Sri Lanka isn’t just a place you visit, it’s one you taste. From coastal kitchens to mountain markets, food here is woven into every part of life. If you’re traveling the island and wondering what to eat first, this guide to the must try food Sri Lanka offers is a great place to start. Whether you’re dining at a five-star resort, a seaside shack, here are the dishes that define Sri Lankan cuisine, and the memories that come with them.
Rice and Curry
The heart of every Sri Lankan meal. A heaping pile of steamed rice surrounded by an ever-changing mix of curries: creamy dhal, spicy chicken, coconut-laced jackfruit, beetroot curry, and more. No two plates are ever the same.
Look for it at: Lunchtime canteens, or home-style eateries.
Kottu Roti
If you hear metal clanging rhythmically on hotplates, follow the sound. It’s kottu time. A chopped flatbread stir-fry with vegetables, eggs, and your choice of meat or cheese, drenched in savory curry sauce.
Look for it at: Nighttime street stalls and late-hour eateries.
Hoppers (Appa)
Fermented rice flour pancakes with crisp edges and a soft, doughy middle. Eat them plain or with an egg cracked into the center, and don’t forget the lunu miris (onion-chili sambol) on the side.
Check at: Street stalls, or morning markets.
Ambul Thiyal (Sour Fish Curry)
A bold, dry curry made with chunks of tuna simmered in spices and dried goraka (a souring agent). It’s tangy, fiery, and deeply satisfying, a favorite for coastal communities.
Try it at: Traditional home-cooked spots or old-school eateries in Galle and Matara.
String Hoppers (Idiyappam) with Kiri Hodi
Delicate rice noodle nests served with mild coconut milk gravy (kiri hodi) and sides like coconut sambol or potato curry. Light, fragrant, and comfortingly simple.
A breakfast staple in: Jaffna, Kandy, and most Sri Lankan homes.
Pol Sambol & Seeni Sambol
Coconut sambol (fresh, spicy, and raw) and seeni sambol (sweet, caramelized onion relish) are the island’s must-have condiments. They elevate everything from bread to rice.
You’ll find them at: Any local breakfast table or buffet.
Lamprais
A Dutch Burgher legacy that blends rice, meat curry, seeni sambol, and ash plantain wrapped in banana leaf and baked until everything melts together. Rich, layered, and made for sharing.
Look for it at: Colombo’s specialty bakeries.
Wattalappam
Sri Lanka’s go-to dessert. A custard made of coconut milk, jaggery, eggs, and spices like nutmeg and cardamom. It’s dense, sweet, and impossible to eat just once.
Best served at: Weddings, festivals, or your last night on the island.
Crab Curry
Sri Lanka’s seafood game is serious, and crab curry is king. Blue swimmer or lagoon crabs are cooked in fiery curry, best enjoyed with your hands and plenty of napkins.
Top picks: Ministry of Crab, The Fat Crab, or beachside shacks along the coast.
Gotukola Sambol
A herbal salad made with finely chopped gotukola (a local leafy green), coconut, red onion, and lime. It’s earthy, fresh, and often used as a balancing side to richer curries.
Found at: Local home kitchens and health-conscious cafes alike.
A Seafood Island at Heart
Sri Lanka is surrounded by the ocean, and its food reflects that. Expect grilled seer fish, curried prawns, devilled cuttlefish, and dry-fried sprats (karawala). For lovers of the sea, the variety of seafood Sri Lankan dishes is unmatched.
From north to south, coastal towns each bring their own specialties to the table. In Jaffna, crab curry with roasted spices and tamarind rules the menus. In the southern belt, you’ll find spicy dry-fried fish sambols and tangy fish stews, all prepared using age-old techniques and open fire. The freshness of the seafood is what makes these dishes shine, caught in the morning, cooked by noon, and served with steaming rice or crispy roast paan.
Whether you’re dining in a high-end seafood restaurant or sampling a roadside kade by the beach, seafood Sri Lankan dishes consistently deliver bold, memorable flavours that speak of salt, sun, and centuries of coastal culinary heritage.
Where to Eat It All
You don’t need a guidebook to find great food here, but if you want to make sure you hit the good spots,
- Try a bustling lunch at a family restaurant Colombo locals trust.
- Visit popular restaurants in Colombo that balance modern ambiance with traditional taste.
- Or better yet, explore hole-in-the-wall eateries and roadside stands for something truly unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
From beachside barbecues to fire-roasted feasts, every dish here is an invitation to taste the island. If you’re planning a trip, let this be your checklist of must try food Sri Lanka proudly offers. Because here, every bite tells you something real.
Meals That Bring People Together
In Sri Lanka, food is more than fuel, it’s a language of connection. A simple meal can turn into a two-hour conversation. Sharing a plate of rice and curry, passing around sambols, or tearing into a freshly made kottu is a ritual that brings families, friends, and even strangers together. It’s common to be invited into a local home for a cup of tea or a plate of homemade string hoppers, especially in rural areas. These moments, spontaneous and full of heart, often become the most cherished memories of a trip. No matter where you go, the best dishes always come with a story, and a warm welcome.
Street Food Adventures
If you truly want to understand Sri Lankan food, head to the streets. From spicy vade served straight from a sizzling pan to smoky grilled corn topped with chili salt, the street food scene is packed with bold flavors and even bolder personalities. Colombo’s night markets and roadside vendors are a treasure trove for food lovers seeking something authentic and exciting. Don’t miss egg hoppers at a cart in Pettah, or a roll stuffed with fish and deep-fried to golden perfection. These casual eats may cost less than a dollar, but they’ll leave a lasting impression.
The Flavour of Return
Ask any Sri Lankan living abroad what they miss the most, and the answer is almost always the same, the food. It’s the kiri hodi, the pol sambol, the smell of curry leaves hitting hot oil. Whether it’s a wedding buffet or a roadside kade, the flavours are stitched into the fabric of daily life. That’s what makes exploring Sri Lankan food so special for visitors, it’s not just about taste, but about tapping into the deep emotional bond locals have with what they eat. And once you’ve had your first full plate, don’t be surprised if you start planning your return trip around your next bite.