Curry Quest — Restaurant in Mowbray

Cape Town boasts a vibrant culinary scene, but sometimes, the heart craves a taste of home. For those seeking the warmth and spice of Durban's iconic curries, look no further than Curry Quest on Durban Road (a delightful touch of irony!).

I had the lamb curry roti roll, and it did not disappoint. The curry was a revelation – perfectly spiced with the signature Durban blend, hitting all the right notes without overwhelming the palate.

The lamb was the star of the show. Cooked to tender perfection, cut into bite-sized pieces and ensuring every mouthful was a delicious explosion of flavours. The portion was generous, and the accompanying potatoes were just enough to complement the lamb without overpowering it. The gravy was another highlight – the perfect amount for a roti roll, ensuring a mess-free, flavourful experience.

While the roti itself was a thicker version than my usual preference, it was fresh and hot, adding a satisfying textural element to the dish. The sambals - a vibrant mix of diced onion, tomato, and fresh Dhania, was the perfect foil to the rich curry, offering a refreshing counterpoint.

I've tried the trendy "burning" curries of Century City and I can confidently say Curry Quest offers Capetonians a far superior experience. This isn't about a fancy joint and bigger menu; it's about a symphony of flavour, a testament to the Durban curry legacy. The soft lighting and the soundtrack of 80s and 90s music further enhanced the experience, transporting me back to my Durban's iconic "favourite joints" of two decades ago. It was a delightful journey down memory lane, each bite a reminder of home.

Curry Quest is a hidden gem. The combination of authentic flavours, generous portions and a nostalgic ambience makes it a must-visit. So ditch the "burn" and embark on a quest for true Durban curry bliss – you won't be...

The food is okay. The mutton bunny is as good as you can expect from Durban. However, I'm not enjoying the vibe here. The waitress/es that have served us have been great but this most recent time, I received a glass that clearly wasn't clean - when I poured my can into it there were bits of styrofoam in the glass. I asked for a replacement can, explaining the styrofoam and all was good in the land ... or so I thought.

When I received the bill, yep, billed for two cans. No problem. I paid the bill plus a little extra and explained to the waitress that if the error for the second can is corrected, there will be much more than a 10% tip. The owner then came out of the kitchen and asked me why I expected a can for free. I told her the first glass was dirty and she said that when I asked for a second can - at the time - I should have specified why. I had no idea what difference this would make since a can is a can, unless (alarmingly) they have a "free can" section which would be of some concern.

Anyway, she insisted that I couldn't possibly have had anything dirty from her establishment and I didn't want to argue. I simply said the bill is covered but if she wants her staff to receive a tip for their work then that's included in my payment if she corrects the bill.

That end interaction with the owner has left a far worse taste than the bunny chow ever could have....

I have been to Curry Quest on numerous occasions. Generally the Lamb curry is pretty great (on the bone, off the bone is dry), unless they are running low, in which case, on one particular occasion, I suspect they added a mystery liquid while they were in the back of the shop in order to eke out two servings. It was disgusting.

My experience of the Butter Chicken was no better than that of a decent store bought cook-in-sauce.The Roti is/are ok, but as another reviewer remarked, they do have a tendency to be a bit raw.

The final thing I have to report on is the customer service. It's so, so bad. The people behind the counter are seemingly surrounded by a heavy lingering aura of job dissatisfaction. It's as if someone is forcing them to work there. They don't smile, or make any effort of any kind at any stage of the interaction to be genial. A highly unpleasant customer experience. It is because of this that I have stopped...