The Chairman Cafe
146 Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Point, Durban, 4001
In Durban, we do not have many bastions of culture, but before 2020, The Chairman was the go-to for intimate music events and wonderful humans. Now, officially re-opening in 2023, they are not only bringing back the evening events for which they became famous, but they have introduced The Chairman Café!
Having visited on Sunday night for a beautiful concert with Shabaka and the Ancestors, I was reminded that I needed to visit for the daytime fare, so this week, that's what we did!
The art and decor has been thoughtfully and stylishly curated and so has the menu. We ordered a number of different plates to taste, from lamb arancini balls, to sake-soaked chicken (served with a phenomenal cucumber side) to shortrib and bao. Everything with tasty. On occasion, they fire up their pizza oven and serve beautiful Neapolitan style pizzas.
They have put a lot of effort in customer service and Zizipho our waitress was attentive and lovely. Coffee was expertly brewed on a Sanremo set of equipment with Coastal Coffee beans in the hopper, served in beautiful cups. What a fantastic place to work, definitely a space that helps get the creative juices flowing.
So if you feel like you need a bit of inspiration, support this gorgeous cafe as it spreads its wings into new territory.
