Vima Indian and SriLankan Restaurant — Restaurant in Nutley

My fiancée and I decided to celebrate my birthday with an early dinner. We wanted something different, and flavorful, and Vima, a new Indian/Sri Lankan restaurant in Nutley, seemed like the perfect choice. With a location close to home, and a menu promising South Asian soul food, we were hopeful. What we got was one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in recent memory.

Vima is a cozy spot, just about 4/5 tables, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in warmth and cleanliness. Parking was a breeze thanks to the surrounding side streets, and stepping inside, we were welcomed like old friends.

Our server for the night, Shakthi, was a standout from the start. Friendly, attentive, and full of helpful insight, he made us feel at ease, easily guiding us through the menu and chatting about the ingredients and origins of each dish. His passion for the food and hospitality shone through, and it really elevated the entire experience.

To kick things off, I ordered the Fresh Lime Soda with masala, a drink made in-house. One sip and I was immediately transported back to my boarding school days in India. It struck that perfect balance: bright lime, a punchy masala mix, just the right hint of salt, and a refreshingly unsweetened base. It was exactly what I didn’t know I was craving. My fiancée had the Nimbu Pani, a masala-free version of Indian lemonade, and it too was spot on. Lightly sweet, citrusy, and incredibly refreshing, it was a perfect palate primer. I also ordered a Masala Chai, and once again, nostalgia hit hard. This wasn’t the generic chai you find at cafes. It was authentic South Indian-style: full-bodied, smooth, warmly spiced with notes of cardamom, ginger, and cloves. It was comforting, aromatic, and crafted with care.

We started with the Chicken Kaju, a creamy, cashew-based chicken dish made with tender thigh pieces. It tasted like something straight out of a South Indian kitchen, specifically my mom’s. That familiar, home-cooked depth of flavor is rare to find in a restaurant, and this dish nailed it. But the real game-changer was the Talawa Shrimp. This Andhra-style dish came out sizzling, and from the first whiff, we knew we were in for something special. The shrimp themselves were perfectly seared with a crisp exterior and juicy center. The spice level was bold but balanced, with a smoky undertone and a slow-building heat that lingered in the best way. It had layers: spicy, savory, a touch of tang, all working together in harmony. Hands down, the best shrimp dish I’ve ever had. This one deserves its own spotlight.

For my main course, I went with the Lamb Korma, which they kindly prepared boneless for me. This was another Andhra-style interpretation, richer and more robust than the cream-heavy North Indian versions. The lamb was fall-apart tender, soaking up all the flavor from the korma without losing its identity. My fiancée chose the Masala Dosa, and it was a masterclass in balance. The dosa itself was golden and crisp, but the real star was the potato masala filling, soft, buttery, and beautifully seasoned. It had a subtle sweetness from caramelized onions and warmth from mustard seeds and turmeric. Honestly, the filling was so good on its own, the accompanying sambar, rasam, and chutneys felt more like thoughtful bonuses than necessities, though they were excellent too.

Just as we were winding down, Shakthi returned with a surprise: a slice of chocolate cake and a traditional South Indian dessert called Kesari, It had a velvety texture, buttery richness, and just the right amount of sugar to round out the meal.

From start to finish, Vima completely blew us away. Every dish felt made with purpose, no shortcuts, no watered-down flavors, just real, authentic cooking that reflects the vibrant cuisines of South India and Sri Lanka. Combine that with the warm hospitality and attentiveness from Shakthi, and you’ve got a dining experience that feels truly special.

If Vima maintains & builds on this, it absolutely deserves a spot among New Jersey’s best Indian...

Wow, new local spot opened 5 months with kind host & I believe his wife & a very young chef! They have so many dishes to try from India & SirLanka! There’s also an Indo-Chinese section on the menu. We came here around late dinner, only 1 other dining couple than us, but with so many to go orders coming through! Space is small but with tables large enough to sit big parties if shifted & nothing fancy, just cozy & comfy… very mom & pop shop. And don’t mind about the timing of food: they cook to order & well worth the wait! We had their gobi manchurian which had such beautiful crunchy flavors! And the onion dosa which was fresh crispy delish! And their amazing hot chai— WOW you can’t share this! Hoping the prices stay the same because I know Indian cuisine is a specialty & is already on the upper end of cost, but such a well worth fantabulous new addition to our local food...

Came here yesterday with my girlfriend and had a very good experience. Parking is easy, as we just parked on the street right out front. The place is quite intimate, but comfortable in my opinion. Our server, I believe she said her name was Maria, was very pleasant and attentive, and the food was delicious. From the veggie samosas, which were fried perfectly and not oily, to the aromatic mulligatawany soup, followed by our kashmiri lamb rogan josh and chicken do pyaza, everything was spiced amazingly and cooked very well. The lamb and chicken were nice and tender. Our desserts, the double ka meetha and badam ka halwa, were the perfect end to an amazing meal. So much so, that I had to try to finish my girlfriend's ka halwa because it felt wrong to leave it there, though we were full. Great food, very friendly staff. Highly...