My parents, sister and I moved to Hillcrest at the beginning of 1987 from the sleepy town of Dundee which is situated in Northern KwaZulu-Natal. At that time Hillcrest was also a sleepy little town but the best part was that we were now so close to the sea and more entertainment.
From a one traffic light town to now numerous traffic lights, Hillcrest has grown and expanded incredibly. Residents have no need to drive down to the Westville Pavilion anymore for shopping since the Watercrest Mall opened and kids are happy to have a movie theatre. New shops and restaurants are opening all the time and frankly Hillcrest residents are spoilt for choice.
Here are a few of my favourite places in Hillcrest :
- Lineage Coffee
Situated in Builders Way (the road next to and behind Lillies Lifestyle Centre), Lineage is the place to sit and relax with an excellent cup of coffee. Owned by former South African barista champion, Craig Charity, the shop has an industrial feel to it and there are always lots of people either chatting, working on laptops or having meetings. There is a coffee roastery on site and Lineage repairs and sells coffee machines. A must visit if you find yourself in Hillcrest. They have wonderfully fast wifi that is free for an hour. Facebook
- City Roast
The City Roast coffee shop is located at 52 Florida Road in Durban but they also have a wonderful coffee caravan that they use for events and functions. The caravan is currently located at the Shell garage in Hillcrest which is opposite the Lillies Quarter Lifestyle Centre. I have been enjoying stopping by to order a delicious cappuccino after dropping my daughter at high school. They use beans from different South African roasters and you are always assured of having a superior cup of coffee. Make sure you follow them on their Facebook page so you can see if the caravan is away from the garage.
- Lillies Quarter Lifestyle Centre
Hillcrest Art Supplies
For paint, canvas, paper, scrapbooking supplies and other craft items this is the shop to visit. I can easily spend an hour looking at all the art supplies and there is always something new. They also have an online store.
Oscars Cafe
This restaurant is always packed full of people having lunch or supper, ladies get togethers or meetings. It is very popular with the Sunday cyclists who leave their cars at the centre and then enjoy breakfast after their ride. We have always enjoyed going for an early morning breakfast. The centre is currently building and refurbishing and Oscars has already had a glass partition installed. Website
Olive & Oil
A wonderful venue to enjoy a delicious lunch or supper. We especially love sitting outside on a warm evening with candlelight. The restaurant has also recently had a glass partition installed in the centre refurbishment. Website
I also visit Clicks, Woolworths Food and Manolis Munchies. There are approximately 37 shops in the centre.
- Oxford Village
Oxford Freshmarket
Situated inside Oxford Village (former Heritage Market) you will find Oxford Freshmarket facing onto Old Main Road. Not a lot of choices in food variety but their Tuesday specials on vegetables, meat and other food items are very popular. Website
Union Square
Divine burgers, steaks and ribs and fabulous milkshakes. A great place or a Friday night family outing and they even have a kids play area. Website
Mozart Marvelicious Ice Cream Factory
One word : FABULOUS! Smooth, creamy and such a treat. Chose your flavour, dispense the ice cream and add your required toppings. Weigh, pay and enjoy. Perfect on one of those (numerous) hot KZN days. Website
Lots of restaurants and other shops are also located in Oxford Village and they also have Action Soccer.
- Hillcrest Aids Centre
Support the Hillcrest Aids Centre’s work by shopping in their beautiful Woza Moya craft shop, buying plants from their Nursery or fabric and other items from their Haberdashery. The bead artists that supply Woza Moya are so talented and it is a great place to find gifts for family and friends. Website
- Hillcrest Kwikspar
I just love, love, love this shop. It is the best Kwikspar filled with so many fascinating items from gifts through to unique food items. Their bread and rolls are delicious and there is always something new to see and buy. They have regular specials and it is a good idea to get one of their reward cards. It is amazing how much stuff can be squeezed into this shop and you must take a slow walk around as you never know what you could find. I have bought Christmas presents here before. Website
- Hillcrest Centre
KOS
For affordable quality food basics and other speciality foods that are close to expiry date or in damaged packaging. KOS is a shop that needs to be visited regularly to see what you can find. Facebook
Layed Back
Specialising in leather bags and accessories and with over 22 years experience in retail, this is the shop to find the bag of your dreams. They also stock the Just Cruizin clothing range. At the back of the shop is their Love Back Charity Clothing Store, proceeds of which go to the Siyajabula Childrens Home. Find Layed Back inside the iconic stone tower at Hillcrest Centre (opposite Mr Price Home). They have an online store.
Papa Giovanni’s
Tramazzini, pasta and wood fired pizza are on the menu at Papa Giovanni’s. They have recently had a refurbishment and have added a Gin Bar with a selection of popular and craft gins. There is a weekly lunch special for only R49 available from Monday – Friday 11:30am to 3pm. Website
Deeghuys
If you have a Deeghuys store near you then I really recommend that you pay them a visit and buy some of their delicious products. They sell frozen unbaked meals and snacks that you simply pop into the oven for that just baked touch. My daughter used their frozen donuts for her Grade 11 Business Studies market. She filled them with caramel, custard and chocolate condensed milk and they sold out. We also love their chocolate croissants.
BP & Bean Fuelled
For discounted diesel and fabulous coffee ordered from and brought to your car to the friendly attendants and staff, this is the place I go to to get my car re-fuelled. If you are feeling peckish I can also recommend their toasted sandwiches and their iced coffee is perfect on a hot day. Facebook
Hillcrest Centre has a few other restaurants (Butcher Boys has recently opened), shoe store, paint supply, jewellery and other shops.
- Hillcrest Corner
Jack Salmon Fish & Grill
Sushi, prawn, calamari and other finger licking sea delights are to be found at Jack Salmon on the top level of Hillcrest Corner. Ladies Night is Thursday, Date Night dining specials are Saturday and they regularly have live music on Sunday nights. The current Spring seafood special is 10 prawns for R98. Website
Mugg & Bean OTM (On The Move)
Such a lovely little Mugg & Bean and beautifully decorated as well. My daughter loves their toasted sandwiches and Mango Berry Duo Iced Freezo drink. They also have wifi and charging stations so that you can get some work done or do social media surfing. Website
Hillcrest Corner has approximately 68 shops including a Woolworths, Clicks, Dischem and Virgin Active. The other restaurants are Wimpy, Butcher Block, Essence Cafe, Kauai and The Daily.
- Richdens Village Centre
Karoo Kitchen Deli & Butchery
Specialising in quality meats, fresh deli goods and ready made meals. With lamb sourced from their own abattoir, Greenfields grass fed beef, Wagyu and pure bred Angus beef from Netherwood Farm in the Midlands, Riversmead chicken and the delicious Georgie’s pork products. They also offer game and artisanal products such as ostrich, rabbit, guinea fowl, duck and quail. They have over 10 flavours of biltong which is made onsite. Don’t forget to buy your pets some dog biltong. Website
Domino’s
My daughter’s favourite place to get pizza. Order online and then collect from the store. Quick and efficient service and you can even watch the pizza being made. My favourite is their 3 cheese pizza. Domino’s is right next to Karoo Kitchen so you can buy the meat for your next braai while waiting for your pizza order.
Other shops in Richdens Village Centre are Superspar, Pep, Eldorado Spur restaurant and the newly opened Gelmar. There is also a hairdresser, coffee shop, haberdashery and pharmacy.
- The Colony Shopping Centre
Ocean Basket
The restaurant recently moved from its previous position at Richdens Village Centre to its new home at The Colony Shopping Centre. It is located next to Stretta Cafe & Grill. We often go to Ocean Basket and especially if they are running their hake and chips special. We still need to visit them in their new position. Website
Cat Box Pet Hyper
A wide range of pet food and accessories. The store is stocked with over 4500 products and including products stocked exclusively at Cat Box. Keep a look out for specials in the local paper. Website
The Colony has various other shops such as Food Lovers Market, Bed Studio, Curtains By Lulu, Republik restaurant and the recently opened Mythos Greek restaurant. There is a First Thursday’s market on the first Thursday of every month.
As you can see Hillcrest is a busy and vibrant place and there are many, many more shops and other places throughout the town. A new development called The Yard was recently built and I recently visited the Mayfair Cafe.
The next post will focus on ………. Assagay, Hillcrest.