Sri Lankan Food Guide: 20 Dishes Every Visitor Must Try
Sri Lanka's food scene bursts with bold flavours, fresh coconut, and spices that tell our island's story—from misty hill country curries to fiery coastal sambols. Whether you're sharing a rice and cur...
Sri Lanka's food scene bursts with bold flavours, fresh coconut, and spices that tell our island's story—from misty hill country curries to fiery coastal sambols. Whether you're sharing a rice and curry with family in Colombo or grabbing kottu from a roadside stall in Kandy, these 20 dishes capture the heart of our cuisine. As locals, we know the best spots and tips to enjoy them authentically in 2026.
Street Food Stars: Quick Bites You'll Crave
Our streets come alive at night with the clanging of cleavers— that's kottu makers at work. These portable favourites are perfect for busy evenings or post-beach hunger in places like Negombo or Galle.
1. Kottu Roti
The king of Sri Lankan street food, kottu roti chops godamba roti into bits, stir-fried with veggies, meat or egg, garlic, ginger, and spices on a hot plate.[1][3] Listen for the rhythmic chop-chop in Pettah markets or Hikkaduwa stalls. Go veggie for a lighter version—it's just as satisfying.[3] Pro tip: Pair it with a fresh lime soda; street vendors charge around LKR 400-600 in 2026.
2. Indi Appa Kottu (String Hopper Kottu)
Twist on classic kottu using steamed string hoppers (indi appa) instead of roti, mixed with meats, veggies, and gravy.[2] Find it at breakfast spots in Matara or dinner carts in Jaffna—ideal after a temple visit.
3. Pol Roti
Flaky coconut flatbreads, golden and crispy, often slathered with pol sambol.[2][3] Bake them fresh at home or grab from tea shops in the hill country for LKR 50 each.
Breakfast Essentials: Start Your Day Right
Mornings in Sri Lanka mean hoppers, pittu, and milky tea. Head to lodges in Nuwara Eliya or home kitchens for these steamy delights.
4. Egg Hoppers (Appa)
Bowl-shaped rice flour pancakes with a crispy edge and runny egg centre, perfect with sambol.[1] Dip in lunu miris for heat. String hoppers (indi appa) often join as sides.
5. Pittu
Steamed rice flour logs infused with coconut, served with coconut milk or curry.[4] A staple in Sinhala homes; try banana-leaf wrapped versions in the south.
6. Kiribath
Milky rice cake made with coconut milk, sliced into diamonds and topped with jaggery or sambol.[7] Essential for Sinhala New Year—find it at temples or bakeries island-wide.
7. Roast Paan with Parippu
Godamba roti (paratha-like bread) with creamy red lentil curry (parippu).[2][3] Soft, comforting, and under LKR 200 at Colombo's Dutch Hospital precinct.
Rice and Curry Classics: The Heart of Our Meals
No Sri Lankan meal beats rice and curry—served on banana leaves for extra aroma. Families in Kandy or Anuradhapura pile on 10+ dishes daily.
8. Dhal Curry (Parippu)
Red lentils simmered in coconut milk with onions, chillies, turmeric, and pandan—creamy and mild.[1][3] A must with rice; even better in clay pots for that smoky edge.[1]
9. Kukul Mas Curry (Chicken Curry)
Chicken marinated in turmeric, chilli, cumin, cinnamon, then braised with coconut milk.[4][7] Golden and aromatic; home cooks in Gampaha swear by fresh curry leaves.
10. Polos Curry (Green Jackfruit Curry)
Unripe jackfruit chunks boiled soft, spiced with mustard, turmeric, and coconut milk.[1] Vegan jackpot—tastes like meat, popular in vegetarian Uposatha days.
11. Fish Ambul Thiyal
Tuna cubes preserved with goraka (dried tamarind), pepper, cinnamon, and pandan for a sour kick.[1] Southern speciality; buy fresh from Galle fish markets.
12. Bath Kulu Badhu (Rice and Curry Feast)
The ultimate platter: rice with multiple curries, sambols, and papadams.[7] Order at hotels like the Ministry of Crab in Colombo for a 2026 twist.
Sambols and Sides: Add That Zest
Sambols bring heat and crunch—grated coconut or onions pounded fresh. Essential for balancing rich curries.
13. Pol Sambol
Grated coconut with chilli, lime, onions, and optional Maldive fish.[2][3][7] Our favourite side; ask for fish-free at vegetarian spots in Kotte.
14. Lunu Miris (Onion Sambol)
Pounded red onions, chillies, salt, and Maldive fish—a fiery paste.[3] Pairs with everything; grind at home with a miris watta stone.
15. Wambatu Moju (Eggplant Pickle)
Deep-fried eggplant in a caramelised sauce of chilli, mustard, vinegar, and shallots.[1] Tangy relish for rice—regional twists in the dry zone.
16. Gotu Kola Mallung
Chopped gotu kola greens stir-fried with coconut, chilli, and lime.[1] Healthy salad; forage fresh from home gardens in Ratnapura.
Speciality Dishes: Cultural Gems
These reflect our multicultural roots—Burgher, Malay, Tamil influences shine through.
17. Lamprais
Burgher delight: rice, meats, cutlets, eggplant wrapped in banana leaf and baked.[1][2][7] Weekend treat at Eurasian eateries in Seeduwa; LKR 800-1200.
18. Sri Lankan Omelet
Spiced egg fritter with cumin and curry powder, fried golden in coconut oil.[3] Breakfast hero with rice or hoppers.
19. Wattalapam
Jaggery-coconut custard with cardamom, baked soft.[5] Malay heritage sweet; try at Fort Fredrick in Trincomalee.
20. Curd and Treacle (Curd and Kithul)
Thick buffalo curd with palm treacle—creamy and caramel-sweet.[7] Dessert staple; source from Dedigama farms for pure kithul.
Practical Tips for Locals Enjoying These Dishes
- Where to Find Them: Street food in Pettah (Colombo), Fort (Kandy), or Galle Face Green. For home-style, visit Hotels (milk bars) like Bath Packet in Borella.
- 2026 Prices: Expect LKR 300-800 for meals amid rising tourism—opt for local markets to save.
- Health Note: Balance spice with coconut; gotu kola aids digestion. Follow Health Ministry guidelines on street food hygiene[1]—choose busy stalls.
- Home Cooking: Source spices from Pettah's Manning Market. Use clay pots for authentic flavour.
- Vegetarian/Vegan: Easy swaps—jackfruit for meat, skip Maldive fish in sambols.
FAQ
What's the spiciest dish on this list?
Lunu miris packs the heat with raw chillies, but adjust at stalls.[3]
Are these dishes safe for kids?
Yes—request mild versions without extra chilli; dhal and kiribath are kid favourites.[3]
Where's the best kottu in Colombo?
Lineage or street carts near Majestic City—fresh and under LKR 500.[1]
Can I find halal versions?
Abundant in Muslim areas like Kandy's Riyadh—chicken ambul thiyal shines.[4]
How to make pol sambol at home?
Grate coconut, mix with chopped onion, chilli, lime, salt. Ready in 10 mins![2]
What's new in Sri Lankan food for 2026?
Fusion spots in Cinnamon Life Mall blend these classics with global twists, like kottu tacos.
Dive into our 20 must-try dishes next time you're out—start with kottu on a Friday night or lamprais for Sunday lunch. Share your favourites in the comments, and explore local markets for ingredients. Your taste buds will thank you!
Sources & References
- Top 10 foods to try in Sri Lanka | Good Food — bbcgoodfood.com
- The Ultimate Guide to Sri Lankan Food: 50 Must Try Dishes — thatswhatshehad.com
- Sri Lankan Food: 40 of the Island's Best Dishes - Migrationology — migrationology.com
- Sri Lankan cuisine – what is worth trying? - Planet Escape — planetescape.pl
- Sri Lankan Roundup - 21 Recipes celebrating Lanka cuisine — globalkitchentravels.com
- Sri Lankan Food Culture: 10 Must-Try Dishes First-Time Visitors Fall in Love With (2026) — ellahype.com
- Sri Lankan Food: Top 28 Dishes - TasteAtlas — tasteatlas.com
Related Articles
Best Street Food in Colombo, Kandy & Galle – and Where to Find It
Nothing beats the sizzle of a fresh kottu roti on a bustling Colombo street or the crispy edge of a hopper from a Kandy night cart—our island's street food scene is alive and kicking in 2026, blending...
How to Eat Like a Local in Sri Lanka: Rice & Curry, Short Eats, and More
Eating like a local in Sri Lanka isn't just about trying new dishes—it's about understanding how we live, celebrate, and gather around food. From the everyday rice and curry that anchors our tables to...
Vegetarian and Vegan Travel in Sri Lanka: How Easy Is It?
Imagine hopping on a train from Colombo to Kandy, your stomach rumbling for a hearty meal, but you're sticking to vegetarian or vegan choices. Will you find dhal, rice, and veg curry without a hitch,...
Cultural Festivals in Sri Lanka: Kandy Esala Perahera, Vesak & More
Sri Lanka's cultural festivals bring our island to life with vibrant processions, ancient rituals, and community spirit that unite us all. Whether you're planning to join the majestic elephants of the...