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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
(1373 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 (1373)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.7
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Shivani K. Dined: 1 day ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 28 Feb 26
    Was busy and vibes loved it

  • Cisela Dined: 1 day ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 28 Feb 26
    We had a wounderful evening with excellent food and service. Thank you.

  • John Matthew Dined: 2 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 27 Feb 26
    A great sensory experience

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 27 Feb 26:
    That's such a cool way of looking at it, thank you John!

  • Emma V. Dined: 3 days ago
    4.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 27 Feb 26
    Very good service. Really nice experience. Food was lovely and authentic- the Saag paneer was rich and unctuous. Will return!

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 27 Feb 26:
    Rich and Unctuous we are! Thank you Emma

  • Beth J. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 25 Feb 26
    I love Vaidvelu. Every time I go there our group gets friendly, responsive service. Lu our waiter was terrific--knowledgeable, warm, creative. I have a special medical diet and he went out of his way to make sure that I had the right ingredients in my dishes. I would highly recommend Vadivelu to anyone.

    Vadivelu responded on Thu 26 Feb 26:
    Thank you so much Beth, when we set up Vadivelu our goal was to cook excellent food with excellent service to create a top class customer experience. With comments like yours, we know we are on the right path and we will continue to change things up to stay there.

  • Marion T. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 22 Feb 26
    On a boiling hot evening in cape town the only issue was the airconditioning wasn’t working. But the heat did nothing to take away from an outstanding meal. We loved everything we ate - the pani puri are always my favourites. Gina, our waitress, was fantastic and management are always around making sure everyone is happy. One of our favourite places to eat in the city

    Vadivelu responded on Sun 22 Feb 26:
    So sorry about the aircon Marion, we had it serviced a montha go but it still let us down. Happy it didn't detract from your overall experience.

  • Genis Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Tim W. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Katie M. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 20 Feb 26
    The food outstanding as ever ; now our no 1 restaurant on each return trip to Cape Town . Last night our waitress Gina , made it the best trip experience , great service , took control of a large group of 12 with a great sense of humour . Katie Manchester uk

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 20 Feb 26:
    I read this out to Gina and she had a big smile on her face, thanks for the appreciation Katie

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