Jaga Food

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 curries on offer are cooked on traditional firewood stoves and guests are welcome to poke around the kitchen and even get a free cookery lesson (come at 5.30pm).

Grab a drink, look for water monitors in the nearby creek and then wander the garden to see the organic vegetables, herbs and fruits that go into the daily buffets.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Polonnaruwa attractions

1. Exit

2.29 MILES

Most visitors exit the archaeological site here.

2. Vishnu Devale No 4

2.37 MILES

This minor Hindu site is outside the main archaeological area and can easily be skipped.

3. Shiva Devale No 5

2.39 MILES

This minor Hindu site is outside the main archaeological area and can easily be skipped.

4. Nelum Pokuna

2.42 MILES

A track to the left from the northern stretch of road leads to unusual Nelum Pokuna (Lotus Pond), nearly 8m in diameter, which has five concentric,…

5. Tivanka Image House

2.52 MILES

Polonnaruwa's northern road ends at Tivanka Image House. Tivanka means ‘thrice bent’, and refers to the fact that the Buddha image within is in a three…

6. Damila Thupa

2.62 MILES

King Parakramabahu I planned this 12th-century stupa to be the world's largest Buddhist monument, but even with the enforced assistance of Tamil prisoners…

7. Gal Vihara

2.65 MILES

Part of Parakramabahu I’s northern monastery, Gal Vihara is a group of beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock…

8. Kiri Vihara

2.66 MILES

Construction of the dagoba Kiri Vihara is credited to Subhadra, King Parakramabahu I’s queen. Originally known as the Rupavati Chetiya, the present name…