Restaurant
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The Chefs’ Table
The Chefs' Table in Umhlanga serves seasonal, contemporary dishes built on KwaZulu-Natal produce from an open kitchen, with a serious wine cellar and regular pairing dinners.
At a glance
- Type
- Contemporary fine dining
- Area
- Umhlanga Rocks, Durban, South Africa
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- thechefstable.co.za
Good to know
- Open-plan kitchen
- Wine cellar
- Private dining
- Online booking
- Pairing dinners
Why we recommend it
The Chefs' Table is a fine-dining restaurant in Umhlanga with a long list of South African restaurant awards to its name. It occupies a first-floor space in Protea Mall on Chartwell Drive in Umhlanga Rocks, and is run around an open-plan kitchen so diners can watch the brigade at work. Chef Mathew Armbruster leads the kitchen, and the restaurant's own short description of its food is authentic, fresh and seasonal.
The cooking is modern and seasonal but aims to stay approachable rather than formal. Menus are built on ingredients from KwaZulu-Natal and change with the seasons, and plates are served on handcrafted ceramics. You can order from the a la carte menu, and the restaurant also publishes sample menus, bar and wine-cellar menus and special menus for occasions such as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The cellar includes a wide selection of South African wines alongside bottles from France and New Zealand, and the restaurant hosts food and wine pairing dinners with wine estates; it also takes part in Restaurant Week promotions, which are a cost-effective way to try the kitchen.
The awards wall is extensive. The restaurant displays honours from the Eat Out awards, including recent years, ratings from the JHP Gourmet Guide, House and Garden Gourmet Restaurant Awards and the American Express Dining Awards, and it was named in the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Top 10 in 2018.
This is a special-occasion restaurant that suits couples, food lovers and business dinners, and it is popular for birthdays and anniversaries. It is open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday and is normally closed on Sundays, with some exceptions in December. Booking is strongly recommended, especially for dinner and weekends; reservations are made online through the restaurant's booking system, and private dining, functions, off-site catering and gift vouchers can be arranged by email. Expect fine-dining prices and allow two to three hours for a full meal.
Umhlanga Rocks is north of central Durban and has several of the area's best-known hotels, including the Oyster Box, so the restaurant is easy to reach by ride-hailing app or a short drive from the beachfront. Combine dinner with an early-evening walk along the Umhlanga promenade to the lighthouse.
The Chefs’ Table FAQs
Do I need to book?
Yes. Booking is strongly recommended and can be made online through the restaurant's booking system.
When is it open?
Lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday. It is normally closed on Sundays, apart from some dates in December.
Who is the chef?
The kitchen is led by Chef Mathew Armbruster.
What kind of food is served?
Modern, seasonal dishes based on KwaZulu-Natal produce, served from an open-plan kitchen.
Is there a good wine list?
Yes. The cellar includes South African wines as well as French and New Zealand bottles, and pairing dinners are held regularly.
Has it won awards?
Yes. It displays Eat Out, JHP Gourmet Guide, House and Garden and American Express Dining awards, and was in the Eat Out Mercedes-Benz Top 10 in 2018.
Can I book a private event?
Yes. Private dining, parties, functions and off-site catering can be arranged by email.
Where is it?
On the first floor of Protea Mall, Chartwell Drive, Umhlanga Rocks.