Best Places to Eat in Colombo

Best Foods to Try in Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Here are some dishes with descriptions, ingredients, dietary restrictions, and pricing ranges. If you are looking for “places to eat near me” in Colombo, below is a selection of great street cuisine that you simply must try:

• Saravita and Coconut

  They are betel leaf-wrapped, colourful, and made from fresh coconut shavings. Hawkers sell them outside the beach. The simplicity of this Sri Lankan street food lies in its sweet flavour, making it impossible to stop eating once you have had some.

  • Type: Vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: INR 62 - 101 per kilogram

• Watalappam

  A Sri Lankan street cuisine staple, Watalappam is made with coconut milk, cashew nuts, eggs, jaggery, and spices like cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg. This custard is light, fluffy, and just the right amount of sweet.

  • Type: Vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: Starts from INR 140

• Achcharu

  Gooseberries, pineapples, mangoes, apples, and veralu (Ceylon olive) are all placed on a dish after being pickled in spices. Strange as it may sound, this Sri Lankan street meal is popular among the locals, and the salt and spices enhance the fruit's flavour.

  • Type: Vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: INR 55 - 81

• Malu Paan

  Malu Paan's typical filling is a spicy fish curry with green chillies, onions, and other seasonings. The pastry is prepared with flour, coconut milk, and yeast and baked until golden brown.

  • Type: Non-vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: Starts from INR 45

• Pittu

  The filling is a delicious mixture of cardamom, coconut, and jaggery (palm sugar). Pittu is commonly served for breakfast or as a snack. Look for street vendors selling small, delectable pancakes with grated coconut and jaggery.

  • Type: Vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: Starts from INR 286

• Lavariya

  Lavariya is a sweet dish made by mixing rice flour and coconut milk. It is then cooked in cylinder moulds and served with spiced syrup sweetened with jaggery.

  • Type: Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: INR 100 - 200

• Pan Roll

  The inside of this fried bun is filled with seasoned potatoes. The filling consists of mashed potatoes, onions, and spices like turmeric and cumin. The roll is then deep-fried until crispy and golden brown.

  • Type: Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: INR 3363 for 10 pieces per pack

• Pol Roti

  Pol Rotti is fried on a hot griddle until the interior is tender and the outside is crispy. It is often served with spicy curries. Seek out vendors offering little flatbreads prepared with grated coconut and wheat.

  • Type: Vegetarian
  • Approx. Price*: Starts from INR 28

*Disclaimer: All costs are approximate and subject to change at the time of travel.

Sri Lanka Food Guide: Best Restaurants and Street Food Stalls in Colombo

Colombo offers everything from well-known restaurants and cosy cafés to lively street food stalls and casual pubs. Whether you are hunting for the “best restaurants near me” or craving a quick bite from a food cart, there is something for every taste. Here are some places to eat in Colombo that should be at the top of your list for delicious meals and unique local flavours.

• Aluthkade Street Food, Colombo

  This Colombo street food market is a popular place to try a variety of Sri Lankan street food specialities, including hoppers, kottu roti, and more. It is a fantastic place to discover food nearby, featuring a variety of dishes all in one spot. For more options, check out “food near me” through a simple online search.

  • Location: Aluthkade, Colombo
  • Opening Hours: 5:30 PM - 5:30 AM

• Ministry of Crab

  Although this lively spot is devoted to crab, as the name suggests, other excellent local seafood, such as prawns and oysters, are also offered. Savour the famous lagoon crab, which can be cooked in one of four ways: curry, pepper, garlic, or chilli.

  • Location: Old Dutch Hospital Complex, 04 Hospital St., Colombo 00100, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 12 PM - 10:30 PM

• The Gallery Cafe

  The Gallery Cafe still exudes the same sense of refined elegance as when it was the workplace of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, who approved its conversion to a café before his passing in 2003.

  • Location: Paradise Road, Tintagel, Colombo
  • Opening Hours: 6:30 AM - 11 PM

• Monsoon

  One of the sleekest dining establishments in Colombo's upscale Park Street district, it is built in a former warehouse building. It features marble dining tables, a timber countertop, and a modern industrial design with warm textures.

  • Location: 50/2, Park Street Mews, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 12 PM - 11:30 PM

• A Minute by Tuk Tuk

  This eccentric restaurant pays homage to the three-wheeler tuk-tuk, is famous for its unusual cuisine and has a picturesque setting just a ten-minute walk from the ancient Galle Fort. Enjoy a traditional black pig curry seasoned with Sri Lankan spices.

  • Location: Hospital Street, Shop U-12, Old Dutch Hospital, Galle Fort, Galle, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 10 AM - 10 PM

Vegetarian Restaurants in Colombo

Colombo boasts a great selection of vegetarian restaurants to explore with many dishes based on rice and vegetables. If you search for an “Indian restaurant near me,” you will find some delightful spots with Indian flavours and textures.

• Indo Ceylon Cafe, Dosa King

  This largely vegetarian restaurant serves Traditional South Asian cuisine. Most of their dishes are vegan, with a few exceptions that use ghee (clarified butter). The eatery is popular among locals rather than visitors.

  • Location: 284 Galle Road, Kollupitiya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 6:30 AM - 9 PM

• Sriyani

  You can search for “pure veg restaurants near me” to uncover some of the best places to eat in Colombo for vegetarian food lovers. Sriyani restaurant serves Sri Lankan and South Indian cuisine and eggless baked items. The menu features fresh fruit juices, biryani, dosa, chapati with curry, rice and curry, and quick snacks like vada and bonda.

  • Location: 131 Second Cross Street, Colombo 11, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 8 AM - 7 PM

• Amirthaa

  Looking for Indian food near me? Amirthaa offers South Indian meals, crispy dosas—thin pancakes made of rice—and fluffy, light Idlis, which are steamed rice cakes. They also provide thali, a large platter with many tiny portions of rice and curries.

  • Location: 256A Galle Rd. Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 6 AM - 10 PM

• Dwaraka

  You will find traditional Southern fare like dosas, idly, and sambhar, along with Northern favourites like paneer curries, dal makhani, naan, and chole. The menu offers something for everyone, with flavours ranging from mild and creamy to spicy and tangy.

  • Location: 37 Jaya Road, Marine Drive, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 10 AM - 10:30 PM

• Thalis Restaurant

  South Indian vegetarian thalis and dosas are the restaurant's speciality. In small quantities, the thali, featuring an assortment of items, such as rice, curries, and vegetable sides, offers a complete experience of South Indian cuisine on a large plate.

  • Location: 155 Park Rd. Colombo 05, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 11 AM - 11 PM

Best Vegan Cafés/Restaurants in Colombo

The vegan cuisine scene in Colombo is expanding quickly and provides a wide range of delectable options. Search for “healthy food near me” or “places to eat around me,” and you will discover many must-try vegan cafes and restaurants.

• Ranbath

  This restaurant is perfect for greenery and healthy eating because it specialises in vegan, organic, and eco-friendly meals. So, if you are looking for “healthy food near me” options, this is your answer. They make use of heirloom rice, a unique variety of rice that has been cultivated for many years.

  • Location: 32 Sri Sambuddhathva Jayanthi Mawath, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 6 AM - 6 PM

• So Rich Soya Foods

  This restaurant specialises in vegan takeout and serves various delectable plant-based dishes. Every product is 100% vegan—devoid of animal products like meat, dairy, or eggs—and made with only the freshest ingredients.

  • Location: Makola Rd. Kiribathgoda, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 6:30 AM - 8:30 PM

• The Vegan Kitchen

  Fresh, healthful ingredients are the main focus of this vegan home restaurant's menu of tasty plant-based cuisine. Every dish on the menu is lovingly prepared and 100% vegan to guarantee that every bite delivers flavour and nutrients.

  • Location: Old Kesbawa Rd., Rathanapitiya, Boralessgamuwa, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 9 AM - 11 PM

• A-One Cafe

  This home restaurant makes it easy to enjoy classic flavours while catering to plant-based preferences by offering vegan and vegan-friendly options. Feel free to request any modifications to guarantee a tasty, customised meal.

  • Location: Justice Akbar Mawatha, Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 6 AM - 10 PM

• Gandhi Lodge Restaurant

  The restaurant offers a vegan buffet lunch that is all-you-can-eat, all day. The buffet is intended to provide a tasty and healthy lunch with various dishes influenced by classic and contemporary cuisines.

  • Location: Galle Rd., Colombo, Sri Lanka
  • Opening Hours: 10:30 AM - 4 PM

FAQs

• Q1. What cuisines are popular in Colombo?

  Ans. Colombo offers Sri Lankan, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Middle Eastern cuisine, with many vegan and vegetarian options.

• Q2. Where can I find exotic Sri Lankan food?

  Ans. Try Ministry of Crab for seafood, Nuga Gama for a traditional buffet, Upali's by Nawaloka for classics, and Kaema Sutra for fusion cuisine.

• Q3. What street foods should I try in Colombo?

  Ans. Favourites include Kottu Roti (stir-fried flatbread), Hoppers (crispy rice flour pancakes), and Eso Roti (stuffed paratha with various fillings).

• Q4. What are some family-friendly places to eat in Colombo?

  Ans. The Lagoon (seafood), Mango Tree (Indian), and Harpo’s Pizza are great for families with broad menus and relaxed atmospheres.

• Q5. Can I find good “places to eat near me” for a popular dessert in Colombo?

  Ans. Try Butter Boutique for cakes, Carnival Ice Cream for classic flavours, or Fab for local sweets and pastries.

• Q6. Can I get Chinese food in Colombo?

  Ans. Try Golden Dragon for authentic Chinese cuisine, the traditional Sichuan at Yue Chuan, or the many popular favourites at Eastern Wok. Search for “Chinese food near me” to get an extensive list of eateries serving Chinese food.