FOOD AND DRINK
Eating in Sri Lanka is a delight. A vast array of spices, fruits and vegetables are all grown locally on the island – it’s not unusual to see bananas, papayas and mangos growing which then end up as your breakfast the following morning. The spice gardens are tourist attractions in their own right, and the spices are used in the delicious Sri Lankan rice and curry dishes.
We found many good restaurants serving local, organic food, with filtered water bottles for the table, metal straws, and even non-dairy milk – particularly around Arugam Bay and Galle Fort. Some of our favourites:
Bay Vista Yoga Cafe, Arugam Bay – A great vegetarian and vegan cafe serving fresh juices, fruit bowls, salads and snacks (that also offers rooftop yoga classes)
Hideaway Resort Restaurant, Arugam Bay – Beautiful garden restaurant serving delicious dishes made with organic, fresh and locally sourced produced. Filtered water is provided and there’s not a plastic straw in sight.
Poonie’s Kitchen, Galle Fort – Colourful food in a colourful courtyard setting.
Tip: Lunch packets containing rice and curry are available at many roadside cafes and train stations and are very cheap – but are wrapped in single-use plastic. So to avoid contributing to plastic pollution, carry a reusable lunch box or stop to dine in for rice and curry.