Food in Sri Lanka is more than a meal — it’s a celebration of culture, spice, and community. From fiery curries and fresh seafood to fragrant cinnamon and Ceylon tea, every dish tells a story. With BSL Tours, you’ll explore local markets, spice gardens, and kitchens, discovering flavours that make the island unforgettable.
Taste Sri Lanka
Flavours born from spice and tradition
Sri Lanka Food & Spices: A Culinary Journey
Sri Lanka’s cuisine is a vibrant reflection of its history, culture, and geography. Spices brought traders to the island for centuries, while coastal waters and fertile soils shaped a diet full of variety and flavour. Today, travellers fall in love with Sri Lanka one bite at a time.
With BSL Tours, you don’t just eat — you experience food as part of the journey, from market tours in Kandy to cooking classes in Galle and spice garden visits in Matale.
Signature Dishes You Must Try
- Rice & Curry — the heart of Sri Lankan food, with colourful vegetable curries, sambols, and pickles.
- Hoppers (Appa) — bowl-shaped pancakes, plain or with egg, perfect for breakfast.
- Kottu Roti — street food made from chopped roti, vegetables, egg, and curry sauce.
- Seafood Curries — especially crab in Trincomalee or prawns on the South Coast.
- Lamprais — a Dutch-influenced rice dish wrapped in banana leaves.
- Watalappam — a spiced coconut custard dessert, often served at festivals.
Roti with pol sambol is a popular and hearty meal
The Spice Heritage of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka was once called the “Spice Island”, famous for cinnamon, pepper, cloves, and cardamom.
Even today, Ceylon cinnamon is prized worldwide.
We arrange visits to:
- Matale Spice Gardens — near Kandy, learn about cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg.
- Cinnamon Estates in Galle — discover how this spice shaped trade and culture.
- Local Markets — explore colourful stalls in Colombo, Kandy, and Jaffna.
Shop for local spices in Galle
Cooking Classes & Experiences
Food is best understood hands-on. With us, you can:
- Join a cooking class with a local chef
- Shop for ingredients in a bustling market
- Learn the balance of spices that define Sri Lankan curries
- Enjoy meals in family homes for authentic hospitality
Enjoy the complex flavours of Sri Lankan curries
Festivals & Food
Sri Lanka’s festivals are full of flavour:
- Sinhala & Tamil New Year (April) — milk rice, kevum (oil cakes), and kokis.
- Vesak (May) — lanterns and free food stalls (dansal) across the island.
- Esala Perahera (Kandy, July/August) — feasting and sweet treats alongside pageantry.
The Sinhala & Tamil New Year marked by boiling milk until it overflows
We align tours so you can enjoy these culinary highlights during festival seasons.
Best & Challenges (We Smooth the Journey)
Best For
- Food lovers
- Culture seekers
- Families and groups wanting interactive experiences
Challenges
- Some dishes are very spicy → we guide you to mild or adventurous options
- Dietary needs → we arrange vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free menus with trusted hosts
- Overwhelmed by variety → our guides help you taste the best without confusion
Why Food & Spices Belong on Your Journey
Food is memory. Long after the trip, you’ll remember the taste of crab curry by the sea, or the smell of cinnamon drying in the sun.
With BSL Tours, food becomes part of your story — woven into cultural tours, beach escapes, and safaris. You’ll discover Sri Lanka not just through sights, but through flavours.
Ready to Taste Sri Lanka?
Join our Sri Lanka Wildlife Safari or spice up your journey with the Cultural Triangle Luxury Tour. With BSL Tours, every meal is a discovery.
About BSL Tours
Your trusted guide to Sri Lanka’s culture, cuisine, and curated journeys.
