Durban’s first taste of Doppio Zero’s passion for goodness
This international brand that has spread from the length of Africa is now open in uMhlanga’s The Pearls. The Doppio Zero at The Pearls Boutique Mall showcases a beautiful on-site bakery with freshly prepared artisan breads and retail items baked daily.
The international brand started out as a small Greenside bakery and al fresco cafe 15 years ago which soon gained popularity for its freshly made artisan ciabatta, exclusive bakery and as a convenient meeting place.
Entrepreneurs Paul Christie and Miki Milovanovic realised they were onto something special when the aroma of baking kept drawing more and more people to meet, eat and enjoy good coffee. Over time, the humble cafe evolved into a full-service eatery with a diverse Mediterranean-inspired menu including some specialities alongside traditional Italian food.
The success of the Greenside restaurant led to a quick expansion of the brand, Doppio Zero. The name Doppio Zero is Italian for Double Zero (00), the grading of the finest milled flour used to make pizza, pasta and confectionery. Doppio Zero uses only “Farina 00” to make the range of famous gourmet pizzas on its menu.
Today there are restaurants in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and Alexandria in Egypt with a complimentary blend of a franchise, corporate and joint venture partnerships.
Every restaurant has a unique personality, but all share a passion for quality food and service as well as the common embodiment of Europe’s café culture.
Durban’s own Doppio Zero is situated in a fabulous location that serves both locals and seasonal holidaymakers. “We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week and our menu is different,” explains restaurant manager Serge Des. “Food and service are of a high standard. We have our own bakery where our breads, cakes and pastries are baked fresh daily.”
The philosophy behind the brand
The Doppio Zero philosophy is centred around a belief in the goodness of quality, which has shaped the restaurants, with each team of managers and staff adopting a very hands-on approach to making sure each season is celebrated with a great selection of new dishes and an updated menu with specials designed to encourage diners to try something new.
The uMhlanga restaurant has a contemporary design, an open plan style which is an embodiment of the rustic, natural feel of the original eatery which got the ball rolling. It is where quality meets comfort, and modern touches fuse with the traditional elegance of a full-service restaurant with gourmet appeal, adding a stylish take on Durban’s relaxed style. Best known for the great coffee, free WiFi, delicious light lunches and moreish dinners, the location offers uMhlanga residents the opportunity to live, work and experience delicious offerings with family and friends just a short walk from the beach.
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Beachside charm
If you have walked the promenade or finished off your morning jog, the breakfast menu has plenty to offer those seeking healthy smoothies or a refreshing snack. It is also the perfect location for a business meeting over a light beach lunch during the week or a more relaxed slow down on the weekend. Once you find your way there, you are sure to return, so consider signing up for their generous loyalty programme.
The menu, which changes regularly, includes a variety of cocktails for sun-downers and is available to peruse online to whet your appetite before you head out to the restaurant, or to order as a take away to enjoy at home.
Opening times are Sunday and Monday: 7.00 – 21.00, Tuesday – Thursday: 7.00 – 22.00 and Friday and Saturday: 7.00 – 22.30.
Phone to book a table or order take away on 010 900 3173, or drop in and enjoy the Doppio Zero experience for yourself at Shop A21, Pearls of Umhlanga, Cnr Lagoon Drive and McCausland Crescent.
