Choose a location

Or use your current location

Select

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
(1448 reviews)
RR
Menu
Favourite

Attributes

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

Book a table

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 (1448)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.8
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Thiem S. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Steve C. Dined: 4 days ago
    4.3
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 29 Nov 25
    Best Durban style lamb curry you’ll taste outside of Durban

  • Cindi Dined: 2 days ago
    2
    Food 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 3.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 29 Nov 25
    The food was under seasoned and had no flavour. Had to add salt to our food. We sent the rice pudding back as it was inedible.

  • Janet Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 28 Nov 25
    It was our first visit so we chose the chef’s showcase for two, Excellent flavours will go again and have our choice of dishes, staff and service was absolutely excellent. The atmosphere and ambiance was brilliant and lively. Looking forward to our next visit . Vadivelu MUST rate as maybe the best in Cape Town

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 28 Nov 25:
    Thank you for such a rave review Janet and hope to see you again very soon

  • Waleed T. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 27 Nov 25
    Exceptional, delicious Indian cuisine, every time.

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 28 Nov 25:
    Thank you again and again Waleed!

  • Frank v. Dined: 5 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 4.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • MELISSA P. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 26 Nov 25
    We had a wonderful evening at Vadivelu. Our curries were delicious and we were so well looked after by the attentive staff. We will certainly be back.

    Vadivelu responded on Wed 26 Nov 25:
    Thanks Melissa and hope to see you again soon

  • Bolan Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 26 Nov 25
    Great food and service

  • David D. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.5
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
  • GEOFF S. Dined: 1 week ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0
Show More
Book Now