Best Kandy Restaurants, Sri Lanka
If you’re deciding where to dine, these standout Kandy restaurants, Sri Lanka, capture the city’s flavour; spots made for lingering meals, quick grab & go bites, & nights that flow effortlessly from dinner into drinks.
Kandy is a sensory feast: serene steep hills surrounding you (one crowned by a giant white Buddha), a calm lake at its centre (an easy 3.5km loop with the occasional water monitor lizard – don’t be alarmed), a large, busy temple complex at its core, & bustling markets lining alleyways (see: Kandy Sri Lanka attractions). And that’s before you even get on to the food…
1/ Devon Restaurant
Devon Restaurant is one of the iconic Kandy restaurants, Sri Lanka, offering up local food & frequented by locals. The first thing to note is that’s it’s very hot in there – now, this could be something to do with the spices in the food, but when the midday sun is beating down, make sure you’re wearing something loose fitting & light… It also gets very busy so expect to speak loudly to hear one another; the restaurant is huge!
Despite the above, I highly recommend this restaurant. The flavours are incredible, the prices are low, & whilst the atmosphere is a little chaotic, it really feels like you’re experiencing Kandy like the locals do.
What to eat: I recommend ordering the lamprais; a Dutch influenced, Sri Lankan dish of rice, egg, various meat curries, veg & sambols, all wrapped in banana leaf & baked. Rich, fragrant & perfect if you like variety in your meal. Another option that offers variety is their huge buffet with a selection of curries, rice, seafood, meats, snacks & breads. Plus, they have a fantastic pastry counter if you fancy something sweet after…
2/ GOLDEN CURRY
Golden Curry is not the sexiest of settings & full of tourists, but the food more than makes up for it. The menu spans Sri Lankan & South Indian, plus some other Asian cuisines if you fancy a break from Sri Lankan. The service is very friendly, it’s very good value & the flavours are so rich – Just make sure to ask for a window seat as otherwise you may end up tucked at the back…
What to eat: I hate to be this basic, but the chicken tikka masala is really a stand out! It has a deep red-brown colour & is so full of flavour. Then another favourite of mine was the mutton chukka; a spicy South Indian dry curry of marinated mutton chunks.
3/ Kurumbunkz
Another great spot, Kurumbunks offers local food in a slightly more refined, yet laid back, setting with stunning views across Kandy on their terrace. Expect hearty plates of curry, dhal & spicy sides with no fuss. They also offer some western dishes like burgers & pork chops. Make sure to ask to sit outside so you can soak up the view & the warmth.
What to eat: I highly recommend the ‘Rice & Curry’ dish, offering a selection of curries, dhal, mallum & sambols to accompany. The curries are rich in flavour & offer variety, if, like me, you like to try a bit of everything.
4/ HIDEOUT
This is rooftop dining done right. Hideout offers a relaxed Bali-esque setting with great views, weekend live music, & delicious food with both Asian & western influence.
What to order: I ordered a selection of the starters (read: variety again), but this spot is great for home comforts if you’re wanting a break from Sri Lankan food. And yes, there are burgers on the menu.
5/ Slightly Chilled
This hillside bar-cum-restaurant is one of the most popular hangouts in town, & for good reason. The food at Slightly Chilled is simple fare. They offer both Asian & western options (think burgers, noodles, salads & stirfries), but the main draws are the view & the vibe. I would say this spot is more drinks led, but hunker down for a meal to watch the sunset & then enjoy the live music & DJs later. It turns into quite the party…
What to order: Cocktails. & Lion beer.
Kandy Restaurants, Sri Lanka
Kandy restaurants, Sri Lanka, really do have it all. There’s bustling buffets, super hot curries, authentic local canteens, & swankier rooftop bars where the night unfolds over cold beers & city lights.
