What to Eat in the Streets of Sri Lanka

Image: PHOTO: Kottu, Sri Lankan street food (Photo via Flickr.com/Shehal Joseph)
Image: PHOTO: Kottu, Sri Lankan street food (Photo via Flickr.com/Shehal Joseph)
Janeen Christoff
by Janeen Christoff
Last updated: 8:00 PM ET, Fri January 13, 2017

Head to Galle Face Green - part park, part beach - to taste some of Sri Lanka's colorful street food, writes Georgina Wilson-Powell in the Independent.

The park has quite a history - and didn't always revolve around food.

"Nowadays it's the go-to spot for sampling Sri Lanka's tasty rainbow of street food, but back in 1859, its promenade was the brainchild of the British governor of what was then Ceylon, who thought delicate ladies needed somewhere to take the air and turned the previously fortified area into a green space," writes Wilson-Powell.

While Galle Face Green is a great starting point, Wilson-Powell notes that there is no shortage of small bites around Sri Lanka.

"On-the-go snacks are part of the national diet and cheap enough that everyone can fill up - you'll be parting with pennies rather than pounds," she says.

[READMORE]READ MORE: In Search of the Perfect Puerto Vallarta Taco [/READMORE]

What to try when eating street food in Sri Lanka? One suggestion is isso vadei.

"Today the park is ringed with food vendor carts lit by small puddles of electric light, selling nuclear orange isso vadei - spicy lentil cakes that have prawns either mixed in or balanced on top," says Wilson-Powell.

Kottu is another must.

"A sort of Sri Lankan bubble and squeak, kottu was first made from curry leftovers - yesterday's roti, vegetables, spices and meat or fish all mixed and chopped together," says Wilson-Powell.

Hoppers are another favorite.

"Sri Lankans love their hoppers - a pancake bowl served with either eggs in the morning or curries in the evening," says Wilson-Powell.

For more street food suggestions, read on here.


For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore

More From TravelPulse

Related Videos

Janeen Christoff

Janeen Christoff

Executive Editor - AGENTatHOME | TravelPulse Content Strategy

Editor Executive Editor - AGENTatHOME | TravelPulse Content Strategy true [email protected] 9088 14744 Janeen Christoff caught the travel bug while living in London, England. After two years on the road, she settled in Los Angeles and focused her writing on

Grow Your Travel Business With Certified Courses

Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Allianz Specialist ProgramProtect every journey with Allianz Partners Travel Insurance.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Los Cabos Specialist ProgramSell the magic of Los Cabos: luxury, adventure, and endless sunshine.
Travel Agent Academy
Travel Agent Academy
Majestic Resorts Specialist ProgramDiscover all-inclusive luxury at Majestic Resorts in paradise.

Don't Miss These Travel Agent Events and Trainings

Upcoming Webinar
Future Leaders in Travel: Meet Our Supplier PartnersFriday, September 11, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
The Future Leaders in Travel conference brings together an exciting group of emerging travel...
Upcoming Webinar
Let's Sell Luxury TogetherMonday, September 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Luxury travel continues to evolve, creating exciting new opportunities for advisors to elevate their...
Upcoming Webinar
Greenland Uncovered: Selling the Arctic's Best-Kept Secret with HXTuesday, September 15, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Towering icebergs, colourful Inuit communities, the Midnight Sun, and a UNESCO-listed icefjord —...
Upcoming Webinar
Future Leaders in Travel: Meet Our Supplier PartnersFriday, September 11, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
The Future Leaders in Travel conference brings together an exciting group of emerging travel...
Upcoming Webinar
Let's Sell Luxury TogetherMonday, September 14, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Luxury travel continues to evolve, creating exciting new opportunities for advisors to elevate their...
Upcoming Webinar
Greenland Uncovered: Selling the Arctic's Best-Kept Secret with HXTuesday, September 15, 2026
2:00pm Eastern
Towering icebergs, colourful Inuit communities, the Midnight Sun, and a UNESCO-listed icefjord —...