I’ve a problem. Most of the time, I think in food. Let me explain. When I think of lunch (like how I’m doing right now), I don’t consider Lunch as a whole meal. My mind wanders to warm saffron rice sauteed in vegetables and coconut oil, saucy, spicy chicken “devilled” as we say in Sri Lanka, potatoes cooked to perfection in a soft yellow gravy consisting mainly of coconut milk and crispy, batter-fried mushrooms- Drool.

You see what I mean? I go into very intricate details when I think of food and that leaves me famished and literally, on the verge of sheer need.

Sri Lanka is a country that bursts with colours and flavours. You’ll not only be at the receiving end of some intense hospitality but also of sweetened tea and warm butter cake, all served with a huge smile.

Also, just like any other country, this little, tropical island that I call my homeland has its unique food joints that you (Lankan or not) simply have to taste.

If you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka somewhere in the future, don’t you dare leave the country without checking out at least one or all of the following food hubs-

{Written in no particular order}-

1- Tea and Chocolate Cake in Labukele Tea Factory, Nuwara Eliya.



We all know that tea is always in its best form in Sri Lanka but this chocolate cake is a whole another level!This delicious thing exudes that sweet home-baked fragrance that you can only find in your mom’s kitchen.Nothing more to say!

2- Galle Face Isso Wade, Colombo



From inconspicuous couples under umbrellas to children on their mid-term holidays, everybody goes to the Galle Face in Colombo.When they do, everybody makes a beeline to the many Isso Wade karatha. It’s all lentil goodness topped with prawn or crab with a drizzle of a spicy concoction and chopped veggies.

3- Kottu Roti from Kiyaso, Akurana, Kandy.



A very popular fast food in Sri Lanka will doubtlessly be its kottu roti (Chopped up roti) and a place like Kiyaso makes it with an Asian-Chinese twist to it and they provide some of the best chillie paste you’d ever have, anywhere.

4- Chicken Palandi Kottu, Plaza Hotel, Colpetty

Cheese Kottu, Pilawoos

Another take on the traditional kottu, Palandi is where curd is added. It’s a must-try along with the cheese kottu. However, while Cheese kottu comes dry, be prepared for the rather wet consistency of Palandi.

5- Hybrid Acharu- Katugasthota, Kandy/ Pettah



Chopped up fruits with spice and goodness? Yes please!

6- Ambrosia, Carnival Ice-cream, Kolpiti.



Carnival Ice-cream parlour is a traditional ice-cream shop in Sri Lanka. Traditional in the sense, it has been in that very spot in Colombo ever since anybody can remember. They’ve upgraded their menu recently but thank god, they still stick to some of their old favourites like The Banana Boat or The Ambrosia (which is my favourite!)

7- Cargills Divul Magic and Kithul Cup from any supermarket.

Just eat, that’s all!

8- Faluda from The Faluda House, Colombo-6

Every Sri Lankan moor would have had a voluminous amount of faluda in his life.It’s pink, it’s sweet and it’s refreshing as hell. What else you want? Also, while Bombay Sweet Shops generally serve pretty good faluda in them, just do me a favour and try the Faluda House, Faluda, will you?

9- Jinadasa Thala Guli, Warakapola.



This little sweet consisting of juggery is the bomb. Jinadasa makes it perfect. Have you tried it?

By the way ignore me trying to be silly with a thalaguli!

10- Candy Corner Eclairs, Kandy.



Soft Choux pastry with chocolate cream? I can gobble this up in twos and threes. Don’t you dare leave Sri Lanka without trying this place out!

Special mention-

11- Uswatte Tipi Tip- Any grocery store/super market



‘Tipi Tip’-the mere sound of the word fills me with warmth. It’s a puffed up snack that comes in two popular flavours- Onion and Cheese. You can munch on them a whole day but you’d never want them to finish.

12- Ambewale Yogurt

Yogurt like in no other country, especially when you pour some kithul treacle over it!

13- Cream Bun- Ricorn bakery, Akurana, Kandy



These are buns with a cream filling. But they become an all-in-all michelin star dish when the bun is soft and the cream ratio is just right.

14- Club Sandwiches- Dine more.



Nom, nom, nom

15- Kiduhu rice and Lumprais



Packed in a Cadjan basket and the latter in banana leaves, these two kinds of rice are noteworthy for their taste and the different packaging.