Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Food in Sri Lanka is mainly based on rice, coconut, and a variety of spices that give it a unique taste. Many dishes are served with curries made from vegetables, meat, or seafood. Rice and Curry are the most common meals, often enjoyed with side dishes like dhal (lentil curry), coconut sambal, and fried snacks. Desserts such as watalappam and kiri pani (curd with honey) add a sweet touch. Sri Lankan food is known for its bold spices, fresh ingredients, and balance of flavours, making it loved both in the country and worldwide.
10 Famous Food In Sri Lanka
Here’s a selection of Sri Lanka’s most delicious and iconic dishes, featuring bold flavours, unique ingredients, and rich culinary traditions that make Sri Lankan cuisine special:
1. Rice And Curry
Photo: KavindaF / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Rice and curry are staple foods in Sri Lanka, and they are enjoyed daily by locals. This dish features steamed rice served with various curries, including dhal (lentils), spicy fish or chicken, and vegetables cooked in coconut milk. Flavoured with turmeric, Curry leaves, and mustard seeds, each Curry brings a different taste and texture. Often accompanied by sambal, chutneys, and papadum, the meal is a mix of spice, sweetness, and creaminess. It is a wholesome and satisfying meal, offering a complete balance of nutrition and bold flavours.
Popular Places To Try: Colombo, Kandy, Galle.
2. Kottu Roti
Photo: KavindaF / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Kottu Roti is one of the most famous foods in Sri Lanka, often found at street stalls and night markets. It consists of chopped godhamba roti stir-fried with vegetables, eggs, and chicken, beef, or seafood. The dish is prepared on a hot griddle, where metal blades chop and mix the ingredients in a rhythmic motion. Adding curry sauce enhances the dish, making it rich and flavourful. It’s a popular late-night meal for its spicy, savoury taste and satisfying texture.
Popular Places To Try: Colombo, Jaffna, Negombo.
3. Hoppers
Photo: Ji-Elle / Wikimedia Commons
Hoppers are one of the best foods in Sri Lanka, and they are enjoyed for breakfast or dinner. These bowl-shaped pancakes are made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk, giving them a crispy edge and soft, spongy centre. An egg hopper is a popular variation, where an egg is cracked into the middle as it cooks. Hoppers are typically served with spicy sambol, dhal, or chicken curry. Their unique texture and mild, sweet flavour make them a favourite among locals and visitors.
Popular Places To Try: Colombo, Galle, Ella.
4. Pol Sambol
Photo: Dan arndt / Wikimedia Commons
Pol Sambol is a staple street food in Sri Lanka, made from freshly grated coconut mixed with chilli, lime juice, onion, and Maldive fish. This fiery condiment adds flavour to rice, hoppers, or bread. The balance of spice, citrus, and umami makes it a must-have side dish in Sri Lankan cuisine. Some variations include garlic or tomatoes for added depth. It’s a simple yet essential part of Sri Lankan meals, providing heat and freshness in every bite.
Popular Places To Try: Kandy, Anuradhapura, Colombo.
5. Fish Ambul Thiyal
Photo: joannawielgosz / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Fish Ambul Thiyal is a beloved street food in Sri Lanka, known for its bold, tangy flavours. Made with firm fish like tuna, it is simmered with goraka (a sour fruit), black pepper, and curry leaves. The dish has a rich, deep flavour and a slightly dry consistency, making it perfect with rice. Traditionally cooked in clay pots, it develops a distinct earthy taste. This dish showcases the island’s love for seafood and its clever use of indigenous spices.
Popular Places To Try: Galle, Batticaloa, Jaffna.
6. Lamprais
Photo: AntanO / Wikimedia Commons
Lamprais is a traditional best non-veg food in Sri Lanka, influenced by Dutch Burgher cuisine. It consists of rice cooked in stock, served with curried meat (chicken, beef, or pork), sambal, and fried eggplant, all wrapped in a banana leaf and baked for extra aroma. The slow cooking process allows the flavours to blend perfectly. Often enjoyed as a special meal, it reflects Sri Lanka’s colonial heritage. The combination of textures and spices makes it a must-try for meat lovers.
Popular Places To Try: Colombo, Negombo, Kandy.
7. Wood Apple Juice
Photo: Vivekpat30 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Wood apple juice is a traditional, famous food in Sri Lanka. It is made from the pulp of wood apples and blended with water, sugar, or honey. This thick, tangy drink has a distinctive aroma and is believed to aid digestion. Some variations include coconut milk for a creamier texture. It is commonly found at juice bars and markets, providing a cooling refreshment, especially during hot months. Its rich, slightly sour taste is both energising and nutritious.
Popular Places To Try: Colombo, Trincomalee, Jaffna.
8. Wambatu Moju
Photo: Alexei_other / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Wambatu Moju is a flavourful street food in Sri Lanka, made from deep-fried brinjals (eggplants) soaked in a tangy and slightly sweet vinegar-based sauce. It is often cooked with mustard seeds, onions, chilli, and a hint of sugar to balance the flavours. The brinjal’s soft yet slightly chewy texture, combined with the rich, spiced vinegar, makes it a delicious side dish. It is typically served with rice and Curry, adding a bold, tangy contrast.
Popular Places To Try: Colombo, Jaffna, Galle.
9. Gotu Kola Sambol
Photo: TheDesignLady87 / Pixabay / Image For Representation
Gotu Kola Sambol is the best food in Sri Lanka, a nutritious salad made from finely chopped pennywort leaves mixed with grated coconut, lime juice, onions, and chilli. This refreshing dish is known for its medicinal properties and is often consumed for its cooling effect and health benefits. It is commonly served as a side dish with rice and Curry, balancing out heavier flavours with its light, zesty taste. The crunchy texture and citrusy notes make it a popular choice for a wholesome meal.
Popular Places To Try: Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna.
10. Kiribath With Lunu Miris
Photo: AntanO / Wikimedia Commons
Kiribath, or milk rice, is the best street food in Sri Lanka. It is made by cooking rice with coconut milk until it becomes thick and creamy. It is then shaped into squares or diamonds and served with lunch iris, a spicy onion and chilli sambal. This dish is traditionally prepared for special occasions like New Year celebrations and weddings. The rice’s mild, slightly sweet taste contrasts beautifully with the fiery sambal, creating a balanced and satisfying meal.
Popular Places To Try: Colombo, Negombo, Kandy.
Food in Sri Lanka is more than just a meal; it is a reflection of the country’s history, culture, and love for spices. Meals are flavoured, whether a simple rice and curry dish or a street food favourite like kottu roti. Fresh ingredients, coconut, and a mix of spices make every dish special. Book your trip with TripXL and savour the authentic flavours of Sri Lanka.
Cover Photo: KavindaF / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
