Food in Sri Lanka - 15 Sri Lankan dishes you must try

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: May 2026 | What kind of food is there in Sri Lanka? Rice and curry are undoubtedly the basics, but there are also other dishes to try. We tell you about 15 Sri Lankan dishes – everything from rice and curry to roti and hoppers.

What to eat in Sri Lanka? - a quick overview

We have previously written about both Filipino food and Tunisian food - We now turn our attention to Sri Lankan cuisine! In Sri Lanka, flavours from India, colonial influences and local ingredients come together. Here are some typical examples of what to eat in Sri Lanka:

• Rice and curry: The base of almost every meal
• Street food: Kottu roti (chopped bread with vegetables, eggs or meat)
• Breakfast: Hoppers (bowl-shaped pancakes)
• Accessories: Sambol (spicy coconut and chilli stir-fry)
• Dessert: Wattalapam (spicy coconut pudding)

We travelled around the Sri Lanka for a few weeks, and it was interesting to experience Sri Lankan cuisine. It is certainly very rice and curry, but of course there are other dishes too.

Typical Sri Lankan food - 15 classic dishes

Here we list Sri Lankan dishes that are interesting to try, including snacks, sweets and drinks.

1. rice and curry

The very basis of Sri Lankan cuisine! The dish consists of rice accompanied by some variation of curry. The curry can be vegetarian or contain meat or fish and different spices - the variety is endless in a way, although it can get a bit monotonous.

2. Kottu roti

Popular street food where chopped roti bread is fried with vegetables, eggs and sometimes meat. The dish is often cooked on a griddle where the ingredients are chopped together. This is a filling and slightly spicy dish.

3. string hoppers (idiyappam)

String hoppers consist of thin rice noodles that are pressed into small balls and steamed. They are usually served with curry and coconut-based accompaniments. The dish is particularly common for breakfast or dinner.

4. Hoppers (appa)

Hoppers are bowl-shaped pancakes made with fermented rice flour and coconut milk. They have crispy edges and a soft centre, sometimes with an egg in the middle. They are often eaten with sambol or curry.

5. lampraisers

Lamprais is a dish with Dutch roots consisting of rice, meat, sambol and accompaniments wrapped in banana leaves. The parcel is baked in the oven, giving it a rich and cohesive flavour. It is a popular dish for special occasions.

6. Fish and seafood

On the coasts, a lot of seafood is served. For example, grilled tuna fillets, grilled whole fish, prawns and squid are common here. The food is often served with rice, but in tourist areas French fries are also common.

7. devilled chicken/fish/prawn

Menus often include dishes called 'devilled' followed by, for example, chicken, prawns or fish. These are spicy and often hot dishes that are served in sauce, along with rice.

8. battered chicken/fish/prawn

Another common dish on Sri Lankan menus is the dish called something like ”battered”. This is simply chicken, fish or prawns with some kind of soft frying, served with rice and perhaps salad.

9. Pole sambol

A classic coconut scramble made with grated coconut, chilli, lime and onion. It is both strong and fresh in flavour. It is served as an accompaniment to many dishes.

10. Roti

Sri Lankan roti, also known as Pol Roti (coconut roti), is a thick flatbread made with wheat flour, grated coconut, green chillies and onions. The dough is fried in a pan and served for breakfast or dinner with a spicy sambal.

11. Dhal curry

Dhal curry is made from red lentils cooked with spices and coconut milk. It is milder than many other curries and acts as a balancing component of the meal. It is also an important part of a vegetarian diet.

12. Parippu vada

Parippu vada are deep-fried balls made from lentils, spices and herbs. They are crispy on the outside and soft inside. Perfect as a snack or as a side dish.

13. coke oven

Kokis is a crispy, deep-fried snack with Dutch influences. It's made from rice flour and coconut milk and moulded into decorative patterns. They are both light and crunchy.

14. ceylon tea

Sri Lanka is world famous for its tea, often called Ceylon tea. It is served both black and with milk, depending on preference. The drink is an important part of the country's culture and everyday life.

15. elephant apple

This fruit, called wood apple in English, is usually pressed into a brownish juice.

Food in restaurants in Sri Lanka

When we travelled around Sri Lanka, we often ended up in buffet restaurants. It is possible that these are mainly aimed at tourists, but we know that there are plenty of them. These restaurants often serve things like:

• Rice and vegetable rice
• Casseroles
• Grilled chicken drumsticks
• Beans
• Soup
• Bread and pappadam (crispy flatbread)

In larger cities and tourist areas, there are also many restaurants serving foreign cuisine, such as Chinese food, burgers, pizza and pasta.

More about food in other countries

Here you can find more stories about food in different countries:

• Filipino food - 15 Filipino specialities
• Indian food - 25 Indian dishes
• Malaysian food - 15 Malaysian dishes
• South African food - 20 South African specialities
• Vietnamese food - 20 dishes in Vietnam