Best Food in Polonnaruwa - practical advice with names and honest picks.
6 dishes to look for in Polonnaruwa: Rice and curry, Kottu roti, Egg hoppers, Wood-apple juice, King coconut water and Hotel buffet dinner. This guide names 4 restaurants across 2 areas, with what each one is known for.
6 dishes to look for in Polonnaruwa: Rice and curry, Kottu roti, Egg hoppers, Wood-apple juice, King coconut water and Hotel buffet dinner. 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 lunch of rice with 4-6 vegetable and meat curries, served on a single plate | Priyamali Gedara, Polonnaruwa New Town |
| Kottu roti | Chopped flatbread stir-fried with egg, vegetables and your choice of meat | Roadside stalls along the New Town main road |
| Egg hoppers | Bowl-shaped rice-flour pancakes with a fried egg set in the centre, eaten at breakfast | Guesthouses and small cafes in New Town |
| Wood-apple juice | A sour-sweet local fruit juice, usually served iced with sugar | Juice stalls near the Polonnaruwa bus stand |
| King coconut water | Thambili, an orange-husked coconut drunk straight from the shell | Roadside vendors throughout Polonnaruwa and Habarana |
| Hotel buffet dinner | Mixed Sri Lankan and international dishes aimed at visiting groups | Polonnaruwa |
Where to eat
Polonnaruwa New Town
Simple Sri Lankan rice-and-curry shops dominate, with a handful of hotel restaurants doing buffets for visiting tour groups. Western food options are limited outside the larger hotels.
- Priyamali Gedara (Sri Lankan home-style): Unlimited rice and curry set lunch.
- Gajaba Restaurant (Sri Lankan): Grilled fish and devilled chicken.
More on the area: Polonnaruwa New Town.
Kaduruwela
Cheap local eateries serving rice and curry, kottu and short eats.
- Kaduruwela Food Bar (Sri Lankan): Cheap rice and curry for market workers.
- Station Road Bakery (Sri Lankan short eats): Fresh rolls and vegetable patties for train journeys.
More on the area: Kaduruwela.
Water, tipping and costs
- Water: Tap water isn't safe to drink.
- Tipping: Tipping isn't mandatory but is appreciated: round up tuk-tuk fares, leave.
- A common mistake: Carrying food near Gal Vihara; macaque monkeys will grab bags left unattended.
More on Polonnaruwa
Start with the main Polonnaruwa page if this is your first read. The Polonnaruwa travel guide is the longer read.
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