Looking for Durban’s Greatest Curry

When I heard from my editor that I had to search for Durban’s greatest curry, I got really excited. But then I realized, finding the best curry in Durban is as challenging as finding the ultimate hot dog in New York – it’s a tough job.

But I didn’t let that discourage me. Armed with an empty stomach and a list of suggestions I received from fellow curry enthusiasts on Twitter, I headed to the warm city of Durban to embark on my mission.

So, I went to Durban’s CBD first. I parked my borrowed car on a not-so-great street and made sure it was locked. Then, I made my way to the Victory Lounge on Victoria Street. Abigail Donnelly, the food editor for TASTE, recommended it to me on Twitter. As soon as I walked in, I could see that the small front room of the restaurant was packed with people getting their late breakfasts.

I decided to try their top vegetarian curry and they gave me a steaming plate with a mix of vegetables in a curry bunny chow. It was only 10 am and I had just eaten breakfast, but I couldn’t resist digging in. The curry was amazing – it had a good amount of spice without being too hot, and it had a tangy flavor. There were plenty of veggies, and they even included a nice piece of soft white bread for scooping up the curry. I would rate it a four out of five on my bunny-o-meter.

After exploring Victory Lounge, I couldn’t resist trying their tempting selection of sweets. Alongside the familiar Western treats like donuts, there were also mouthwatering options like sticky orange jalebis, milky burfi, and piles of ladoos. I decided to sample a variety of these sugary delights, and they didn’t disappoint.

Next, I made my way to the vibrant Victoria Street Market. As I strolled towards the market, it felt as though I had entered a different world. Durban’s CBD is a sharp contrast to Cape Town’s European influence—it emulates the true essence of Africa. I encountered stacks of shiny forest-green avocados up for sale, an array of mutis to cure various ailments, bundles of exotic plants emitting captivating aromas, and shops filled with thumping kwaito music and affordable Chinese imports as well as flashy gold watches. The air was filled with intoxicating scents from the spice shops. It was a lively, colorful, and slightly overwhelming experience, and I absolutely adored every moment of it.

When I stepped into the Victoria Street Market, with its mishmash of small stores selling a wide range of items, from African curios and jewelry to electronics and spices, I was immediately captivated. The enticing aroma of spices filled the air, and the vibrant garlands adorning the exterior of the RA Moodley ‘Asian Delight’ shop beckoned me inside.

As I entered, I was warmly greeted by Samusha Moodliar, the daughter of the current owner. With infectious enthusiasm, she called out to me, “Darling, darling, what can I get you?” Even though I hadn’t planned on buying anything, I couldn’t resist the temptation and ended up leaving with several packets of fresh spices. Among them were a ‘Durbs masala’ mix and a ‘Tastes just like Nandos spice’ mix.

This little shop is truly a hidden gem. If you find yourself in Durban craving a curry, it’s a must-visit destination. Here, you can find all the spices you need, fresh coconut, mango atchar, and even large containers of chili sauce. It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need to create a delicious curry feast in the comfort of your own home.

So, Samusha told me about this awesome place called Little Gujarat on Prince Edward Street that specializes in vegetarian curry dishes. As a vegetarian myself, I appreciate not having to worry about any surprise meat chunks showing up in my curry. After a satisfying meal of curry, I decided to try a potato samoosa, half a bunny (filled with broadbean curry), and some masala tea. Let me tell you, that samoosa was on point! It had just the right amount of spices, a nice golden color with a hint of turmeric, and a perfect balance of crispiness and softness. It was absolutely delicious. The bunny wasn’t as spicy as the one at Victory Lounge, but it made up for it with its unique and flavorful taste. I also loved the addition of fresh curry leaves. On a scale of one to five, I would give it a solid three. And let’s not forget about the masala tea. It was the perfect sweet and milky companion to my meal. But the best part about Little Gujarat was the price. Can you believe I paid only R13 for my entire meal? Good luck finding a cheaper option anywhere else!

When I heard about Patel’s Vegetarian Refreshment Room, known as the birthplace of bunny chow, I knew I had to check it out. Located on Grey Street, the place had a bit of a sketchy appearance with their curries stored in not-so-clean containers under a dirty counter. But despite that, I couldn’t resist trying one of their famous bunnys. I ordered a quarter bunny and it came loaded with all their delicious curries. Since everything they serve is vegetarian, I didn’t have to worry about unexpected bits of meat. I sat at a table surrounded by hungry lunchtime curry-eaters and dug in.

What I loved about the curry was its spiciness. It had a kick that hit the back of your throat in just the right way. And the scooping bread, which was soft and melted in your mouth, was the perfect accompaniment. I’d give this bunny a solid four out of five on the spice meter.

So, I wanted some curry and ended up at this amazing restaurant. I got the chance to chat with the owner, Manilal Patel, whose father, Ranchod Rama Patel, opened the place almost a century ago. Can you believe it? Anyway, here’s an interesting story: back then, black patrons weren’t allowed to sit in the restaurant due to some old laws. So, in a stroke of genius, Mr. Patel came up with the bunny chow – a way for them to take away their curry. Nowadays, Manilal runs the restaurant and they sell around 400 or 500 bunnies every day. That’s a LOT of curry, don’t you think?

I spent some time talking to Manilal about all the different sweets they offer. They have this thing called burfi, which is like a milky cake – super sweet. Then there’s chenna magaj, made from chickpea flour and spices. And, wait for it… boomdhi! These are these little golden balls made from lentil, cake, and maize flour. They fry them up and then soak them in syrup. Sounds delicious, right? And get this – they also serve them mixed with salty snacks. What a tasty combination!

Man, I was stuffed after devouring four curries in a row at Little India in Musgrave Road. When I got there, I let them know about my situation and asked for a little sample of their top-notch curry. But instead of a small taste, they hit me with a massive dosa – a giant pancake stuffed with potato curry, served alongside three different chutneys and a spicy sambal. I mean, how could I resist that mouthwatering feast?

Dosas, let me tell you, are a specialty of southern India. And the moment I took a bite of that dosa, I was immediately transported to those beautiful tropical beaches down south. The coconut chutney was so fresh and flavorful, I couldn’t get enough of it. And don’t even get me started on the peanut chutney – it was like a party in my mouth! But the real star of the show was that fragrant potato curry. It was pure bliss, perfectly complementing the crispy, paper-thin pancake.

Little India is a restaurant that offers a variety of delicious Indian dishes. They are especially known for their amazing southern cuisine. When you visit, you must try their famous butter chicken, mutton rogan josh, and curries made with their homemade paneer. It’s truly a fantastic place to eat.

The restaurant has a cozy interior, although it can be a bit dim during the day. However, if you prefer some natural light, you can always choose to sit on the balcony. From there, you can enjoy your meal while taking in the vibrant atmosphere of Musgrave Road.

Oh boy, let me tell you about the curry feast I had at Jaipur Palace in Waterkant Street. I thought I couldn’t eat any more curry, but this place proved me wrong! They have a buffet with an incredible assortment of curries for lunch and dinner. It’s a curry-lover’s dream come true!

When I walked in, I couldn’t believe my eyes. They had ten different kinds of meat and fish curries to choose from, and nine vegetarian curries too! And that’s not all, they also had delicious starters like chili bites and crumbed fish. The salads, like the curried carrot and bean, were refreshing and tasty.

But the real stars of the show were the sweets. They had sooji, kheer, ice cream, and custard! I was in dessert heaven. The sooji, a semolina-based sweet, was absolutely divine. And the kheer, a milky pudding with vermicelli, was simply gorgeous.

Now, I have to admit, the vegetarian curries weren’t the best I’ve ever had. But hey, for the price you pay and the amount of food you get, it’s definitely worth it. And the paneer makariwala was particularly delicious.

So, if you’re a curry fan like me, you’ve got to check out Jaipur Palace. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

So, I had a curry experience like no other at Sea Belle in South Beach Road, Tongaat. They claim to serve the best prawn curry in all of Durban, and while I can’t confirm that since I haven’t tasted every prawn curry out there, I can tell you it is seriously good. This curry is a perfect blend of tomatoes, tang, and that delightful thick curry consistency that you crave.

When it comes to choosing your spice level, the waiter asked me if I wanted it hot or mild. Naturally, being a curry enthusiast, I opted for hot. I mean, I eat curry all the time, so I thought I could handle it no problem. But the waiter seemed skeptical. He told me, ‘The whites never have it hot.’ I confidently replied, ‘Well, I eat a lot of curry, and I’m pretty sure I can handle the heat.’ It turns out he didn’t take me seriously. The curry ended up being moderately spicy, not what I would call hot. I guess he judged me and thought I couldn’t handle the super spicy stuff. That’s my only complaint about Sea Belle.

I couldn’t resist trying a Bombay Crush – I had spotted it on the menu at all the curry places I had visited and was curious about what it was all about. When it arrived, I noticed that it resembled pink Nesquik: a vibrant Barbie-pink color with tiny black seeds floating in it, topped off with a scoop of ice cream and colorful sprinkles. I’ll admit, it sounded strange at first, but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious it actually tasted. Apparently, it is meant to be enjoyed as a post-meal digestive. The ingredients include milk, a neon-colored syrup made from elichi (whatever that is), and some mysterious seed.

Now, let me tell you about the restaurant itself – it’s wonderfully unpretentious, with a decor that can be described as tacky in the most endearing way. There’s a larger-than-life pirate statue adorned with flashy flower garlands, and the tables are covered in plastic tablecloths. The walls are adorned with cloth posters featuring dolphins and flamingoes in bright, eye-catching colors. And to top it all off, the restaurant overlooks the sea, providing a lovely view.

This is my story: one day, I had the chance to devour seven different curries, and you can imagine how full my tummy was afterwards.

Now, let’s get to the real question: where can you find the best curry in Durban?

Honestly, Durban has so many curry restaurants that it would take me a month to try them all. And I’m not just talking about a single day spent eating curry. Every place I visited had incredible curry dishes, and I would recommend all of them for various reasons.

If you’re into small, no-frills curry joints that serve delicious food at unbelievably low prices, then you should definitely check out these places:

– Victory Lounge, located at 187 Grey Street. You can reach them at 031-306-1906.

– Patel’s Vegetarian Refreshment Room, situated at 202 Grey Street. Their contact number is 031-306-1774.

– Little Gujarat, which can be found at the corner of Grey and Prince Edward Streets. You can give them a call at 031-306-2272.

On the other hand, if you’re in the mood for something a bit more upscale but still reasonably priced, you should try these curry restaurants:

– Little India, located at 155 Musgrave Road. Give them a call on 031-201-1121.

So there you have it! Whether you’re looking for budget-friendly curry or a more refined dining experience, Durban has plenty of options to satisfy your curry cravings. All you have to do is pick a place and enjoy a mouthwatering curry feast.

If you’re craving curry in Durban, I’ve got a few recommendations for you. First up is Jaipur Palace, a popular spot that offers lunch and dinner buffets. The lunch buffet costs R90 from Monday to Saturday and R100 on Sundays, while the dinner buffet is R100 from Monday to Saturday and R109 on Sundays. You can find Jaipur Palace at 131 Waterkant Road, and their phone number is 031-563-0287.

If you’re looking for curry with a view, I suggest checking out Sea Belle. Located at 62 South Beach Road in Desainagar, Tongaat, this restaurant offers delicious curry dishes. Give them a call at 032-941-5551.

Now, there are a couple of curry restaurants that I didn’t get a chance to try myself, but they come highly recommended. First, we have Jonnie’s Roti, which is known for its legendary status. You can find them on Sparks Road.

Another recommendation is Goundens, situated on Eaton Road in Umbilo. They are said to serve fantastic curry dishes, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

Next on the list is Indian Connection, located at 485 Windermere Road in Morningside. You can reach them at 031-312-1440 if you want to give their curry a try.

Lastly, we have Britannia Hotel on 1299 Umgeni Road. They offer tasty curry dishes, so it’s worth checking them out. Give them a call at 031-303-2266.

If you prefer to cook your own curry, I recommend paying a visit to RA Moodley at Victoria Street Market. They have all the ingredients you need to make a delicious curry. Just give them a call at 031-307-2180.

Now, I must mention that I don’t eat meat, so my curry recommendations are based on vegetarian and pescetarian options only. If you’re a meat-eating food blogger and want to review Durban’s meat curries, let me know. I’d love to hear your thoughts.