by Sonal Sher
Sri Lanka’s cuisine has two influential ingredients, fish and coconuts, because of their abundance in this tropical island. The staple food here is Rice and Curry, and Kottu Roti, all of which is sold by many street vendors across the country. But other than the curry plate, the country has a lot to offer. Immerse yourself into a truly gastronomical experience by eating in these restaurants and get ready to taste some red hot spice.
1. Load up on traditional Seafood at Seafood Cove
Traditional Seafood at Seafood Cove, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Why? – Set right on the beach front, this restaurant serves the daily catch and is a must for seafood lovers.
Restaurant – Seafood Cove, Colombo
Ideal For: Lunch/Dinner
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
Further Explore: 10 Reasons Why Sri Lanka Should be Your Next Holiday Destination
2. Indulge in Baked goodies at English Cake Company
Glassed puddings and baked goodies at English Cake Company
What? – This bakery serves up some delicious Blueberry cakes, Sweet passion fruit tarts, Creme brulee, Cheesecakes, Pavlovas, Pies and Quiche.
Restaurant – English Cake Company
Ideal For: Breakfast, Hi tea
Ratings / Reviews on Zomato
3. Feast on the Pepper Crab at Ministry of Crab
Pepper Crab at Ministry of Crab, Colombo, Sri Lanka
What? – It offers multiple variations of the crab, the most recommended being Pepper crab. You can choose any size of crab from 500 grams to 2 kilos.
Restaurant – Ministry of Crab, Colombo
Ideal For: Breakfast/Lunch
Ratings / Reviews on Zomato
Further Explore: Food Paradises of Kerala : Go on a gastronomic joy ride
4. Taste the Odiyal Kool at Palmyrah Restaurant
Odiyal Kool- A Jaffna dish at Palmyrah Restaurant, Colombo
What? – This traditional Jaffna dish is made from the Palmyrah root and includes crab, fish or prawns.
Restaurant – Palmyrah Restaurant, Colombo
Ideal For: Lunch
Ratings / Reviews on Zomato
5. Indulge in some local delicacies at Curry Leaf
Local delicacies and spicy curries at Curry Leaf, Colombo
What? – Go for the buffet at night, which also include seafood, spicy curries, local delicacies and lots of Sri Lankan desserts.
Restaurant – Curry Leaf, Colombo
Ideal For: Dinner
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
6. Start the day with a South Indian Breakfast at Chutneys
South Indian dishes including a dosa thali at Chutneys, Colombo
Why? – It has a selection of 45 vegetarian and 55 non-vegetarian South Indian dishes including a dosa thali.
Restaurant – Chutneys, Colombo
Ideal For: Breakfast
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
7. Pick the seafood you want to eat at The Lagoon
Dining seafood restaurant and Fish market at The Lagoon, Colombo
What? – This fine dining seafood restaurant is styled like an upmarket fish market with mud crab, lagoon crab, mussels, modha, lobsters and prawns. Choose to go Thai, Chinese or Continental once you have decided on your piece of seafood.
Restaurant – The Lagoon, The Cinnamon Grand Hotel, Colombo
Ideal For: Dinner
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
8. Try out the Chicken Biryani at New Banana Leaf
Chicken Biryani at New Banana Leaf, Colombo, Sri Lanka
What? – Try the signature chicken biriyani served on a banana leaf. The meal includes egg, shoba (gravy), cashew and pea curry, onion baduma and cucumber and pineapple salad.
Restaurant – New Banana Leaf, Colombo
Ideal For: Lunch
Ratings / Reviews on Zomato
9. Eat the Rice box at Devon Restaurant
Sri Lankan coconut dish at Devon Restaurant, Kandy
What? – The highlight here includes a fried sambol, a traditional Sri Lankan dish made from coconut, chili, lime and Maldive fish chips.
Restaurant – Devon Restaurant, Kandy
Ideal For: Lunch
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
10. Drink up some traditional Tea at Mlesna Tea Centre
Traditional Tea at Mlesna Tea Centre, Kandy
What? – This is one of the rare places where tea is prepared in the authentic Sri Lankan way. It also offers a small range of cakes, snacks and quick bites.
Restaurant – Mlesna Tea Centre, Kandy
Ideal For: Breakfast, Hi tea
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
11. Soya ice cream cones dessert at The Soya Centre
Soy based soft ice cream cones at The Soya Centre, Kandy
What? – A strictly vegetarian restaurant it offers a great variety of traditional street food, all made from soya beans. Try out the vegetable buns, roti rolls and particular the soy-based soft ice cream cones.
Restaurant – The Soya Centre, Kandy
Ideal For: Snacks, Hi tea
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
12. Eat the Devilled chicken curry at Rockview restaurant
Devilled chicken curry at Rockview restaurant, Kandy, Sri Lanka
What? – With a breath-taking view of the tea plantations, this restaurant offers traditional specialities like raw banana and jackfruit with red rice, Devilled chicken curry with fried rice and string hoppers.
Restaurant – Rockview restaurant, Kandy
Ideal For: Lunch
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
13. Savour the Sri Lankan curries at Mama’s Galle Fort
Sri Lankan curries at Mama’s Galle Fort, Galle
What? – A fabulous roof top cafe, it offers a great view. Order a curry with hoppers (appa) or String Hoppers (idiyapappams) and Sri Lankan style fried rice.
Restaurant – Mama’s Galle Fort, Galle
Ideal For: Dinner
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
14. Change the pace with some Asian fusion food at Galle Fort Hotel
Asian fusion food at Galle Fort Hotel, Galle
What? – Sit on the wide verandah sipping cocktails and dig into some delicious char-grilled prawns served with a spicy red curry sauce.
Restaurant – Galle Fort Hotel, Galle
Ideal For: Dinner
Ratings / Reviews on TripAdviser
15. Dig into the scrumptious North Sri Lankan food at Hotel Rolex
A full Sri Lankan meal at Hotel Rolex, Jaffna
What? – This modest joint is a must visit for a full Sri Lankan meal. Order the brinjal eggplant, squid curry, daal curry and side of paratha.
Restaurant – Hotel Rolex, Jaffna
Ideal For: Lunch
Ratings / Reviews on CNN courtesy: traveltriangle.com