Best Food in Anuradhapura - practical advice with names and honest picks.
6 dishes to look for in Anuradhapura: Rice and curry, Kottu roti, Lamprais, String hoppers with dhal curry, King coconut (thambili) and Wood apple juice. This guide names 4 restaurants across 2 areas, with what each one is known for.
6 dishes to look for in Anuradhapura: Rice and curry, Kottu roti, Lamprais, String hoppers with dhal curry, King coconut (thambili) and Wood apple juice. This guide names 4 restaurants across 2 areas, with what each one is known for.
What to eat
| Dish | What it is | Where to try it |
|---|---|---|
| Rice and curry | A set meal of rice with 4-6 vegetable curries, dhal, and a protein, served on a single plate | Casserole Restaurant, New Town |
| Kottu roti | Chopped roti stir-fried with vegetables, egg, and spices on a hot griddle | street stalls along the New Town market road |
| Lamprais | Dutch Burgher-influenced rice, curry, and meatballs baked in a banana leaf parcel | Shalini Restaurant |
| String hoppers with dhal curry | Steamed rice-flour noodle nests served with coconut dhal and sambal, a standard breakfast | most guesthouses, included in breakfast |
| King coconut (thambili) | Orange-husked coconut served chilled, the water drunk straight from the shell | roadside stalls near the Sacred City entrance |
| Wood apple juice | A tart, custard-like fruit blended into a thick juice | juice stalls near the clock tower, New Town |
Where to eat
Tissawewa & Lake District
Mostly guesthouse-cooked rice and curry plus a couple of standalone restaurants known for Sri Lankan home-style food rather than tourist menus.
- Shalini Restaurant (Sri Lankan): Lamprais and home-style rice and curry.
- Casserole Restaurant (Sri Lankan): Rice and curry buffet popular with cyclists passing through.
More on the area: Tissawewa & Lake District.
New Town (Town Centre)
The best concentration of casual eating in the city: kottu stalls, bakeries, and rice-and-curry shops aimed at locals rather than tour groups, with prices to match.
- Harischandra Bake House (Sri Lankan bakery): Short eats and pastries, good for a quick breakfast.
- White House Restaurant (Sri Lankan and Chinese): Kottu roti and fried rice, popular with local families.
More on the area: New Town (Town Centre).
Water, tipping and costs
- Water: Don't drink tap water.
- Tipping: Tipping isn't expected but is appreciated: round up tuk-tuk fares and leave approximately 10% at sit-down restaurants without a service charge.
More on Anuradhapura
Start with the main Anuradhapura page if this is your first read. The Anuradhapura travel guide is the longer read.
We plan trips to Anuradhapura and the rest of Sri Lanka. Tell us your dates and we will put a route together. Our routes are on the tours page.