Discover the Best Sri Lankan Dishes and Beverages

A fusion of Indian, Southeast Asian, and Arabic flavors, along with colonial influences, Sri Lankan cooking is a feast for the senses, utilizing incredibly fresh herbs, spices, and the rich bounty of the land and sea.

Dining out in Sri Lanka is a pleasure. You can savor authentic rice and curry at a local cafe, enjoy kotthu (chopped roti flatbread with vegetables and meat) at a casual eatery, or indulge in fresh seafood at an oceanfront restaurant. For an authentic experience, head to places where the locals eat, where you’ll encounter fiery and flavorful Sri Lankan cuisine.

Munch on Sri Lankan Hoppers

Made from a fermented batter of rice flour and coconut milk, hoppers (also known as appa or appam) are bowl-shaped pancakes with crispy edges and fluffy centers. Plain hoppers typically come with the chili and salt condiment lunu miris. Savory egg hoppers feature an egg cooked perfectly in a plain hopper, while sweet hoppers are served with milk or jaggery (palm sugar) combined with coconut milk.

Devour String Hoppers with Curry

Contrary to their name, idi appa or idiyappam (string hoppers) are distinct from regular hoppers. Often enjoyed for breakfast, these steamed rice flour noodles are hand-pressed into delicate mats and are served with pol sambol (grated coconut mixed with chili) and a creamy dal curry made with coconut milk, cinnamon, and curry leaves.

Feast on Rice and Curry Whenever You Get the Chance

This ubiquitous dish is an umbrella term for a variety of complex and intricately spiced vegetable (and often meat or fish) dishes served with rice, akin to an Indian thali. A typical meal may feature multiple curries, including at least one meat or fish option, served alongside side dishes like pickles and chutneys.

Most Sri Lankan curries utilize coconut milk, coupled with an array of spices such as chili, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, lemongrass, and curry leaves. Additionally, dried Maldive fish, a type of cured tuna, is frequently used as seasoning.

For a meal that truly captures Sri Lankan flavors, visit family-owned restaurants that offer a daily array of meat, fish, and vegetable dishes, providing a richer culinary experience than typical tourist spots.

Sit Down for a Plate of Kotthu

This spicy dish of leftover flatbread, fresh vegetables, egg, and meat is a local favorite, often enjoyed at dinner. Kotthu is not only hearty but also comes with a lively sound as it is chopped on a griddle by skilled chefs.

Chicken and pork versions are popular, as are seafood versions available in coastal areas.

Snack on Isso Vadai at Galle Face Green

Crispy, crunchy, and slightly spicy, isso vadai is widely sold at Galle Face Green in Colombo. These deep-fried lentil-and-prawn fritters make the perfect snack, providing an excellent way to recharge as you watch the sunset.

Start Your Day with Pol Roti

This toasted and slightly charred flatbread, made from flour and grated coconut, is typically served as a breakfast or dinner item. It pairs beautifully with lunu miris (a chili and salt condiment) and a spicy chicken curry.

Go for a Lamprais Brunch on Sunday

Wrapped and baked in banana leaves, lamprais originates from the Burgher community in Sri Lanka. This slow-cooked dish consists of rice, a mixed meat curry, meatballs, and delicious sambols, wrapped in a banana leaf for an authentic taste.

Enjoy Sri Lanka’s Lagoon Crabs

Meaty and luscious, Sri Lanka’s lagoon crabs are a must-try. Jaffna crab curry, a specialty made with fresh crustaceans and northern Sri Lankan spices, is best enjoyed alongside a plate of plain rice.

Tuck into Sri Lankan Kiribath

Best served during special occasions, kiribath is made from rice cooked in thick coconut milk, cooled on banana leaves, and cut into diamond-shaped servings. It pairs well with spicy sambols or sweet additions like banana and jaggery.

Sip Some Local Toddy

Toddy is a lightly alcoholic beverage made from the sap of palm trees, with various regional variations. It is best enjoyed fresh and is often accompanied by boiled tapioca.

Grab an Arrack Cocktail

Arrack is a refined form of toddy, typically coconut-based and similar to rum or whisky. You’ll find a variety of arrack cocktails made by local mixologists in Colombo, offering a refreshing taste of Sri Lanka.

Slurp Some Kola Kanda

This green, thick drink made from herbs, rice, and coconut milk is traditionally consumed for breakfast. Although initially unappealing to children, many adults grow to enjoy its unique flavor.

Vegetarians and Vegans Will Find Abundance

Sri Lanka is also an excellent destination for vegetarians and vegans, offering many vegetable-based curries cooked in coconut milk. While many dishes traditionally contain ghee or fish, finding suitable options is becoming easier, especially at tourist-oriented cafes.

Foods Worth Trying

• Hot Butter Cuttlefish: A popular snack with crunchy, flour-coated cuttlefish stir-fried with butter and chili.
• Village Buffalo Curd: A traditional dessert topped with sweet palm treacle, served in clay pots.
• Lavariya: Rice noodle pockets stuffed with a coconut filling, typically enjoyed with ginger tea.

A Year in Food

Sri Lanka’s culinary experiences are enriched by seasonal dishes linked to cultural and religious festivities. For instance, during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year in April, households prepare special sweet snacks, while December features delightful holiday treats like “love cake.”

This article was updated on August 13, 2024.