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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
(1516 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 (1516)

4.8 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.8
Value 4.7
Service 4.9
Ambience 4.7
  • Shulka K. Dined: 2 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Tarryn R. Dined: 3 days ago
    4.8
    Food 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 05 Feb 26
    Absolutely loved my first visit to Vadivelu. Lu, our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable and made the whole experience exciting! The Mango Chilli Margarita is a must <3

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 06 Feb 26:
    Cheers Tarryn, we are always experimenting with our cocktails and happy we hit your right note

  • Amrish narrandas Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0
  • Leonard S. Dined: 4 days ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Wed 04 Feb 26
    Always excellent . Esp Sam who delivers top service

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 06 Feb 26:
    Thanks Leonard, will pass on your praise to Sam!

  • Paul Anthony S. Dined: 5 days ago
    5
    Food 0.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Tue 03 Feb 26
    As always a lovely evening of good cooked food with ample portions to share along with Basmati Rice plus the service and staff are knowledgeable of all dishes offered 10/10 as always

    Vadivelu responded on Tue 03 Feb 26:
    Thanks for being a super regular Paul, we appreciate your patronage

  • Anni Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 31 Jan 26
    We loved every second we definitely will be back

    Vadivelu responded on Sat 31 Jan 26:
    That's great to hear Anni, hope to see you again soon!

  • Debi P. Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 30 Jan 26
    Love Love Vadivelu ❤️

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 30 Jan 26:
    Love you too Debi!

  • Martin Dined: 1 week ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 29 Jan 26
    Best Indian in the city. Owner James is an absolute legend, love this place

    Vadivelu responded on Thu 29 Jan 26:
    Thanks for your thumbs up Martin, passed on your kind words to Jason whom we have renamed James, see you again soon!

  • Johan E. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 26 Jan 26
    Amazing food, lovely stuff and a good setting. Love their food!

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 30 Jan 26:
    Thanks for a great review Johan, much appreciated

  • Gavin T. Dined: 2 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sat 24 Jan 26
    Outstanding

    Vadivelu responded on Fri 30 Jan 26:
    As is your review Gavin, many thanks

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