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…
Must-see restaurants in The Ancient Cities
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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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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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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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Dambulla
A smart, modern cafe-restaurant that serves good coffee and cake, as well as Western meals as diverse as breakfast pancakes, bangers and mash, and Chinese…
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Anuradhapura
The location in the southern outskirts of town is not the most convenient, but this bright and hip restaurant is worth the trip if you are in the mood for…
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Polonnaruwa
This large and well-run restaurant is set up for the tourist groups, but it's a convenient place to take a break between sightseeing. The lunch buffet is…
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Sigiriya
A young backpacker crowd frequent this chilled creek-side hang-out. It's as much a drinking place as a restaurant, but the food is good value, from…
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Anuradhapura
This self-service corner-shop joint is perfect for shoestringers staying at one of the many nearby budget guesthouses. The rice and curry, string hoppers,…
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Sigiriya
Cooking up a rotti storm, this likeable restaurant serves up delicious, freshly cooked sweet and savoury rotti bread and excellent juices in the new upper…
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Anuradhapura
Just east of the 'elephant' roundabout this modern cafe-restaurant-store is a popular spot for egg, curry and noodle dishes, including freshly squeezed…
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Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura’s best supermarket has imported foods, sunscreen, mosquito repellent and a separate bakery area, with a cheap rice and curry buffet upstairs …
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Dambulla Heritage Resthouse Restaurant
Dambulla
This classy cafe-restaurant, all monochrome photographs and period furniture, is atmospheric for a drink or meals such as pot-roasted chicken and lake…
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The Ancient Cities
An unexpectedly modish bakery-restaurant, 30m from the bus station, with decent Sri Lankan and Western dishes. Omelettes are available as well as rice and…
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Polonnaruwa
This hotel's dining room enjoys a terrific perspective over the calm waters of the tank, and it's air-conditioned, so it offers a lunchtime respite from…
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The Ancient Cities
For a step up in class from your standard-issue rice and curry, this unlikely location offers delicious Sri Lankan meals that are varied and flavourful.
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Anuradhapura
It's nothing that special, but if you're in urgent need of some air-con and non-local food this large 2nd-floor restaurant has lots of vaguely Chinese and…
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Dambulla
In the town centre, this budget local chain offers Sri Lankan–style bakery items and tasty strong hoppers or rice and curry.
