Durban: Tuck into a good curry

Britannia Hotel is the oldest hotel in Durban. It was built way back in 1877, and they"ve been perfecting their curries every since.

Britannia Hotel is the oldest hotel in Durban. It was built way back in 1877, and they've been perfecting their curries every since.

Britannia 101

Where? 1299 Umgeni Road, lower Morningside.

Cost? Curries between R30 and R45. Bunnies between R16 and R24.

Contact: 031 303 2266

Durban’s curries are worldfamous, but unearthing the city’s best curry is proving to be quite
a challenge. Everyone I meet has an opinion about where to find the tastiest bunny, bhuna and biryani.

Local's know best
One name keeps popping up, however: Britannia Hotel. I organise to meet my friend Rory
there for lunch. The hotel dates back to Victorian times, but over the years the building has been swallowed up by highway overpasses and car workshops. I find Rory seated at a plastic table in a windowess room next to a row of gambling machines.

The place is packed: office workers with their sleeves rolled up, building site managers in heavy boots and luminous safety vests, and a group of elderly gentlemen that look like they’ve just strolled off the golf course. I even spot ex Sharks rugby player Deon Kayser munching a bunny chow in the corner. That’s a good sign; all these people can’t be here for the décor.

Our curries arrive. Rory’s chicken masala is strong enough to strip paint, but my lamb chops in a mild tomato chutney gravy are delicious. With each mouthful, new flavours keep on popping up: a shave of ginger here, a zing of chilli there… Three hours later we reappear in the parking lot, blinking at the sun like cave creatures. The restaurant is still heaving. Do people do any work in this city?

Go! says: Britannia’s bunny chows are also highly recommended. But maybe plan a long walk on the beach afterwards to recover.

More good curry spots

Linger a while
Let the kids run around and work up an appetite before trying one of the delicious curries at Blue Zoo restaurant.
Where? 6 Nimmo Road, Morningside
Cost? about R60.
Contact? 031 303 3568

Curry in a hurry
Sunrise Chip’n Ranch, better known as Johnny’s Roti, is a Durban institution that’s open 24 hours a day. You won’t need to eat for days after you’ve had an encounter with Johnny’s famous triple chip-and cheese roti.
Where? 89 Sparks Road, Overport City
Cost? About R20.
Contact: 031 209 8417

Little Gujarat serves the most down-to-earth curry in town. Squash in at lunchtime and try one of their hearty vegetarian dishes.
Where? 107 Prince Edward Street, Warwick Junction.
Cost? About R12.

(Note: Prices accurate in November 2009)

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Published 1 November 2009

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Comments

Submitted on 12 February 2010 | 18:34:39

Johny's in Sparks Road -- used to buy a triple-chip-and-cheese-roti-with-extra-mutton-gravy at the beginning of a 12 hr shift on the ambulance, and it lasted the whole shift. Mmmm, my mouth waters just at the memory!!!!