The Host Restaurant, located in Umhlanga, offers guests more than just a meal; it provides them with the opportunity to feel part of a large family. Here, visitors can enjoy hearty curries and South Indian dishes while feeling the warmth and hospitality comparable to visiting a friend's home.
The moment of entering The Host marks the beginning of this special feeling. The aroma of aromatic spices drifts from the kitchen, and the friendly staff greets guests warmly. The combination of a welcoming atmosphere and attentive service creates the impression that you have come for a generous family dinner rather than just visited an ordinary restaurant.
The philosophy of hospitality, complemented by a menu featuring fusion cuisine from South India, North India, and Indo-Chinese, has helped The Host become one of the well-known spots for Indian cuisine in Durban in less than a year of operation.
For owner Vivek Mudli, the success of the restaurant lies not only in serving delicious food but also in bringing people together, honoring his family's heritage, and ensuring that every guest feels genuinely welcomed. Mudli emphasizes that they did not initially aim to be just another restaurant, but wanted guests to feel valued and comfortably at home.
This philosophy is reflected in the name of the establishment. Mudli sees himself as a host inviting people into his home, where every visitor is treated as a guest, not a transaction.
The roots of The Host's story go back long before the establishment opened in Umhlanga. Mudli's passion for the restaurant business was inspired by his father, Mali Venkatesan Mudli, who was from India, owned restaurants, and played cricket. Before engaging in hospitality, Mudli worked as a master data specialist in the corporate sector.
In 2013, he opened Mali's restaurant in Morningside, Durban, naming it after his father. It operated until November 2018, when Mudli and his wife, originally from Mumbai, decided to move to Canada. The couple enjoyed their time there, continuing with hospitality by opening another restaurant, which closed in 2023, after which they pursued another project.
However, the pull of home and family remained strong. In March 2025, the couple returned to South Africa to start a new chapter in the restaurant business. Mudli noted that they decided to return home to South Africa with their family and began prototyping a new restaurant under a new name.
An ambitious transformation followed. The space they occupied previously belonged to a dilapidated, closed restaurant, and turning it into the hospitable venue they envisioned was not an easy task. After two months of renovation, The Host opened its doors in July 2025.
The response exceeded expectations. Mudli reported that since opening in July, they have been open every evening. He recalled the excitement of the first day when a queue formed in front of the restaurant. This support was particularly significant because many customers remembered Mali's and eagerly awaited what he would create next. He called it a 'good homecoming' to South Africa.
Since then, the restaurant has attracted a diverse clientele, including locals, tourists, and visitors from other parts of the country. Mudli believes that most of the growth is achieved through 'word-of-mouth' rather than advertising.
Perhaps the most touching aspect of The Host is that its family-oriented approach is not just a marketing slogan but is deeply integrated into the restaurant's operations. Mudli is convinced that a successful restaurant depends on the coordinated work of all employees, regardless of their position.
The owner is not afraid to personally participate in the daily operations of the establishment. Whether it is customer service, assisting staff, or attending to guests, he believes every role matters. He states that he does everything alongside all employees daily, starting from the lowest positions, because a restaurant should be managed like a family.
This spirit extends to his own family. During a busy holiday season, his brother, who works in web design, helps out. This is a small but telling example of the culture Mudli has created. Even family members with professions outside the hospitality industry are ready to help when the restaurant is busy.
Of course, warm hospitality cannot exist without worthy food, which is why people return, and here The Host stands out. The restaurant's menu is based on the culinary traditions of South and North India, and the addition of Indo-Chinese fusion adds another dimension to the experience.
Mudli brought back two chefs who had worked with him at Marley's and expanded the kitchen team with three additional chefs from India. These chefs, hailing from cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore, bring rich regional knowledge to the menu. Mudli emphasizes that the kitchen team is one of the pillars of The Host's uniqueness.
The menu encourages visitors to try something beyond usual orders, especially when they come with family or friends with different preferences. South Indian dishes feature bright chilies, curry leaves, chili, and coconut, while North Indian favorites offer rich gravies and familiar spice combinations. The Indo-Chinese options provide an additional spectrum of variety.
The result is a menu suitable for mixed company, where one person can choose a dessert, another a creamy curry, and a third a fusion dish. Furthermore, the restaurant is prepared to accommodate specific guest requests, such as crab or fresh fish curry, provided advance notice is given.
For Mudli, the restaurant is also the culmination of a journey that began with the influence of his father and continued with years of experience in South Africa and Canada. He takes pleasure in managing his restaurant and is proud to have hosted high-level events, as well as loving the people he works with and the restaurant itself.
He hopes that guests leave with an impression that goes beyond the taste of the food. At The Host, the promise is fulfilled in the details: a warm welcome, generous portions, willingness to accommodate special requests, and a team that works as one unit.