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Vadivelu

Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 50 Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
Indian
Location Pointer 151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
4.8
(1441 reviews)
RR
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

  • Child Friendly
  • Romantic
  • Outdoor Seating
  • WiFi
  • Fireplace
  • Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
  • Reviewers' Choice 2025 - Top 50

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Menu
Favourite

INDIAN WITH ATTITUDE!

No 14 page menus where choosing is a challenge and whatever you choose tastes the same.

We are also not “Asian fusion”, we’re not fusing anything together.

We are just us. Authentically South Africanly Indian, if there is such a thing.

We are doing whatever we want to do, our take on recipes passed on from ancestors who arrived in South Africa as indentured labourers 150 years ago. Recipes adapted from a Tamil heritage with wonderful creativity applied to different available local spices.

Our name, Vadivelu, the name of co-owner Jason’s late father, is a nod to this ancestry.

Our menu is short*, interesting, changing and delicious. It’s Indian for sure, but with attitude.

Truth is we don’t speak much Tamil or Hindi, so our menu speaks English. It’s just easier for everyone, we know what we’re cooking and you know what you’re eating.

*OK, we’re trying to make it short, but it would be a crime to restrict you from Chef Jai’s imagination

Opening Hours

  • Monday 12h00 - 22h00
  • Tuesday 12h00 - 22h00
  • Wednesday 12h00 - 22h00
  • Thursday 12h00 - 22h00
  • Friday 12h00 - 22h00
  • Saturday 12h00 - 22h00
  • Sunday CLOSED

Reviews (1441)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.7
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.8
  • Jan L. Dined: 2 days ago
    2.8
    Food 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 2.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 20 May 26
    nothing special

  • Fiona Dined: 3 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Morgan Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 17 May 26
    Our waitress Gina was attentive and contributed to a lovely evening. Tastes were an explosive delight in the mouth from start to end. Thank you for a memorable evening.

  • Jan V. Dined: 6 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Christoff B. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 15 May 26
    Best Indian restaurant in the country!

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 15 May 26:
    Wow, what an accolade from such a distinguished gastronome, thanks Christoff!

  • Louise Dined: 1 week ago
    4
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • Jan v. Dined: 1 week ago
    4
    Food 5.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 12 May 26
    Great food, lekker vibe & service, just expensive - even for Gardens!

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 15 May 26:
    Thanks for the positive feedback Jan. Regarding our prices, we always try and offer good value and we always price check with our competition before passing on any cost increases, which have been crazy this year for basics like lamb, potatoes and spices.

  • Gugu K. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 09 May 26
    Been wanting to try this place for a while. Finally went last night & did not regret it. Service was excellent & food great…we had the spinach curry with chicken, & the prawn curry…both delicious. We skipped starters, so I’ll have to go back as I want to try the curry bombs. When we didn’t like the first desert we ordered, the owner graciously gave us the suji on the house. Definitely a place I want to visit again!

    Vadivelu responded on Sun 10 May 26:
    Thanks for being so adventurous Gugu, we will always try and lead you to your perfect dish!

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