There’s something quietly special about The Kandyan, a Sri Lankan restaurant in Bristol that doesn’t just serve food – it tells a story. Set up by Chef Sam, co-founder of the Rangala Guest House in upcountry Sri Lanka, The Kandyan is a deeply personal project that brings together decades of hospitality experience, a lifelong love of cooking, and a thoughtful dialogue between Bristol and Kandy.
Sam’s journey began aged 14 in a Sri Lankan kitchen, learning traditional methods and developing his own spice blends – many of which are still grown on the market garden surrounding Rangala House and used at The Kandyan today. He later moved to the UK and made Bristol home, and it's in this cross-cultural space that The Kandyan truly thrives. You’ll find Lion lager on the drinks list, but also coffee from local roaster Clifton Coffee. Sri Lankan curry leaves meet seasonal British veg. And out back? A herb garden grown just a few feet from your table.
Whether you're dropping in for a midweek dhal and spinach curry or planning a celebratory feast of Buriyani with ghee and masala-spiced lamb, The Kandyan has a warm and open-armed feel. The menu is versatile, mostly gluten-free, and has plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians. Sri Lankan classics like cashew and pea curry, tempered potatoes, or Kandy prawns with spinach and cream sit alongside flavour-packed sides like carrot sambol and mixed fried rice. And if you like your heat dialled up – just say the word.
It’s also a place with real heart. Chef Sam runs a charity cricket initiative in his hometown, collecting unused kit in the UK and delivering it back to Rangala himself. Ask about it if you visit – he’s always keen to chat. With cooking classes, private catering options, and a lovely team now behind him, Sam’s restaurant feels like a small cultural bridge between Bristol and Sri Lanka – full of flavour, generosity, and a genuine love for bringing people together.