10 Best Restaurants in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan cuisine has always been one of the delights of this island state and the restaurant business in Colombo is flourishing, now you can find both colonial-style restaurants and cozy eateries offering everything from a seafood extravaganza to a simple cup of tea. We offer the 10 best restaurants in Colombo, which are not only tasty but also interesting.

Gallery Cafe

Opened in 1998 in a home built by world-renowned architect Jeffrey Bawa, Gallery Cafe offers a unique combination of art and gastronomy. Visitors can not only dine but also experience contemporary art As part of the Paradise Road complex, visitors can browse an art gallery that houses a rotating selection of local artists and designers before sitting down to dine. It serves both national and European dishes. The dishes combine small elements of fusion and traditional cuisine. And of course – dishes made from the freshest ingredients. Gallery Cafe, 2 Alfred House Road, Colombo 00300 Sri Lanka, +94 11 2582162

Nihonbashi

Included in the 38 best restaurants in Asia, Nihonbashi Japanese restaurant chef-restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa, who brings a piece of Japanese elegance to his dishes The restaurant’s decor in accordance with all the Zen rules, in the style of a Japanese garden, with a minimalist style, creates a relaxing atmosphere of comfort and tranquility. In the kitchen, the most delicate combinations are used; here, great attention is paid to the details. Each menu item is the very perfection of Japanese cuisine. Nihonbashi, Galle Face Terrace, Colombo, Sri Lanka, +94 112 323847

ZAZA

Housed in an extraordinary glass chamber, Zaza is a combined bar, café, and restaurant that offers something for everyone, as the menu changes every day. During the daytime, Zaza serves the best of Ceylon tea, combining the age-old flavors of Sri Lanka’s tea culture with some modern twists and turns of fusing and creating tea-free cocktails.
During the daytime, Zaza turns into a hip tapas restaurant, with a wide selection of local and international dishes. At night, Zaza comes alive as one of Colombo’s finest bars, and the glass cube burns like a bright lantern. Zaza, 231, Galle Road, Bambalapitii, Colombo 4, Sri Lanka, +94 114 520 130

Chutneys

Offering a master class in South Indian cuisine, Chutney is one of the best places to experience the rich diversity of this culinary culture. It includes dishes from all four major states in southern India – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu – as well as vegetarian options for each state. The incredible diversity of food culture in each of these states is explored through an extensive menu and specific points that include many types of Dosai, and dishes such as Masala shrimp and cashews and Raga onions. Chutney, 77, Galle Road, Colombo 03, Sri Lanka, +94 11 249 7372

Curry Leaf

Known as one of Colombo’s most exclusive restaurants, Curry Leaf takes Sri Lankan cuisine to new gastronomic heights and is the best place to experience the culinary potential of this island nation’s tradition. Dishes such as String Bins, Funnels, Pittu, and Kottu Rotti are transformed into exquisite pieces of classic gastronomy, while the relaxed outdoor atmosphere allows visitors to observe the cooking methods for themselves. Curry Leaf, Sir Chittampalam Gardiner Mawatha, Fort, Colombo, Sri Lanka, +94 11 249

Seafood Cove

Seafood in Sri Lanka is one of the most valuable ingredients in culinary, the Indian Ocean is rich in a variety of seafood. Seafood Cove restaurant is located right on the oceanfront, which gives it the opportunity to cook from freshly caught seafood. The place will be remembered not only by the lover of delicious food but also by the most delicate gourmet. Seafood Cove, 100 Hotel Rd, Mt Lavinia, Colombo, Sri Lanka, +94 011 271 52 217

Beach Wadiya

Another beachfront restaurant that uses Colombo’s abundant seafood, Wadiya Beach has a reputation for being one of the mainstream restaurants serving seafood both cheap and cheerful. The no-frills style makes the restaurant the perfect place to experience quality seafood in a relaxed and dynamic environment. Wadiya, Marine Dr, Colombo, Sri Lanka, +94 11 2 588568

Ministry of Crab

Specializes in providing all kinds of crab cooking options. Guests can enjoy simple yet highly flavorful dishes such as Garlic Crab, Ginger, Steamed Crab, Pepper Crab, or Butter Crab, while guests can choose the size of the crab themselves. The restaurant is located in the building of a Dutch colonial-style hospital. Ministry of Crab, Old Dutch Hospital, Colombo, Sri Lanka, +94 11 234 2722

Club Cafe Cricket

If you want to experience a colonial atmosphere, the Cricket Cafe is the perfect place to start. Built-in a small colonial villa with a couple of designers, James and Gabrielle Whight, this is not only a place where delicious food is but also a place of legend. Cricket is the national game of Sri Lanka and is the most popular sport. The walls of the cafe are lined with autographs of flying cricket players and photographs of the most famous players of this game. This is the most popular place to watch your favorite game and drink delicious tea. Cricket Club Café, 34 Queens Rd, Collupitii, Colombo, Sri Lanka +94 11 250 1384

Chesa Swiss

Rounding out the top ten restaurants in Colombo is Chesa Swiss The only Swiss restaurant in all of Sri Lanka, Chesa Swiss is a favorite among foreigners and prides itself on its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, as well as its variety of Swiss dishes. From gourmet European desserts to grilled meats. Although the very combination of Switzerland and Sri-
Lanka is rather strange, but this place has gained popularity both among European tourists and locals who try new dishes. Chesa Swiss 3 Course Place, Colombo 03, Colombo, Sri Lanka, +94 11 2 573 433