent quality and good service all within a quiet and superb atmosphere. One of Durban's best!