Sri Lankan food is bold, spicy and built around rice and curry, hoppers and coconut sambols. Must try dishes include kottu roti, egg hoppers, dhal curry and fresh seafood on the coast, all washed down with world famous Ceylon tea or a king coconut. The island's flavours blend South Indian, Malay and Dutch influences.
Here are the dishes to seek out and where to find them.
What are the must try Sri Lankan dishes?
| Dish | What it is | When to eat |
|---|---|---|
| Rice and curry | Rice with several vegetable, dhal and meat or fish curries | Lunch |
| Hoppers (appa) | Bowl shaped rice flour pancakes, often with an egg | Breakfast or dinner |
| Kottu roti | Chopped flatbread stir fried with veg, egg and spice | Dinner, street food |
| Pol sambol | Grated coconut with chilli, lime and onion | Side dish |
| Fish ambul thiyal | Sour, dry tuna curry | Lunch or dinner |
What is rice and curry?
The heart of Sri Lankan cooking, rice and curry is a plate of rice surrounded by several small curries: dhal, a vegetable or two, a meat or fish, plus sambol and pickle. Each cook has their own blend of spices, so no two plates taste alike. It is filling, cheap and available everywhere.
What are hoppers and string hoppers?
Hoppers, or appa, are crisp edged, bowl shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk. Order an egg hopper with a soft egg cooked in the centre. String hoppers are steamed nests of rice noodles, usually eaten with curry and sambol for breakfast or dinner.
What street food should you try?
Kottu roti is the classic, made by chopping flatbread on a hot griddle with vegetables, egg and spices, to a rhythmic clatter. Also look for short eats such as fish buns and cutlets, and isso vadai, spicy lentil fritters topped with prawns, on the coast and at railway stations.
What about drinks and sweets?
Sri Lanka is the home of Ceylon tea, so enjoy a fresh cup in the hill country. King coconut, or thambili, is a refreshing orange coconut sold roadside. For something sweet, try curd with treacle, or watalappan, a spiced coconut and jaggery custard.
For more planning, see our Sri Lanka travel guide, our list of things to do in Sri Lanka, and the best time to visit Sri Lanka.
To combine food, culture and beaches in one trip, explore our curated Sri Lanka tour packages.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sri Lankan food very spicy?
It can be quite spicy, as chilli is used generously. You can ask for milder versions, and sides such as coconut sambol and curd help cool the palate.
Is Sri Lanka good for vegetarians?
Yes. Rice and curry often centres on vegetables, dhal and sambols, and many dishes are naturally vegetarian or vegan. Just confirm no dried fish, or Maldive fish, is added.
What is the national dish of Sri Lanka?
Rice and curry is widely regarded as the national dish, while kottu roti and hoppers are the most iconic street and breakfast foods.
What should you drink in Sri Lanka?
Fresh Ceylon tea and king coconut water are the local favourites. Both are widely available, refreshing and inexpensive across the island.
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