Sri Lankan Street Food Guide: 25 Must-Try Dishes & Where to Find Them in Colombo, Kandy & Galle

Sri Lankan street food

Contents

Nothing captures the island’s spirit quite like street food: sizzling griddles, coconut and spice in the air, and friendly banter while you wait. This guide rounds up 25 essential Sri Lankan street foods—with simple pointers on where to find them in Colombo, Kandy, and Galle. No hype, just what to eat and where it’s most alive.

How to use this guide

Colombo hubs: Galle Face Green (evenings), Pettah Market area, Aluth Kade/Hulftsdorp night stalls.
Kandy hubs: Kandy Central/Municipal Market, streets around Dalada Veediya and Colombo Street.
Galle hubs: Inside Galle Fort (Pedlar/Lighthouse/Church streets) for café-style takes; for more “streety” options, check the main bus stand and market just outside the Fort.

25 must-try street foods

Kottu Roti
Chopped godamba roti hammered together with curry, egg, and veg—the drumming you hear at night.
Where: Late-night spots in Colombo (especially Aluth Kade), around Kandy Market after dark, and stalls near Galle’s bus stand.
Cheese Kottu
Creamy, indulgent, and wildly popular as a midnight fix.
Where: Colombo’s night lanes; a few cafés in Kandy and Galle do solid versions.
Hoppers (Appa)
Crisp bowl-shaped pancakes with a soft center; heavenly with lunu miris (chilli–onion relish).
Where: Evening hopper carts across all three cities.
Egg Hopper (Biththara Appa)
An egg set into a hopper—simple but perfect.
Where: Same hopper carts; evenings are best.
String Hoppers (Idiyappam)
Soft rice-flour “nests,” great with coconut milk gravy (kiri hodi) or curry.
Where: Morning vendors near markets; some night stalls too.
Isso Vadai (Prawn Vadai)
Lentil fritters topped with prawns—the classic seaside bite.
Where: Colombo’s Galle Face at sunset; markets in Kandy and Galle.
Parippu Vadai
Crispy dhal patties, ideal with sweet milk tea.
Where: Pettah tea shops, Kandy Market snack counters, Galle roadside stalls.
Samosa
Flaky triangles stuffed with spiced veg or meat.
Where: Short-eat counters in Pettah, around Kandy bus stand, and Galle town.
Short Eats (Cutlets, Rolls, Fish Buns)
Sri Lankan bakery royalty—filling, cheap, and everywhere.
Where: Bakeries ringing each city’s main market areas.
Pol Roti with Lunu Miris
Coconut flatbread charred on a griddle with fiery relish.
Where: Roadside griddles; look for the roti stack and a jar of lunu miris.
String Hopper Kottu
Kottu’s delicate cousin made from chopped string hoppers—softer and lighter.
Where: Night stalls in Colombo and Kandy.
Devilled Chicken/Seafood
Sweet-spicy wok toss with onions and capsicum, glossy and addictive.
Where: Galle Face and coastal cafés; market-side eateries in Galle and Colombo.
Kukul Mas Rolls / Fish Rolls
Crumbed and fried, stuffed with spicy filling—great on the go.
Where: Bakery counters by bus/rail stations.
Pittu with Coconut & Curry
Steamed cylinders of rice and coconut; rustic and hearty.
Where: Morning carts around markets; occasional evening vendors.
Lamprais (Street-Style Takeaway)
A Dutch-Burgher rice parcel with curry, sambols, and frikkadel—more takeaway than cart, but often sold from small counters.
Where: Colombo bakeries and snack bars; ask for “lamprais day.”
Roti Packets (Stuffed Godamba Roti)
Folded roti parcels with egg/veg/meat—hot, cheap, satisfying.
Where: Late-evening griddles across all three cities.
Achcharu (Spiced Fruit Cups)
Green mango, pineapple, or ambarella tossed with chilli, salt, and sugar.
Where: Market carts—colorful tubs of fruit are a giveaway.
Saruwath / Local Sherbets
Old-school fizzy fruit coolers—perfect with spicy snacks.
Where: Kiosks near seaside promenades and markets.
Falooda
Rose-scented, layered milkshake with jelly, vermicelli, and basil seeds.
Where: Sweet shops in Pettah and near Kandy Market; town cafés in Galle.
King Coconut (Thambili)
Naturally chilled, bright-orange coconuts—hydration done right.
Where: Seaside promenades, Fort corners, and market approaches.
Egg Roti (Biththara Roti)
Egg cracked into a thin roti and folded—street breakfast favorite.
Where: Morning stalls near transport hubs.
Hoppers with Kiri Hodi
Crisp hoppers drenched in gentle coconut milk gravy; comfort in a bowl.
Where: Evening hopper spots; ask for “kiri hodi.”
Biryani (Street/Counter Style)
Fragrant rice with a piece of chicken or beef, plus raita and pickle.
Where: Counter-service spots near markets and office areas.
Watalappan (Street Dessert Cup)
Jaggery-and-coconut custard, cardamom-rich and silky.
Where: Sweet stalls and small dessert counters; often sold in cups.
Kalu Dodol & Treacle Sweets
Sticky coconut-treacle fudge and other time-honored sweets.
Where: Traditional sweet shops near market belts in all three cities.

When to go

Evenings: Best variety and atmosphere, especially by the sea in Colombo and inside the Fort in Galle.
Mornings: String hoppers, pittu, egg roti, milk tea.
Late night: Kottu and roti packets after the city quiets down.

How to order like a local

Spice level: Say “mild” or “less chilli” if you prefer gentle heat.
Freshness: Choose stalls with good turnover; watch food cooked to order.
Tea break: Pair short eats with milk tea or ginger tea for the full experience.
Cash ready: Small notes make it smoother; some vendors accept local QR payments in busy spots.

Comfort & hygiene tips

Carry wet wipes and hand sanitizer.
Stick to busy stalls and sizzling griddles.
If you have allergies, ask about seafood, egg, and peanut oil.
Sensitive stomach? Start with hoppers, string hoppers, or biryani before diving into raw-fruit achcharu.

Budget snapshot

Most snacks run LKR 200–800 per piece or portion; fuller plates like kottu or biryani are LKR 900–1,800, depending on city and filling.

One-day tasting plans (optional)

Colombo: Evening walk at the seaside for king coconut, isso vadai, and devilled seafood; finish with cheese kottu in a night lane.
Kandy: Morning string hoppers and tea near the market; afternoon achcharu; night kottu or biryani around the transport hub.
Galle: Fort for hoppers and short eats; sunset stroll on the ramparts; dinner in town outside the Fort for roti packets and devilled dishes.

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