It all started with a hopper... Food from this South Asian country is currently on the up and up - and with good reason - so we've decided to search across this great city of ours to bring you the best Sri Lankan restaurants in London. From neighbourhood haunts near London Bridge to Tooting kitchens and Soho stunners, here are all the places to get your fix of curries, kottu, sambols and more. 

Market Place Vauxhall

Home to Karapincha, Market Place Vauxhall is the ideal place to find scrumptious Sri Lankan food in London. This 'hopper hatch' delves out savoury ones with jackfruit or beef curry, alongside sweet numbers or the chance to try a roti stir fry. If that wasn't enough, the devilled chicken is to die for too.

Perfect for a casual bite.

Hoppers

Hoppers is arguably the most well-known Sri Lankan restaurant in London. Alongside the eponymous delicacy - a bowl-shaped style of pancake, usually with an egg in the middle - you'll also discover kottus and other classic bites. Head to one of the award-winning spots in Marylebone, King's Cross or Soho - but don't be surprised if you're met by a queue of equally eager diners. 

When in need of a Sri Lankan restaurant in Central London, Hoppers is up there as one of the best.

Mercato Metropolitano

Mercato Metropolitano is a brilliant food hall in Elephant and Castle that's home to cuisines from around the world. Representing Sri Lanka? Karapincha is currently in residence, cooking up wallet-friendly classics for you to enjoy in one of the cool eating and drinking areas around the venue. Great for date nights and catch-ups with friends, there's also live music and cocktails galore at this hotspot.

After a Sri Lankan restaurant in East London? Karapincha can also be found in Old Spitalfields Market.

Kolamba

For a Sri Lankan restaurant in 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. Our recommendation? The chicken and pol sambol toastie comes with a date and lime chutney to die for.

There's no question about it, this one's a real looker.

Jaffna House

Named after a historic city in the Northern Province, Jaffna House is up there if you fancy Sri Lankan restaurants near you. Spend an evening sampling your way through the award-winning fare such as fried string hoppers and crab rolls. You'll see why it's seen a steady flow of locals through its doors since opening in 1991. 

Step inside and you'll find this cute set-up for your South Asian feast.

Papaya

Fusing together Sri Lankan and South Indian flavours, Papaya is a pretty solid bet. Venture to Ealing with friends for a spread of regional specialities 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 will surely wet your whistle.

Papaya's a prime spot for thali and paratha.

Paradise Soho

Flaunting sleek interiors and muted hues, Paradise Soho knows a thing or two about dreamy dinners. With sharing plates influenced by Portuguese, Malay, South Indian and Dutch dishes, the venue offers up Sri Lankan cuisine in a stunning aesthetic. We're talking stir-fried devilled prawns, dry-fried minced chicken and hand-stretched lamb-fat infused paratha roti.

Sri Lankan food never looked prettier...

Virundhu

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. 

See for yourself why this spot is such a hit.

Rambutan

When it comes to Sri Lankan restaurants in 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 red pineapple curry with mustard seeds and cool off with watermelon chunks dusted with chilli powder and salt.

Rambutan promises lip-smacking bites served in a beaut aesthetic.

Gana

It's not hard to see why Gana is a favourite with the Sri Lankan community. 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. 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.

This Sri Lankan restaurant in Harrow whips up supreme flavour profiles.

Apollo Banana Leaf

Looking for affordable Sri Lankan cuisine? Apollo Banana Leaf is 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.

This Tooting spot is delivering the goods when it comes to classics from the country. 

Craving more? Take a look at our pick of London's best Asian restaurants here and sign up to our London newsletter for news straight to your inbox.