Vaibhavam in Birmingham

Went here with a friend last night - our second attempt at eating there. We had booked a table, but probably didn't need to. But the restaurant quickly filled up, and there was a great atmosphere. The decor is a bit "transport cafe", but never mind about that, the food was delicious! We both had the chicken tikka starter, which came with a little pot of mint and yogurt dip, and it was delicious. Very spicy, which we both enjoyed, and perhaps i might even have had this as a main course. They do do chicken tikka on the bone, but i think only at weekends. For mains, my friend had their house chicken curry, which was quite a loose one, and I had the mutton something or other - again, very spicy, but really delicious. Neither of us had rice or bread (which our server thought was a bit odd - in fact, the owner/manager came over to us again thinking that the server had forgotten to ask us) . Good portions. We both really enjoyed our main courses - my mutton dish was really delicious, really nice and spicy which is how I like it. Not unreasonably priced - I think the bill came to £40.00 for two starters and two mains, and my friend had a coffee at the end. Would definitely come here again. I understand that they will be closing in February, because their lease has come to an end, but I've also heard that they are moving to another premises elsewhere in the Harborne area. Just one thing, though - please can you provide smaller spoons with the cutlery, the ones provided were almost serving spoons, and a bit big to put in your mouth. But lovely lovely food, many thanks Vaibhavan.

The food as usual was delicious. The staff were friendly and catered for vegan no worries. Even though they were busy the food was served quickly. The Vada and Gobi 65 were particularly good and the dosas were fantastic. We did order mainly spicy dishes and Vaibhavam have certainly upped the spice level 😊. This is our favourite restaurant (not just Indian) in Birmingham. We can not wait to go back.

Disappointing experience compared to our previous visits. Mains curry dishes felt like kids portions- Paneer butter masala with few tiniest paneer cubes we have ever seen. Veg jalfrezi with tiniest (likely frozen) carrots cubes and peas- no other vegetables. We were literally searching for veggies and paneer in the curries, disguised with lot of fried onions. Please review the changes you’ve made, maintain the balance of portion size, quality and price. You can do better.

Sadly, this hugely popular eatery which we were visiting weekly has now become an absolute non-starter. On both the last two occasions, having booked, we have arrived and been told a table is not available immediately. The first time we waited 20 minutes after being told it would be 5 minutes - without any apology. The second time we were told they didn't know when a table would be available despite an empty table for 8 clearly being available... We waited 25 minutes; asked again how long it would be (witnessing people literally just ordering their starters whilst take-ways were being dealt with) and were told they didn't know. Only when we walked out in both frustration and hunger did the manager come out and say that their might be a table in a few minutes; we politely declined as this was based on his miss-placed hope that a table who were halfway through their main course would finish, immediately pay and vacate; which is a stretch when you're out for a relaxing meal... The food is excellent and excellent value; the decor is 1970's cafe and definitely needs to be updated with some of the tax-free profits from this cash-only venue; the single toilet reached by navigating through boxes and chairs at the back of the restaurant, should only be approached wearing gloves... but we put with that as I said, the food was in the past excellent. Final note, on the occasion we last ate their (before two bookings were dishonoured), my partner had an inedible Lamb dish which was clearly just fat and gristle; whilst the plate was taken away largely uneaten, it took a complaint for it to be acknowledged; that is; acknowledged... it was refunded though no apology or explanation was made... In summary, complacency and demand is seriously degrading this 'experience.' We will not return and cannot recommend this.

Went for dinner with family. Ambience is good and staff was polite. We Ordered the chicken tikka and the paneer dosa. The chicken tikka was over cooked: largely dry and burnt, and was a chewy texture. the paneer dosa lacked paneer hardly had any paneer , but just had big pieces of onion and pepper in oil.

Delicious vegetarian food and good value for money. The food was deceptively filling and so full of flavour! The chutneys with the dosas are superb. We loved the food here!

If you like to have a good homely food , If you like to feel a Indian aroma in food, if you need a friendly care and if all this you need a reasonable cost, Please visit this Hotel. I enjoyed the food. It is delicious like Home made.

It was top of the world , So good that I managed to overeat.. even the London friends said they haven’t tasted this good lamb there which I thought was so 🤩 Absolutely loved my vadas , sambhar and vegetarian kofta curry , it was so good not too spicy for me just right. And your chicken 65 - my 7 year old ate it who eats bland food all the time. Chicken chettinad and Lamb chettinad went so well with pulao !! Portion size was great for 4 adults and 12 year old. Can’t wait to try dosa and idli on my next trip.

Visited on April 20th with friends following a recommendation. The staff are friendly as you would hope and expect. The menu options are not small, but not as extensive as you would expect. My main was a lamb byriani, which had slight ‘twist’ in the taste. It seemed obvious to me that the chef has a ‘signature’ taste for this dish, which for me was to rich and was overpowered by spices. The starter and main were just ok despite my views on the main course. My main reservations about the restaurant are the lack of attention to the setting. It just feels to clinical with no attempt to make it a warm and welcoming environment. There is nothing ‘adorning’ the plain white walls and I just thought that it resembled a medical waiting room. A trip to the toilet confirmed my views. Passing boxes of stock and passing staff coats hanging up I wondered if I had entered a living area. When I did enter the toilet I was disappointed by the shoddy appearance and facilities. It appears that little effort has been made to make this restaurant warm and welcoming.

I sometimes crave a masalla dhosa, and theirs is excellent. So few places have a Tiffin menu, so I think it's the one to choose from. I just wish they opened weekday lunchtimes still, like they used to.

The worst restaurant I have been in last 10 years in UK. Food is bad and service also very bad. Didn't serve food mentioned potions and not even served water after requested. Very noisy and ambience also not good. Toilet is very bad. Never try this.

We have been eating at this restaurant for over a year and it’s a hidden gem on the outskirts of Birmingham. We travel from Worcester at least once a month - that’s how good it is Dosas are a firm fixture on our order. We also love the baby aubergine dish and biryani (we mainly eat veggie and there are lots of delicious options). Each dish has different flavours/spices/heat so you really get a sense of the care and attention to each dish. When we get a takeaway we get enough for two days and believe me there is no waste. Book, you will not be disappointed! Highly recommended.

What a pleasant surprise. This restaurant has a wonderful ambience, delicious food and is very reasonably priced. Excellent wait staff and a great menu that has meat options but is brilliant for vegans. Top notch!

Sunday Lunch, eating in, leisurely but oh so slow from ordering to service. OK they are busy with take aways & smaller groups, but unacceptable waiting for our group of six . Quality of food is excellent though. Almost worth the wait …

A proper Indian restaurant, glad we gave them a visit. Food is finger licking good. Would highly recommend. Staff were very friendly too..

Absolutely fantastic food and excellent service. We went in when it was busy. I think it was the owner who accommodated although we had no booking. He indicated will take around 25 mins to get served but served within 10 mins. Food was as always...

We've been to this restaurant on 11th July for dinner. We booked the tables over phone for 8 Adults and 8 Kids. The Restaurant accepted our booking. As soon as, we have entered the restaurant. The manager lady has approached us and said that please...

I would not say little rude behaviour for the managers in the Vaibhavam restaurant, I would say the restaurant owners are horribly rude and they are made for each other. They should put up a board in front of their restaurant saying “ kids not...

Went recently to dine in with my hubby and the food was absolutely delicious!!😋 Treated us like king and queen 👑 A beautiful couple own this place I came to know, they received us with a welcome chatter overall wonderful experience. If you have a...

We visited this place as a group of 16 of us ( 8 adults and 8 kids ) . We felt the owner of this place was very rude . They were very unfriendly with kids . As soon as we walked in they told...

What an authentic South Indian restaurant.mind blowing. We hail from South India and felt like we had a trip back home . Thank you so much team vaibhav. God bless you all .

Excellent. Outstanding quality food in very unassuming and friendly decor. Amazing staff. The food was delicious. Possibly the best Indian restaurant in Birmingham.

Outstanding! Best Indian food in Birmingham! The intricacies of flavour and quality ingredients. We love it there So glad they have reopened

This place is so understated. Great and expansive menu with lots of vegan options and the potential to negotiate other dishes being veganised. Avoid booking via one of the apps and go direct. Charming owner/manager, prompt service and DELICIOUS food. Dosas and curries to remember....

We took a takeaway from Vaibhavam restaurant to treat my wife for her birthday. I must say, the food was exceptional, tasted like home food and my children loved every single dish they had (ghee roast, squid, egg fried rice). Service from Koki and Chakra...

My partner and I ordered some food to enjoy at home for dinner, and we were not disappointed! We had idli, andhra chicken and lamb chukka with rotis. The quality is really good, you can tell it is all freshly made, as if you're having...

Had a non traditional Christmas this year so decided to try this restaurant we had a take away and I have to say it is simply exuiste the best curry I've ever had it was full of flavour if I could give it more stars...

I have known this place since its opening. to make it simple, if you are looking for authentic tamil food ( south indian) without western fusion in birmingham, i would recommend vaibhavam. This place is indeed the real taste of india..the tamil cuisine is ancient...

Visited the restaurant with friends. The food is simply amazing and great service by Chakra and Koki. Perfect place for families. My favourite is chicken chettinad which was melting in mouth. If you haven’t been to Vaibhavam then you must do.

Thank you for a wonderful home cooked food, very authentic remembered the good old days with parents back in India. We will be seeing you quiet often 🤣🤣🤣 Dosa, vada chutneys, curries yummy yummy 😋

My family and I have visited here on several occasions and we have never been disappointed. The food, the service, the atmosphere. Its all sublime. Its a small restaurant, but that does not take away from the quality. Ive never tested food like it. We...

We the Fletcher family have been to this great restaurant many times and have always had a great meal/time. Please ignore the previous negative reviews as i believe they are just being vindictive! Really authentic food and even our teenage daughter says how good it...

We dined last week in vaibhavam on our way back from Balaji temple.food and service was excellent,especially prawn 65 and Andra chicken.The service was very accommodating ,a big shout out to chakra who made us feel at home

This was our second visit to Vaibhavam. This time we tried some of the amazing South Indian curries (aubergine in peanut and sesame sauce and spinach kofta in cashew and coconut sauce), having tried the delicious dosas last time. The service was perfect. We'll be...

This was our second consecutive visit to the restaurant. We tried a good variety of both North Indian and South Indian food, and were delighted !! Dosa and Idli however stole the show. These are the best I’ve ever had in any restaurants in Birmingham...

My husband and I visited this restaurant last week! We had Idly for starters with delicious chutneys and followed by a huge massala dosa and I had my new favourite fish curry with pilau rice! Absolutely amazing food and service! Can’t wait for my next...

Very friendly staff. Food was amazing. Went out with wife and kids. One of the best night out with family.5/5 for food and service. No long wait for food . Very quick service.

Appalling service from the owner who was extremely rude , no customer service skills at all. If you take your kids, be aware you may want to take your own table as you could be asked to give the kids table and chairs up. Never...

Has to be the worst customer service I have ever experienced. The lady manager is so rude and unprofessional, she has no customer service skills or manners. We had 5 children with us and were told that they had no kids menu and if the...

Vaibhavam is one of the few restaurants in Birmingham that serve authentic South Indian food. The staff are very humble and food tastes great. Definitely recommended. The ambience is very pleasant.

Our son who lives nearby said this is the best curry he has ever had, so our first visit here after lockdown. It was a takeaway and the first thing we noted was the rounding up of the bill. The lamb dish I had was...

We continue to enjoy the most delicious and aromatic food made by Koki (the owner) and Sendil (the head chef/ex Holiday Inn). By special arrangement these dishes are fat free and part of my fat free whole food plant based diet proven to arrest/reverse heart...

Excellent food, good ambience and prompt service. Generally a pleasant dining experience. Will definitely repeat visit

A random search for a good Indian restaurant led us to Vaibhavam. This must be one of the truly authentic South Indian dishes we have had in recent times. Highly recommended. Nice, clean and delicious food!

Everytime we order from here we're impressed by the incredible depth of flavour of the food and the lovely welcoming service from the family that run this restaurant. This time we had the Guthu Vankaya Kura (baby aubergines in spicy peanut & sesame sauce) and...

Visited Vaibhavam in February with a very large group. Booked the table and was advised by Koki (owner) to pre order starters as we were about 25 of us. Went there and our starters were brought out in good time. We had ordered absolutely loads...

Can't praise this place enough. If you like traditional south Indian food, like sambar, , dosai, idli, then don't go anywhere else. They have an excellent lamb biryani as well as well as other mouthwatering spicy tandoori dishes. We have been there many many times,...

I am addicted to this place and have been there 3 times in the last 7 days. Once with friends and twice with family. The food is good quality and generous of size. Give it a try you will not be disappointed!

For health reasons we only eat a zero fat plant based diet! I could not believe how understanding and willing Koki, the owner was when I explained this. She has completely surpassed all our expectations by producing the most outstanding oil free versions of some...

We took pot luck on a search for restaurants + dosas in/near Birmingham. What a delight we enjoyed. Absolutely home-cooked South Indian food with lovely daals, fish curry, biryani and, of course, various dosas. Family-run place with only seven tables so book. Yes, cash only...

One of the best foods I have ever tasted .My chocolate milkshake was the best .Will be back again ...

What I loved about this place: 1- Warm welcome, and the owners are a couple from South of India, the wife finds big pride and passion in her cooking. She is also social Le and friendly, without intruding on your privacy. 2- the South Indian...

We have recently visited Vaibhavam with 25 people. They have accommodated this big group and served very well without compromising the quality.

One stop shop for a delicious Indian food in the midlands. very good restaurant to go with family and friends. fresh and hot food served both veg and non veg food.

First time trying this place, but not the last. Everything we ate was utterly delicious, the tastiest Indian I've had in such a long time. The owners were so nice and friendly, and so genuinely lovely. I will be going back - I want to...

Just discovered this wonderful place! The restaurant is clean an tidy, the service is great, especially if you take the time to speak to them about the menu. But the real winner here is the food. It's fabulous! It's so refreshing to find an Indian...

Preferred the food and service of the previous owners. Food comes at different times and with poor service. We won’t be going back.

First visit since change of management. Generous portion size, excellent service and delicious South Indian food. A gem in harborne!

I would say it is one of the best south Indian restaurants in UK. Authentic Indian taste and great hospitality. The service was quick.Taste and quality of food being served is incomparable. Highly satisfied and would highly recommend

Authentic south Indian food and very friendly owners. Highly recommended. P.S. Cash machine is just outside the restaurant for anyone who was short of cash like we were.

We were looking for somewhere different to celebrate my dads birthday and we had seen this restaurant a few times so decided to book and so glad we did. Food was amazing and there was plenty...a doggy bag was required. The staff were amazing and...

Saturday night in our family is takeaway night, and usually Indian. Although spoilt for choice in Moseley we do venture as far as Harborne, particular for dosas that are my wife’s favourite. So I went online to look at the menu for Dosa Mania as...

Since the new owners took over we have enjoyed many lovely meals! We visited saturday lunch time and as usual we enjoyed our Idly starter followed by paneer dosa! Personally I can never resist the freshly prepared kebab, so much so that we ordered some...

We have been dining here for a few years now, as we are quite local, but more importantly because the quality, consistency & depth of flavours, menu choice etc is simply amazing. This is a smallish family run restaurant where the owners make you feel...

We visited this beautiful restaurant, and found the staff to be friendly and incredibly welcoming. Food is reasonably priced most importantly the food is out of this world. A truly professional example of culinary excellence. I would unreservedly recommend this place!

This is the second visit, and everything was reassuringly just as delightful as the first visit. I tried a different starter, and enjoyed the crisp, light and utterly delicious dhosa masala just as much as before. There were even more sambals to try, and they...

This restaurent in Harborne is another one in the long list of so called "South Indian food" which doesn't do any justice at all. We ordered masala dosai, mysore masala dosai, poor masala, and andra chilli chicken Masala dosai was a flop as it tasted...

Not been open long - about three months and drove past it a couple of times. Then saw it on TA and it looked interest. Always up for trying authehtic regional foods , so gave it a go. Blue shell crap and tiffin were delightful....

So we found this restaurant close to Harborne . and wanted to try it for it being South Indian. It was lovely! We had the most delicious dosa Masala, and Guthu Vankaya Kura- a lovely aubergine and nut sauce which we had with rice. all...

This place was recommended to me in the week and I've just had a thoroughly wonderful meal with most dishes I've never tried before. Recently opened and smart light interior. The menu is very different from most restaurants of this type and choosing dishes proved...

Becoming our regular weekday/mid week meal! Yummy puri, dosa and mango lassi! Cash only with cash point outside the restaurant!