Vadivelu

Indian restaurant · Higgovale ·

Vadivelu

Indian restaurant · Higgovale ·

South African Indian cuisine, bright interior, buzzy vibe, shared bowls

Information

151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa Get directions

@infatuation

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The 15 Best Restaurants In Cape Town - Cape Town - The Infatuation

"This spot draws on the rich history of South African Indian cuisine that dates back over 100 years, but nothing about Vadivelu feels old. In fact, it’s the opposite. The restaurant has a bright interior with pink, jungle-like wallpaper, a buzzy vibe, and a terrace that spills onto the street. It’s the perfect place for a group of friends who want to tuck into shared bowls of Durban lamb curry, dosas, and butter chicken. By the end of the meal, you may even feel motivated to book a trip to Kwazulu Natal, the birthplace of South African Indian food, where curries use local lamb and are usually thinner in consistency (and much spicier)." - mary holland

https://www.theinfatuation.com/cape-town/guides/best-cape-town-restaurants

Stephanie Veldman

Vadivelu

@infatuation

132,814 Postcards · 3,234 Cities

Vadivelu - Review - Tamboerskloof - Cape Town - The Infatuation

https://www.theinfatuation.com/cape-town/reviews/vadivelu

Stephanie Veldman

Vadivelu

@foodandwine

6,596 Postcards · 1,705 Cities

Experience the Best Restaurants in Cape Town

"A modern take on South Africa’s Indian-heritage cuisine, this new neighborhood spot interprets the distinct local Indian vernacular with homey dishes such as sugar bean curry and suji (semolina) pudding, offering approachable, comforting flavors rooted in long-standing community traditions." - Sarah Khan

https://www.foodandwine.com/best-restaurants-in-cape-town-8557468

Vadivelu

chané A.

Google

THEE BEST Indian restaurant I’ve been to. From the location to the welcoming, interactive and friendly staff. Every food dish we had was the most authentic I’ve ever had. The drinks were a very generous size. My husband and I went for our anniversary and it was truly worth it. Thank you to Jason, Yegan and the rest of the staff for making our anniversary amazing! We will definitely be back again!

Dakshaya B.

Google

Always the best time, service & food here! Sameer always greets us with such warmth and the biggest smile, they’ve really outdone themselves in creating an environment that makes you feel at home. 10/10 recommend

Cohen G.

Google

This restaurant serves good Indian cuisine. The lamb curry (off the bone), ordered hot, was perfectly prepared and full of rich flavour. The chicken tikka masala offered a generous portion and was equally delicious, while the lamb biryani was aromatic and very well executed. Pricing is in line with what one would expect from an upmarket Indian restaurant in Cape Town. The availability of CBC draught was a welcome addition, and service on the day was outstanding — Gina, our waitress, was fast, efficient, and attentive throughout. Definitely recommended.

Tolu A.

Google

I had a mixed experience here. Unfortunately, the chicken korma was very flavourless, and I have been ill for the past two days after eating here, with what feels like a stomach bug that had me using the toilet constantly. That said, the samosas were amazing and easily the highlight of the meal. I also want to commend the customer service. The servers and managers were genuinely great, attentive, and very friendly, which made the experience more pleasant overall. I hope the food quality, particularly the main dishes, can be improved because the service was excellent.

Dharshi V.

Google

I was craving home-cooked spicy food and landed on Vadivelu for just that! The coconut shrimp curry was scrumptious. Customer service was top-notch even though I did not have a reservation. The friendly staff and owner Jason's story behind Vadivelu made the experience even more memorable. If you're looking for an authentic Indian cuisine with a South African swag, this is the place to go. A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED EXPERIENCE :)

Nadine M.

Google

Amazing authentic curry. I had the saag paneer and the best I have had. Fresh spicy and hot. Medium was possibly hotter than your average curry but I couldn’t give up the heat and kick that just added to the flavour. Attentive staff, great service. The servings are big so easy to share! I’ll be back next month!! Relish.

Olga M.

Google

Visited in June 2025. South Africa. Cape Town 🇿🇦 Vadivelu is a small Indian restaurant tucked away at the end of one of the busiest streets. The interior is decorated in pleasing colors, creating a cozy atmosphere. There aren't many tables, but we easily found a great spot inside. FOOD: As an Indian restaurant, Vadivelu offers a wide array of traditional dishes. We ordered several appetizers to get a sense of the place. The Dosa with lamb – a traditional Indian crepe served with sauces and filling on the side – was one of the appetizers we tried. The lamb was tender and well-cooked, if a bit fatty. However, the crepe itself was a little bland. The Tandoori Shrimp were quite juicy and flavorful; we really enjoyed that dish. The potato cakes were also a hit - slightly crispy, thin, and served with an herby sauce. We also chose the Butter Chicken - the sauce was smooth, buttery, and mild. I loved the flavor, but my husband felt it could have used more spice. The chicken itself was tender, but it felt a bit disconnected from the sauce, almost like the flavors weren't fully integrated. SERVICE: The service was good and welcoming; the waiters, the manager - everyone seemed like part of a team. The dishes were brought out quickly. VERDICT: A solid little Indian restaurant in Cape Town. Having traveled through India, we found the flavors to be quite authentic – if you're looking to experience Indian cuisine, this place is a great choice.

Dr. Khloud G.

Google

We are used to great Indian food in Glasgow, Scotland. We came here and to he honest we were surprised by how good and amazing the whole experience. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming. The food was mouthwatering. The bhajii was tatsy Fried spinach leaves were amazingly tasty and unique. The dosa was also great Mains Be Both lamb khadi curry and panier khadi were absolutely perfect. Chicken Bryani was also good. I highly recommend this restaurant. I think it is the best in capetown.