Sri Lanka is a tropical island with beautiful beaches, and its oceans are full of life. At night, you can see tiny lights on the water where fishermen sit waiting to catch barramundi, red mullet, crab, and shiny mackerel. With over 1,000 km of coastline, seafood is a big part of Sri Lankan food. Fresh fish from the busy Negombo market and local spices like coconut, cinnamon, chilli, pepper, ginger, and cardamom make Sri Lankan dishes flavourful and unique.
As you go inland, you’ll see many fruit stalls along the roads. Depending on the season, you’ll find rambutan, mangosteen, mangoes, jackfruit, and many local vegetables like snake gourd, ambarella, and ash plantain. These ingredients become delicious curries and home-style meals.
Sri Lanka’s restaurant scene has grown a lot in recent years, from Jaffna to Galle to Hiriketiya. But the most exciting food scene today is in Colombo. Local chefs and restaurant owners are working closely with farmers and fishermen to create fresh, creative dishes. Here are some of the best places to eat in Colombo:
Gini
Originally a small supper club run by three brothers, Gini is now one of Colombo’s most talked-about restaurants. Set in a lovely garden, it serves dishes cooked over fire—like grilled prawns, oysters with coconut cream, crispy string hoppers, and delicious curries. The cocktails are fun and creative too.
Address: 8 Havelock Place
Headquarters by W15
A rooftop restaurant with great views of the Lotus Tower. The menu is inspired by Sri Lankan fruits and spices. Try their Colonial Arrack cocktail or dishes like prawn vadai, fish cutlets, and prawn curry.
Address: 9th Floor, HQ Colombo
Table by Nyne
A quiet spot near Beira Lake that mixes European cooking with Sri Lankan ingredients. Popular dishes include lobster, crab thermidor, and seared mackerel. Their banana fritters with treacle ice cream are a must-try.
Address: Lake Lodge, 20 Alvis Terrace
Kolamba Kade
A simple, cosy outdoor restaurant serving excellent Sri Lankan dishes like chicken curry, aubergine curry, sambols, and string hoppers. It’s becoming very popular, so weekends often need reservations.
Address: 32 Ward Place
Ranbath Organic
Perfect for healthy and affordable meals. They serve fresh, organic rice and curries on lotus leaves with coconut-husk cutlery. Their sweets like mung kawam and bibikkam are delicious.
Address: 32 Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mawatha
Holy Dumpling!
A cute garden spot serving great hand-pulled noodles, bao buns, dumplings, and wontons. They also serve Sri Lankan kombucha.
Address: 260/5 Torrington Avenue
Rocco’s
A top choice if you’re craving thin-crust pizza. They serve classics like Margherita, Quattro Formaggi, and Sorrentina. Available for dine-in or delivery.
Address: 29A Gregory’s Road
Ministry of Crab
One of Colombo’s most famous restaurants. Known for its big, fresh Sri Lankan mud crabs. You can choose your crab size—from 500g to 2kg!
Address: Old Dutch Hospital Complex
Life’s Good Kitchen
A peaceful, home-style restaurant run by a husband and wife. They serve comforting dishes like spaghetti, schnitzel, soups, salads, and fresh juices.
Address: 12 Sulaiman Terrace, Jawatta Road
Sri Suryas Hotel
A great place near the Jami-Ul-Alfar Mosque for South Indian dishes. Must-try items include dosa and masala chai. They also offer fusion Sri Lankan–Indian dishes.
Address: 255 Sea Street
Shoulders by Harpos
A stylish restaurant with a Greek-inspired menu using mostly local produce. Popular dishes include slow-cooked lamb, spit-roasted pork, and moussaka.
Address: Havelock City Mall
Upali’s by Nawaloka
A local favourite for traditional Sri Lankan dishes. Try the signature Ape paratha, Jaffna crab curry, and set lunch meal with rice, curries, sambol, and papadam.
Address: 65 Dr. CWW Kannangara Mawatha
Uncle’s
A lively bar offering strong cocktails and tasty small plates like mutton rolls, prawns, chicken, and lentil doughnuts. Great for a fun night out.
Address: Park Street Mews
Virticle by Jetwing
A beautiful spot with amazing views of the Lotus Tower. They serve dishes made with local ingredients like ambarella salad, tuna carpaccio, jacketfruit cutlets, lobster, and crab with rice. Their signature tea-based cocktail is also a must-try.
Address: Havelock City
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