Lacto
Indian
Delivery
Take-out
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. North Indian cuisine. Menu has marked veg and gluten-free items. The owner is known for her cooking. Sources from small local farmers. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-9:00pm.
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431 W Franklin St (at Courtyard Shopping Ctr), Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA, 27516
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 29 Sep 2017 by Guest
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15 Reviews
First Review by faisca
Erika
Points +2209
Amazing - Edit
Excellent Indian food. Their dosa is amazing. Most of the vegetarian dishes can be made vegan & they have plenty of vegan and gluten free desserts.
Read moreGuest
ShanahBell
Points +827
Loved this place! - Edit
We were looking for some good vegan options near an art pop up we were coming from in Pittsboro and used the Happy Cow app to find this place. So glad that we did because it was phenomenal!
Read moreThe menu is really well labeled with gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. The service and atmosphere were fantastic, as they have indoor and outdoor seating in a quaint courtyard.
The food was delicious and we both loved it! We ordered some desserts to bring home and try because we were so full and really liked all of those as well.
The only complaint is that they are so far from us here in Raleigh. But whenever we're out that way again we will definitely be back to try more of their offerings.
Pros: Well marked menu with vegan options, Delicious food
Guest
Sylvis
Points +81
Tasty and clearly marked vegan options - Edit
Food was good, portions were generous, vegan and vegetarian options are clearly marked and servers knew what vegan meant.
Read moreGreat COVID precautions - online ordering and payment, outside seating only
Pros: outdoor seating
Guest
AsaEger
Points +29
Fresh original Indian food - Edit
And a neighborhood institution
Read moreGuest
Buddhacat01
Points +75
So yummy - Edit
I am new to the area, tried this place on a whum. The Appalm was amazing, it’s a pancake like dish made of fermented rice and coconut milk. I chose the vegetable curry to go on with it. Very authentic and reasonably priced. I’ll be back. So satisfying!
Read moreGuest
wayman89
Points +41
vegan, gluten free, and soy free - Edit
Delicious meals without the regret.
Read moreGuest
MollyJD17
Points +62
Popular and yummy - Edit
Visited Vimala's on a rainy summertime Tuesday night and was surprised at how busy it was. Ordered at the counter and seated ourselves. It's pretty tight quarters, but not uncomfortable so. We had shrimp malabar with brown rice, a coconut and rice pancake with veggie curry, and a mango iced tea.
Read morePros: Food tasted good, Many options for dietary needs, Very local feel
Cons: A little bit small when dining-in, Slightly pricey for the amount of food
Guest
xxxx
Points +267
Love this place! - Edit
I love this restaurant. Lost of vegetarian and vegan options, all are clearly marked on the menu. I have sampled all vegan items on the menu, and they were all delicious. I recommend the Masala Dosa if you don't feel like the Indian stew and rice variety, though everything is great. The staff is really nice. This place is a little expensive though.
Read morePros: Delicious food, Vegan options clearly marked, Lots of options
Cons: Expensive
Guest
Jfer
Points +204
Not My Cup of Tea - Edit
My omnivore friends love this place and so do most of the reviewers here. So sorry, but my experience was bad. The restaurant looked dingy, the service was slow and rude. And they serve goat among other animals which made me even sadder. I was already apprehensive about trying my food at that point, so there's no wonder I did not like it at all. Glad others have had good experiences here, but you couldn't pay me to go back.
Read morePros: None
Cons: bad service, dingy, goat
Guest
tauberl
Points +472
Good food, nice atmosphere - Edit
Good Indian food with a variety of vegan options, including some things I haven't seen elsewhere (it's northern indian food so a little different from most of the places I usually go). I had the daal and a spiced cabbage dish, both yummy. The oatmeal cookie was good too :-)
Read morePros: friendly staff, nice courtyard seating
Guest
charitygrace
Points +30
I love Vimala's - Edit
My husband and I are vegan and somewhat of "health nuts". We go to Vimala's about once a week and have NEVER been disappointed. Our favorite items are the aloo chaat, mushroom uttapam, and the vegan thali. The vegan thali always has a different curry so we never get board of ordering the same thing! They always have good beers on tap too. High quality ingredients and friendly service.
Read morePros: good food, good options for everyone, willing to cater to special needs
Cons: sometimes slow, lack of vegan desserts
Guest
RalphieNader
Points +68
Great vegan food! - Edit
Vimala's is one of the best places in the Triangle, and luckily they have great vegetarian/vegan options.
Read moreThey have amazing food and service, and with Vimala's progressive policies (feeding those who can't afford to pay for the food, living wages, etc), it's very representative of "excellence with a heart"- what the city/university aspire to be.
They label right on the menu what is vegan- and they have plenty to choose from. I used them to cater several all-vegan events and it was great. I think they also label gluten-free items as well.
Guest
jcberger
Points +156
One of my favorite restaurants in the whole world - Edit
I have traveled to many places and have eaten at many high-end dining establishments, and Vimala's truly beats them all. You will not find such high-quality food anywhere else, period -- especially not for her prices.
Read moreEverything from the appetizers to the atmosphere is impeccable. The staff is friendly, helpful, and extremely accommodating. Both the indoor and outdoor seating areas are absolutely beautiful. Live music, a bubbling fountain, pretty stonework, gorgeous landscaping, lights- there is no better place to spend a summer evening than in the Courtyard. The restaurant is charming and lovely yet relaxed- the perfect balance of class and informality.
But what is really fantastic about Vimala's is the food itself. If it were any fresher it would still be in the soil. Vimala works with local farmers and has her own garden to source food for the restaurant, and she demands only the highest quality produce and spices. The many, many vegan options (clearly labeled) are just as finely orchestrated as the meat dishes. Every time I eat there I am completely floored at the outright, remarkable deliciousness and flavor complexity of her dishes. Other Indian restaurants do not even compare (even in India!). Unlike at other restaurants, you well never get just one dish at Vimala's; all the entrees are served with little salads, soups, chutneys, sauces, etc. and that makes for a very exciting dining experience.
Vimala's is a Chapel Hill/Carrboro institution, now, but it is also the best restaurant in the entire triangle area. Vimala hasn't just created a restaurant, she has built a community.
The only drawback is the wait. It can be long on weekend nights at peak hours. Come for lunch anytime or dinner during the week and service will be much faster. If you come on a weekend, come with people you can just hang out with for a while, order an appetizer, have a beer, and relax.
Would definitely be a full 5 cows if it didn't serve meat and dairy!
Updated from previous review on Thursday October 11, 2012
Pros: spectacular food, great value, wonderful atmosphere
Cons: long wait sometimes
Guest
bullcityveg
Points +203
An Indian Mom - Edit
I stopped in for lunch one day and have gone back several times. The food is really tasty and I have been told it is as locally sourced as possible. The kitchen staff look more like a hippie commune than your typical restaurant.
Read moreI've been twice when Vimala herself was there. That's a real treat. She took my order while I was in line and I got my food before I even paid. Then, like a real Indian mom, asked how everything was and if I needed anything, if it was too spicy or not spicy enough. She brought me an extra chutney when I said I could take a little more heat.
In line, I've seen people sample 3 or 4 dishes before ordering. Everyone is very helpful. That said, sometimes it can take FOREVER to get in and out of there. Food is always fresh and as stated, everyone is very accommodating and wants to help you choose the best meal for you. One downside-- they are ALWAYS out of samosas. Maybe you have to get there right when they open?
Pros: great customer service, fresh food
Cons: slow, often run out of things
Guest
faisca
Points +309
Loved It! - Edit
The food here is delightful. Dishes have a home-cooked/family recipe taste to them. Very flavorful. I especially enjoyed the vegan chai tea. Large selection of vegan dishes, and a wine cooler with an assortment of alcoholic beverages.
Read morePros: Authentic, Affordable, Amazing
Guest
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