James Kriel and Caron Botha aim to deliver great food and drinks, with excellent service, in relaxed surroundings.

If you are near the Lion Match Office Park in Umgeni Road, Durban, a good way to start your day is to enjoy steaming cup of coffee at The Digs Kitchen.

Located in the centre of the office park, the café is open Monday to Fridays from 7.30 am, and until 8.30 am the coffee is half price. If you need another caffeine boost to shrug off the afternoon dip, ‘coffee happy hour’ is available again from 2 pm until 3 pm.

The Digs Kitchen has aligned themselves with the KwaZulu-Natal midlands based Terbodore Coffee Roasters to ensure that their customers enjoy a great flavoured coffee.

If it is food that you are after to fuel your day, The Digs Kitchen co-founder and chef, James Kriel, prides himself on offering healthy and affordable eating choices that cater for most dietary requirements.

The menu items are made on site and contain no preservatives or refined sugar. Artisan bread is also baked daily. Enjoy some cinnamon sourdough French toast, with banana, crispy bacon and honey or an Eggs Benny â€" toasted sourdough, poached eggs, crispy bacon, handmade hollandaise, and pumpkin seed pesto.

Breakfast items are available all day, along with a variety of salads, wraps and sandwiches. Those who enjoy a traditional burger are not forgotten with chicken and beef choices available. In addition, ready-made meals are obtainable from the fridge. A range of cold pressed fruit juices and delicious smoothies are also popular.

The tenants located at the Lion Match Office Park are a specific target market and the daily specials are great value. The tenants can phone in to order and collect or have a delivered option.

The Digs Kitchen had its beginnings in a mobile food bar, which was a business concept developed during the time James Kriel and housemate Talton Cooke were students. They decided that fellow students would be happy to have a healthy meal on offer, without the bother of having to shop for all the ingredients, as well as prepare a meal.

Following this success, the decision was made to expand and establish a permanent eatery. ‘The Shed’ at The Litchi Orchard in Salt Rock was opened, followed by The Shed Junior, The Workstation Eatery and in October 2017, The Digs Kitchen, which all form part of The DK Group.

Caron Botha, also co-director of The DK Group, said that they have had much constructive feedback and really strive to listen to their customers and meet the needs of an everyday lifestyle.

In the next few years, Kriel and Botha would like grow The Digs Kitchen brand and build a franchise.

The Digs Kitchen is open weekdays from 7am - 4pm.

Caldo & Freddo
Caldo & Freddo, owned by Stephan Lewies (Cell C Sharks lock) and Emil Schwarz, is currently sharing the The Digs Kitchen premises. Offering delicious Italian crêpes, ice-cream and milkshakes, the signature product is a crespella â€" a frozen yoghurt crêpe.  
www.thedigskitchen.co.za