Bunny Chow at the Hotel
Recent guest feedback specifically praises the bunny chow:
- A July 2025 TripAdvisor review (from a June 2025 stay) highlighted the lamb bunny chow at R99 as flavoursome, with enough tender lamb and potato, sufficient gravy for mopping up, fresh bread, and a pleasant heat/afterburn. The reviewer called it above-average and worth a visit.
- Other recent Google/Tripadvisor-linked comments mention positive experiences with mutton bunnies (presentation and taste), as well as the restaurant’s curries more broadly. One guest noted the food as “amazing, especially the Bunny chows.”
- Trivago and similar sites describe it as a “renowned bunny chow restaurant,” with guests frequently praising authentic mutton, prawn, and chicken curry varieties.
Bunny chow (or simply “bunny”) originated in Durban’s Indian community. It is traditionally a quarter, half, or full unsliced white loaf hollowed out and filled with curry (classically mutton/lamb, chicken, beans, or vegetable), with the scooped-out bread (“virgin”) used for dipping. The gravy soaking into the bread is a key part of the experience. It is typically eaten by hand and often served with a side of carrot/onion/chilli salad or atchar. Prices in the Durban area commonly range from roughly R50–R160+ depending on size and filling; the R99 lamb version noted here fits typical local pricing for a solid portion.
The hotel’s restaurant focuses on Indian/Durban-style cuisine (curries, seafood platters, prawn curry, fish and chips, etc.). Feedback on the broader food is mixed but leans positive for the curries and Indian dishes when available, with occasional notes about wait times, menu items being off, or inconsistent quality in older reviews. The bunny chow specifically stands out as a highlight for many who try it.
Hotel Details
- Address: 230 South Beach Road, La Mercy, 4405 (Tongaat Beach area), KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
- Location: Beachfront on the North Coast, roughly 3–4 km / a short drive from King Shaka International Airport. Convenient for transit stays, with ocean views, proximity to the beach, and access toward Umhlanga, Ballito, and Durban.
- Facilities: Outdoor pool, restaurant, bar, free parking, free Wi-Fi, room service, conference facilities, family rooms. Some rooms offer sea views/balconies.
- Ratings: Generally around 6.4–7.0/10 across Booking.com, HotelsCombined, Trivago, etc. (hundreds of reviews). Strengths often cited: location, beach access, views, friendly staff in many cases, and the food (especially curries/bunny chow). Weaknesses in some reviews: dated/basic rooms, occasional service or cleanliness issues, hot water/AC problems, or slow dining service.
- Contact notes (from various listings; verify current): Phone numbers around +27 32 941 6221 or similar variants (e.g., +27 64 535 3886 appear in some places). Check official booking platforms or recent listings for the latest.
