Vimala’s holds a special place in my heart. I met and proposed to my fiancé in the Vimala’s courtyard. It’s one of the most unique and beautiful restaurants in Chapel Hill. On top of the wonderful atmosphere, the food is awesome. I haven’t gone wrong with anything that I’ve ordered here. The staff are great people and the service is always top notch. I would not have been able to do a special proposal + engagement dinner without them. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kerala Beef Curry, Naan, Samosas
David Marini
Vimala is a very gracious and friendly host. She also is a first rate chef. The food here is totally authentic (I’ve traveled through India for years), delicious and reasonably priced. The portions are generous. We had lamb, chicken and fish curry dishes at our table, as well as their delicious naan. Every single dish was on point. The restaurant has a very relaxed atmosphere and there is an inviting courtyard where you can have your meal as well. This place is among the very best places to eat in Chapel Hill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Naan, Fish Curry, Lamb or Chicken Biryani
Durvank Yewle
Excellent food here! The lamb roganjosh was perfectly cooked with good meat. And the naan was unlike other places but rather soft and very tasty.The ambience of this is very homely, nothing lavish. Also a good cafe for working remotely
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Merlin Paul
We received excellent customer experience and awesome food at Vimala’s curry blossom cafe..I am in awe of her energy and passion that drives this cafe forward. All the staff are extremely friendly and welcoming. Thanks for making us feel at home and we look forward to having authentic Kerala cuisine from here again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chelsea P.
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
Guy Charrison
I’ve been to Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe many times and have always been delighted with the food, service and atmosphere. I was there today with my wife and three children, (11, 11, and 8), we had a wonderful lunch, we chose a number of things of menu we haven’t had before and everything was fantastic. I am pleased to recommend Vimala’s. Almost everything is naturally Gluten Free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sruthi Dudeesh
Enjoyed authentic food ? great service ?Thank
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Carolyn Beranek
Great Indian restaurant downtown. Gracious servers with patience to answer questions. Wonderful food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cardamom Brownie
Sheela Thogaru
It's been a while since we found a place with authentic and delicious South Indian cuisine, and we loved the aapam and beef fry. The hospitality is definitely worth mentioning. Warm, friendly, and wonderful owners and servers.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kerala Beef Curry, Mysore Masala Dosa, Fish Curry
We all loved their authentic Kerala beef curry and Appam.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Kerala Beef Curry, Sambar
Ansuya Nassen
You don't have to know Indian food to recognise the quality that underpins everything Vimala offers at her restaurant. In the last week, I've tried the shrimp and chicken biryanis (delicious, fresh, with enough protein in each serving, including plump, succulent shrimp), meat and vegetable cutlets (have not seen this in many other Indian restaurants - Vimala is constantly changing and adding to her menu), veg kofta (absolutely delicious, with a light gravy that does not need heavy cream or ghee to satisfy), and aloo gobhi (basic Indian "curry" done right).Vimala's menu is selective and thoughtful, NOT a mish-mash of pre-prepared gravies to which proteins and veg are inauthentically and lazily added. The freshness and quality of her ingredients shines through in her recipes, and the accompaniments (fried onion and curry leaves garnish on the rice, chutneys, homemade pickles, and raita) are not half-heartedly provided or prepared. The fried okra is delicious and very more-ish, and Vimala's pakoras are also an absolute treat, not at all soggy, stale, or bland.Eating at Vimala's reminds me of eating at all my aunties' houses (well, the ones who were good cooks). It seems to me like Vimala runs her business with her customers, staff, and food uppermost in mind, not profit. There are plenty of other cheaper, identical-to-each-other Indian restaurants from which to choose, but if I want great Indian food made with love and care, that is healthy and true to the spirit of the grand tradition of Indian cuisine, then I'll gladly pay whatever Vimala charges. She knows what she's doing, she cares about what she's doing, and it shows.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Mysore Masala Dosa, Sambar, Chutney
M Ravi
The place is little hidden behind another restaurant but a hidden gem. Went for lunch. Ordered chicken curry, Dhal curry, and naan. The server Lamar was nice. They had lots of gluten free options .Food was nicely presented . Food was delish exactly like home cooked meal.Got to talk to Ms. Vimala, who was very lovely. Found out from her everything is made from scratch. Next time want to try her dosas.Thank you Ms Vimala for the lovely conversation and chai.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nikolas Carlton
All I can say is I am beyond impressed. Vimala herself actually saw to my date and I and made it an exceptional evening. From the delicate and flakey Samosas that I ate too fast to even snap a picture of, the wonderful homemade tea blends, to bar none the best chicken briyani I have ever had and an equally impressive tandoori. Generous portions of wonderful food with an owner that treated us like an old friend. This is the best place I have found in chapel hill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Samosa, Naan
Carla Reed
I discovered this restaurant by chance when in Chapel Hill with my daughter. It is a hidden gem - and off the main streets. I can truly say that this was one of the most delicious Indian cuisine meals I have ever had! That is saying something as I am passionate about Indian food and have enjoyed it across several continents.Every dish was cooked to perfection and I am getting hungry at the thought of the delicious chicken curry - perfect! Succulent - spicy but not too hot.An experience to be savored and remembered - then repeated!
A very heart felt family inspired food experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Naan, Chutney, Thali, Samosas
Vimala’s holds a special place in my heart. I met and proposed to my fiancé in the Vimala’s courtyard. It’s one of the most unique and beautiful restaurants in Chapel Hill. On top of the wonderful atmosphere, the food is awesome. I haven’t gone wrong with anything that I’ve ordered here. The staff are great people and the service is always top notch. I would not have been able to do a special proposal + engagement dinner without them. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kerala Beef Curry, Naan, Samosas
Vimala is a very gracious and friendly host. She also is a first rate chef. The food here is totally authentic (I’ve traveled through India for years), delicious and reasonably priced. The portions are generous. We had lamb, chicken and fish curry dishes at our table, as well as their delicious naan. Every single dish was on point. The restaurant has a very relaxed atmosphere and there is an inviting courtyard where you can have your meal as well. This place is among the very best places to eat in Chapel Hill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Naan, Fish Curry, Lamb or Chicken Biryani
Excellent food here! The lamb roganjosh was perfectly cooked with good meat. And the naan was unlike other places but rather soft and very tasty.The ambience of this is very homely, nothing lavish. Also a good cafe for working remotely
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
We received excellent customer experience and awesome food at Vimala’s curry blossom cafe..I am in awe of her energy and passion that drives this cafe forward. All the staff are extremely friendly and welcoming. Thanks for making us feel at home and we look forward to having authentic Kerala cuisine from here again soon!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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
I’ve been to Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe many times and have always been delighted with the food, service and atmosphere. I was there today with my wife and three children, (11, 11, and 8), we had a wonderful lunch, we chose a number of things of menu we haven’t had before and everything was fantastic. I am pleased to recommend Vimala’s. Almost everything is naturally Gluten Free.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Enjoyed authentic food ? great service ?Thank
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great Indian restaurant downtown. Gracious servers with patience to answer questions. Wonderful food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cardamom Brownie
It's been a while since we found a place with authentic and delicious South Indian cuisine, and we loved the aapam and beef fry. The hospitality is definitely worth mentioning. Warm, friendly, and wonderful owners and servers.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kerala Beef Curry, Mysore Masala Dosa, Fish Curry
Restaurantji Recommends
We all loved their authentic Kerala beef curry and Appam.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Recommended dishes: Kerala Beef Curry, Sambar
You don't have to know Indian food to recognise the quality that underpins everything Vimala offers at her restaurant. In the last week, I've tried the shrimp and chicken biryanis (delicious, fresh, with enough protein in each serving, including plump, succulent shrimp), meat and vegetable cutlets (have not seen this in many other Indian restaurants - Vimala is constantly changing and adding to her menu), veg kofta (absolutely delicious, with a light gravy that does not need heavy cream or ghee to satisfy), and aloo gobhi (basic Indian "curry" done right).Vimala's menu is selective and thoughtful, NOT a mish-mash of pre-prepared gravies to which proteins and veg are inauthentically and lazily added. The freshness and quality of her ingredients shines through in her recipes, and the accompaniments (fried onion and curry leaves garnish on the rice, chutneys, homemade pickles, and raita) are not half-heartedly provided or prepared. The fried okra is delicious and very more-ish, and Vimala's pakoras are also an absolute treat, not at all soggy, stale, or bland.Eating at Vimala's reminds me of eating at all my aunties' houses (well, the ones who were good cooks). It seems to me like Vimala runs her business with her customers, staff, and food uppermost in mind, not profit. There are plenty of other cheaper, identical-to-each-other Indian restaurants from which to choose, but if I want great Indian food made with love and care, that is healthy and true to the spirit of the grand tradition of Indian cuisine, then I'll gladly pay whatever Vimala charges. She knows what she's doing, she cares about what she's doing, and it shows.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Mysore Masala Dosa, Sambar, Chutney
The place is little hidden behind another restaurant but a hidden gem. Went for lunch. Ordered chicken curry, Dhal curry, and naan. The server Lamar was nice. They had lots of gluten free options .Food was nicely presented . Food was delish exactly like home cooked meal.Got to talk to Ms. Vimala, who was very lovely. Found out from her everything is made from scratch. Next time want to try her dosas.Thank you Ms Vimala for the lovely conversation and chai.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
All I can say is I am beyond impressed. Vimala herself actually saw to my date and I and made it an exceptional evening. From the delicate and flakey Samosas that I ate too fast to even snap a picture of, the wonderful homemade tea blends, to bar none the best chicken briyani I have ever had and an equally impressive tandoori. Generous portions of wonderful food with an owner that treated us like an old friend. This is the best place I have found in chapel hill.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Vegetable Samosa, Naan
I discovered this restaurant by chance when in Chapel Hill with my daughter. It is a hidden gem - and off the main streets. I can truly say that this was one of the most delicious Indian cuisine meals I have ever had! That is saying something as I am passionate about Indian food and have enjoyed it across several continents.Every dish was cooked to perfection and I am getting hungry at the thought of the delicious chicken curry - perfect! Succulent - spicy but not too hot.An experience to be savored and remembered - then repeated!