XL Resturant

XL Restaurant on Durban’s beachfront! Another absolute Durban classic from the old days

XL (often called XL Roadhouse or XL Tearoom/Restaurant) was that iconic spot on South Beach (Golden Mile area, towards the Addington side), a true beachfront landmark for decades. It dated back to at least the 1920s (some old menus even had a 1922 photo), and it became the go-to for hungry beachgoers, surfers, night owls, shift workers, and anyone needing a post-jol fix.

What made it legendary:

• Massive burgers (the famous XL burger was a staple — people still rave about finishing a night with one).
• Dagwoods, loaded omelettes (think half a kg of bacon at 4am), pie chips and gravy, mixed grills, and those thick chocolate milkshakes.
• Open late/24-hour vibes in its heyday — perfect after a big night out or for early-morning beach sessions.
• Jukebox, casual roadhouse feel, outdoor seating with that classic sea view.
• It survived everything from a 1985 bomb blast outside (shattered windows but the place kept going) to being a meeting point for generations.

It was right on the promenade/walkway, super visible — you’d spot it from the beach or while strolling the Golden Mile. In the 2000s, as part of the big beachfront redevelopment (pre-2010 upgrades), it got demolished around 2009 and was supposed to be rebuilt further back, but the original spot never quite returned in the same form. The owner (Spetsiotis family took over in ’99) kept the nostalgia alive for a while, but it eventually closed for good, leaving a huge hole in Durban’s beach culture.

Durbanites still post old photos and memories in those history groups — “Who remembers the XL dagwood at 3am?” or “Best place after a jol!” It’s one of those spots everyone wishes was still there, like The Nest or Cuban Hat.

Got a favorite XL memory? The burgers, the late-night runs, or just chilling there watching the waves? Pure Durban beachfront gold. 🍔🌊🍻