The best pub and grub spots on the North Coast, my bru!

My mom always told me I was moody when I was hungry – and while I maintain she was wrong about most other things – she had a point there.

Few things lift my mood as quickly as a good (and by that I mean deliciously unhealthy) meal and an ice cold beer, whether it be after a long day at work or just when I need to get out of the house over the weekend.

Sometimes I want a sea view when I chow down on some local chef’s masterpiece – and it’s endless fun to engage in some people watching when all the holidaymakers are in Ballito – other times I just want to get away from the tourist-madness and find a pub where I can have a beer without seven screaming vaalie children driving me up the wall.

With this in mind, let’s take a look – in no particular order – at some of my favourite spots on the Dolphin Coast for a pub and grub excursion and what it is that makes them stick out.

Hops

Everyone knows Hops restaurant at the bottom of Hawkins Road, overlooking Clarke Bay.

Hops is one of the best spots to be entertained by the antics of holidaymakers, it embodies so much of the North Coast’s atmosphere that it is almost always full of visitors and locals taking advantage of the great view of the sea and great food.

Hops’ famous seafood platters are enough to keep anyone coming back for more and if you have never tried their awesome jalapeno poppers then you have never lived (and this is from a guy who doesn’t generally like hot things).

The deck at Hops is one of the best in town and allows for a cool sea breeze while you enjoy your food.

Address: 14 Edward Pl, Ballito

Hours: 9.30am – 12am

Contact: 032 946 2895

The Galley

Sitting right on the beach above Salmon Bay, the Galley is arguably one of the most popular spots for holidaymakers to go for a meal. Nowhere else will you find a sea view as close as at the Galley and its rustic whitewashed colour scheme will take you back to a bygone era of beach holidays.

The sound of the waves crashing is crystal clear from your table in the Galley, known for their outstanding seafood and their much loved, homemade per-peri sauce unique on the Dolphin Coast.

Address: 17 Compensation Beach Rd, Ballito

Hours: 8am – 11pm

Contact: 032 946 2546

The Grandstand

The Grandstand is a local secret and treasure. Hidden at the back of The Circle off Ballito Drive, next to the Lifestyle Centre, the Grandstand escapes the notice of most holidaymakers – making it the perfect spot for locals to relax without half of Gauteng crowding them for table room.

With a real old-school sports bar feel the only problem with Grandstand are the Liverpool shirts on the walls (we all know United is king!).

The Grandstand is famous for their massive burgers. Lots of places make claims about how big and how tasty their burgers are but if you can find one that compares to the magnificence and size that is the famous Grandstand Burger, I’ll buy it for you!

Address: Shop 6, The Circle, Douglas Crowe Dr, Ballito

Hours:  11am – 10/11pm, except on Thursday’s karoeky night where last rounds are usually at 1am.

Contact: 032 946 0563

Siggi’s

Siggi’s German Restaurant and Pub is one of those places that is eternally popular. Making the best eisbein on the coast may have a little something to do with that.

Siggi’s offer you the chance to enjoy authentic German cuisine – such as their awesome eisbein – and a range of deliciously German schnitzels and beers.

Be warned though – the full size eisbein is not for the faint of heart and will keep you eating till either you or your pants’ buttons pop.

Address: 63 Basil Hulett Dr, Salt Rock

Hours:  10.30am – 9.30pm

Contact: 032 525 7460

Saltyz

Saltyz in Salt Rock is a long time favourite with locals and the number one pit stop after work for many folks.

Known for their staff – the friendliest on the Dolphin Coast – and for their famous singing waiter Tommy Mkhwanazi, Saltyz is the perfect mixture of a place for locals with a bit of a sea view from their balcony.

Saltyz offers a wide variety of pub grub such as their seafood, meat and chicken baskets as well as crispy calamari and scrumptious burgers.

Of course, Saltyz wouldn’t be Saltyz without their karaoke evenings, which gave Tommy his reputation for rocking to sokkie treffers like no-one else.

Address: 60 Basil Hulett Dr, Salt Rock

Hours: 7am – 12pm

Contact: 032 525 5560