Mangos

Top choice in Jaffna


With an open kitchen, lots of space and outdoor seating, Mangos is an atmospheric place to dine and is wildly popular with extended Tamil families and Westerners. The South Indian food is exceptional with around 20 dosas (try the ghee masala), great parotta (Keralan-style flat bread; the chilli version is sublime) and idiyappam. For lunch, the thali (Rs 200) can't be beaten.

It's down a small lane and is close to Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Jaffna attractions

1. Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil

0.13 MILES

This huge Hindu temple, crowned by a towering god-encrusted, golden-ochre gopuram, is one of the most significant Hindu religious complexes in Sri Lanka…

2. Miralliamman Kovil

0.23 MILES

Easily overshadowed by the nearby Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil, this temple tries hard to be noticed with especially vibrant colours.

3. Sangiliyan Statue

0.5 MILES

Glistening in the sun, this gold-hued statue was first erected in 1974. It portrays Cankili II, the last king of the Jaffna Kingdom (he died in 1623)…

4. Jaffna Archaeological Museum

0.52 MILES

This small, unkempt but interesting museum is hidden away at the end of a messy garden behind a concrete events hall. At the door are a pair of rusty…

5. Mantiri Manai

0.55 MILES

Set back from the road, it's easy to sense the beauty that was once part of this building's soul. Completely derelict now, and with walls covered in…

6. Cankili Thoppu Archway

0.55 MILES

The provenance of this Jaffna Kingdom relic is fairly secure. This archway is thought to be one of the palace’s original entrances. Among its weathered…

7. Yamuna Eri

0.67 MILES

This U-shaped pool made of carved stones is neglected but still intact – it’s thought to have been the women’s bathing pool of the royal family. The tank…