We are not just another Indian restaurant.
No 14-page menus where choosing is a challenge and everything “swims in the sea of sameness”.
We are not “Asian fusion”, either. We don’t fuse anything together.
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 flavours.
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!

What is in a name? Quite a lot, actually.
Vadivelu was the name of co-owner Jason’s late father. Our name is a nod to this ancestry and an expression of gratitude for the knowledge passed down through generations. His warmth, charisma, and spicy attitude live on at Vadivelu. Salute!