Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe

I love this place! The food was well presented, and absolutely delicious! You can taste that the food was made from scratch from the freshness of the spices, giving it a home made feel! The staff were very pleasant and we were lucky to sample some other dishes on the menu. There are gluten free options too. Excited to go back and try more dishes!

I've heard so much about this place but it took me until now to try it. It's hidden back a ways from Franklin, so it has a nice, quiet ambience. There are lots of tables outside too. I arrived around 1pm on a weekday and there were several patrons dining in. It wasn't clear if I was supposed to sit down or place an order with someone or what. Someone at the bar eventually took our order. He gave us the wrong table number, but the staff figured it out and got the right dishes over to our table. The staff was very friendly and attentive. And I didn't know exactly what to expect (I've only had Indian food once or twice). I ordered a rice and lentil small plate and the plantain fritters. Both were delicious! And quite filling for the price. There's a lot of options on the menu, so maybe I'll be adventurous and try something new.

This is out third or fourth time in Vimala's but we were very disappointed at Vimala's .We had the veg thali and the Pawn curry thali . The Veg thali had some squash in a broth with half cooked daal with no flavor .It seems the chef just boiled the daal and squash in added some garam masala . Same with the prawn curry .No flavor no spices ..Same base curry .Not worth ordering the thali . Do not recommend any thali as it seem to be missing any flavor

Awesome place. Ambience is top notch. Service is good. Food is good too but a little on the sweeter side. I wish I had known a little more about banana fritters which are very sweet. Overall good place for a lunch or early dinner.

This is such an awesome place for authentic South Indian food. Vimala herself welcomed and treated us like true guests to her home. The food was excellent and the menu choices are quite unique compared to typical Indian restaurants in US.

Our server was helpful in our selection of entrees. Much care in dietary restrictions and so educational in flavors and preferences. Diner was fabulous. Plantain appetizer was out of this world. Entrees a new experience but all pleasing. Will be back!

Vimala is a super sweet lady and her Indian food is incred! Saffron rice + misc curries = so yum!! :) pictures from our caterer picnic below. Salad was fresh and there was a ton of variety. She made a pudding dessert for bonus and it was quite good! Can feel motherly love vibes within every bite

Loved this place. Tried the Crispy Okra, Goat Biryani, Green Bean Subji, Chicken Curry Dosa, and Curryblossom Herb Tea Pot. Some highlights included the Tamarind/Date chutney that comes with the Crispy Okra and the overall richness of the Goat Biryani. The portions are large and we took a fair bit home for leftovers which were excellent reprise. There is a bit of mystery to finding this place, at least if you approach on Roberson from the South. For us, this was an adventure. Will definitely return.

Today I tried their in-house chai brew latte. It's hands down the best in the area.... thousand times better than the sugary concentrate stuff being served in most places.

Nestled in a somewhat hidden spot, Vimala's offers a mixed dining experience that is intriguing as it is perplexing. Finding the entrance can be a bit of a challenge, but fortunately, there are numerous signs placed around the area that makes it easier to locate the correct building. Inside, it's unclear whether guests should seat themselves or wait for assistance, so this left us disoriented. Once we found a table, we ordered our food through a QR code placed on the table. While all of the servers we interacted with were friendly, there was minimal interaction unless we asked for assistance, which could be a plus of minus depending on your preference. FYI--A tip is requested when you order your food, so it was difficult to gauge how much interaction we would have throughout the dinner service. As for the food, the flavors are authentic and the dishes are well-prepared, though the prices are a tad higher than expected. We enjoyed our entrees (lamb biryani and chicken curry), though we probably wouldn't order the garlic naan again.

Delicious meal and super cute outdoor space! But a little pricey compared to other Indian restaurants that serve the same dishes. The waiters were all very kind, and the fairy lights outside made it nice and cozy. It's all online ordering: you just scan the QR code on the table and pay on your phone. I ordered the lamb roganjosh as an entree and it came with rice, pickled cabbage, daal, and a yogurt sauce. I also ordered a garlic naan for the table, but they only gave us one piece with barely any garlic flavor inside. It just tasted like regular naan to me. The lamb roganjosh was tangy, flavorful, and had a perfect amount of spice. However, the lamb was not as tender as I would've liked, and there were some unchewable parts. Overall, it's a nice Indian restaurant to try out!

The Carrboro/Chapel Hill community is so lucky to have Vimalas. Healthy, locally-sources ingredients always prepared with love. The courtyard is a quiet and beautiful oasis tucked just off Franklin Street.

A foreign palate does not understand what an indigenous palate does (period!), with that being said, I enjoyed my leisurely lunch at Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe. On a perfect Thursday, I tried the curry chicken and my lunch fellow the eggplant. This is not your typical India fare. A good mix of southern and northern options. My curry had a savory focus (which I loved). The curry was mildly spiced with (what appeared to be) a tomato (and perhaps fenugreek) forward base w/ a subtle lemony essence. Chicken (boneless) was tender and fell part (which I absolutely loved). We ate in the courtyard, which on this day, provided an excellent opportunity to enjoy our meal and exchange a lively conversation, or listen intently to conversation within earshot (either way you can't lose). You have the opportunity to view your menu via a QR Code and place online, or directly with a member of the waitstaff. Wishlist: I love my food pipping hot. I also enjoy the ability to decide how spicy. While I don't generally like my food to touch, not an absolute fan of the plating. Flatbread not included. I look forward to trying other items and so should you. Indian Restaurant: 4.1

The blandest Indian food I've ever had, and it was room temperature by the time it got my way. I'd give it three stars for the ambience of the courtyard setting, but the mediocre food simply costs too much to justify three stars. Service is minimal, since they have that increasingly common setup where you scan a QR code and order from your phone. The staff were friendly enough.

What a great spot for a big group to have dinner together! My only complaint is that everyone's entrees came out at different times. My chickpea curry was delicious and the very large pancake with chicken curry was on point. We loved the crispy okra and the folks that were checking on us were so kind and attentive. It was a great experience and I can't wait for an excuse to go back. We went before a Carolina gymnastics meet and were in and out in about an hour with easy parking

We had not been here in several years but wanted a quick bite after a social event nearby. We sat near the bar and ordered and paid using the QR code at the table. The food was delivered quickly and we enjoyed our masala chai, kofta curry and chicken curry utapan. Portions were relatively generous and we boxed up the rest of our meals to take home. My one minor complaint was that our garlic naan did not taste very garlicky to me. Otherwise, another fine meal served quickly from a friendly staff.

Vimala was my beloved grandmother who passed away at a young age. While I was in North Carolina for work, I decided to venture out and explore nearby restaurants. That's when I came across a restaurant bearing her name. Stepping inside, I immediately sensed a shift in my energy. I chose to sit outdoors, beneath a gently whirling ceiling fan, surrounded by lush plants that emitted the delicate aroma of Sambar into the air. As I entered, I was warmly greeted by TJ, the waiter. He was polite and instructed me to place my order using a QR code, assuring me that he would deliver the food. While I perused the menu, he kindly offered me a refreshing mango lassi. I opted for a kids-sized meal consisting of picketed veggies, dal, and rice. However, I soon discovered that the "kids size" meant fewer onions and toppings. Nevertheless, the food provided immense comfort to my stomach. The apaam was my personal favorite, evoking a longing to reside in North Carolina and transporting me to an Ayurvedic retreat somewhere in India. Overall, the food at Vimala's restaurant was exceptional. It deviated from the typical Indian fare, offering a clean and comforting dining experience that left me wanting to return upon my next visit to the area.

hands down the tastiest indian food in chapel hill, but the vibes are way weirder than i remember from when i was in college. i went with my family and we sat outside. so far so good. i then went inside to see if there was any hand sanitizer, and received a kind of weird polemic from vimala herself about how hand washing was more effective, which, ok, could've just said we don't have any but the sink is around the corner. i guess she felt bad for that though because she sent over a complimentary spring dosa and two types of dessert, and came over to talk to my family, which was nice of her. overall the whole encounter just made me feel really uncomfortable and i can't remember ever having an experience like that when i dined here during college with my friends. all the food was superb, though, miles better than any other indian food in chapel hill and possibly the triangle area, and i really don't think there's a single thing on this menu that isn't delicious. so it's really a food/vibes tradeoff here - up to y'all!

The food was very good. I had saag paneer, which came with dal, rice and some sauces. Spouse had tandoori chicken, with dal and rice. But I didn't like having to order on my phone, with a QR code. The prices were too high for no service. Next time we'll find a restaurant with table service.

We love the ambiance. Sitting outside in a courtyard just steps from Franklin st but somehow it feels secluded from the craziness. There's often live music as well. The food is delicious but certainly not standard - don't go if you're not open to trying something new. My favorite is the daal. Service is through a QR code which is easy and efficient but not with real servers usually taking your order

Vimala's has been an institution since is humble beginnings many years ago for good reason: amazingly flavorful food. So why the four stars instead o five? Fee report: When you order off of the QR code it automatically bumps you in for a minimum of 18% tip, which is fine for an actual sit-down meal, but when you place your own order, bus your own table, and only see a staff member once, it feels like Vimala is using what is essentially a fee to subsidize not paying her employees well (despite what the "fair wages" sign may say)

****This place did not live up to the hype at all. I am wondering if reviews that I read in local magazine were paid to write, what did you serve to those people (and people who gave 4 stars here) clearly was it not served to me. I wasted my Birthday Lunch **** Staff is friendly and polite and the courtyard feels like home back in India... but let's come to the food .. seriously there are better places in Cary, Raleigh and Morrisville to expose you to ethnic Indian food that is closer to the authentic taste ... do your research before you come here Not sure who cooked my food because seems like owner Ms. Vimala was outside sitting and someone else was in the kitchen... Chicken curry was overcooked and shredded chicken in it made it unappealing to eat.. no cilantro garnish ...not acceptable in my books Chole was overpowered with green chatni and thin bhujiya spread all over...why put processed bhujiya on food that you claim to be organic and no one puts bhujiya on chole that comes with bhatura ...Bhatura were not close to Bhatura and it was more like a crispy flat dinner roll that is deep fried Dosa chatnis were too less in quantity .. ginger in masala dosa filling was a good add though Indian masala chai was overcooked beyond 208 degree hence it was bitter to the taste buds...no smell of ginger or cardamom in my chai Mango Lassi was good but made out of canned purée it seems ... I am disappointed and it seems being in the college town the cafe is benefiting from the hyped feedback from hungry college kids who crave for any food that feels closer to home and do not pay much attention to the authenticity of cuisine or taste ... I am not sure if I will be back...

Beware...looks like real Indian food, but is not at all. If you are Indian and you eat here, you will quickly realize that while the photos look good, the chef was clearly taught recipes by an actual Indian (as their ingredients are quite authentic to real South Indian cuisine) but they don't know how to actually cook the food. Be prepared for very whack tasting but familiar looking food (that tastes completely unfamiliar in not a good way). The staff is incredibly kind though, I just recommend them to find an actual Indian to cook their Indian food. Edit: after reading the reviews of some other Indian people and hearing someone actually encountered Vimala herself, I am wondering if we just went on an off day when their chef was not there?

One of the best places I've eaten in the area! Amazing food, timely service and great staff. The mango lassi was sooo good, and I also recommend the vegan kofta. Everything was delicious! They also have a really cute outdoor courtyard area for when it's warmer.

Overall, my experience at this place was good! The dosas were tasty, the atmosphere was decent, and the staff was very nice. It just isn't one of my favorite places to eat Indian food, and the mango lassi tasted okay. I still enjoyed this place and would love to come back with friends.

Always delicious, always authentic (validated by those who grew up with this style food) and always prepared with love. Nothing has ever been less than wonderful over several visits with many different people...and a great courtyard when weather accommodates.

This place was absolutely amazing!! The service was quick and the servers were kind and attentive! Not only were the prices affordable but the food was delicious. It's kind of hidden but if you can make your way down franklin you won't regret trying their food!

Vimala's has delicious food with a special story and mission. Stop in for the rose and cardamom brownies and coffee.

We love dining outdoors in the courtyard! Service is always with a smile. The food is fresh, flavorful and AMAZING! Most Thursday evenings there is live music. Dog friendly.

Vimala's is a hidden gem. It's right off Franklin Street in Chapel Hill but since you can't see it from the road, I think a lot of people miss it. Vimala cooks with love. You can taste it in the food! This is my friend (who lives in Holly Springs) and my favorite spot for Indian food. Vimala's samosas are heavenly--absolutely the best pastry on the outside I have ever had. Everything is tasty. They also have amazing desserts--you should really try them! It is hard for us to decide what to get when we are there, so something we just get it all! The flavor of the chicken in the chicken curry dosa is divine. And even though I was full and enjoyed my food and garlic naan so much, I couldn't stop pulling off more pieces of our appam.

My family and I, including our young kids, all loved the food at Vimala's. We ordered a variety of appetizers and a couple of entrees and shared everything just so we could taste multiple dishes. We loved all of it. The only small thing I would have changed was to have some music on. It was completely quiet when were there. But we will definitely be back.

Be careful or you'll love this place Vimala is a bit tucked away so its best you park at the public lot near by and walk here, should be a short breeze. The chief chef is super nice and every time you get the endearing feeling she just want to feed you, (like an aunt, your best one.) talk to her about what you are interested in having and she will whip you up something magical. Ive came here twice in two weeks and tried both the goat curry and also the fish curry, and expanded both into Thalis, which for newcomers, are variety samplers. Super delicious Come, come hungry- you well be welcomed with what's still good and pure in this world.

Delicious food. Lots of outdoor spaces to eat, some of them covered! The plantains and chicken curry were amazing. I ordered a lavender lemonade and that was delicious too.

Overrated! Rude bartender/server. He was extremely unwelcoming and arrogant...He spoke in a condescending manner toward my party and I when we had questions about seating and their ordering process. He was the start to the mediocre experience we had. The food was alright nothing spectacular and quite frankly over priced for what it is. Everyday flavors and average portions, but nothing to write home about! Presentation of food was fine, but it looked better than it tasted. Sadly, the only thing appealing and enjoyable was the outdoor seating area of the restaurant. I will not return to a restaurant that makes you feel uncomfortable and not welcomed as soon as you step foot inside. Maybe a new headliner employee in the front bar area is needed to spruce this place up? Someone who actually likes people and food?? Definitely not the man that was there when I went.

Some food is really good but a lot just tastes the same. Same spices used over and over

I wish I can give it six star instead of five. Everything was absolutely delicious. We had the grill tandoori chicken, eggplant curry and masala dosa, and it was cook to perfection. The owner Viamala was extremely nice, she personally visit our table to make sure everything was ok. Not many owner would do that. The service was excellent, beyond out expectations. Oh, you got to try their chai, it is out of this world. It is a little on the pricey side, but we will definitely be back. It is nice dining experience in the courtyard, everyone should try this place.

The atmosphere was so friendly, and the food was interesting and delicious! I highly recommend it.

My wife and I stopped in while visiting CH for the day. I'm always looking for good samosas. We ordered several things to split including samosas (one potato, one beef), chole chaat (more samosas!), methi paratha, and chicken curry. Everything was good but not outstanding. The exterior of the samosas fell a bit short and the curry was quite dry. I think the prices were a bit high for what you get but maybe that's just the location. I don't have a favorite Indian place in the Triangle but I love the samosas sold at the counter of my local Indian market so I'll stick with them for now.

4.75 stars!! Took some time to locate it. The ambiance doesn't say a lot about this place. But hang in there. We called for chicken curry appam as our first dish here! First bite and we were literally blown away!! Never had chicken curry as delish as this one!! Next one on was Malabar shrimp curry meal... everything about it was just perfect... no ingredient that was less or more... I am a big fan of shrimp curries...And usually the first one to reject it... but this was beyond perfect... If you are a fan of South Indian food... this is a must try place! We ordered a few other dishes as well... and each one was incomparable to what we have had before.. oh!! And yes! Don't miss the coconut chutney!

I went there first-time last weekend and have become a regular customer for Vimala's home-cooked food feeling. The place has a convenient parking in the public parking lot and has well marked displays to bring you to the restaurant which is behind a courtyard and tucked away. The food, the service, the hospitality is welcoming that I would be going back again and again. I got to meet Vimala on my second visit and she is amazing hostess, chef and entrepreneur. The staff is great, and the food is authentic and healthy and yummy.

Genuinely some of the best food I've had in a long time, and certainly some of the best Indian food I've ever had. I have known of this place for a long time and am so glad I finally got a chance to check it out while passing through town.

Came here for dinner though it's quite a distance for us since really liked their onam Sadya. We ordered Rose lassi - amazing so ended up ordering 2 and i drank up both of them ( didn't even bother asking my husband if he wanted some ) Chaat Fries - potato fries with chaat masala and onions. This tasted good but the fries were super thick and not crispy at all. Masala Utappam with potato and spice powder - my daughter didn't like it so she only ate a few bites Vegetarian Thali - my husband wasn't very happy with the thali and said it was just ok and we ordered it with Saag Paneer which had no taste/flavor at all for some reason. It was just super bland. Mysore Masala Dosa - the best of what we ordered today. Totally enjoyed the flavors of this dosa. Food took some time but not as bad as the next table who said they have been waiting an hour. So, guess we lucked out on the wait. Food is a bit pricy in my opinion. Fresh food but lacked flavor.

In addition to their terrific food for carry-out, Vimala's is now offering monthly meals to make at home; recipes and a video, plus all the makings ready to go. We've now cooked three months of tasty dishes, 10~12, almost all of them wonderful, all of them fun. Can't wait to see what February brings! We're very impressed with how creatively and resourcefully this wonderful restaurant has rolled with the covid punches. Thank you, Vimala and crew!

I know things are difficult and juggling take away and sit down can be tricky. However, to only bring half the order after 50 mins because the second half printed on the back of the ticket. And to only bring one drink to a table of three was simply inattentive. Good food but to not bring half, to bring the rest over another four trips to the table - starters last - still forgetting some. Live music was a nice touch, but way too loud!!! Not quite ready to dine in. Stick to take away for now.

Really great first time here! Came here last week and really enjoyed my meal! We came with a large party and they were super accommodating. The service was quick and friendly! The place itself has such a cool vibe; there is lots of outdoor seating as well as a very cool interior. In terms of food, it was great! I got a chicken curry and really loved the flavor. It wasn't spicy but just the right amount of flavorful. I'm not too familiar with different types of Indian cuisine, so having a delicious curry was a great introduction. My friends complained at the portion size being small but personally for me it was too much! Keep as a warning if you're a big eater ha. Overall good experience, will hopefully be back!

Amazing food, especially for catering! Vimala is also very sweet and does her best to support the local community.

This place is so cute and has a very welcoming ambience. Their rose lassi is to dieee for! It's not overdone with food coloring and overwhelming rose flavor like it is at a lot of places, but has a just right rose flavor and after taste. So refreshing! Had uttapam for the first time here and it was delicious - tried the green chili cheese one and it was soft, tasty, and pretty well sized. Could probably be shared by two people! Their bhel salad was also delicious and flavorful. Highly recommend dinner here if you're looking for a cozy place on a cold night!

The masala chai is so good! You can't find authentic chai around here very often and I love it here- plus such a cute courtyard to study outside! The service is great and the staff is so kind.

This place is kind of hidden but the outdoor seating is very nice. The lady who served us was super sweet and split our food into separate servings for each person. Overall, would recommend.

My favorite restaurant! The best food THE best owners The best atmosphere Vimala is so accommodating to everyone's needs, and whips up magic. Highly recommend! Also, you gotta have Lamont make you some chai- it goes straight to the soul.

Nothing but LOVE for Vimala's! A friend introduced me to this restaurant and I truly wish I lived closer so that I could visit more regularly. I ordered the Masala dosa and a chai for lunch and each were made with perfection and were both deeply nourishing. I'm already craving the dosa again. The staff is gracious and Vimala's has a deep sense of mission which separates it from being just another restaurant. I will be back.

Must go in Chapel Hill for good vibes and food. Quiet courtyard off Franklin street, perfect for a chill afternoon with friends or family. Love that they have so many gluten free options, and the menu is VERY clearly labeled for vegan, gluten free, and dairy free foods. The service was very quick and easy, and the food was very delicious and flavorful. I started off with the Onion Uttapam, it had a soft pillowy texture with lots of onions and came with multiple dipping options. Next, I went with the chicken curry for my entree. Perfect portion size of rice and meat, also with other flavor options on the side. The curry wasn't spicy, but had lots of flavors and the chicken was juicy and had plenty of sauce. I finished with the gluten free cardamom brownie and a motichoor laddu. The brownie was dense, but not heavy. The chocolate was rich, but not too sweet. The motichoor laddu was sweeter and served cold. It was a great way to cleanse my palette and end the meal on a refreshing note. Loved my experience here!

I came here for the first time for lunch today upon my friends suggestion. I got the tandoori chicken and the chicken was tender and the perfect portion! I got to try my friends curry chicken too and it was awesome as well. There was a slight hiccup in ordering (outside seating only and you order through their website) where it somehow didn't go through and we had to call them and was told they turned off ordering abilities and just turned it back up. I wasn't sure why as it was 12pm. There were also a lot of little birds that would fly to our table staring at us hoping to get fed which was kinda cute but did alarm me a couple of times until my friend and I got used to it after the third time lol Overall nice place for Indian food with nice portions but some overly friendly birds and the hiccup with ordering did affect our dining experience but the hindrances were negligible for us.

Funky little casual restaurant. You immediately smell the awesome spices when you walk in. You order at the bar and take your number to a table. There are hot sauces by the water to the left. My GF and I split a starter of Bombay Bazaar Bowl which is a lentil and chickpea chole which was good. The Kofta curry Thali was excellent with not meat but beet balls in a curry. The most excellent part of the dish was a pickled lemon and cabbage kind of coleslaw, great spicy and citrus flavor, amazing. All vegetarian and very filling. The mango lassi was good too.

Food was so so. Chicken thighs were juicy, but not a real Indian curry flavor. I asked for Naan bread and was served a large flour tortilla folded up?? It's a quick order and dine Cafe, you order, grab your own silverware and napkins and a place setting number for your order and when finished bus your own table to the awaiting plastic dish bin by the door but yet they still give you a receipt where it asks for a Tip? Huu?

I came here for lunch. I had a specific craving and only ordered the masala dosa. It was good but not the best I've had. It is however LARGE. It came with some sauces but no one explained to me what they were. The sauces were good though nonetheless. During lunch you order at the bar and take a number and they bring your food to you. The bartender was very friendly and upbeat. I can tell this place gets crowded. The outside seating area is very inviting as well. I would return and try other menu items. Side note, the "sweet" tea was not sweet and I didn't see sweeteners anywhere.

Great super casual place. Keep in mind that this is an "order at the counter, find a table and they bring it to you" place, so don't expect a waiter. But the visit will be worth it for the food. Having said all that, the food is spectacular. They handled our vegan party with no issues, and delivered a delicious, delicately constructed and beautiful array of vegan dishes. I took one for the team (!) and ate vegan with the party. The food was originally delivered to the wrong table, which required us to chase the waiter. They resolved it fairly quickly, but it was a fairly fundamental error which means I can't rate it 5 stars - without this error I would have rated 5 stars, and I'm sure many others will. We started with Samosas, and they came with a beautiful crust surrounding a potato based filling. We all agreed we'd be happy to have orders 3 each and just eaten that! This dish was followed by Masala Uttapam and were blown away by the caramelized flavors from the way it was cooked. This was our favorite dish for sure. This was followed by Dal and rice which was smooth and delicate. I would have said it lacked ghee but that's because this was ordered vegan and so it did - which is what we asked for. We also had the vegetable curry of the day and it also was flavorsome and delicate. All flavors were subtle versus what many Indian places do which is go for heavy flavors with lots of ghee. The reputation of this being one of the best Indian places in the area is well deserved. I'll be eating here again for sure. Do yourself a favor and join the boards that line up here - there's a reason they line up, and that's because the food is great.

Vimala's food is certainly different from the typical Indian restaurants, but in a good way. It is traditional south indian food, which is definitely more on the healthy side. The food I ate here reminds me of the food I get when I visit my south Indian relatives or the food I ate on family trips to India growing up. I usually avoid dosa, but the spring dosa I had here was actually really good, and who knows, I may actually order it again. I loved the eggplant curry as well. The samosa chole chaat was good too, I thought the samosa was a bit dry, but it is because they don't use as much oil which ultimately is a positive. If you have space, the cardamom brownie we got to go was fantastic. Other positives is that Vimala's runs on a paid it forward philosophy so they try to feed everyone, regardless if they can pay or not. They have a great patio to sit at and feature lots of delicious drinks (alcoholic and non alcoholic. Try the mango iced tea.) Also, they have a health/sanitation rating of 100!!!!! Amazing! Automatically a 5 stars in my books.