Fast Facts

Restaurant Name: Roti & Chai

Address: Shop 25/26A, 6 Lagoon Drive, The Pearls, Umhlanga.

Contact Number: 071 911 8026

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday 10am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 8.30pm

Average price of a main course: R100

Parking Situation: Parking available on site

Corkage: No BYO

Food Type: Indian street food, Tandoor grilled food.

Best for: Casual gatherings, do cater for corporate events and family gatherings.

Food

All the food is served up very authentically in clay tableware; even the chai is in the clay cups as served in India. The tandoori naan wraps are well worth the price (ranging from R80 for chicken to R110 for the Gatsby). These are tandoor-roasted meats filled in a butter naan wrap, with lettuce, harissa mayo, dhania chutney, tandoori sauce and yoghurt. The meats all have that distinctive smokey tandoor taste, and in the Goan wrap you can distinguish between the different tastes of chicken and prawn. Also, thankfully you are asked if you prefer hot or mild. Note that hot is “Durban Indian” hot; non-Durbanites be warned when ordering.

The parathas are actually filled naans grilled and served with a tandoori sauce. These are tasty but do become a tad boring, as a meal does make a good sharing plate or kids’ option because the spicy keema paratha is not as spicy as expected.

The tandoor tava pilau comes in three options: chicken, Goan (chicken and prawn) and paneer. All the pilaus use basmati rice, green peppers, onions and a yoghurt raita on the side. As mentioned before, the presentation is gorgeous, as it arrives in a clay pot covered with a grilled dough lid, stunning. Unfortunately the tandoor-charred flavour is a bit diluted by the rice, onion and peppers. Note as well that this is not a typical breyani.

The salad is disappointing; it is served just on a bed of lettuce, not with all the other salad elements as stated on the menu. The only dessert option is rasmalai, which is the perfect way to end the evening – soft cloudlike pillows floating in sweet almond, cardamom milk. They also have a breakfast menu available from 8am to 11am, Friday to Sunday. This has breakfast paratha, grilled street sandwiches, samoosas and an egg handi.

There are vegetarian options available but they are limited to mostly paneer in every meal variant or masala chips, naans and cheesy naans.

Kiddies’ meals are available in smaller portion sizes and at a milder heat variation with three options to choose from. With roti in the name, I was wanting to find rotis from different regions of India on offer, but was disappointed to find that there were no rotis on offer at all, just naans.

 

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Drinks

The only drinks on offer are four varieties of chai, a mango lassi and rose-flavoured Bombay Crush. The chai is subtly flavoured and pleasant. The Bombay Crush is delicious and the sweetness works well with the food, as do the chais.

 

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Service

Quick, friendly service. Note that the Florida Road and Suncoast branches are more food courts than proper restaurants. Takeaways are also available at all branches.

 

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Ambience

The artwork on the walls is beautifully lit up with bright neon lights and signs. Brightly coloured umbrellas hang upside down from the ceiling. There are very Bollywood movie song vibes, providing the customer with an upbeat, fresh and exciting 21st century take on the “streetside” experience. The aromas from the kitchen make you feel as if you’re right there on the streets of India… but with a classy touch.

 

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Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here.