Mali’s Indian Restaurant (Morningside)

For well over a decade, Mali’s has been known for its lip-smacking Indian cuisine that is consistent in quality and taste. This extends to its biryani as well, which is prepared in the traditional North Indian layered Dum biryani style with Basmati rice, tender and succulent meat and a special in-house spice blend. Patrons can choose from the vegetarian biryani, boneless lamb biryani, boneless chicken biryani or prawn biryani, although the lamb biryani is the house favourite. All biryanis are halaal and served with complimentary mixed raita and dhal. The biryanis come in a standard portion size and can be customised according to individual spice level preferences of mild, medium or hot.

The Little India (Musgrave, Berea)

Touted as one of the best Indian restaurants in Durban, The Little India is popular for its South Indian-style biryani which is unique compared to most other Indian restaurants in the city that serve North Indian biryani or Durban-style biryani. While the boneless lamb biryani is a hot seller, diners can choose from options that include a vegetarian biryani, paneer biryani, boneless chicken biryani, prawn biryani, chicken and prawn biryani and fish tikka biryani. All biryanis served are halaal, come in a standard portion size and can be customised according to individual spice level preferences of mild, medium, hot or dynamite.

Goundens (Glenwood)

Popular for its Durban-style bunny chow, Goundens also serves up traditional Durban-style biryani that is known for its unique flavour and generous portion size. The menu features options of vegetarian biryani, chicken biryani on the bone, lamb biryani on the bone and fish biryani. The lamb biryani is the most ordered biryani from the menu. All biryanis served are halaal and are prepared medium-hot, in terms of the spice level.

Copper Chimney (multiple locations)

With five outlets across Durban, Copper Chimney is a well-loved Indian restaurant and is one of the few restaurants in Durban serving Pakistani-style Dum biryani. Patrons can opt for a vegetarian biryani, lamb biryani on the bone or chicken biryani on the bone. Both the lamb and chicken biryani are hot favourites. All biryanis served are halaal, come in a standard portion size and can be customised according to individual spice level preferences of mild, medium or hot.

 

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House of Curries (Morningside)

As the name suggests, House of Curries is known for its Indian curry preparations. However, it also serves up Durban-style biryani that is known as much for its flavour as for its medium spice level, that can be enjoyed by patrons across the board. Diners have a choice of a vegetarian biryani (R88), boneless lamb biryani (R170), boneless chicken biryani, beef biryani, prawn biryani or prawn and chicken biryani. The lamb biryani is the most popular. All biryanis served are halaal, come in a standard portion size and are served with complimentary dhal, salad and pickles.

Some Like It Hot (Umhlanga Rocks)

Promising the perfect consistency of spice and flavour with a balanced ratio of rice to meat and spices, the biryani at Some Like It Hot is definitely a must-try. The restaurant serves North Indian-style biryani in options of vegetarian biryani, lamb biryani on the bone, boneless chicken biryani and chicken and prawn biryani. The lamb biryani and the chicken and prawn biryani are the most popular. All biryanis are halaal and are served with complimentary dhal and salad. The biryanis are served in a standard portion size and are all medium spiced, in terms of spice level.

Gate of India (Gillitts Shopping Centre, Gillitts)

If you’re looking for a traditional North Indian-style biryani with a unique flavour, then Gate of India is the place to visit. Available in options of vegetarian biryani, boneless lamb biryani, boneless chicken biryani, fish biryani and prawn biryani, each biryani undergoes an elaborate cooking process wherein marinated meat is cooked in a gravy before being combined with fragrant Basmati rice that has been prepared separately. The lamb biryani and the chicken biryani (which contains grilled tandoori chicken) are both a hit with customers. All the biryanis served are halaal, come in a standard portion size and can be customised according to individual spice level preferences of mild, medium, hot or extra hot.

CaneCutters (Umhlanga Ridge)

Durban curry house CaneCutters serves up a typical Durban-style biryani with a unique spice mix and choice ingredients, using a recipe that has been perfected over the years. While the restaurant’s menu features a choice of lamb biryani on the bone or vegetarian biryani daily, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, patrons can also sample the chicken masala biryani on the bone. All biryanis served are halaal, medium spiced and come in two portion sizes – medium or large.

 

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Master Chef (North Beach)

Chef-owned restaurant Master Chef specialises in traditional Pakistani-style layered Dum biryani that is prepared with a unique in-house spice blend. This special biryani can be sampled in options of vegetarian biryani, chicken biryani on the bone, boneless chicken biryani, lamb biryani on the bone, boneless lamb biryani or prawn biryani. However, the chicken biryani and the lamb biryani are the crowd-pullers. All biryanis served are halaal, come in a standard portion size and can be customised according to individual spice level preferences of extra mild, mild, medium, hot or extra hot.

Palki Restaurant (Windermere)

Family-owned Palki Restaurant has been serving traditional Indian cuisine for the past 26 years, which includes a stellar biryani prepared by Indian chefs, from recipes that have stood the test of time. At Palki, diners can opt for a Punjab-style or Hyderabadi-style biryani in choices of a vegetarian biryani, boneless chicken biryani, boneless lamb biryani, prawn biryani or fish biryani. The lamb biryani and the prawn biryani are the most popular with patrons. All biryanis served are halaal, come in a standard portion size and can be customised according to individual spice level preferences of mild, medium or hot.