Colombo Restaurants

  1. Amaravathi

    Amaravathi offers attentive service and arguably the best South Indian cuisine in the capital for very reasonable prices. The menu includes three different vegetarian thalis('all-you-can-eat' plates of rice, curries and accompaniments), plus a varied selection of veg and nonveg Madras- and Andhra-style dishes.

    Read more about Amaravathi

  2. Chettinad

    Enjoy cheap South Indian and Sri Lankan food at this place in the heart of Pettah. The downstairs dining room is open to the street, and the menu is veg only. Upstairs is air-con and offers both veg and nonveg meals; prices are about Rs10 more than those downstairs. Bombay sweets are sold from a glass case in the lobby.

    Read more about Chettinad

  3. Green Cabin

    This place is a bit of an institution in the local restaurant trade. It's well known for both its baked goods and its inexpensive Sri Lankan, Indian and Chinese dishes; the lunchtime buffet is excellent value - the mango curry, if it's on, is very good. For a snack try the vegetable pastries or the bacon-and-egg pies.

    Read more about Green Cabin

  4. Greenlands Hotel

    Despite its hospital-ward-like interior, Greenlands whips up very good, fresh South Indian food. Divided in to a busy semi-open-air canteen area and a separate air-con dining room, this place is popular with locals. The prices are so low you won't mind that you may have to beg to be served.

    Read more about Greenlands Hotel

  5. Majestic City

    A good spot for a cheap but reasonable quality lunch is the food hall in the basement of this shopping centre, where you can choose from Malaysian, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Western-style fast food and Indian. There's a play area for young children next to the eating area, and the complex also has a good Cargills Food City on the ground floor.

    Read more about Majestic City

  7. Namaste

    This recent addition to Hotel Renuka does for North Indian cuisine what the Palmyrah does for Sri Lankan and South Indian food - it provides the highest standards at affordable prices.

    Read more about Namaste

  8. Palmyrah

    In a nondescript kitchen in the basement of Hotel Renuka a chef is whipping up some of the finest Sri Lankan curries in Colombo, along with a selection of South Indian specialities. Don't miss the stellar wattalappam (coconut milk, egg, cardamom and jaggery pudding).

    Read more about Palmyrah

  9. Shanti Vihar

    This place's deliciously spicy vegetarian food and very reasonable prices make it popular with locals and foreigners alike. It's a basic, well-worn eatery, though there is a fancier air-con section. The menu's South Indian offerings are especially good: masala dosa (curried vegetables inside a paper-thin lentil-flour pancake)for Rs 60, curd vadai (a deep-fried lentil-flour patty with yoghurt) for Rs 25 and Madras thalis for Rs 90. Shanti Vihar also has a home-delivery service.

    Read more about Shanti Vihar

  10. Advertisement