To get a true flavour of Durban, its signature dish known as bunny chow – comprising a quarter loaf of white bread and stuffed with curry – is a must-try. Popularised in the region around the 1860s to 1940s, it’s been a favourite with residents for its heartiness and deliciousness. Here are some of the best places to try it.
With the accolade of Durban’s best bunny chow under its belt, it’s fair to say that Jeera knows its way around this time-tested recipe. According to its head chef, what makes the restaurant’s bunny chow a cut above the rest is its gravy and condiments. Beetroot Ryvita, pickled figs and fresh vegetables best complement this dish, while nothing washes it down better than a can of Coca-Cola.
New to Durban’s foodie scene, The Curry O’s Point Waterfront location opened in December 2019, but it’s already proving to be a hit with residents and tourists alike. As The Curry O’s is an Indian restaurant, bunny chow is, of course, on the menu – and the version here is a credit to this famous dish.
Hollywoodbets is one of Durban’s best secret spots for bunny chow. Why? It’s a sports bar, which seems quite an unlikely place to find a good bunny chow. Regulars at this spot in Springfield swear by Hollywoodbets’ spicy fare, and rumour has it that many chefs only eat their bunnies here. Back in 2014, its bunny chow even won first place in Durban’s Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer Challenge.
Another establishment with a shiny trophy on its mantelpiece is CaneCutters in Glenwood. In 2016, it moved from third place in the Coca-Cola Bunny Chow Barometer Challenge to first, and to this day, its recipe is among the best. This authentic Durban-style curry house is also known for its quick service, good portions and consistent quality.
Britannia Hotel’s bunny chow rips up the rule book slightly, but it stays true to the dish’s core components of being a hollowed-out loaf of bread with gravy galore. Alongside its boneless mutton bunny chow, you can opt for trotters, chops, mince and prawns to complement the dish.