Subscribe for more updates!
Stay updated with our latest design insights by entering your email below.
While planning a Sri Lanka itinerary, sampling your way around the island is one of the best means of comprehending its culture. From humble roadside stalls to fine-dining restaurants overlooking the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka offers a vibrant, diverse culinary scene that caters to every taste and budget. Whether you’re exploring the colonial charm of Galle, the cultural heart of Kandy, or the buzzing capital of Colombo, the food in Sri Lanka will likely be one of the highlights of your trip. This handbook encompasses the top restaurants, cafes, and street food establishments on the island, providing a delicious guide for those on a Sri Lanka tour or wishing to get the most out of their time on a Sri Lanka 5-day itinerary or longer trip.
Colombo: Where Urban Vibes Meet Flavorful Bites
Colombo, the capital city and a popular starting point for many Sri Lanka tour packages, has restaurants serving from traditional rice and curry to gourmet twists on local dishes. For fine dining, Ministry of Crab in the Dutch Hospital Precinct is an absolute must. It's renowned for its succulent lagoon crabs served in garlic or pepper sauces, and booking in advance is highly advised. Prices are on the upper side here—plan to pay approximately USD 30–50 per head.
For mid-budget eaters, Upali's by Nawaloka provides traditional Sri Lankan cuisine in an informal but sophisticated environment. Crowd pleasers are their jackfruit curry and mutton black curry. Tasty meals cost USD 8–15 here. Budget travelers should visit Hotel De Pilawoos, a down-to-earth eatery famous for its legendary kottu roti. It is open till late and great for a snack after exploring.
Colombo is also among the best spots to try Sri Lankan street food. Head to Galle Face Green in the evening when vendors offer isso wade (prawn-topped deep-fried lentil cakes), rolls, and chili salted sweet mango slices—all less than LKR 500 (USD 1.50) per snack.
Galle: Colonial Charm and Seaside Flavors
One of the favorites of those on Sri Lanka holiday packages for couples as well as singles, Galle Fort mixes Dutch colonial past with trendy cafes and cozy restaurants. The Fort Printers is a trendy boutique hotel that also offers a great menu with fresh seafood and innovative Sri Lankan fusion. Opt for their tuna steak or rice and curry platter in a candlelit courtyard—perfect for romantic nights out. Main courses cost between USD 15–25.
A more laid-back and budget-friendly choice is A Minute by Tuk Tuk, situated on the ramparts of the fort. It has great sea views and an informal menu that includes rice, wraps, and curries. For street food, Galle's Main Street Market is filled with hawkers selling pol roti, hoppers, and sweet indulgences such as kokis and banana fritters.
If you're taking a Sri Lanka holiday package and visiting Galle, don't depart without tasting their sour fish curry and coconut sambol, two local staples that indicate the region's hearty seafood-focused food.
Kandy: Where Heritage Meets Flavor
One of Sri Lanka's most religious and historical cities, Kandy is a must-stop on any Sri Lanka tour, particularly for temple and traditional music buffs and fans of hill-country warm welcomes. Yet it's a secret culinary delight as well.
The Empire Café, right beside the Temple of the Tooth, dishes out both Sri Lankan and Western fare in a sunny, artsy setting. Their coconut roti with spicy lunu miris (onion-chili paste) is not to be missed. Meals cost about USD 6–12. For something more traditional, Slightly Chilled Lounge Bar and Restaurant has a view of Kandy Lake and great chicken curry, devilled prawns, and veggie dishes. Cost about USD 10–15.
Budget travelers can't possibly go wrong with a fast lunch at Muslim Hotel (don't let the name fool you, it's a restaurant!). Their beef curry and paratha are local legends for a mere few dollars.
Kandy is also an excellent location to discover traditional sweets such as kalu dodol and watalappan in markets or bakeries, which provide excellent on-the-go desserts in your Sri Lanka travel packages.
Ella: Scenic Bites in the Hill Country
Ella is a small town, but it packs way more than its punch when it comes to stunning views and wonderful bites. It's one of those popular stops on most Sri Lanka tours from India, particularly among honeymooners and backpackers wishing to get out of the sun and into the mountains.
Cafe Chill is a legendary spot for good reason. Its multi-level bamboo structure is always full of travelers sipping on smoothies or digging into seafood curry and avocado toast. Prices are reasonable—around USD 5–15 depending on your order. For an intimate and authentic experience, try Matey Hut, a small, family-run restaurant serving home-cooked rice and curry, kottu, and fried rice.
Vegetarians and vegans will feel most at home here in Ella since many eateries accommodate plant-eating lifestyles and there's fresh local produce all around. This relaxed atmosphere, coupled with ample healthy eating alternatives, makes for a premier health-conscious traveler's destination for the island of Sri Lanka.
Dambulla & Sigiriya: Cultural Eats Near the Icons
If you’re following a Sri Lanka itinerary 5 days that includes the iconic Sigiriya Rock Fortress or Dambulla Cave Temple, don’t overlook the amazing food scene in this region. While it’s more rural compared to the cities, you’ll still find some excellent dining options.
Rithu Restaurant off the Dambulla exit is another favorite among tourists in search of a buffet meal. For approximately USD 5, you can sample several curries, hoppers, and sides all at once. It's an excellent place to refuel after hiking the cave temples.
Close to Sigiriya, Ahinsa Restaurant and Kenoli Restaurant are popular local eateries serving freshly prepared, spice-laden dishes made from ingredients cultivated on-site. Their Sri Lankan rice and curry sets typically range from USD 3–7.
If you’re looking for a high-end option in the area, Jetwing Lake offers a refined dining experience with international and Sri Lankan fusion cuisine. Many Sri Lanka holiday packages and luxury tour packages include stays here, which combine fine dining with views of tranquil lakes and distant mountains.
Markets, Street Food, and Insider Tips
While restaurants are great, some of the best food in Sri Lanka is found at local markets and roadside stalls. Whether you’re in Colombo, Kandy, or even a village near Polonnaruwa, look for places bustling with locals—that’s your best sign of authentic and fresh food.
Night markets in Negombo, Jaffna, and Anuradhapura are great to sample local specialties, such as Jaffna crab curry, pittu, and string hoppers. All street food is very cheap, between USD 0.50 and USD 2.00. Just ensure cleanliness and stick to those stalls where food is being prepared in front of you.
If you are a vegetarian, Sri Lanka is very understanding. Most restaurants openly mark vegetarian and vegan options, and most service staff will go out of their way to clarify ingredients if you request it. If you're on a Sri Lanka tour from India, particularly with dietary needs such as Jain or Halal, it's well worth doing some research on some reliable places ahead of time or asking your Sri Lanka tour company for advice.
Wrapping It All Up
From Galle's seafood binges to street vendors in Colombo and secret treasures of the hill country, Sri Lanka's food scene is as varied as its landscapes. The eateries and restaurants around the island have a story to tell—one of spice and tradition and colonial touch and contemporary style. Whether you are a high-end traveler eating at gourmet restaurants or a backpacker jumping from low-cost cafes and roadside stalls, the cuisine in Sri Lanka will imprint itself on your palate and your heart.
So, on your next trip to Sri Lanka, don’t just visit temples and beaches—eat your way through the island. From Kandy to Galle and everywhere in between, this culinary journey is one of the most delicious ways to experience the true soul of Sri Lanka.