9 of the best Sri Lankan restaurants in London

There may be far more Indian restaurants than Sri Lankan restaurants in London, but that just makes the latter all the more worth seeking out. In fact, Sri Lankan restaurants are quietly becoming some of the most exciting places to eat in the capital, delivering big flavours, real heat and serious comfort in equal measure.

Sri Lankan and South Indian cooking share a few familiar building blocks - rice, lentils, coconut, fermented batters - but the resulting flavours are very distinguishable. Sri Lankan dishes are often sharper and more aromatic, with punchier use of chilli, curry leaves, pandan, mustard seeds and coconut in all its forms. Expect hoppers (lacy rice-flour pancakes with crisp edges), kottu (chopped roti stir-fried with spice, veg and meat), sambols (fresh, fiery relishes), slow-cooked curries and crisp dosas, with plenty of scope for eating by hand and creating different combos as you go.

It’s no surprise, then, that Sri Lankan food is finding a wider audience. It’s warming, generous and extremely good at delivering big flavours, whether you’re after something rice-based, bread-heavy or snackable. From street-food staples to home-style comfort dishes, the cuisine rewards curiosity, as well as sharing in big groups where you can get a little taste of everything. 

Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best Sri Lankan restaurants London has to offer. Many are slightly off the central tourist trail, scattered across neighbourhoods where the city’s food culture really thrives. But if it’s properly spiced curries, sizzling hoppers and knock-out sambols you’re craving, they’re absolutely worth the tube fare - trust us.

Kolamba and Kolamba East, Soho and Shoreditch

What: With multiple awards (not least from our critics), this pair of Sri Lankan restaurants is a must-visit for anyone looking to sample authentic cuisine. Run by native Sri Lankans Aushi and Eroshan Meewella, the menu here harks back to the childhood dishes that once filled the kitchens in their home, so diners can expect everything from traditional snacks to full-flavoured curries. Vegetarian and vegan diners do well at Kolamba, though there are plenty of meat and fish dishes to get stuck into as well, and there are fantastic value set menus too.
Must-try dish: Whole rib jaggery beef
Where: 21 Kingly Street, W1B 5QA; 12 Blossom Street, E1 6PL
Planning something special? Check out private hire options at Kolamba East
Book now: Kolamba; Kolamba East

Rambutan, London Bridge

What: Borough Market spot Rambutan is pure Sri Lankan soul food, led by Cynthia Shanmugalingam’s knock-out rotis, punchy sambols and rich, comforting curries. The space strikes a smart balance between warmth and polish, with a buzzing open kitchen upstairs and a snug cocktail bar below. Standout dishes include Jaffna crab, fluffy gundu dosa and sharp pickles, backed by a neatly curated drinks list that keeps the good times rolling. 
Must-try dish: Gundu dosas with coriander sambol
Where: 10 Stoney Street, SE1 9AD
Book now: Rambutan

Hoppers, Various locations

Why: Whether you choose to visit the intimate Soho original or its spacious Marylebone sibling, we guarantee you’ll be blown away by the selection on offer here. You’ll want to order the whole menu, but we’d suggest starting with a few ‘short eats’ followed by one of the eponymous and exceptionally good hoppers. Prices are also wonderfully reasonable, especially considering Hoppers’ perennial popularity.
Must-try dish: Mutton rolls and chilli ketchup
Where: Various locations
Book now: Hoppers Soho; Hoppers King's Cross; Hoppers Shoreditch; Hoppers Marylebone

Virundhu, Pinner

What: Vibrant curries served on colourful crockery are what diners can look forward to at this family-run Sri Lankan restaurant on the outskirts of northwest London. The extensive menu includes an array of traditional Sri Lankan fare, so you might need more than one visit to try everything that catches your eye. Unusually, there’s also a selection of desserts on offer at Virundhu, including a traditional Sri Lankan dessert called watalappan, made using coconut milk, kithul (a type of syrup), eggs, nutmeg and cardamom.
Must-try dish: Jaffna crab curry
Where: 113 Field End Road, HA5 1QG
Book now: Virundhu

Karapincha, Canary Wharf

What: We understand why you might be sceptical about this one, since it’s located within Canary Wharf’s bustling shopping centre, but this Sri Lankan kitchen is a gem of a find. Hidden away in the station, Karapincha serves up short eats and sharing platters such as stuffed roti and devilled seafood, while main dishes include a range of hoppers and curries to suit every taste.
Must-try dish: Chicken kothu roti
Where: Unit 14, Canary Wharf Station, E14 4HJ
Book now: Karapincha 

Apollo Banana Leaf, Tooting

What: Apollo Banana Leaf won’t win any awards for interiors, but we promise you won’t care a jot about your surroundings once you’ve tasted your first mouthful of authentic Sri Lankan curry. The menu here is vast and includes all the staples of the island, including oothapam, parotta, kothu, stringhoppers and curry dishes. There’s plenty for vegetarians and dishes are keenly priced.
Must-try dish: Chilli masala dosa
Where: 190 Tooting High Street, SW17 0SF
Book now: Apollo Banana Leaf

ADOH!, Covent Garden

What: ADOH! injects Sri Lankan street-food chaos into Covent Garden, courtesy of the team behind Kolamba. The focus is gorgeous kothu roti, joined by mutton rolls, devilled sausages and chilli prawn toast, all served fast and full of spice. Industrial, nostalgia-flecked interiors dial up the energy, with salted jaggery soft serve and easy-drinking beers and cocktails to round things off.
Must-try dish: Fried chicken with curry leaf waffle
Where: 36 Maiden Lane, WC2E 7LJ
Book now: ADOH!

Watch Me, Wimbledon

What: We’re not sure where the slightly odd, voyeuristic name comes from, but we are sure that this family-run restaurant is a stickler for high-quality ingredients and excellent customer service. The menu at Watch Me covers the spectrum of Asian flavours, so whether you’re in the mood for traditional Sri Lankan specialities such as hoppers kottu, sambar or mutton biryani, or South Indian classics, you’ll be spoilt for choice. It’s quite far south, but the Northern line will take you straight there.
Must-try dish: String hoppers with sambol
Where: 108 Morden Road, SW19 3BP
Book now: Watch Me

Jaffna House

Why: Another Tooting stalwart, Jaffna House has been going strong since the nineties. The homely interior is instantly inviting, as are the staff who go out of their way to treat everyone like an honoured guest. The menu aims to bring the authentic flavours of Sri Lanka to life through fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods, so whether you choose to sample a vadai (a spicy doughnut), devilled mutton, seafood kotthu, or any of Jaffna House’s other dishes, you can be sure of the fullest flavours.
Must-try dish: Egg hopper with katta sambol
Where: 90 Tooting High Street
Book now: Jaffna House

Looking to spice up your life even more? Our in-house critics have rounded up their pick of London's very best Indian restaurants.