While the sunny city of Durbs doesn’t always have the coldest winters, there’s still a slight nip in the air that makes for the perfect excuse to indulge in a gooey and luxurious hot dessert. For your feasting pleasure, here’s where to order warm and comforting puds around Durban.

9th Avenue Bistro (Morningside)

This upmarket bistro is known to serve up some of the best desserts in town. While the menu changes seasonally, you can always expect to find something hot and comforting on the desserts list. Currently, you can sink your spoon into a pear, apple and raisin bread pudding with Jameson Whisky ice cream, créme anglaise and a pecan, pear and apple compote.

A soufflé at 9th Avenue. Photo supplied.

Bellevue Café (Kloof)

The café is located in chilly Kloof, so desserts here are unctuous and comforting. Try the sweet, sticky and deeply gratifying traditional malva pudding served with custard, chocolate brownies with nuts and smooth ice cream; or the soft-centred chocolate fondant teamed with ice cream and, for good measure, chocolate sauce.

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Butcher Block (Umhlanga)

Finish your steak-fuelled meal with a range of satisfying puds that are ideal for winter feasting. Think gooey deep-fried Oreos; traditional malva pudding with fresh cream or vanilla ice cream; fudgy chocolate brownies with marshmallow frosting; and a hot apple tart served with vanilla ice cream.

Butcher Boys (Morningside)

This popular steakhouse serves some pretty indulgent and gooey hot desserts to round off the meal. Try the molten chocolate lava cake with a rich, dark chocolate centre and side scoop of ice cream; apple malva pudding with stewed apples, pecans and a bourbon-and-butterscotch sauce; or simple ice cream with a hot dulce de leche or hot Bar One chocolate sauce.

The warm and gooey lava cake at Butcher Boys. Photo supplied.

Little Havana (Umhlanga)

This rich chocolate fondant arrives warm from the oven with an intensely rich and dark Callebaut Belgian chocolate centre and a scoop of smooth vanilla ice cream. As it is baked to order, the pudding requires a wait of 15 minutes. Also try the apple and pecan bread pudding with apple compote, butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream.

Lupa Osteria (Durban North)

After tucking into some good Italian grub, order up one of the rich desserts on the menu to end the meal. There are warm Italian-style doughnuts with chocolate sauce; Nutella crêpes; and the popular chocolate-and-caramel fondant, with a salted caramel centre and creamy vanilla gelato on the side.

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Nikos (Ballito)

While mezze and yiros are the drawcard here, you won’t be disappointed with the sweet treats menu. Warm options include poached pears with crispy kataifi; baked halva with apple and cinnamon; and galaktoboureko. This glorious dessert comprises golden phyllo pastry filled with a warm custard and topped off with sticky syrup.

Plan B Dessertery (Durban North)

This trendy dessert bar is known for serving up all things indulgent and sweet. Try a portion of piping hot churros served with a chocolate or caramel dipping sauce, or go big and order a warm waffle cone with your choice of toppings. Options include the Bees Knees with vanilla ice cream, chocolate honeycomb and caramel sauce; the toffee apple with double caramel ice cream, green apple chunks and candied nuts; and the Wimbledon with vanilla ice cream, strawberries, crushed meringue, cream and chocolate sauce.

A bubble waffle at Plan B. Photo supplied.

Ray’s Kitchen (Salt Rock)

After a leisurely lunch at this poolside restaurant, sink your spoon into the dark chocolate fondant with vanilla bean ice cream. The small decadent dome of chocolate has just the right amount of wobble with a satisfyingly oozy, glossy centre. It’s richly chocolatey, with just a hint of salt to emphasise the flavour.

The oozing chocolate fondant at Ray’s Kitchen. Photo by Nikita Buxton.