The Sri Lankan food is a colorful affair and the influence of Indian food in the Sri Lankan food culture is seen. In the variety of Indian food, the south Indian food has its demand, and citizens and visitors prefer to take it. The special flavors of south Indian biryani, dosas, idlis, and curries make it a perfect destination for anyone with an inclination toward south Indian cuisine. For those who are interested in consuming the true flavor of Tamil Nadu style of foods, Andhra hot foods, or even Keralan light foods, Sri Lanka has some of the best restaurants that offer Authentic South Indian foods that best represent the region’s tastes. There is crispy dosa, spicy biryani, and creamy curry and these South Indian restaurants in Sri Lanka will make your dining experience a memorable one.
These restaurants provide different categories of South Indian Foods including Vegetarian Foods and non-vegetarian Foods. These restaurants in Sri Lanka are perfect for those of you who are looking for a tasty portion of the south Indian thali or even only the south Indian biryani. Many of these restaurants are not just restaurants that want to feed you they want to feed you and give you the entire South Indian experience. The restaurant option ranges from the basic local food joints to the most classy gourmet restaurants.
For the traveler and food lovers, it is quite fascinating to find that there are South Indian restaurants in Sri Lanka. From the small cafes to the high-ranking restaurants, every place on this list ensures that you get to taste the real South. The restaurants included are from the bustle of Colombo to the scenic Galle Road, providing familiar comfort food to the Indian expats and a decent selection for the rest. Most of these restaurants also include dishes from Kerala restaurants, they add a regional option with their coconut-based curries, appams and seafood options, which has expanded the variety of South Indian dining in Sri Lanka.
Here are the Top 8 South Indian Restaurants in Sri Lanka You Must Visit
1. Thalis Restaurant Indian Vegetarian Cuisine
Thalis Restaurant Indian Vegetarian Cuisine is located at Park Road Colombo and it is a restaurant offering a range of South Indian foods for a moderate price. The restaurant has no fancy interior decoration and this makes it to be very comfortable for the clients to be in. The staff is welcoming, they ensure that you get everything you need to enable you to have a wonderful meal. Besides the delicious main courses, Thalis has a list of good Indian sweets that will attract any sweet tooth.
- Address: 155 Park Road, Havelock Town, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Opening Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM (Mon – Sun)
2. Sri Suryas Hotel
South and North Indian dishes are available in Sri Suryas Hotel with a hygienically maintained air-conditioned restaurant popular for its delicious food. For the guests’ comfort and privacy, the restaurant has glass-separated booths. Among the specialties that they have are Paneer Butter Masala, Garlic Naan, Ghee Roast Dosa, and a special Thali that is South Indian, to prove their point of the real taste. We always want to come back for more and one visit is never enough on this island.
- Address: 255 Sea Street, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Opening Hours: 7 AM – 10:30 PM (Mon – Sun)
3. Chola Authentic Indian Restaurant
Chola Authentic Indian Restaurant offers South Indian, Mughlai, and Chettinad foods. It is a little costly than most restaurants but the taste of the foods offered and the variety offered justify the price. This is the pictorial menu that has been implemented in the restaurant to help people place their orders. It offers a more or less home-like environment and can comfortably host about 50 people for a function, though the fare may take some time to be served during rush hours.
- Address: 37 Lily Avenue, Wellawatta, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 3 PM & 6:30 PM – 11 PM (Mon – Sun)
4. Amaravathi Restaurant
Located at the Mile Post Avenue, Amaravathi Restaurant is well known to bring South India cuisine to the table. Tandoori, Chicken, Mutton Chinese part, and Raithas, Salads, and Desserts are some of the subcategories of foods. Among the specialties, Mutton Biryani & Butter Prawn Masala is served in a good atmosphere and accompanied by friendly and welcoming staff. Whether you are a late-night eater, and you want to have a heavy meal or maybe just a cup of tea, Amaravathi is all set to serve you all kinds of foods.
- Address: No. 2, Mile Post Avenue, Kollupitiya, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Opening Hours: 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM & 6:30 PM – 11 PM (Mon – Sun
5. Indo-Ceylon Café & Dosa King
Vegetarian and vegan fans of South Indian cuisine, it is high time to visit the Indo-Ceylon Café & Dosa King situated on Galle Road. This is a very busy restaurant which offers a range of dosas, idlis and vadas all of which are served with chutneys and sambar of the client’s choice. It is suitable for fast food or leisurely dining because of the relaxed atmosphere. This cafe is well-known for offering fast food delivery service and low price among the population and the tourists.
- Address: Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
- Opening Hours: 8 AM – 10 PM (Mon – Sun)
6. Shanmugas
Shanmugas is just five minutes away from central Colombo and provide customers with polite and polite personnel and a tastefully homelike interior. This restaurant has Indian and Asian cuisines on the menu which is a plus, dosa, idli, curd vadai, South Indian thali, and so on. The prices are somewhat steep compared to other restaurants but the quality of the South Indian dishes and the quality of service makes it a good restaurant to visit. It would be advisable to make a reservation in order not to stay without a table.
- Address: 21/1, Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
- Opening Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM (Mon – Sun)
7. Saraswathi Lodge
Saraswathi Lodge is strictly a vegetarian joint and is located on Galle Road. This is a perfect place to get quality south Indian cuisine as the prices charged are quite affordable to ensure value for the money is delivered. It is used by those people who are in search of the traditional South Indian taste with an assurance that the foods served meet the required standard.
- Address: 191, Galle Road, Colombo 4, Sri Lanka
- Opening Hours: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Mon – Sun)
8. Chutneys – Cinnamon Grand Colombo
Chutneys is located in the Cinnamon Grand Colombo and they provide South Indian cuisine. The restaurant’s menu features dishes from the four southern states of India like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Taste the dosas, idlis, and spicy curries with a modern twist in addition to the traditional décor. High quality services and a variety of foods make Chutneys restaurant a must-visit restaurant for the residents and visitors.
- Address: Cinnamon Grand Colombo, 77 Galle Road, Colombo 3, Sri Lanka
- Opening Hours: 12 PM – 3 PM & 7 PM – 11 PM (Mon – Sun
Conclusion
Sri Lanka has a very colorful range of South Indian restaurants to satisfy any taste buds. If you desire to taste the South Indian thali with different types of curries and rice or a tempting South Indian biryani, these restaurants will make you happy. The restaurants that have been listed here starting from the backpacker’s choice, the Saraswathi Lodge to the fine dining Chutneys at Cinnamon Grand Colombo give a glimpse of what South Indian food has to offer. All the restaurants have different ambiance and offer typical Authentic South Indian foods with great taste and typical South Indian hospitality.
Visiting Sri Lanka is a good chance to taste exotic dishes and, in the first instance, South Indian ones. There is crispy dosa, spicy biryani, and creamy curry and these South Indian restaurants in Sri Lanka will make your dining experience a memorable one. In several dishes from the southern states including the dishes served in Kerala restaurants, you will always get a place to enjoy your favorite meal and also get to try other meals that will make you appreciate the south Indian cuisine.