Sri Lanka is a food lover’s paradise. From the hustle and bustle of street vendors to the calm ambiance of seaside restaurants, the country’s cuisine is as diverse as its people. Whether you’re into fiery curries or sweet desserts, there’s always something delicious waiting for you. Eating in Sri Lanka is an incredible (and cheap!) experience, so let’s dive into it.
Rice and Curry: The National Dish
If there’s one dish to try, it’s the classic Sri Lankan rice and curry. Eaten for lunch, dinner, and sometimes even breakfast, this meal is a staple. You’ll get a mound of rice paired with a variety of vegetable, meat, or seafood curries. Each curry has its own blend of spices, making every mouthful different.
Don’t be surprised if the curries are super spicy; Sri Lankans love their heat! If you’re not used to spicy food, keep some yogurt or chutney nearby to cool your palate. Popular places to try authentic rice and curry are local restaurants known as ‘rice and curry shops’ or family-run guesthouses.
Where to Eat Rice and Curry
To get the best rice and curry experiences, try local spots. Kekulu in Colombo is a great one. Café on the 5th in the southern suburbs also makes a solid rice and curry. But honestly, the best way to experience rice and curry is by visiting smaller, family-run eateries or hiring a local cook at your guesthouse. It’s fresh, cheap, and authentic.
Kottu: The Sri Lankan Stir-Fry
Hungry after a night out? Kottu is the ultimate Sri Lankan street food. It’s essentially a fried roti chopped up and stir-fried with vegetables, egg, and sometimes meat. The sound of the blades “clinking” together as vendors rapidly chop up the roti and veggies is music to any foodie’s ears.
Kottu is served all over the country, so you won’t have difficulty finding it. Each vendor has their own twist, so try various versions. There’s chicken kottu, cheese kottu, and even vegetarian or spicy ones. It’s best enjoyed late in the evening from a street food vendor.
Where to Get the Best Kottu
Try Hotel De Pilawoos in Colombo (it’s always packed, but you’ll see why). Any small roadside shop in cities like Kandy or Galle will also have killer kottu. For less of the street-vibe and a bit more comfort, you can visit places like The Kottu Factory in Colombo.
Hoppers: Sri Lankan Pancakes
Treat yourself to a Sri Lankan delicacy: hoppers. These bowl-shaped pancakes are made out of fermented rice flour and coconut milk. You can eat them in two ways: plain (called “plain hoppers”) or with an egg cracked into the middle (called “egg hoppers”). They are crispy at the edges, soft in the center, and often served with sambols or curries.
The tangy flavor from the fermentation gives them a unique taste, making them perfect to eat at any time of day, but they’re most commonly enjoyed for breakfast or dinner.
Where to Try Hoppers
House of Wines in Kandy does some tasty hoppers. In Colombo, Upali’s near Viharamahadevi Park is a favorite for locals and travelers alike. If you’re in the hip neighborhood of Mount Lavinia, The Fab has great hoppers, too.
String Hoppers: The Noodle Pancake
Don’t confuse these with regular hoppers. String hoppers (or “idiyappam”) are thin, steamed rice noodles clumped into flat, round cakes. They’re typically served with a side of coconut or dhal curry. Break them apart with your hands, mix with the curry, and enjoy!
This dish is lighter than rice and curry but just as filling. You’ll find it in guesthouses, local restaurants, and especially in Sri Lankan homes (usually for breakfast or dinner). Don’t miss it if you want to eat the way locals do.
Where to Get String Hoppers
For string hoppers, find a humble spot with a steady morning crowd. Seafish Restaurant in Colombo serves them up alongside great curries. Local eateries and many simple roadside places will also offer them fresh and hot. No frills but lots of flavor.
Pol Sambol: The Side Dish You Need
If you love coconut (and you will in Sri Lanka!), pol sambol is a must-have. It’s a fresh coconut relish mixed with chili and lime — a perfect combination of sweet and spicy. Sri Lankans add pol sambol to everything, whether it’s rice, string hoppers, or bread. But don’t let its side-dish status fool you, it packs a punch.
Pol sambol is often served alongside meals but can also be eaten with just some crusty bread for a quick snack. The flavors are light but rich, and you’ll soon be craving it at every meal.
Where to Enjoy Pol Sambol
You’ll hardly need to search for it! Every place that serves rice and curry will likely have pol sambol. Street vendors serve it on the side of roti or paratha, and guesthouses will almost always include it with breakfast. Ask for extras when it’s that good.
Street Food Snacks
Sri Lanka’s street food scene goes far beyond kottu. You’ll see street vendors everywhere offering small bites that’ll have you reaching for more. Samosas (fried pastry filled with spiced potatoes, meat, or lentils) are cheap and make a perfect grab-and-go snack.
Another popular street snack is “vadai”, a lentil fritter that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s often served with onions or a spicy sauce. If you’re near the coast, don’t forget to try the fresh fried seafood — deep-fried prawn fritters can be found everywhere near the beach. Perfect with a cold beer!
Where to Find the Best Street Food
In Colombo, head to Galle Face Green in the evening for a street food feast. Or hit Pettah Market during the day; there are many food stalls tucked between the vendors. In places like Negombo, Bentota, and other coastal towns, the markets near the shore will have fresh seafood snacks ready for you to try.
Sri Lankan Desserts
If you’ve got a sweet tooth, Sri Lanka won’t disappoint. One favorite is Wattalapam, a rich coconut custard dessert made with palm sugar, coconut milk, eggs, and plenty of spices like cardamom and nutmeg. You’ll find it at many restaurants and during special occasions.
Another well-known sweet treat is kithul hakuru, a palm sugar-based dessert. And don’t miss out on curd with treacle; buffalo curd is a staple in rural areas, and it’s best eaten with treacle drizzled over it for a sweet kick. It’s simple but oh-so-good!
Where to Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth
Indulge at traditional sweet shops. In Kandy, you can find excellent sweets at the Kandy Muslim Hotel. Colombo has many bakeries with local desserts, or try larger restaurants like Ministry of Crab for a fancier treat. The roadside curd pots are also worth trying when you’re on the go.
High-End Dining in Sri Lanka
If you fancy splurging a little, Sri Lanka offers some outstanding fine dining restaurants. Iconic spots like Ministry of Crab in Colombo, where crabs are the star of the menu, should be on any foodie’s radar. Seafood lovers will be in heaven.
Many resorts and luxury hotels, especially in the coastal regions, have their own upscale restaurants serving a fusion of Sri Lankan and international cuisine. Expect fresh seafood dishes, carefully curated tasting menus, and gourmet twists on local favorites.
Where to Splurge
Ministry of Crab is a must-visit. For unique experiences, also try Nihonbashi in Colombo for a Japanese fusion mix with Sri Lankan flavors. The Gallery Café is another Colombo hotspot for fusion cuisine and continues to impress visitors year after year.
A Note on Eating Vegetarian in Sri Lanka
Good news for vegetarians: Sri Lanka offers plenty of options! You’ll find that many dishes are vegetable-based or made with lentils. Whether you’re having dhal curry or a vegetable kottu, vegetarians will have no problem eating delicious meals here. Local places are very accommodating, so you’ll never be short of something flavorful to try.
Best Spots for Veggie Lovers
Govinda’s Vegetarian Restaurant in Colombo is great, as is Ranbath in Kandy. Hotel Shanmugas is also a hit in Colombo for some classic vegetarian dishes. If you stay in guesthouses, let the owners know you’d like a vegetarian meal – they’ll whip up some incredible veggie fare!
Sri Lanka is more than just a beautiful island; it’s a culinary journey. From spicy street snacks to fine dining by the beach, food is an integral part of the country’s soul. Wherever you go, make sure you dive into the full range of flavors that Sri Lanka has to offer. Happy eating!
Leave a reply