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To this day, Sigiriya remains one of the most magical places I have set foot upon. As a South African living in Hanoi, Vietnam, for many, many years, I am not going to lie, I craved just to see grass and animals every day of my life! As soon as I arrived in Sri Lanka, I felt home again, but more so in special Sigiriya.
The town, or rather village, is tiny, and there’s basically just one main strip of a road, where all of the restaurants, cafes, and chilled-out bars are then located along.
One thing to note, restaurants in the Sigiriya are SUPER local, mostly Sri Lankan food, like curries, dahl, rotis, etc. And because you’re away from the coastline, not much (if any) seafood at all.
With that, here is my ultimate guide to the 7 best restaurants in Sigirya, Sri Lanka. And I would know, I managed to try almost all of them!
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- 1. Alloro Chooti Restaurant Sigiriya: Treehouse vibes
- 2. Moats Cafe: Incredible breakfast and coffee
- 3. Little Hut: Always busy!
- 4. Kenoli Restaurant: Delicious egg koththu
- 5. Sigiriya Lake Point Restaurant: Views on views
- 6. One Love cafe: My brunch recommendation
- 7. Hogwarts Express: Calling all Potterheads
1. Alloro Chooti Restaurant Sigiriya: Treehouse vibes
There was something about Alloro Chooti Restaurant Sigiriya that caught my immediate attention. Probably because it’s a double-story treehouse vibe. And I am really Tarzan’s Jane!
The menu here is diverse, with all the standard Sri Lankan dishes, as well as some others if you’re not in the mood, like burgers. They also do an espresso, as well as green tea!
My mango lassi was especially delicious.
Travel Insighter reflections: Super random, and this has nothing to do with the restaurants in Sigiriya, but one thing that broke my heart whilst sitting at Alloro, was looking down from the balcony to see a tourist family of four riding down the road on an elephant. I think they offer this as a tourist activity (although not sure if it’s been banned yet, hopefully), but please refrain from doing so!
2. Moats Cafe: Incredible breakfast and coffee
One thing I have to warn you about (not that it’s a bad thing at all), but there are little to no cafe-restaurants (if hardly any) in Sigirya. This tiny little village is very, very local and raw. However, Moats Cafe is one of the few. And they don’t disappoint.
If you just can’t eat another hopper, koththu, or curry for breakfast, get your fix of smashed avo toasts, waffles, omelettes, shakshukas, and strong cappuccinos right here! Not only one of the top restaurants in Sigiriya, but I would say it is the best spot for breakfast and brunch time!
Are you hooked on the matcha train? (Which I honestly still don’t understand the hype over.) You’re in luck! They serve matcha lattes here, too. Also, I love that they have wooden board games, like Jenga and noughts and crosses, at the tables, if you’re up for a round.
3. Little Hut: Always busy!
Dahl curry, garlic prawns with garlic rice, sweet and sour chicken, fish curry, and oh, a chocolate roti afterwards…Little Hut is one of the most popular restaurants in Sigiriya!
The menu is mostly curries, rotis, and fried rice dishes, but there’s also soups, salads, and desserts. I’m going to stop you right there and immediately recommend the fried banana. During my time in Sri Lanka, I legit became hooked on this delicious sweet treat.
Its laid-back atmosphere and setting are like most of the other places in town, with dangling bamboo lights and table-gatherings of international friends.
P.S. If you can’t handle your spice, just let one of the staff know, and they will happily adjust accordingly.
4. Kenoli Restaurant: Delicious egg koththu
Packing a local flavor punch, Kenoli Restaurant is totally fuss-free, but the food is totally scrumptious!
On the menu, you’ll discover an array of Sri Lankan firm-favorites, but also some international options (not Western), such as noodles and fried rice. A must-try here is the koththu – especially the egg one! They also make a mean biriyani.
If you’re not super hungry but feel like a light bite and a fresh tropical juice (like lime, avocado, watermelon, mango, pineapple, or papaya), opt for the coconut roti. The restaurant is family-run, and the service is excellent.
5. Sigiriya Lake Point Restaurant: Views on views
One of Sigiriya’s most famous attractions is the 200-meter-tall Sigiriya Rock. The ancient fortress dates to 477 CE! Whilst Sigiriya Lake Point Restaurant is not located in the middle of town along the main strip where most of the other restaurants in Sigiriya are, its positioning is second to none.
This is because it oversees the famous historical landmark, well, it peers out in the background, anyway.
Back to the eatery, which I highly recommend for lunch. They’re open for dinner, too. But, of course, during daylight hours, you can actually see the rock fortress.
Not only is the food super vibrant and fragrant (all local vibes), but I adore the hippy-dippy atmosphere. You know, green, yellow, and red-colored tables, hanging bamboo lights, paintings of mandalas, and all the greenery in the world.
6. One Love cafe: My brunch recommendation
Bob Marley couldn’t have said it better himself. Especially in times like these, we all need to remember a little one love. And One Love Cafe is all about the same motto.
For anyone who has traveled to Sri Lanka before, or is currently doing so, you know how much of a Rasta community there is. I’m a hippy child through and through, and Rasta bars and cafes are always my ultimate, where I feel right at home!
Strangely enough, this restaurant has a trendy, more Westernized feel compared to some of the other restaurants in Sigiriya. They serve breakfast and brunch, like fruit and granola bowls, pancake stacks, French toast, iced matcha, and superfood chia pudding.
7. Hogwarts Express: Calling all Potterheads
A Harry Potter-themed restaurant? In Sigiriya? You best believe it’s true at Hogwarts Express!
From magical pizzas–which are obviously themed, like the Golden Snitch, Wizard’s Signature, and Platform 9 ¾ Pizzas–to yummy smoothie bowls, there’s a little something for everyone on the menu. I’d definitely say there are more Western/international dishes here to choose from than Sri Lankan.
You can’t go wrong with the cheeseburger (where the gooey cheese is melted over the top), nor the salsa salad served with nacho chips.
Where are you headed next in Sri Lanka? If it’s Arugum Bay, here are my ultimate spots to eat (I loved Arugum’s food scene the most). If Hikkaduwa is calling, check out my ultimate guide to the best restaurants.
Discover the best restaurants in Negomobo, which are vastly different from the ones you’d find in Sigiriya, and there’s lots of seafood to be enjoyed. Curious to know what locals eat for snacks? Here are 11 Sri Lankan snacks to try, known as short eats.
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