Indian restaurant Umhlanga
Monishka Govender|Published
From hearty curries and sizzling South Indian specialities to warm smiles and a welcoming atmosphere, The Host in Umhlanga is serving up more than just a meal, it is offering diners a seat at the family table.
There is something special about walking into a restaurant and feeling as though you have arrived at a friend’s home, where the welcome is warm, the food is comforting and nobody is in a hurry to make you feel like just another customer.
At The Host in Umhlanga, that feeling begins the moment you step through the door.
The aroma of fragrant spices wafts from the kitchen and the friendly staff greet guests with warmth.
The inviting atmosphere and attentive service come together to create an experience feels less like a conventional restaurant visit and more like being welcomed into a family home for a hearty meal.
It is this philosophy of hospitality, paired with a menu celebrating South Indian, North Indian and Indian-Chinese fusion cuisine, that has helped The Host establish itself as one of Durban’s celebrated Indian dining destinations in just over a year of operation.
For owner Vivek Moodley, the restaurant’s success is about more than serving good food.
It is about bringing people together, honouring his family’s legacy and ensuring every guest feels genuinely welcomed.
“From the beginning, we did not want to be just another restaurant; we wanted guests to feel genuinely welcomed and valued, the way you would in our home,” said Moodley.
That philosophy is reflected in the restaurant’s name. Moodley sees himself as a host welcoming people into his own home, with every diner treated as a guest rather than a transaction.
And it shows. From the servers who move between tables with friendly smiles to the chefs who take pride in the dishes they prepare, there is a sense of shared purpose that makes the dining experience feel personal.
A family legacy served with every meal
The story behind The Host begins long before its doors opened in Umhlanga.
Moodley’s passion for the restaurant industry was inspired by his father, Mali Venketesan Moodley, who is originally from India. He owned restaurants and played cricket.
Before venturing into hospitality himself, Moodley worked in the corporate world as a finance master data specialist. But watching his father run restaurants left a lasting impression, eventually prompting him to follow a similar path.
In 2013, he opened Mali’s in Morningside, Durban, naming the restaurant after his father. It operated until November 2018, when Moodley and his wife, who is from Mumbai, decided to move to Canada.
The couple enjoyed their time there, where Moodley continued pursuing his passion for hospitality, opening another restaurant before closing it in 2023 and moving into a different venture.
But the pull of home and family remained.
In March 2025, the couple returned to South Africa, ready to begin a new chapter in the restaurant business.
“We decided that we wanted to be back home with our family in South Africa, and I started the prototype of starting a new restaurant with a new name,” said Moodley.
What followed was an ambitious transformation. The space they took over had previously housed a rundown restaurant that had closed, and turning it into the welcoming establishment they envisioned was no small task.
After two months of renovations, The Host opened its doors in July 2025.
The response exceeded expectations.
“Luckily, ever since we opened in July, we have been busy every single night,” Moodley said.
He recalled the excitement of opening day, when a queue formed outside the restaurant. The support was particularly meaningful because many customers remembered Mali’s and were eager to see what he would create next.
“It was really a good homecoming coming back to South Africa,” he said.
The restaurant has since attracted a diverse clientele, including local families, tourists and visitors travelling from other parts of the country.
Moodley said much of its growth has come through word of mouth rather than advertising.
Where family extends beyond the dining table
Perhaps the most endearing part of The Host is that its family-first approach is not simply a marketing slogan. It is woven into the way the restaurant operates.
Moodley believes a successful restaurant depends on everyone working together, regardless of their position.
“I always try to run my business like we are one big family,” he said.
The owner is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and get involved in the everyday running of the establishment. Whether it is waiting tables, assisting staff or attending to guests, he believes every role matters.
“I do everything with everyone in the restaurant every day. I will do things right from the bottom to the top, from waiting tables, with people not even knowing I am the owner, because this is how a restaurant should be run, as a family working together,” he said.
That spirit extends to his own family. During the busy festive season, his brother, who runs a web design business, steps in to help out.
It is a small but telling detail about the culture Moodley has created. Even family members with careers outside hospitality are willing to lend a hand when the restaurant gets busy.
A kitchen rooted in India, with a taste for every palate
Of course, warm hospitality can only go so far without food worth returning for, and this is where The Host makes its mark.
The restaurant’s menu draws on the culinary traditions of South India and North India, with an Indian-Chinese fusion offering adding another dimension to the experience.
Moodley brought back two chefs who had worked with him at Marley’s and expanded the kitchen team with three additional chefs from India. Hailing from cities including Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, the chefs bring a wealth of regional knowledge to the menu.
“Our kitchen team is one of the pillars of what makes The Host special,” said Moodley.
“From the beginning, we brought in seasoned chefs from India with deep expertise in both South Indian and North Indian culinary traditions, many with 15 to 20 years of experience preparing authentic regional dishes.”
The menu encourages diners to venture beyond their usual order, particularly when visiting with family or friends who have different tastes.
Not just another curry house
What distinguishes The Host is its effort to bring different regional Indian traditions together without losing sight of what makes each one special.
South Indian dishes offer bold pepper, curry leaves, chillies and coconut, while North Indian favourites bring their own rich gravies and familiar spice combinations. The Indian-Chinese options provide another layer of variety for diners looking for something different.
The result is a menu suited to a mixed group, where one person can opt for a dosa, another can tuck into a creamy curry and someone else can explore the fusion dishes.
There is also room for diners who have something specific in mind.
Moodley said guests have asked about the restaurant's crab curry and fresh fish preparations, and the kitchen is happy to accommodate such requests with advance notice.
“We are happy to prepare them. Just need a day or two, advance notice,” he said.
A place to slow down and feel at home
For Moodley, the restaurant is also the culmination of a journey that began with his father’s influence and continued through years of experience in South Africa and Canada.
“I really enjoy running my restaurant. I am proud to say I have done high-profile functions, and I love the people that I work with and the restaurant that I have,” he said.
He hopes guests leave with more than a memory of the food.
“When you visit us, you can expect good food, music, friendly servers and a serene visit while you eat your food,” he said.
At The Host, that promise is reflected in the little things: a welcoming greeting, a generous plate of food, the willingness to accommodate a special request and a team that works together like family.
It is a philosophy that makes the restaurant's name particularly fitting. Every guest is someone to welcome, every meal an opportunity to connect, and every visit a chance to make people feel at home.