Negombo
By far Negombo’s most creative eating experience, with dishes that are a hybrid of Western and Eastern flavours. Martin, the British owner, is a rare…
Must-see restaurants in Sri Lanka
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Unawatuna
One of the most progressive, enjoyable restaurants in the country, Bedspace Kitchen has it all right. Around 95% of their ingredients are sourced in Sri…
Colombo
A product of Sri Lanka's best tea producer, Dilmah, this gem of a cafe is in an annexe to the hugely successful Old Dutch Hospital. The interior…
Galle
For authentic Galle-style rice and curry, this minuscule place (there are only four tables) can't be beat. Chef Shamil Roshan Careem hails from one of the…
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Nuwara Eliya
Dinner at the Hill Club is an event in itself. The menu focuses on traditional English dishes such as roast beef with all the trimmings and rich puddings …
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Colombo
Crabs are a major income earner for Sri Lanka’s fishing industry, but most are exported. This high-profile restaurant rectifies this loss by celebrating…
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Traditional Foods Sales Centre
Dambulla
This government-run stand exists to preserve local traditional foods, but for travellers it's an excellent chance to do some culinary exploration. Try a…
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Ella
Run by an engaging local team, this huge, stylish roadside cafe-bar-restaurant goes from strength to strength. Its latest addition is an upper deck…
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Galle
A classy retreat from Galle's steamy streets, this refined air-conditioned hotel restaurant is the perfect setting for a great meal, with the formality of…
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Anuradhapura
With its airy, upper-storey pavilion and dripping eaves, this haveli (town house)-style building has a charming setting, but it's the food that really…
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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…
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Home Grown Rice & Curry Restaurant
Hikkaduwa & Around
Half-buried under palm trees and flowering plants, this is a sweet little garden-terrace restaurant on a quiet (at least compared to the main road) side…
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Galle
Right across the small canal from the namesake station, this fashionable upstairs cafe has artfully mismatched furnishings and a boho vibe. You'll find an…
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Colombo
With candlelit tables right on the sandy beach, this seafood pub is a hidden treat. In the heat of the day you can retreat under the grove of palm trees;…
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Kandy
The nightly buffet dinner (Rs 1100) at this hotel, served at 7.30pm sharp in the starlit rooftop restaurant, is a tasty short cut to falling in love with…
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Colombo
One of the best food vendors on Galle Face Green, Nana's is a legend for its excellent grilled meats and rice dishes. Choose a battered plastic stool and…
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Arugam Bay
This classy hotel restaurant features a menu that changes daily and lots of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Staff are professional and welcoming. Many…
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Galle
The sign says 'Relax Zone' and this is a fine place to sit back and enjoy the company of cafe owner Fazal Badurdeen, who has a million stories to tell. He…
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Ella
A neo-rustic log cabin that looks suspiciously like a backwoods hipster hang-out but is actually just a simple, very cheap roadside joint run by a jovial,…
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Kandy
No, it’s not a hotel, but this bustling eatery offers Kandy’s best samosas, authentically spiced curries and heaving plates of frisbee-sized, but gossamer…
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Colombo
Gird the expense account for an adventure at Colombo's best Japanese restaurant. The sushi, donburi and Kobe beef are as good as you can find anywhere in…
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Galle
The ideal venue for a memorable meal, this hotel restaurant offers a concise menu featuring fresh seafood and organic local produce. It's especially good…
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Jinas Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant
Unawatuna
This mighty fine place offers a wide array of Indian food (thalis and masala dosas) as well as great falafel, wholesome soups and Mexican-style dishes…
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Colombo
This organic and artisan food market is held in the northeast parking lot of the Colombo Racecourse and attracts a range of high-quality vendors. Breads,…
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Mirissa
The original and still the best local rotti shop. It also makes kotthu (rotti chopped up and mixed with vegies) and delicious, more substantial rice-and…
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Colombo
Just known as Pilawoos, this open-fronted purveyor of short eats is renowned for what may be the best kotthu (rotti sliced up with cheese and other…
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Arugam Bay
The rooms at this inn are a little too close to the road, but the courtyard dining area is in back. It's all open air, with tables and lounging areas. The…
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Kandy
This flamboyantly styled, very inviting restaurant, in historical colonial-era premises, has a selection of vibrantly painted (pink and turquoise) dining…
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Colombo
Galle Rd boasts many vendors of Indian sweets, but this tiny open-fronted shop is the best. An array of treats sits colourfully in the display cases. We…
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Tangalla & Around
Down a lane, 300m inland from the beach, this is the place for home cooking, Sri Lankan style, with richly spiced sauces, fresh seafood and very moderate…
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Anuradhapura
There is no more atmospheric place for a leisurely meal or drink than the veranda or dining room of this beautiful colonial hotel. Try the chilli…
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The East
An example of why the Sarvodaya Rd strip is becoming one of the most interesting eating neighbourhoods on the east coast. This restaurant is a two-level…
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Jaffna
For a typical Jaffna treat, head to this popular ice-cream parlour near the landmark Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil. Rio is a local favourite; join the crowds…
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Nuwara Eliya
Far and away the town's favourite restaurant, so much so that in the evenings you often have to wait for a table. The food here is the rich, delicious…
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Matara
A cool new cafe-restaurant serving well-priced international dishes (saucy fried chicken wings, battered fried prawns) in the colonial enclave of Matara…
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The East
Coconut Beach is the best place in town for Sri Lankan–style home cooking. Rice and curry, grilled seer fish and giant prawns, plus vegie delights, are…
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Nuwara Eliya
High tea is served either outside on the lawn or in the open-sided tea lounge. At 3.30pm sharp, waiters in white livery unveil a bulging buffet of…
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Polonnaruwa
This family-run garden restaurant is halfway between Polonnaruwa (6km) and Giritale (7km), so you need transport, but it's worth the detour. The 10 or so…
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Colombo
Renowned for its seafood, Beach Wadiya has attracted a popular following for decades. The location is a tropical dream; cross the train tracks at the…
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Jaffna
For a refined ambience, the small open-air restaurant at the Jaffna Heritage Hotel is perfect. It offers excellent vegetarian Indian and Sri Lankan food,…
