Vadivelu

Tucked away in the heart of Gardens, Cape Town, Vadivelu is a gem of an Indian restaurant that offers a truly authentic South African-Indian dining experience. From the moment you step in, you’re greeted with a warm and welcoming atmosphere, thanks in no small part to Jason, the incredibly attentive and hands-on owner. His presence adds a personal touch to the dining experience that is hard to come by. The menu boasts a variety of flavorful dishes, but the real standouts for me were the sag paneer and the lamb curry. The sag paneer had the perfect blend of spices with fresh spinach and creamy paneer, delivering a delightful balance of textures and flavors. The lamb curry was tender, rich, and perfectly spiced, showcasing the restaurant’s ability to honor traditional Indian cooking while making it approachable to local palates. One of the highlights of the evening was the fun, slick service provided by the staff, who made sure the experience was as enjoyable as the food. There’s a casual, laid-back vibe, but the quality and attentiveness remain top-notch, making it a place where you feel comfortable to relax and enjoy your meal. If you're looking for authentic Indian cuisine with a South African twist, Vadivelu is a must-visit. With standout dishes, great service, and a welcoming owner, it’s a place I’ll definitely be coming back to.

We had the little set menu experience - oh boy, was it a lot of food! And when they say their hot is hot, believe them! Honestly such a great place to get a curry, and not to mention the service is beyond amazing. We were regularly tended to, and our server had great recommendations for us. Will definitely be back with some friends for lunch/dinner!

Wow wow wow. All I can say is that was an incredible experience. I went with my mom and dad and we definitely had some debates over what to order because it all looked so delicious. We eventually settled on curry bombs, onion bhaji, quattro samoosas as well as the crispy fried spinach leaves. It was all divine and built the anticipation of our mains which were the Durban lamb curry and lamb tikka masala. Let me tell you it did not disappoint. The service was superb, our waitress Tash had a constant smile and answered every question with knowledge and happiness. I will definitely be returning!

Had the opportunity to catch brunch at this fantastic spot in Cape Town. Being a Durbanite, I can tell you, the food, atmosphere and service exceeded expectations. Definitely a must try! Shout-out to Tash, for the amazing service and friendly smile. We will definitely be back 😁 May I also add, we love the name!

What incredible Indian cuisine!! The best I’ve ever tasted!! I was hoping one day I would taste really good Indian food like this. Excellent service and beautifully presented food. Lovely decor! Jason is such an elegant host!! Will be back again and again. Thank you so much!!

Wow, what an incredible experience. Third time here and it never disappoints, the staff from the bartender Wanga, our waiter Lu and the owner Jason were all absolutely incredible. Really curated our evening to perfection. Wanga surprised us with a spin on a mango daiquiri and Jason surprised us with a pistachio and almond ice cream for dessert, an absolute must try. Not even going to get started on our mains. A huge selection of vegan food as well as meat options. A must do spot if you’re in town. Thank you Vadivelu!

Stellar service! Wonderful waiter Lu. Brought a birthday treat for my friend. Very attentive. Nevertheless the food only gets a 3 out of 5. Why? Here are the details how we came to this conclusion. Paneer street food snack with a little too much generic crushed garlic. The paneer as such tasted outstanding. Lamb tandoori was good but meat was very tasty but could’ve been more sharply grilled and as well the spices seemed to be on the generic side rather than having it taste more like genuine Indian tandoori. The hand grenades tasted a little blend. Mostly like it was a paratha stuffing. Would’ve expected a more complex spicing. As for the main (chicken korma) awesome rice, great heat (ordered medium hot) and texture. Nevertheless it was too runny, lacked depth and a could’ve used a little more sweetness. I would have expected (although recipes can differ) some cashews, nuts, seeds and / or raisins.

Indian is never my first choice for dining out but my curiosity got the better of me after seeing all the pics and reviews. In short, we had an amazing time. We chose the Chef Jai’s showcase for 2 and it was a taste of everything on the menu. Will definitely be back to the other dishes. Give their cocktails a try as well. Shout out to our waiter Khalil for impeccable service. He was extremely knowledgeable and guided us well through our the journey.