Vadivelu

Call Directions Website

Vadivelu VADIVELU
“Indian with Attitude”

151 Kloof Street
Not just another Indian restaurant. We are not just another Indian restaurant. We don’t fuse anything together.

No 14-page menus where choosing is a challenge and everything “swims in the sea of sameness”. We are not “Asian fusion”, either. We are just us. Authentically, South Afrianly Indian (it’s a real thing - my ma said so). We do what we want: our remix on recipes passed down from ancestors who arrived in South Africa as indentured laborers 150 years ago. Recipes from Tamil heritage, adapted with wonderful creativity to incorporate different locally available spices and flavors. Our menu is short*, interesting, subject to change without warning, and delicious. It’s Indian for sure, but with attitude. Truth is we don’t speak much Tamil or Hindi (Shh, don’t tell anyone), 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! We are Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

TOP 100 for the THIRD YEAR IN A ROW! Not Bad for a Little Curry House With Attitude!We're proud to be ranked in South Af...
16/10/2026

TOP 100 for the THIRD YEAR IN A ROW! Not Bad for a Little Curry House With Attitude!

We're proud to be ranked in South Africa's Top 100 restaurants in the 2026 Dineplan Reviewers' Choice Awards, presented by American Express.

This recognition is based on reviews from diners who have visited and experienced our restaurant.

It's all thanks to YOU!

To our incredible team, from the kitchen to the front of house, THANK YOU! Your hard work, passion and personality are what make Vadivelu so special.

And to our wonderful guests, thank you for dining with us, sharing your experiences, leaving reviews and coming back for more.

Now, who's up for a celebratory curry?

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

Too Cool for Ordinary Curry!We are incredibly proud to have made the list of Cape Town's Top Cool Restaurants!A big than...
13/10/2026

Too Cool for Ordinary Curry!

We are incredibly proud to have made the list of Cape Town's Top Cool Restaurants!

A big thank you to Cape Tourism for featuring Vadivelu among 16 of the city's coolest places to eat!

"That is what cool means here: a restaurant with its own point of view, where Cape Town’s own crowd actually goes, and where you can walk in on a Tuesday and leave happier than you arrived."

From our legendary Curry Bombs and Durban Curries to Chef Jai's Showcase for Two, Shy Elephant Indian L***r on tap, and a few tigers keeping an eye on proceedings, Mycapetourism certainly did their homework!

We also love that they shared the story behind our name, our Tamil heritage, and the family roots that make Vadivelu so special.

And we couldn't agree more with their final words of advice: "One warning, given with love: hot here means hot."

We're incredibly proud of our team for bringing the flavour, personality and attitude every single day.

Thanks for the love, Cape Tourism!

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

Anniversaries are better with curry!We love being part of your special occasions, and this wonderful review from Anna Wr...
07/10/2026

Anniversaries are better with curry!

We love being part of your special occasions, and this wonderful review from Anna Wright absolutely made our day...

"We were blown away by a great dinner experience for our anniversary last month. The service was lovely, both from our waitress Tash, and from the owner who came over to wish us and offer recommendations. We opted for Chef Jai’s Showcase for Two. The food was incredibly tasty (so many well-balanced flavours), and portions generous - we even had leftovers to take home. The prawns in the curry were tender and melted in the mouth. They also offered us an extra dessert on the house. Both the kulfi and semolina puddings were delicious. We will definitely be back, next time to taste the crayfish curry." Anna Wright

Thank you for choosing to celebrate your anniversary with us. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another Vadi-good experience!

If you haven’t visited us yet, what are you waiting for?

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

WE ARE HIRING: WAITERS WITH ATTITUDE!We’re looking for a few great people to join the Vadivelu family.You’ll need to be:...
02/10/2026

WE ARE HIRING: WAITERS WITH ATTITUDE!

We’re looking for a few great people to join the Vadivelu family.

You’ll need to be:
- Friendly
- Quick on your feet
- Passionate about good food and great service
- Able to handle the occasional bad joke
- Legally eligible to work in South Africa
- And, most importantly...bring the right attitude!

Restaurant experience is a big plus. Personality is non-negotiable.

Think you’ve got what it takes to serve Indian. With Attitude?

Send your CV and a short introduction to [email protected]

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

YOUR TABLE IS WAITING!Restaurant Week South Africa is here, and we are offering a specially curated 3-Course Sharing Pla...
30/09/2026

YOUR TABLE IS WAITING!

Restaurant Week South Africa is here, and we are offering a specially curated 3-Course Sharing Platter for two! BOOK HERE - https://bit.ly/BOOKNOWRestaurantWeek

This is what is waiting for you...

Starters:
- Curry Bombs (Pani Puri) ×4 (V): Puff balls with a savoury potato filling, all mint then chilli, topped up with a tamarind sauce. Cool & Refreshing. Shoot each down in one gulp . A street food staple!
- Butter Chicken Samoosas ×4: Just graduated from the Specials Board because you all want them!
- Chicken Tikka: The tikka dish we all know and love!

Mains:
- Durban Lamb Curry (on or off the bone): This is it. The South African Indian Curry.
- Aloo Gobi: Potato and Cauliflower Curry
- Chicken Kadai (on or off the bone): One of our few North Indian inspired dishes. A “wok curry”, cooked in a thick tomato, ginger & garlic sauce.

Served with rice, mango pickle and warm paratha

Dessert:
- Any Dessert to share

Please note: this is a shared menu for two guests and the price is R375 per person (sharing for two), so a total of R750 for two. Available from 25 September to 1 November 2026.

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

Celebrating Heritage. Celebrating Family. Celebrating Flavour.This , we're celebrating the story behind our name.Vadive...
24/09/2026

Celebrating Heritage. Celebrating Family. Celebrating Flavour.

This , we're celebrating the story behind our name.

Vadivelu isn't just the name above our door. It's a tribute to co-owner Jason's late father (image below next to Jason in his early years), whose legacy, warmth and spirit continue to inspire everything we do.

Our recipes trace their roots back more than 150 years, to Indian ancestors who arrived in South Africa and adapted treasured Tamil family recipes using the incredible local ingredients and spices they found here. The result? A cuisine that's proudly South Africanly Indian.

Even the name Vadivelu carries meaning. In Tamil, it reflects themes of strength, resilience and victory. Values that have been passed down through generations and are celebrated in every meal we serve.

This Heritage Day, we're proud to honour our family's story while sharing it with yours, one curry at a time.

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

RESTAURANT WEEK IS BACK, AND SO ARE WE!Restaurant Week South Africa is here, and we’re bringing the 🔥 with a specially c...
18/09/2026

RESTAURANT WEEK IS BACK, AND SO ARE WE!

Restaurant Week South Africa is here, and we’re bringing the 🔥 with a specially curated 3-Course Sharing Platter for two! BOOK HERE: https://bit.ly/Book-Restaurant-Week-Vadivelu

Available from 25 September to 1 November.

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

Incredible experience, great friendly service!"Really enjoyed the Goa Prawns, the Paneer Taco, Curry Bombs and the Crayf...
16/09/2026

Incredible experience, great friendly service!

"Really enjoyed the Goa Prawns, the Paneer Taco, Curry Bombs and the Crayfish Curry was spectacular. Will definitely be back!" Kristen Hambrecht

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you for dining with us, Kristen. We can't wait to welcome you back for another Vadi-good experience!

If you haven't visited us yet, what are you waiting for?

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

Feeling a little under the weather? We've got just the thing.Introducing our Kolkata Broth.An Indo-Chinese mother soup p...
09/09/2026

Feeling a little under the weather? We've got just the thing.

Introducing our Kolkata Broth.

An Indo-Chinese mother soup packed with prawns, ginger, soy and fresh vegetables. Warming, comforting and, according to us, the perfect cure for the Cape Town sniffles.

Now in our fourth year of redefining what it means to be a modern Indian restaurant, we're still tweaking, tasting and creating new dishes to make our menu (and your next visit) even better.

Come feel better with a bowl of something special.

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

Why are our guests loving Shy Elephant Indian L***r?"Sip after bite, it just tastes right.""Less gas. More class.""Great...
02/09/2026

Why are our guests loving Shy Elephant Indian L***r?

"Sip after bite, it just tastes right."
"Less gas. More class."
"Great with curry."
"Brings out the taste of spicy food."
"Light and easy to drink."
"I didn't feel so bloated after eating."

Now pouring on tap at Vadivelu in 300ml and 500ml.

One sip and you'll understand why it's the perfect companion to your favourite curry.

Shy Elephant Indian L***r. Goes Nice with Spice.

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

***r ***r

Curry Bombs or Yogi Bombs?Curry BombsCrispy puff balls with a savoury potato filling, followed by mint, chilli and a spl...
26/08/2026

Curry Bombs or Yogi Bombs?

Curry Bombs
Crispy puff balls with a savoury potato filling, followed by mint, chilli and a splash of tamarind. One gulp. One flavour explosion.

Yogi Bombs
Crispy puri shells packed with spiced chickpeas or potatoes, topped with chilled yogurt, sweet tamarind, mint chutney, sev (small, crunchy, ground lentil noodles) and fresh herbs. One bite and ...flavour explosion.

Both are legendary Indian street food staples. Both are ridiculously moreish.

Which is your favourite? Let us know in the comments down below 👇

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

Big W**es. Vadi Great Prices.Introducing our new Special Occasion W**e List – featuring some of South Africa's most cele...
20/08/2026

Big W**es. Vadi Great Prices.

Introducing our new Special Occasion W**e List – featuring some of South Africa's most celebrated w**es, all for just R1,000 a bottle.

Boschendal Grande Cuvèe Vintage Brut
Posh Bubbly. Bruised Apple, lemons.
Top 10 MCC at “Trophy W**e Show”

Porseleinberg Syrah
An intense, structured Syrah. Dark fruite, violets and black pepper.
One of the most talked about and trade respected w**es in SA right now.
The perfect 100/100 score from w**e critic, Tim Atkin.
"The cheapest Porseleinberg in the world!"

Taaibosch W**es, Crescendo
Cabernet franc driven Bordeaux Blend..
This is the only w**e Taaibosch makes, seeking perfection.
We think they’re close, so does Tim Atkin MW (rated 97/100)

Newton Johnson Family Vineyards Pinot Noir
Lightly oaked, fresh, goji berry, pomegranate & wild strawberry.
The Winner from “Pinot Valley”, the Hemel en Aarde.

MEERLUST ESTATE Rubicon Red Blend
Cabernet Sauvignon driven Bordeaux Blend.
Possibly the GOAT South African w**e over the years.
They are still pushing the boundaries. Simply superb.

Whether you're celebrating something special, impressing clients, or simply believe Wednesday deserves a world-class bottle, we've got you covered.

BOOK ONLINE: https://bit.ly/Vadivelu-Indian-With-Attitude
📍151 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town

Vadivelu. Indian. With Attitude.

Address

151 Kloof Street
Cape Town
8001

Opening Hours

Monday 12:00 - 22:00
Tuesday 12:00 - 22:00
Wednesday 12:00 - 22:00
Thursday 12:00 - 22:00
Friday 12:00 - 22:00
Saturday 12:00 - 22:00

Telephone

+27 21 300 5777

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Vadivelu posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category