Sri Lankan Food Guide: Must-Try Dishes and Where to Find Them

Sri Lankan cuisine is a spicy, aromatic, and diverse fusion of flavors influenced by its position on ancient trade routes. From fiery curries and coconut-infused sambols to fermented rice pancakes, the island's food scene is as vibrant as its culture.

Must-Try Dishes

1. Rice and Curry

The staple of Sri Lankan cuisine, this consists of rice served with several curries - typically fish or meat curry, dhal (lentils), two vegetable curries, and sambol. Each region has its own variations, making it a dish worth trying multiple times.

2. Hoppers (Appa)

These bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk are crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. Egg hoppers (with an egg cracked in the center) are particularly delicious. Best enjoyed for breakfast or dinner.

3. Kottu Roti

This street food favorite consists of chopped roti bread stir-fried with vegetables, egg, and your choice of meat, seasoned with spices and served with curry sauce. The rhythmic chopping sound of kottu preparation is iconic in Sri Lankan towns.

4. String Hoppers (Idiyappam)

Steamed rice noodles formed into nest-like shapes, typically served with coconut milk curry (kiri hodi) or spicy sambol. A delicate and delicious breakfast option.

5. Lamprais

Of Dutch Burgher origin, this dish features rice cooked in stock, paired with meat curry, ash plantain, brinjal (eggplant) curry, and sambol, all wrapped in a banana leaf and baked. The banana leaf imparts a unique aroma.

Where to Eat

While hotels serve good Sri Lankan food, the best experiences are at local "hotels" (small eateries), roadside stalls, and homestays. In Colombo, try Ministry of Crab for seafood, Upali's for traditional rice and curry, or the Green Cabin for snacks. In the hills, don't miss the fresh strawberries and cream in Nuwara Eliya.

Want to taste authentic Sri Lankan cuisine? Our culinary tours include cooking classes, market visits, and meals at the best local eateries.