Choose a location

Or use your current location

Select
Voucher Partner

Vadivelu

Reviewers' Choice 2024 - Top 50
Indian
151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa
(1142 reviews)
RR

Attributes

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

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

Reviews (1142)

4.9 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.9
Value 4.8
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.8
  • Ursula H. Dined: 1 day ago
    3.3
    Food 2.0
    Value 2.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 13 Feb 25
    Not sure what is happening or if it was a once off, but the food was not great. Has the chef changed? Parathas felt like they came from a packet. The curry sauce felt mass produced, overly creamy and thin. Pity. Was one of my favourite restaurants.

    Vadivelu responded on Thu 13 Feb 25:
    We are really sorry to hear this Ursula, it's the same team we've had since the beginning. I spoke to Jason and he wishes you had said something when he came to your table to ask how everything was because, of course, we would have swapped out anything not to your taste. Please don't give up on us, we will go the extra mile if you come again!

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

    Reviewed on: Thu 13 Feb 25
    Absolutely delicious food! One of my favourite restaurants.

    Vadivelu responded on Thu 13 Feb 25:
    Thank you Adie, keep coming back please!

  • ROBERT T. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 12 Feb 25
    Love the Dosas and the signature lamb curry

    Vadivelu responded on Thu 13 Feb 25:
    Thanks for the appreciation Robert!

  • Bongani Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 12 Feb 25
    Lu was amazing.

    Vadivelu responded on Wed 12 Feb 25:
    Lu is amazing Bongani, thanks for recognising that, will let him know!

  • Patricia C. Dined: 3 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 11 Feb 25
    Excellent meas and very good and friendly service from Sam. The management were helpful as one of the party found the curry too hot but they happily changed it for him. this is our second visit but we will be back!

    Vadivelu responded on Tue 11 Feb 25:
    Thanks for the great review Patricia, we will always make things better for any guest telling us they want something changed

  • Neroshni M. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 10 Feb 25
    Food was super delicious. Please try everything. Its so hard to pick one favourite. Such a delightful little spot in the CBD. Would recommend it 100 % and we will definitely be back. Thanks Lu for the great service and Kevin thank you for being so hospitable. Love your little place ❤️

    Vadivelu responded on Mon 10 Feb 25:
    We love you too Neroshni, thank you for such a great review!

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

    Reviewed on: Sun 09 Feb 25
    All great, though you need to be seated at a table on the terrace if you are sensitive to noise

    Vadivelu responded on Mon 10 Feb 25:
    Thanks Cathrine and good advice regarding the noise issue, we have tried everything to dampen it inside but a restaurant full of happy diners is impossible to make quiet!

  • Shashn Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Tim H. Dined: 5 days ago
    4
    Food 3.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 09 Feb 25
    Good curry, a little salty (lamb Durban curry) Great service. Would def go back.

    Vadivelu responded on Mon 10 Feb 25:
    Cheers Tim, sorry about the saltiness, chef gets a bit shaky under pressure, please give us another try so we can keep him steady!

  • Walter Dined: 5 days ago
    4.5
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 4.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 09 Feb 25
    Excellent! Top!!

    Vadivelu responded on Sun 09 Feb 25:
    Cheers Walter!

Show More

Book a table

Favourite
Menu

Opening Hours

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