8 Best Restaurants In Ella, Sri Lanka For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

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Most travelers visiting Sri Lanka will have Ella on their to-do list, especially because of the iconic train ride from Colombo to Ella (voted one of the most beautiful in the world). Ella has a big and busy train station, too. So even if you’re not spending the night in the city, it is one of the country’s popular transport hubs. 

Whether you’re around for a few hours to discover the town, a couple of days, or just the night, chances are, post-train ride, your belly will be grumbling. If you’ve eaten enough short eats on the journey here and are in the mood for a full-on meal, here are my 8 best restaurants in Ella Sri Lanka, to take your pick! 

Here for some time? This list also includes great spots for breakfast time, as well as lunch and dinner. It’s also a nice array of local and Western flavors. Enjoy! 

1. The White Rabbit: Amazing vegetarian options 

Looking for one of the best restaurants in Ella Sri Lanka that has some great vegetarian and vegan options that aren’t purely curries? Munch down and enjoy dishes like cabbage steak or a red bean curry at The White Rabbit. Do yourself a favor…If you’re yet to jump onto the cabbage “steak” bandwagon, do so ASAP! (We love braising whole steak cabbages at home, and it’s become a real food trend.) Another interesting little veggie snack is the jackfruit cutlets served with a green chili sauce. 

But this isn’t just a vegetarian-only spot. There are plenty of seafood options, as well as other protein/meat dishes, all Sri Lankan-style. 

There are two levels to choose from, and on the upper level, there is usually live music. I love the restaurant’s earthy decor, too. 

2. Cafe Serenite: Incredible views  

Cafe Serenite is the type of eatery you want to visit when you’re in Ella…The surroundings, for one, are breathtaking, with greenery and mountains all around. As you’d imagine, the views match! You feel totally relaxed here. 

If there’s one hour to visit, savor it for sunset time! The restaurant setting has an open-air concept, so you are not enclosed by any windows. When the sky starts transforming into all shades of pinks and soft yellows, you almost feel like you can reach out and touch the sun streaks from here. 

For food, it’s a combination of Western and Sri Lankan dishes. Also, Cafe Serenite is part of the popular eco-friendly Serenite boutique hotel.

3. The Cuisine Delight: A little more upmarket 

Whenever I travel to countries such as Sri Lanka, I’m not really interested in visiting any fancy spots straight off the bat. But, I’m not gonna lie, one and a half months into traveling around the island, and the thought of a nice eatery very much made my heart skip multiple beats. 

The Cuisine Delight dubs itself as ‘Ella’s first fine dining Indian restro and cocktail bar.’ It’s all about fusion flavors, where prime Sri Lankan ingredients and spices are preserved, but there are also Western classics that make it onto the menu, like sliders. It’s one of the best restaurants in Ella Sri Lanka, for a proper sit-down meal. 

For starters, I recommend ordering the smoky seekh kebabs for the table, which come with butter naan and a few yummy dips. 

4. Cafe One Love: All day and night 

If you suddenly wake up ravenous at 5AM, not to fear when Cafe One Love is near! The only other time I’ve been in a city where there were restaurants open 24/7 was when I lived in Hanoi, Vietnam. Okay, no, I lie. There were 24-hour diners and pizzerias when I called New York City home, too. But it’s not a common thing in most cities. 

Apart from running shop all day, every day, the food at this sweet spot is actually really yummy! My favorite time of day for their menu is brekkie. Their pancake stacks are scrumptious. But operating 24/7, there is, of course, lunch and dinner. 

Some other menu items to expect include pastas, wood-fired pizza, falafel wraps, briyani, curries, and more. 

P.S. There is also a Cafe One Love in Arugam Bay. 

Travel Insighter tip: Check out these 8 best restaurants in Arugam Bay 

5. Matey Hut: Pukka local  

Often, the top and most authentic places to eat in Sri Lanka are the hyper-local and super-fuss-free little spots. That’s exactly what you can expect to find at Matey Hut, making it one of the best restaurants in Ella Sri Lanka, where the food bursts with authenticity–and flavor! 

Here you’ll discover dishes like fried okra, fried banana flowers, and samosas for starters. Banana, beetroot, mango, or fish curries, and dhal with spinach (one of my favorite things in the entire world to eat, once you’ve had spinach with dhal, there’s no turning back) in the Sri Lankan corner. 

Then they’ve got kottu, soups, salads, rotti, parata, fried rice and noodle dishes, and all the fresh juices!

Great to know: they also offer cooking classes. But apart from this one, there are more locally-run cooking lessons and hands-on classes to join in Ella, specifically highlighting the cuisine of this unique region of Sri Lanka. 

6. Chill UFO: Great all-rounder 

From coffee in the morning to vino in the evenings (or even in the afternoon), Chill UFO is another excellent choice for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 

You also can’t miss the restaurant on the street because of its unique shape, which showcases epic local craftsmanship. I’m pretty certain most of its structure is made from bamboo in some shape or form, and there are lots of gorgeous details to appreciate design-wise. 

I sometimes find that when a restaurant offers both local and “Western” food, either one of them is a hit or a miss. But at Chill UFO, both alternatives are winners. If you are in the mood for more international flavors, order dishes like the pork ribs and a good glass of red wine. Feeling the local vibes? The chicken briyani is finger-licking good and is served in a traditional clay pot. 

7. The Barn by Starbeans: Fantastic Western food 

Among all of the best restaurants in Ella Sri Lanka, to choose from, The Barn by Starbeans is probably one of the most popular – and for good reason. 

The food is, simply put, delicious. Pizzas are fired up in a wood-fired oven, done true Neapolitan-style. The homemade nachos are perfectly crisp (served with guac, sour cream, and salsa, no skimping), and the fragrant Sri Lankan crab curry will leave your mouth watering for more, accompanied by all the necessary extras like sambal. I also love that the crab curry here is served with yummy toasted bread! 

Another one of my personal favorite picks is the crispy golden prawns on a bed of savory rice (there are about 12 in one serving). I am always a sucker for deep-fried prawns, ALWAYS. 

8. Chill Cafe: Vibes on Vibes  

Gigantic wooden mandalas and dripping greenery from the rooftop, the award-winning Chill Cafe acts as the perfect setting for meal time, to enjoy a few rounds of card games with friends, or get into the mood as DJs play cool tunes on the decks at night. There are three levels to choose from that make up the restaurant’s setup. 

Although the food is top-notch, it’s the overall feeling of this eatery that seals the deal. It’s a big traveler’s favorite, that’s for sure, leaving you feeling warm, fuzzy, and welcomed the moment you step through the doors. 

So, what’s the menu like? Like many places to eat in Ella, the menu comprises both Sri Lankan and Western cuisine. Prices are affordable, and portion sizes are generous. 

Sigiriya isn’t too far from Ella (we traveled straight from Ella here), and I would highly recommend not missing this magical village. If you are traveling through, here are my top picks for Sigiriya restaurant-wise. Headed for the ocean instead? Discover the best eateries in Hikkaduwa, or my favorite restaurants in Negombo (where seafood reigns supreme). 

Speaking of the ocean, dive into my list of the 7 best beaches in Unawatuna for swimming, snorkeling & surfing.

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