(9/10) 
Most people haven't noticed the Veg Studio, and just as well because this is somewhere you'll want to keep to yourself. You'd probably walk past even if you noticed it. The inside's a bit poky, it's hardly in the best part of town, and who wants a veggie night out anyway?
But this is an opportunity not to be missed. Gujarati food is famous for its variety and flavour. Here there's a magnificent menu of vegetarian dishes all for under £4.25, yes £4.25, and if that's not enough they even offer to cook anything you fancy which isn't listed. First-timers should definitely try the thali. For five quid you get two starters, curry of the day, rice, breads, sweet and a roasted popadom. You will need to save an extra 60p for your glass of mango juice though. Steady on.
The dishes are magnificent, and all served by wonderfully expert and helpful staff. Apparently grandma's in the back cooking all the stuff and there's even a deli counter if you fancy taking some home.
Highlights for this visit were the Daal Kachori: massive love balls of pastry filled with split mung bean daal and served with a beauteous tamarind dip. The breads are amazingly flavourful too, and you'll never get a better onion bhajee. Maybe skip the Muttar Paneer, too many tinned peas for my liking, but for every dud there are at least five big hits.
Service is sometimes iffy - serviettes arrived just after curry had come into contact with trouser - but you can't expect silver service for a fiver and the passion for food more than makes up for it. Do watch out for the billing though. Chits are kept on haphazard scraps of paper, and there seemed to be some inventive accounting at the end of this meal. No big deal after food like that though.
| Food |  |
|---|---|
| Drink |  |
| Service |  |
| Value |  |
Great news - VFS got a much-deserved mention in the 2007 Observer Food awards. Pretty sure it was the only citation for a Cardiff establishment too.
What a great place to come for super food and a great atmosphere. It took ages to choose from the many dishes on the menu and everything we chose was delicious. Excellent, friendly service. My only complaint would be the confusing explanation on the menu. We got the impression that rice and bread was included in the main course as it is stated that rice and bread are normally eaten with the curries but when we had the bill, these were extras. As we had 4 starters between us and a main course each with bread & rice, we could not finish our food but we were given a doggy bag. The bill with drinks and service came to £20 for two but we could have easily had a good, satisfying meal for £10.
There is a deli where they sell delectable Indian treats including wonderful onion bhajees and samosas. Also a selction of local sweets.
A great place - highly recommended.
We frequently go there mob handed, last trip was in early September, and every time we are treated with curtsey and kindness.
We don't look at the menu, just ask the chef to feed us what he thinks is best for the day and hour.
A very pleasant way to spend an inexpensive and satisfying evening (take your own booze).
PS watch the deserts - nothing wrong with them but they are very, very substantial
PPS If there's any grub left over (they don't stint on potions) mine host offers to pack it in a doggy bag. Where was this place when I was an impoverished student?
This place is simply a delight, especially for the non-vegetarians who believe that you need meat to survive (me included). The food is amongst the tastiest that I have ever had (the unidentified brown dipping sauce is like heaven in a pot), and the price is quite unbelievable. Their delivery charges are very reasonable, so we often get a take away and don't feel at all guilty about it!
Made a couple more trips in the last 10 days and VFS is really going from strength to strength. In fact Fridays and Saturdays are in danger of becoming too busy to fit in casual customers so make sure you book.