Must-see restaurants in The South

  • Galle Oriental Bakery Restaurant

    Matara

    The best central option is a creaky but historic place with lots of little dining rooms, a wooden interior and warped display cases bulging with baked and…

  • Saliya Restaurant

    Tangalla & Around

    Sitting on wobbly stilts 1.5km east of the town centre near the 198km post, this eccentric wooden shack is worth considering for the mangrove views; the…

  • Mangrove Chalets

    Tangalla & Around

    With a wonderful beachside location, this hotel restaurant is a memorable setting for a meal. You can wiggle your feet in the sand and feast on fresh…

  • One Love Restaurant

    Unawatuna

    One Love has a nice spread of tables on the sand. Amid a plethora of shrimp-grilling cafes, this is the preferred local option for a classic rice and…

  • South Ceylon Bakery

    Galle

    Opposite the bus station, this highly popular lunch spot, with its impossible-to-resist sweet and savoury short eats and tasty curries, is an authentic…

  • New Cabanas Restaurant

    Tissamaharama

    A simple, open-sided restaurant popular for rice and curry. There are regular fresh seafood specials that are right off the grill, as well as lunch…

  • Cargills Food City

    Matara

    A large supermarket on the main road where you can stock up on supplies; also has a pharmacy.

  • Fruit Market

    Unawatuna

    The vast array of Sri Lanka's fruit and veg bounty is on display here.

  • Food Markets

    Matara

    Perfect for stocking up on snacks and fruit.

  • Refresh Hotel

    Tissamaharama

    This Western-style restaurant always has a few tourist vans parked out front. The setting is peaceful, and its even got a bit of style. Food spans the…

  • Anura’s Restaurant

    Galle

    This tiny hole-in-the-wall place caters to backpackers and serves generous portions of curries, various pasta dishes and okay pizzas. The paintings on the…

  • Mama’s Roof Café

    Galle

    Eat under the twinkling star-lit sky with views of a spinning lighthouse. The food is fine, but note that the original 'mama' has moved with her recipes…