This South Asian cuisine is currently on the up and up - and with good reason thanks to its distinct aromatic ingredients and spice-forward flavours. So naturally, we've decided to help you on your quest to find the best Sri Lankan restaurant London has to offer. Nicknamed Spice Island and famous for its cinnamon, you can expect flavourful dishes galore from this country on the Indian sub-continent. From laidback dining near London Bridge to Tooting kitchens and Soho spots, here are all the places to get your fix of hoppers, dosas, curries and more.
Mercato Metropolitano
42 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6DR
Home to Karapincha, Mercato Metropolitano in Elephant and Castle is the ideal place to find one of the best restaurants for Sri Lankan food in London. You can build your own curry here, from flavours like slow-cooked beef, aubergine moju, pickled pineapple and much more, or try one of their signature dishes such as devilled chicken with fried rice. Their mixed vegetable or chicken kothu roti is always popular too, and the vegan version is one of the best you'll find. Every single one of their dishes is homemade, including the mayonnaise, inspired by the cooking of the owners' mother. They're committed to using locally sourced meats and as many plant-based ingredients as possible, while their ground spices come directly from Sri Lanka. Not in the area? You can also find these guys in Spitalfields Market and Canary Wharf shopping centre.
Perfect for a casual bite.
Hoppers London
Unit 3, 4 Pancras Square, London N1C 4AG
Hoppers is arguably the most famous Sri Lankan restaurants in London, run by the Sethi family who also own Trishna and Gymkhana. Alongside the eponymous delicacy - including both the string hoppers and the bowl-shaped egg pancakes - you'll also discover kottus and other classic bites, as well as carefully curated cocktails using ingredients from the spice gardens of Sri Lanka. Head to one of the award-winning spots in Marylebone, King's Cross or Soho, awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand - but don't be surprised if you're met by a queue of equally eager diners. Each of their locations has a unique theme, taking inspiration from village shops, the Sri Lankan capital and the Tropical Modernist movement.
When in need of a Sri Lankan restaurant in Central London, Hoppers is up there as one of the best.
Kolamba
21 Kingly Street, Carnaby, London W1B 5QA
For a Sri Lankan restaurant in London's Soho, Kolamba is serving authentic eats in a trendy setting. Grab a table in the charming venue, featuring exposed brick walls, comfy booths and stylish wicker lighting while tucking into slow-cooked meats and aromatic curries - with a menu inspired by the childhood dishes of the two native Sri Lankan owners, as well as recipes from their families back in Colombo. Our recommendation? The Ceylon chicken curry comes in a tangy tamarins and coconut sauce that's to die for. You can get your hands on some pretty tasty brunch dishes here too, including spicy cheese toasties and poached eggs served on pol roti, and there's a cracking choice of Sri Lankan spirits and beers to boot.
There's no question about it, this one's a real looker.
Jaffna House
90 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RN
Named after a historic city in the Northern Province, Jaffna House is up there if you fancy a homely, community vibe on the bustling Tooting High Street. Spend an evening sampling your way through the award-winning fare such as fried string hoppers and crab rolls, alongside hearty mutton biryani or aubergine curry. You'll see why it's seen a steady flow of locals through its doors since opening in 1991 - claiming it's title as the oldest Sri Lankan restaurant in the city and featuring chefs that have been working there for decades.
Step inside and you'll find this cute set-up for your South Asian feast in one of the oldest Sri Lankan restaurants in London.
Papaya
161 Northfield Avenue, London W13 9QT
Fusing together Sri Lankan and South Indian flavours, Papaya is a pretty solid bet. Venture to Ealing with friends for a spread of regional specialties and well-known favourites, made using premium cuts of British meat and spices that are native to the country. Pair your meals with coconut parathas - a puffed bread that complements the main plates perfectly. This place was voted the best Sri Lankan restaurant in the UK by the Sri Lanka Community Awards, so you know you're in good hands.
Papaya's a prime spot for thali and paratha.
Paradise Soho
61 Rupert Street, London W1D 7PW
Flaunting sleek interiors and muted hues that are inspired by the trendy bistros of Colombo and the fortified old city of Galle, Paradise Soho knows a thing or two about dreamy dinners. With sharing small plates influenced by Portuguese, Malay, South Indian and Dutch dishes, the modern Sri Lankan wallauwa-inspired venue offers up a UK twist on Sinhalese cuisine in a stunning aesthetic, combining produce from both Sri Lanka and Britain. We're talking hay-smoked celeriac with black garlic curry, dry-aged steak tartare in smoked charcoal oil and hand-stretched lamb-fat infused paratha roti. They offer a six-course dinner menu for £59 per person, with meat and plant-based options available, or you can dine a la carte for lunch. This also might be the closest thing you'll find to a Michelin Star Sri Lankan restaurant in London, as it's named in the Michelin Guide.
Sri Lankan food never looked prettier.
Virundhu
113 Field End Road, Middlesex HA5 1QG
Virundhu is bringing a taste of South Asia to West London with its menu of traditional fare. Check out the Eastcote kitchen where you can pick from a whole host of biryanis, lampries and kottus, or go all out and opt for a sappadu - a three-course meal traditionally presented on banana leaves and eaten with your hands. They've got a huge range of vegan and vegetarian options too, with many dishes setting you back less than £10 each. Topping it all off? A killer cocktail menu, featuring everything from pomegranate cosmos to a spiced old fashioned.
See for yourself why this Sri Lankan restaurant is such a hit.
Rambutan
10 Stoney Street, London SE1 9AD
When it comes to a Sri Lankan restaurant in London's Borough Market, it doesn't get better than Rambutan. If you're after a little bit of everything, the venue showcases a plethora of excellent eats cooked over an open fire. Munch on Jaffna-style Welsh lamb skewers or deep-fried roti with anchovy katta sambol, before digging into a black pork belly dry curry for the main event. And if you just can't decide? They also offer a tantalising feasting menu for £38 per person.
Rambutan promises lip-smacking bites served in a beaut aesthetic.
Gana
15 Village Way, Rayners Lane, Harrow HA2 7LX
It's not hard to see why Gana is a favourite with the Sri Lankan community, having been serving the area for over 20 years. The Harrow haunt is well-known for its love of spice, offering you the chance to ramp up your meal with various levels of heat - all of which are prepared fresh daily at the venue. Whether you're playing it safe with a mild and fragrant prawn curry or fancy putting your tastebuds to the test with an extra hot kottu, this place has got just the thing.
One of the top Sri Lankan restaurants London has to offer, Gana whips up supreme flavour profiles.
Apollo Banana Leaf
190 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0SF
Been searching for 'best Sri Lankan restaurant near me' lately? If you're in Tooting, Apollo Banana Leaf is just the neighbourhood restaurant for you, specialising in everything from mutton noodles and coconut rice to seafood curry and other traditional eats. If you find yourself in SW17, step inside this unassuming den and enjoy a South Asian feast that won't break the bank. They offer a BYOB option too, so you can sip on your favourite wine while delving into deliciously authentic plates.
This Tooting spot is delivering the goods when it comes to classics from the country.
Colombo Kitchen
25-27 Central Road, Worcester Park KT4 8EG
Whether you're after somewhere in Worcester Park or Putney to enjoy tasty Sri Lankan food, Colombo Kitchen has got you covered on both bases. Head Chef Sylvia Perera can be found cooking up recipes passed down through generations of her family here, using traditional methods and aromatic ingredients from her home country to create the perfect dishes. They won the Good Food Award for 2024, among many other titles, thanks to a tasty menu of creamy cashew curry, salt and pepper squid or roti tacos filled with devilled chicken, to name just a few of their mouthwatering bites.
It's all about home-cooked goods at Colombo Kitchen.
Kothu Sri Lankan Restaurant & Bar
114 Tooting High Street, London SW17 0RR
Another favourite along Tooting High Street, Kothu Sri Lankan Restaurant & Bar is an affordable choice for authentic cuisine. Their mutton kothu roti is a real specialty, served with a thick curry sauce and finely shredded roti, and the cheesy mutton rolls are pretty popular too. You can even choose your own level of spice here, perfect for big groups with different preferences. The laidback space has large booths for you and your friends to relax in, or take a seat at the bar for a smaller group.
Their name is Kothu for a reason - this dish is pretty special.
Dammika's
3 Lower Grosvenor Place, London SW1W 0EJ
For somewhere a little more central, Dammika's in Victoria is a great shout, found just a stone's throw from the station. This is a relaxed, no-fills approach to great food, with a diner-style atmosphere and simplistic interiors. They use seasonal British produce and flavourful Sri Lankan recipes to create culinary magic, reminiscent of home cooking from the Spice Island. Their halal dishes include mutton rolls and vegetable cutlets to start, before delving into all the classics: hoppers, kothu, rotis and curries galore (including a whole lot of vegan options) - with many meals setting you back less than £10 each.
Dammika's has to be one of the best value spots in Central London.
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