Unawatuna
One of the most progressive, enjoyable restaurants in the country, Bedspace Kitchen has it all right. Around 95% of their ingredients are sourced in Sri…
Must-see restaurants in The South
Galle
For authentic Galle-style rice and curry, this minuscule place (there are only four tables) can't be beat. Chef Shamil Roshan Careem hails from one of the…
Galle
A classy retreat from Galle's steamy streets, this refined air-conditioned hotel restaurant is the perfect setting for a great meal, with the formality of…
Galle
Right across the small canal from the namesake station, this fashionable upstairs cafe has artfully mismatched furnishings and a boho vibe. You'll find an…
Galle
The sign says 'Relax Zone' and this is a fine place to sit back and enjoy the company of cafe owner Fazal Badurdeen, who has a million stories to tell. He…
Galle
The ideal venue for a memorable meal, this hotel restaurant offers a concise menu featuring fresh seafood and organic local produce. It's especially good…
Jinas Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurant
Unawatuna
This mighty fine place offers a wide array of Indian food (thalis and masala dosas) as well as great falafel, wholesome soups and Mexican-style dishes…
Mirissa
The original and still the best local rotti shop. It also makes kotthu (rotti chopped up and mixed with vegies) and delicious, more substantial rice-and…
Tangalla & Around
Down a lane, 300m inland from the beach, this is the place for home cooking, Sri Lankan style, with richly spiced sauces, fresh seafood and very moderate…
Tissamaharama
A good bet for cheap and tasty curries or Chinese-ish-style dishes (try the seafood fried rice). Always busy with lots of local families and a sprinkling…
Matara
A cool new cafe-restaurant serving well-priced international dishes (saucy fried chicken wings, battered fried prawns) in the colonial enclave of Matara…
Galle
Malini Perera and her daughters have been cooking for curry-hunting travellers for decades, and their much-loved and dead-simple rice and curries still…
Unawatuna
This new place offers a mod take on Sri Lankan cooking, with perfect hoppers available all day (including fusion-versions of this dish – try the eggs…
Starbeans Ocean Restaurant & Cafe
Galle
This modern cafe-restaurant enjoys a privileged position on the upper deck of the Dutch Hospital, with comfortable seating facing the big blue offshore…
Galle
This enjoyable cafe has bagged the best site in the Dutch Hospital, with sweeping bay views from its breezy terrace tables and a small air-con interior…
Unawatuna
For inexpensive, authentic rice and curry, this appealingly rustic place is well worth seeking out. Mati gedara refers to the large earthenware pots the…
Weligama
A bustling little place serving filling meals including noodle and fried-rice dishes as well as tasty snacks (the shawarmas are superb). There's good ice…
Galle
Thirteen years of work as a chef in Belgium gave Krishantha Suranjith myriad skills in preparing seafood. His restaurant has great views out to the…
The South
This boutique hotel's restaurant is one of southern Sri Lanka's most renowned places to dine out, famed for its pizza cooked in wood-burning ovens. Bar…
The South
Quirky but brilliant shack on the beach run by a father-and-son team; you climb a rickety ladder to an ocean-facing deck for your meal. The seafood is…
Le Cafe Francais Bakery & Boutique
Unawatuna
A lovely, civilised little French-owned cafe where you can savour wonderful croissants, cakes and sandwiches, while sipping a latte or cup of tea from a…
The South
A fine new beachfront place run by a young team who know their way around a menu. It's perhaps a tad pricey, but the seafood is excellent: try the crab…
Galle
The King family have been whipping up Galle's best ice cream for many years from their window-front outlet. The crunchy cashew and passionfruit flavours…
Tissamaharama
Flavors' owner/chef has honed his cooking skills overseas and prepares good Italian and Chinese food, as well as excellent local devilled dishes and…
Unawatuna
A very simple place with a couple of street-side tables. Offers tasty rottis, including dozens of sweet and savoury breads jammed full of cheeses, fruits…
Kataragama
The best eatery in town, this busy little place serves up good local and Chinese dishes at very fair rates. Doubles as a store, so you can stock up on…
The South
Tucked away just back from the shore by a little lagoon, this lovely cafe has a cool vibe and serves up meaty burgers, crisp waffles, fine juices and…
Unawatuna
Eat alfresco while being serenaded by classical music at this Italian restaurant. The secret to enjoying the pasta and fish dishes here is remembering…
Galle
The menu here covers all bases with filling sandwiches, pasta, steaks and, yes, even local curries. Choose between eating on the sunny terrace, under the…
Unawatuna
This simple beachfront place gets our vote as the best location in Unawatuna, tucked away near the temple on the west side of the resort, away from the…
Unawatuna
A popular seafront restaurant with a good reputation and a wide-ranging menu that – no surprise – focuses on seafood. The lobster is a treat, as are the…
Galle
A large colonial courtyard restaurant surrounded by deep colonnaded porches. It's a quiet and classy scene and the menu matches the mood, with well…
Galle
A very popular cafe in the British-era post office, with a choice of street-terrace, rear-patio or interior seating. Shakes, coffee and sandwiches are…
Unawatuna
At this family-run beachside restaurant you can enjoy good local fare plus seafood and cheap beer with your feet in the sand and your eyes on the ocean…
Mirissa
This restaurant has a prime beachfront location on the east side of Mirissa with tables dotted around a large garden shaded by palms. The menu takes in…
Galle
The praise for this rice-and-curry joint is far wider than its narrow dining room. It also serves tasty Chinese-style fried rice and noodle dishes and…
Unawatuna
The beach bar for those who literally can't wait to get home for a tasty burger and fries or authentic fish and chips. Chicken kebabs and fish tacos are…
Coconut Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant
The South
A fine place to taste the fruits of the sea, with delicious crab, prawn, squid and fish dishes served up right by the ocean. Located on a pretty little…
Unawatuna
A popular traveller cafe with fine espresso coffee and good snacks and meals (curries, fish dishes and breakfasts) in a street-facing, open-sided dining…
Galle
This boho cafe has a fusion menu that includes Western sandwiches and Eastern curries, fresh juices and shakes, bacon-and-egg hoppers and filter coffee…
