Where to eat: the 50 best restaurants in Hikkaduwa

Nice place. Beautiful view of the ocean and sunset, very good drinks (Caipirinha, Arrack Attack). Delicious shrimp in mango chutney served with fried rice with vegetables. I recommend 😀

Love their Food and Service. Was a very chill spot in Arugambay. Should definitely try the banana pancakes. Overall loved the experience.

Poor service. After getting ignored even though there weren’t many other customers, I went to the bar to get the menu myself. Even there they didn’t even seem to care much about me, no smile, no „excuse us that we oversaw you“. Just a „What do you want?“ with a couldn’t-care-less-face. Even when he brought the drink, he didn’t even look at me and kept the most unfriendly face. Not welcoming at all! Mojito is ok. Food I didn’t try.

Great location, nice seating areas where you can relax and enjoy the amazing sunsets, this seems like the place to be in Hikkaduwa. Staff were always very friendly, welcoming and helpful. Service was always quick and with a smile, food was lovely, this place had it all chill relax and enjoy the great atmosphere

Grab one of the seats facing the beach and get stuck in to the cocktails. Great fun place and the battered prawns we had were very nice too 👍

This place is great for socialising, playing pool, chillaxing, eating and going to the beach. The staff here are all very friendly and they’re always happy to see you. I must of visited over a dozen times during the past three months. Nothing is too much trouble for them. During peak season on a Thursday night, the place is bumping with nightlife and great dance music. The toilets are clean, facilities are good and there’s an extensive menu to order from. Whether you want coffee or margaritas, Funky do it all. I’ve had the BLT Club Sandwich from here and it was fantastic. The bacon was crispy, fresh lettuce and ripe tomatoes. It came with fries and a smile from one of the friendly staff. I love this place, so will you. 🌟

Great restaurant on the beach with nice atmosphere! Food is very good!

Whilst I fully understand your policy regarding sunbed usage, it is very clear you the owner have not correctly read and understood fully my trip advisor review . After a conversation with a member of your team on the day who made it quite clear that the restaurant would not be prepared to accept any less than 10,000 towards food & drink for the usage of two sunbeds .We took the decision to pack up our bags and leave. I did not suggest in my review that sunbeds cost extra and neither did I suggest I wanted to use the sunbeds free of charge. We have found many bars & restaurants during our stay on the beach that offer excellent food, fabulous customer service and more importantly actually appreciate the business. The attitude of the staff and business is appalling and I would not recommend this establishment . It’s a pity the owner doesn’t recognise the poor reviews on Google and actually deal with them. The ratings reflect the type of place this is . Defensive attitude . Leadership comes from the top , no wonder the staff at Sea salt Society behave the way they do .

Went here for dinner. Brilliant table right on the beach. Loved the trendy vibe of the bar. Really innovative cocktails with interesting presentation. Menu is short, which we felt was a good thing as many restaurants here try to offer everything rather than specialise. Nachos and wings to start - both well prepared. The whole cooked fish was delicious, as was the burger. Childrens' fish and chips was good but could have been seasoned a little more, according to my daughter. Service was the best we've had in Sri Lanka. It's worth a visit.

pizza and nachos were excellent but the chicken skewers were cold and colourless. Cocktails were superb. Service was just ok. Manager tried to put the bill right which was a faff but finally sorted it. Made our experience a bit meh! But we'd return for the pizza n cocktails.

Had great experience, eating sea food at the restaurant. Ordered crispy tuna and tuna tataki, both were very tasty. But what is really gorgeous here - cocktails, tried basil smash and tamarind spice were perfect. The service by Ashan was quick and caring

We never had such good cocktails in Sri Lanka. Bar crew was also very helpfull and friendly. Also the crowd was very enjoyable! ps. If you go her - ask the bartender to make a special cocktail - he will amaze you! ;-)

Being so highly rated on Tripadvisor we made the trip down to Sea Salt Society. Agree with other recent reviews, lovely setting, attentive and friendly staff but food was disappointing. We ordered a chicken burger which came with great toppings but lacked any real flavour and was chewy. My friend ordered the Tom Yum Pizza and the fish topping was so burnt it was inedible and charcoal like, the pizza was dry and crusts burnt and she couldn’t finish it. It’s a shame because the setting really is beautiful but we wouldn’t rush back for the food

Lovely place and convenient access to the beach! Great staff and care, Akram served us and was a delight ! Food can be improved and increased in quantity. We had the pizzas and golden fries. Pizza can be more flavorful and bigger in size.

The place is cozy and comfortable, but there were a lot of mosquitoes, and we got bitten quite a bit. However, the restaurant provides mosquito repellent on the tables, which is a nice touch. The pizza was overcooked, with unappetizing cheese, and didn’t resemble authentic Italian pizza at all. My friend ordered Bolognese, but the edges were dry from being reheated, and the dish was only warm rather than hot, as it should have been.

Not sure why it has 4.5 stars. I paid like in top Italian restaurants I’ve been in Sri Lanka and received something pizza-like with raw dough inside. I can understand different pizza styles, but it was too much. If owner is Italian, he should be ashamed. I feel scammed. The only plus was a nice waitress.

Spaghetti & Co. in Hikkaduwa is a delightful culinary gem, offering a cozy and intimate dining experience with an impressive range of Italian-inspired dishes. Tucked away from the hustle of the main street, the restaurant exudes a warm, inviting ambiance with its charming decor, combining rustic and contemporary elements. Whether you're dining indoors or on the outdoor terrace, the atmosphere is relaxed, making it an ideal spot for both casual meals and special evenings. The menu at Spaghetti & Co. is a standout, featuring a variety of fresh pasta, pizzas, and seafood dishes, all with a focus on quality ingredients. As the name suggests, the pasta is the highlight here. The spaghetti, in particular, is perfectly cooked and comes in a variety of sauces, from classic marinara to more adventurous pesto and cream-based options. The portion sizes are generous, and the flavors are rich and authentic. The restaurant also offers a variety of seafood dishes, including fresh catches from the nearby coast, which are often prepared with local Sri Lankan influences, making them unique to the region. Service at Spaghetti & Co. is friendly and attentive, with the staff going the extra mile to ensure a pleasant dining experience. The owner is often present and interacts with guests, adding a personal touch to the restaurant's overall hospitality. One of the highlights is their wine selection, which pairs perfectly with the food, along with refreshing cocktails and freshly brewed coffee. Prices are reasonable for the quality and quantity, making it great value for money. Overall, Spaghetti & Co. in Hikkaduwa delivers delicious, authentic Italian cuisine with a touch of Sri Lankan flair, making it a must-visit for food lovers in the area.

Very good and calm place. Run by a wonderful italian couple. So yes, the pizza is Truly Italian, huge and very tasty. The place is cozy. For archers their is a Win&Win bow from 80s on display!)))

They have amazing pizza. The place and the atmosphere there was good. At night it was quiet with a little bit of music and the place was not crowded. We tried only vegetarian options though they have more varieties in non vegetarian food. Service was quite attentive. Note: They don't have oregano for free. Yes, they charge 100LKR for a small cup of oregano if you want. Also, they accept cash mostly. I highly recommend this place if you like authentic pizza.

Pizza was overburned and Bruschetta not so Good… Staff was not friendly. We see how they laugh over two other guests.. Edit: one year later and it was still 0,1 Stars My 10 years Old daughter can make better pasta. Bruschetta still Not good. And the stuff is katastrophal! Very unfriendly. The Boss can‘t smile. Cant understand why This Restaurant has over 4 Stars… The 2 Couples Next to us were also very dissatisfied.

We came to visit during off-season (May) and had really great service. There was only one staff member working as there were not many guests however she was very quick and efficient and friendly. The food was really delicious and seemed to be made of fresh ingredients and was authentic Italian food. Pizza and Calzone had lots of flavor and full of ingredients and toppings. They also provided us with extra flavorings for the pasta, as well as chili sauce and chili oil for the pizza. We ate so much between the 2 of us, but left very happy! Caters well to vegetarians which we have found hard in Sri Lanka.

Since they can’t even update their gmaps. Ridiculous food situation in this country. I remember things being so much better food wise in 2015. Let down.

We were very happy with our experience. A rare place where the picture of the food looked exactly like what was on our plate. The hamburger was cooked to our request exactly. The place doesn’t look like much from the road, but the tables in the garden were lovely and quiet. Perfect service. Highly recommended.

Hands down the best burger I've had in a long time! Nothing in Toronto compares to this. Family owned little spot with a garden view seating area. The menu is so creative. I tried the Mango Tango burger & it was packed with flavor. Juicy patty with mouth watering mango chutney. The nachos with cassava chips was to die for!! Homemade fresh guacamole & salsa was absolutely delicious. The owners were so humble and helpful. Exceptional service. Can't wait to come back and try more items on their menu!!

We have been second time with whole family there. Burgers are very tasty as well as fries are fantastic crispy and soft at the same time 👍 Service is excellent, English speaking as well. We will come again! Best burgers in town

We ate local food for over two weeks and were in the mood for something different and came across this burger restaurant. Our expectations were exceeded! Super tasty burgers with fresh ingredients in a more than fair price-performance ratio. The staff is also very courteous and friendly. My boyfriend saw the delicious onions on my burger and asked the waiter if there were any left. That wasn't a problem at all! Thank you for that.

Thank you for (until now) the best Burgers of my Life!!! In Germany i have tested Over 100 different Burgers. But this is the best of 3 for sure! In 7 days we were here 4 Times 🤣 Edit: One year later and the Burger‘s Are still very good 😍 Not so hot as Last year 🙈 And a Little bit too Little Portion fries 😔😔😔😔 Please a Little Bit More 🙏 The Burger needs More Burger Sauce. But our second day here This year and our second visit at Hello Burger 😂 Definetely Not the Last one 😂 See you guys 🙏

We’ve been looking for a nice place to eat burgers around the south and after reading all the reviews of this place, the only thing we can do is to CONFIRM all the good comments read, such as “the best burger in Sri Lanka”. It is indeed the best burger we found. We tried lots of places and the best patty is here in HELLO BURGER! If you are craving a good, don’t miss this place! @mariali_26

We stumbled along to Thambili through the desire to get ever-so-slightly away from the bottleneck one km up the road. We were in search of something peaceful and found the perfect spot with Chamika and family. We made ourselves at home on their comfy bean bags after a couple of drinks and enjoyed watching their two floofy dogs living their best lives all afternoon. A lovely Italian tourist encouraged us to try out body boarding on Thambili's free-to-use boards and we hung out and watched their little christmas decorations spin in the breeze. The stuff dreams are made of! During the afternoon we were invited to stay for their bbq and the smiling staff took our fish order. As the sun went down we moved inside to a table and had a delicious feast and a few drinks including a decent glass of white wine. This is a cosy beach nook and a total treat! Our Italian friend told us he thought it was the best fish he'd had on the beach - but if you've missed their pre-order then go to the green cafe just next door which is great too!

A wonderful place to have your breakfast, just in front of the sea. Fresh food and brilliant service, I will miss it but keep the scenery in my mind.

Very tasty local food always served with a warm smile. My 1st choice in this area of Hikkaduwa. It's a great place to come and just chill on the beach and catch an amazing sunset.

Wow wow wow!!! We are staying for two weeks in the wooden cabana above the cafe in a spacious room that is spotlessly clean with the most spectacular view from the balcony We have eaten breakfast lunch and dinner here and the food is absolutely beautiful everything made from scratch with the freshest ingredients and made with love ❤️ the service is out of this world just the loveliest people that will do anything to please you they make you feel like family I would highly recommend anyone to take time to come here for a meal you will love it 🥰

What a gem! The owner and staff are absolute legends, great service, beautiful food, and I fully recommend the beach BBQ which my friends and I devoured on our last night. A real oasis in Sri Lanka. Also if you are into snorkelling the owner will get you a fantastic deal with some local contacts that was way better than what was being offered on the official tours.

My wife and I came here for an early breakfast. It was such a nice experience. We were the only guests and watched the waves breaking on the sandy shore. The food was delicious and there is a nice variety on the menu. The prices are reasonable and the staff were really nice and attentive. I would definitely recommend coming here to start your day.

Nice, small restaurant at the beach. Good food (everyday a little different, even if you order the same). Friendly stuff. Cards accepted.

Really nice place, we came across this cafe/restaurant by accident, but it was a lucky one. They have a wide offer of breakfast, brunch and lunch options. Their avocado toast is massive, but was consumed in seconds by my girlfriend and the Korean Poke was soooo nice with plenty of veggies. Big thanks to them for personalizing my order by substituting pork with chicken. Their interior is so nice and relaxing.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The best café we visited during our trip in Sri Lanka! The coffee was perfectly balanced and full of flavor – with beautiful latte art that made every cup special. The avocado toast was fresh, delicious, and one of the best we’ve had. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and you can really feel the love and passion put into every detail. Highly recommended for anyone looking for great coffee and amazing food in Hikkaduwa!

Staff were friendly and easy to get a seat inside or out. Cushioned seats and low tables outside and AC inside. When I went, they were having renovations done so there was a little bit of building noise. Coffee was nice but food was average for the price. Hippy, boho vibes and cute store next door.

Salty Swamis has got to be the best place we have found in our 3 weeks in Sri Lanka. Since discovering it, have been back each day. Great atmosphere and staff and the food and drinks are SO good! Loved the fish tacos and today had the Korean rice bowl and Brisket sandwich. The smoothies are yum! Also, added bonus is a really cool bathroom.

one of the best cafe in arugam bay. had breakfast burritto, schnitz sandwich & iced matcha with oat latte. the food were so delicious aswell as the matcha plus a relaxing atmosphere that makes you slow down, soak in and appreciate life. would recommend!

Definitely the best brunch in Hikkaduwa! We got the breakfast burrito and the teriyaki chicken. Both were extremely tasty and generous portion size also. Followed up with some local coffee and a cinnamon bun we really enjoyed our meal here. Slightly more expensive than other places in the area but worth it!

The best coffee in Hikkaduwa!! Great food, friendly service, super chill atmosphere, lovely filtered water on each table and a hip surf shop attached! We came almost every day. Thank you Swamis!

During the day, when walking up and down the beach in Hikkadua, you are spoiled for choice where to eat. The beach is over two miles long from the southern part up to the bridge where the turtles swim in the shallows. The adjacent main road can be very busy, the often chaotic Galle-Colombo road. Today’s choice is Top Secret, ironically named as it’s near a relatively busy part of the beach. They’re not playing music that loud. I find dance music too intrusive during the daytime when eating. Unfortunately a lot of places do this as a way to create a certain ‘vibe’. Flags from several countries are at the entrance. I promptly locate the manager and ask why my country is not there? After glancing at them he looks at me and says ‘from where?’ I replied I’m from the U.K then as I presumed, he pointed to the English flag. After a quick geography lesson, he tells me the Welsh and Scottish flags were stolen last year! Anyway I took a seat in the deserted restaurant as most were outside on sun loungers. Lunchtime I very rarely order a curry or kottu. I usually order a fruit salad or omelette of some sort. I’ll often go for a swim, so curry is not really sensible. Today is the Sri Lankan omelette and I’m over familiar with it by now. I have a fresh mango juice also and a bottle of water. All staff are in uniform, polite, courteous and welcoming. An elderly woman who has walked up and down the beach I’m told for over forty years makes her way to the restaurant area. She has to be over 80 years old bless her. She is always in a white & purple dress. She carries bags of souvenirs. I’ve seen her several times. I offer to buy her food, she declines but likes an orange Fanta. I gave her a 1,000 rupees and took no gifts. She smiles, enjoys the rest before carrying on.

Nice place on the beach, there are tables out on the actual beach for the restaurant. Only ate dinner here so can’t comment on the stay. The food was tasty, they had a lot on the menu - some things were a bit pricy, tourist prices for sure. Service was good, the staff are friendly and helpful. Had some really nice cocktails and they have a pool table too.

Cool vibe and stylish interior. The pool table added an extra touch of fun to the atmosphere. There were many seating options available. I had a great time here and would definitely recommend it. The ambiance, friendly staff, and delicious food make it a must-visit spot for anyone looking for a memorable dining experience in HIkka

Nice location at the beach and delicious food, but service is quite slow. The „Devilled Vegetables with Rice“ are vegan (as far as we understood) and „spaghetti with fresh tomatoes“ is also vegan without the cheese.

I just love this place. The staff are really cool and welcoming people. Its a beach bar and you can find nice sun chairs, volleyball and outdoor showers. The vibe is welcoming and chill and they serve amazing drinks! Hope to be back one day 🎉🍹

My friends have been before, but this was my first lunch at 'Top Secret", right off the High Street in Hikkaduwa. You access this beach restaurant down a long wooden corridor which opens up to a large seating and eating area where Moroccan-style lanterns dangle in the sea breeze. It is right on the beach in the sand, and you feel the cooling breeze here from the crashing surf. The avocado and prawn salad is superb, and I had the Grilled Shark as a main, which was delicious (in a devilled sauce) and much cheaper than swordfish or tuna steaks elsewhere. The Crab Spaghetti is excellent too, and as it's been shelled, you don't have to fight with your lunch! Their Sri Lankan Curries are excellent too, (and very reasonably priced) especially the Dahl, the Cucumber and the Garlic curries. Good chilled Chilean Sauvignon wine is available, as well as cold Czech lager... The staff are professional and not obtrusively over-attentive, and it's obvious the Chef knows what he's doing. The dishes were all freshly prepared, and as we waited for our tasty lunch, we sipped our drinks and watched the pretty Scandinavian girls in their bikinis and fit boys on the beach braving the giant waves. Highly recommended.

This place is awesome great customer service. We absolutely loved seafood fries. Highly recommended. Went back second time for it.

We ordered chicken soup, special seafood plate, mix fruit lassi. All of them were taste good and fresh, seasoned with some nature tomato sauce, lemon slices. The price is reasonable( one bottle water is $250), seems not scamming price. If you’re not in a hurry to eat, this is a good place to come.

Food was amazing! We ordered the seared fish and seafood salad, both were prepared to perfection. The service was a bit slow and we had to prompt the waiter to order food and drinks. The food did take a long time to come out (we waited for about 30 minutes) but it is all prepared fresh! It was worth the wait!

Genuinely impressed with this little local gem ! Great food, absolutely outstanding service. Ignore the snobby reviews, this place really is nice. Very attentive staff & the snapper + prawns were great. A wee heavy on the sauce so recommend advising them to go easy on it. See my pics for reference.

Dropped in here for dinner and had a short wait for a table. Definitely caters to western tourists but followed previous reviewers and ordered the papadam with mango chutney and the mango coconut calamari and was not disappointed! So delicious! Large portions but I had every last bite. Highly recommend if you're in the tourist district and don't feel like walking too far.

I chose to try this restaurant because of good reviews, however, it was not worth the price paid. Atmosphere was good for evening sunset time even though not much to see around. Staffs okay. - Mango coconut prawn curry : portion is good but the curry was way too sweet. - Grilled seer fish(ordered instead of snapper which was not available) : expected 'grilled' without any sauce but it was covered with tomato sauce on top. Still not bad. - Battered fried calamari : Deep fried just as expected. Good. - Veg fried rice : over-seasoned and requires some more kinds of veg in it If the price are similar to others I'd rather go to somewhere else by the beach.

following other reviews, we went for mango coconut mains (one prawns and one calamari). and indeed they were mouthwatering! after almost 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, it was a pleasure to try some new flavours. we also had poppadom and mango chutney as a starter, which was also very good, and helped sedating the hunger while waiting for the mains. to be fair, I did not find the wait so bad at all, but I may be getting accustomed to it. on a Wednesday night at 6:45pm, we snatched the last table. there must have been at least another 20 people after us looking for a table, but they were all turned away. worth making a reservation!

The restaurant was quite dirty. The serves were slow. The seafood soup I had was salty and fishy. The crab was fresh though. However, the chips was cold. My friend ordered fish that was not fresh and fully of sand. We are not sure why there are so many good reviews for this restaurant.

Dale and his team are very friendly and helpful. On particular team member Sunil (hopefully spelled right) went out of his way to make sure we had a great stay. He brought my wife a present from his home (homemade chocolate cake) - that was very kind. Dale helped us all through the holidays even when we weren’t staying with him. The food here was excellent - We had a great stay here and had access locally by Tuk Tuk. The Asian Jewel organised our days out locally - highly recommend this hotel - top class service.

Whilst spending a day seeing the sights in Galle, I needed to rehydrate and have a toilet stop. The old Dutch Hospital is an array of small boutique shops and cafes. I amble upstairs and stumble across a coffee shop with a spectacular panoramic view of the harbour. Whilst waiting for my cappuccino, I could hear three very distinct British voices. I go over and introduce myself and it’s not long till we’re engaged in good old fashioned British banter and satirical humour. One of the women asks where I had I visited in Sri Lanka and where was I heading to next? She then remarked “you have to visit Asian Jewel in Hikkadua, you’ll love Dale! They do a wonderful Sunday Roast and have a great menu”. So upon reaching Hikkadua, it’s been four weeks of travelling and by now some quality British comfort food is precisely what’s desired. I arrive by tuk tuk and the setting is very welcoming. There’s an outdoor pool, panoramic view of the nearby lake and great restaurant seating area. The staff are very courteous, engaging and professional. I had sent a message to the owner to request a cottage pie so the staff were aware as soon as I was seated. The ambiance was idyllic and I absolutely adore the Wurlitzer jukebox they have here. The meal is served promptly and it doesn’t disappoint. Fresh vegetables, jug of gravy and a very hearty wholesome portion of cottage pie is served in a dish. This is just what the doctor ordered and really hits the spot. Rivals what your mum used to make back in the day, comfort food at its finest. I only had a bottle of water whilst I chatted to other guests in the vicinity. One guest recommended the lime cheesecake for desert, so I ordered exactly that. Five minutes later it’s served and just by looking at it, I knew I was in for a treat. This was very bespoke and the taste was divine. It was garnished with local exotic fruit and was lip smackingly delicious. The base also was rich in taste and full of flavour, had a soft crunch texture. This was the perfect accompaniment to my Sunday treat. I relaxed for 30/45 mins in the peaceful surroundings before leaving. The prices are very affordable and I tipped generously to show my gratitude. A well deserved five stars. 🌟

⭐️A Culinary Gem! Five Stars All the Way! Highly recommended for food lovers, date nights, or anyone wanting to treat themselves to a fantastic meal. We can’t wait to return!

We went for Xmas dinner (full British roast) and weren’t disappointed! My husband is very picky and gave it 10/10. Great staff, great food and affordable .100% recommend! Thanks again for a great day

we did not stay but went fir dinner. During a recent stay at our villa in Hikaduwa, another couple recommended a quaint little restaurant known for its exceptional curry plates. Intrigued, we decided to book a table in advance, and I'm thrilled we did! We opted for a variety of curry dishes including chicken, prawn, and seafood. To our delight, the portions were generous, easily satisfying three hungry diners with some of the most delicious flavors we've encountered. The restaurant is a bit off the beaten track, which added to the charm and adventure of the evening. We found ourselves double-checking the directions, but it was well worth the journey. As we were the only guests that night, the service was outstanding—attentive and personal, making us feel like VIPs. For those looking for an exceptional dining experience in a cozy, less-traveled locale, this is the place to go. Be sure to book ahead and prepare to be amazed by their superb curry plates. Highly recommend for an unforgettable evening!

We went for lunch and we were not disappointed! Definitely deserves the great reviews, the food was amazing! Location is beautiful. Away from the heat of the beach and main road and overlooking a stunning lake. Such a nice change from the beach restaurants. 100% coming back 😊

We've been twice for food at the Asian Jewel. Our first order was battered prawns' chips & salad. Shepherds pie with boiled veg & gravy. Second order was the Mega English breakfast & Sri Lankan Omelette. Both visits the food has been to a very high standard and very tasty. It's a little off the beaten track but well worth going. The setting is beautiful' overlooking the Lagoon. Whether you're looking for a taste of home (UK) or traditional Sri Lankan food' this place is a must. The staff are all very polite and attentive.

Great restaurant with reasonable prices. The portions are big and really tasty! Thank you

Had a lovely dinner last night. We had the chop suey and it was great :). If you ask they will adjust the spicyness. The hosts are very welcoming and kind. Also: it's not temporarily closed!!

Very nice place with great meals We had traditional rice & curry, the serving seemed small at the first sight but we were full after finishing it! The lady in charge was very kind and always smiling. We definitely recommend this place :)

Excellent rice and curry in Hikkaduwa! We love the chicken curry, and the calamari curry (option to top up to the base vegetarian curry which comes with 2 veg and 1 dhaal curry). They are able to accomodate for non-spicy requests. Come here and enjoy some authentic Sri lankan curry!

So, SO glad we ate here! We came in for dinner on our first day in Hikkaduwa and ate the day’s special Pork Curry with red rice which was stunning! My partner got the Egg Curry which was delicious too. The portion sizes are absolutely perfect and very affordable. We loved eating here so much we came back for lunch; the fish curry was just *chefs kiss*. Definitely a must visit!

Delicious curries!!! I love the homey feel of this place, it has so much greenery and captures the breeze for cooling. My favorite was the squash curry and daal, I could not get enough. Delicious fresh juices too of course. I had been recommended this place by several locals and tourists alike, and it did not disappoint!

super friendly, family run restaurant. we had pumpkin soup and poppadom with guacamole as starters - both good. then one chicken and one prawn curry - also good (especially the jackfruit pot we had never tried before). pity it was all rather mild in spiceness. might be good as first taste of Sri Lankan food, but after a few weeks in the country we would have preferred a much hotter curry experience

A must visit place if you are in Hikkaduwa. We tried shrilankan stuffed roti, veg and non veg, both were really good. It's a tiny roadside basic place with seating. No ambience as such.an get crowded at lunch and dinner time. They serve small portions. Reasonably priced. Small wash basin. Don't expect great service.

Good and tasty Roti, staff was however not so engaged. They even served the Roti wrong to me and my girlfriend and included olives which none of us like... The restaurant only has fans and no A/C. It is right out to the heavy traffic road so there is a lot on noise. I recommend going here for a quick good lunch. They don't accept credit card. And one thing that was just annoying me was the waiter had to constantly run back to the kitchen for exchange instead of having a real cash registration at the front desk..

It's not the cheapest roti around with above average prices and a service charge, but it is also extremely tasty and made with quality incredients. I'm glad we came here for our final breakfast in Sri Lanka.

It was very different experience. Basically roti is stuffed with various filling. They have various options for stuffing. We ordered prawns, egg stuffing based roti. Service was quick. Rates were reasonable. Ambience was fine.

Very tasty and good prices 👌 There are a lot of different roti in the menu. There is a good beach near to the restoration)

From outside restaurant look like not fancy but dinner definitely was delicious and price is low, highly recommend

Best roti I tasted in Sri Lanka! Try avocado, shrimp, tomato & cheese. Ask some garlic as an extra filling 😙👌

If you’re looking for an authentic local family run restaurant, then this is it. There’s a reason this restaurant receives such praise and glowing reviews. I’ve been in Sri Lanka a while now and this is the best local food I’ve ever tasted. Mr Laxman greets you when you arrive and the family home is pristine and has an idyllic setting. I’m shown a menu but I know exactly why I’m here. The restaurant showcases a traditional menu. However before I order the Sri Lankan curry with fish, I have the chicken soup as a starter. I also try an orange & mint lassi. I arrived mid afternoon and it was quiet. This restaurant is very popular in high season. The chicken soup had bay leaves, garlic, cinnamon and other local spices. Needless to say it was absolutely delicious. Time for the main event, I ordered the tuna curry, garlic rice, okra, daal, aubergine and jackfruit. All were in traditional clay pots with small wooden spoons. The rice was the best rice I’ve tasted in weeks! How do they do it? Absolute perfection. I enjoyed all the dishes and savoured every mouthful. The cook came out from the kitchen also to say a quick hello which was nice. Mr Laxman proudly introduced her as the boss. The decor is contemporary modern and the colour combinations work very well. Light fell mid afternoon so Mr. Laxman turned on the lampshades creating a lovely cosy ambience. I ordered a mango juice also whilst listening to the rain water the garden. Finally after my meal has been digested, I order some vanilla & strawberry ice cream for desert. A hearty wholesome meal and very affordable also. A truly well deserved five stars. 🌟

Incredible food! We visited during the off-season, so it was quieter than it would be in peak season, which felt like a real treat. We loved it so much we went to Canal View twice because it was exceptional. The spice levels and flavors were spot on, and we’d say it was the best meal of our entire month in Sri Lanka. Highly recommend!

One of the best kottus i ate so far on a 3 week vacation in Sri Lanka. I can fully recommend the Chicken&Cheese Kottu with some spices. The Garden is beautiful and very quiet and the service is great. They care about you like in a 5 Star Hotel.. totaly amazing 🤩

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ One of the best curries we had in Sri Lanka! The food was absolutely delicious, fresh and full of flavor. Every curry was perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented. The atmosphere is calm and welcoming, with a lovely view of the canal. The service was warm and friendly, which made the experience even better. Definitely a must-visit when in Hikkaduwa – highly recommended!

Great Homestyle yet Luxury Cuisine Experience!! Kudos to Laxman & their wonderful family for arranging great meals 🍲 To Try :- They also have a Larger Beer 🍺. Try the Srilanka Chicken Curry With Red Rice & 4 Vegetables.

Tucked away you’ll find a beautifully decorated outdoor porch of this home style restaurant. We called and made a reservation ahead of time just to be sure. The menu was extensive but we went with the traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry. Not only was it delicious but it was served elegantly with traditional pots. For dessert we had the banana fritters which were rasayi! Would recommend if you want something home made and local.

A wonderful family run restaurant serving top class Sri Lankan meals in a lovely home environment. We came based on the reviews and the recommendation of our driver, Prashad. We ordered Cashew Curry, Chicken Curry and Seafood Kotthu which we shared. Each dish was delicious and generous. We wanted to try curd so ordered fruit salad, curd and honey for dessert. Beautifully presented and delicious. Not too sweet as we like it. You pour your own liquid honey to your liking. At the end of the meal the family came out to thank us for coming. A real personal touch.

The Crab Shack offered a pleasant dining experience despite the irony of not having any crab available. The food was undeniably fresh, and the service was attentive and welcoming. The grilled prawns were perfectly cooked, and the clams had a rich, flavorful sauce. The setting was relaxing, making it a great spot for a laid-back lunch. A solid place to visit if you’re in the area, though the absence of their namesake dish was a bit disappointing!

The location of this restaurant is perfect. The view of the beach, gardens, welcoming breeze and layout is all too inviting. Staff are immaculately dressed. The tables are laid as they should be. This is after all part of the Hikka Tranz Cinnamon Hotel. They pride themselves on excellence. So this will be my 33 rd restaurant I’ve eaten in Hikkadua the last three months. What to expect is a variety of choice and you certainly have that if you’re a lover of seafood. I arrived at lunchtime and I’m the only person. The seafood is on display and staff look generally bored. This is natural when the restaurant is empty. I’m greeted by the delightful Yashoda who is well spoken, courteous and friendly. She accompanied me to the seafood counter whilst I looked at the display. I ordered the jackfish along with fries and salad. I sat in the top corner so to benefit from the gentle breeze that flowed from the beach. A few moments later I was brought a bottle of mineral water by a waitress named Hashini. She is a trainee at the restaurant and has the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen in Sri Lanka. This young lady really beams with happiness and brightens up your day. I had to ask twice for an ice bucket and salt and pepper also. The fish was very bland and tasteless. You do have small pots of garlic butter, ketchup and one other for salad dressing. I think it was a vinaigrette? The fries were ok, however the salad was mostly lettuce and half a chopped tomato with a slice of cucumber. The minimal grated carrot and cabbage. The fish was small, yes I chose it over red snapper and seer fish having tried them elsewhere. Staff walk near your table, see that the bottle is empty yet fail to ask you for a refill. Dillon managed this twice and he’s the supervisor. After my meal, I’m still hungry. This is not a good sign. So I order what I thought to be raspberry cheesecake for desert. What I received was raspberry cheesecake ice cream! One scoop in a take away pot, not a bowl that you would eat from at a table. The price including service charge was nearly 7,500 rupees. You can have the all you can buffet for much less. So to summarise, a dissatisfied lunch.

Yashoda served us and we had a great experience. The seafood was delicious - we had barracuda, scampi and king prawns. As well, we ordered some garlic rice and seafood noodles. Everything was delicious.

I'm staying at a different hotel but ventured along here to try the crab and it was great! I got the crab curry which was really well cooked and spiced just right, and bursting with flavour. The waitress who served me, Yashoda was so kind and attentive to me and made me feel very welcomed.

Crab Shack – Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon – 5-Star Family Lunch Experience! We had an impromptu family lunch at Crab Shack on 5th July 2025 while on our way to Galle Fort, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip! Though unplanned, everything about the experience felt just right—from the warm ambiance to the exceptional food. Known for their seafood, Crab Shack truly lived up to its reputation. Every dish was well-prepared and full of flavour, especially the seafood fried rice and the signature noodle stack topped with a perfectly cooked egg. The presentation was beautiful, and the portions were generous. Even the soup had a delightful balance of spice and creaminess. What made the experience even better was the attentive and supportive staff, who ensured our family felt comfortable throughout the meal. My kids had a great time not only at the restaurant but also exploring the hotel premises, which are clean, spacious, and welcoming to families. We’ll definitely be returning on our next trip and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Crab Shack to anyone looking for a family-friendly, seafood-rich culinary stop in Hikkaduwa.

Best meal in Hikkaduwa hands down!!! What can we say about Crab Shack - it’s a hidden gem that has the best service and fun dining experience. We aren’t guests at the hotel but stumbled upon a review and thought we would try the restaurant for our last night. We just wish we came here earlier! The staff (Deeghayu, Sanjeewa and Nisangala) were amazing from the start. Sat us at the best table, answered every question and even let us try the Nam Jin sauce before. We picked the King Prawns grilled, red snapper grilled and battered cuttlefish with garlic rice and French fries. We loved the whole process. Picking the fish and watching it get weighed. INCREDIBLE PRICE! We were unsure what sauce to go for so the staff kindly offered them all. We had at least 7 sauces and 2 helpings of them all for no extra price. The red snapper was the highlight. Everything about our evening was fantastic, made even more special by the wonderful service. Thank you team - we had a great last night in Sri Lanka.

We had 300g of prawns, 500g of scampi (two), 150g of cuttlefish, a crab bisque, and tuna tataki. The food was fresh and cooked well, and the flavours were good. The downside was the limited selection — several fresh seafood selections were simply not available that day, so choices felt a bit thin despite the menu. The total came to about 14,000 LKR, which was slightly pricey for what we ordered. A decent seafood stop if you’re happy with what’s in stock.

Amazing! Such delicious food. So delicious we came back 4 times! We tried lots of different things but the Sri Lankan breakfast was our favourite. Sooo delicious and authentic with lovely staff and relaxed atmosphere. 10/10 would definitely recommend!

We ate here yesterday and today we had the rice and curry and the khottu. The currys dishes I believe vary each day. The food was amazing and every dish was full of flavour. One of the best places we have been in Sri Lanka for rice and curry

I go here every morning for a Sri Lankan breakfast - my favourite place to have breakfast. The food is delicious, the coffee is strong and the people are so friendly and kind. It’s perfect location - away from the main road so it’s very peaceful. I will continue coming for breakfast every day that o am here. Thank you ❤️

Loved the variety in the menu. Also, Mr. Siri is a gem of a person, lovely to talk to. Efficient service by all staff members. They had unique blends of lassi with local fruits. The red flour string hoppers (included in the Sri Lankan breakfast) is a must try for local flavours. The picture is of a papaya lassi.

It's so delicious. If you want to eat traditional Sri Lankan food in Hikkaduwa, you must come here! It's really delicious! I came here 2 days in a row.🤩🤩🤩

Very local and lovely restaurant which we were very happy to find as it opens early unlike most other restaurants in the area!! Very lovely staff and owner who was very grateful for our custom! Had a very big and tasty Sri Lankan breakfast! Even gave us complimentary pancakes with coconut and honey when we left!

Avoid the overpriced, touristy restaurants and visit Isira coffee shop! This was my favorite restaurant I visited in Hikkaduwa because of its delicious authentic Sri Lankan food, authentic feel, low price point, and friendly staff. It was nice to get off the main road and enjoy a bit of peace and quiet while eating. I ordered the Sri Lankan breakfast twice (pictured); it was so affordable and delicious. I quite enjoyed the coffee that comes with the meal! Note that this place is cash only, but it’s worth visiting an ATM to have a meal here.

Walked along the beach and stopped in here for some lunch, staff very friendly offered advice on the food. Food came quickly and was some of the best we have had on the beach as well as being one of the most reasonably priced. My wife and I both ate lunch with drink each which came to approx £20.

Nalin is a really super cool guy. Good food & Drinks. I had the best Arrack Cocktail here during the entire vacation, fresh Maracuja and Pineapple in it. Breakfast directly at the beach underneath Palm Trees.

Flying visit to see the sunset and try the cocktails out .Sat on the Beach beds to partake. Just lovely. Thanks.

We spent a month in Hikkaduwa and we ate at Drunken Monkey almost every day! They have delicious food, the best staff and great atmosphere. The location is perfect - right on the beach with a surf break right out front. Their beach lounge chairs were a life saver during midday heat and the restaurant itself was great to hide in from monsoon rains, perfect for storm watching! In the previous reviews there are some complaints about having to buy food and drinks when using their chairs. I find those reviews super unfair. Their chairs are comfortable and provide much needed shade. They don’t charge for them and just ask that you help support their business by ordering drinks and food. The prices are reasonable and I think it’s totally fair! We can’t wait to be back!

Perfect place, very nice and helpful staff. We were here twice and we will come again. Most of the negative reviews are not really true. We wanted to avoid this place due to bad reviews but we tried anyways and it was a great choice! Food is really good - of course, the burger doesn’t look really fancy, but you are at Sri Lanka, order curry instead. It’s gorgeous. The waiter, Prasad, was able to supply us with shisha - hookah. Definitely try Arrack cocktail, it’s quite good.

Great food and even better mojitos! Staff are super friendly and helpful, especially Nalin! We came nearly every day and he greeted us with a big smile :) we will definitely be back!

Very tasty food and also everything is very fresh Nali is a very nice waiter.

Visited this place twice in Dec 2024 while we were staying at Hikkaduwa. Have to say the food is great. We ordered pizzas, which takes a bit longer since they're using a wood fire stove. Poke bowl, Teriyaki chicken was so tasty. The place is nice and spacious. Located next to the beach. The vibe is quite different (kind of a hippy vibe). There's a parking space too. This was a plus for us to visit this place because most of the small restaurants are located beside the road with no parking space.

The worst potato wedges we ever had. They came cold and dry like it was yesterday’s potato fries served. The burger beef was not cooked properly . . The chicken popcorn was as bland as hospital food. On complaining to the server regarding the homemade chips, we were told that the oil machine was broken. Does that mean we get old food? No compensating, nothing. The entire order of the meal was below average. Flavour less. Staff seemed disinterested in service . On top of that there was service charge added for bad food and bad service.

Beautiful spot on the beach. Laid back vibe with live music on Friday nights. Good Food.

Mambo’s is a nice hub for people. Go there for drinks and a small bite. Party is also possible and good to have a look. Food was not that special but okay for a quick bite.

I enjoyed the restaurant; the food and drinks were tasty, but the service was a bit slow. Despite that, it's a great spot to hang out with friends. The only drawback is it's a tad expensive. Overall, the positive aspects, including the delicious food and inviting ambiance, make it a good choice for a casual get-together with friends.

A beautiful place to just sit and relax. Great views of the Indian ocean as well. However, the food and drinks weren't that great. Fish was over cooked and rice dishes were average compared to the price. Both food and drinks are pricy compared to other places around the area. On the plus side the service staff was great! Also, this place is cash only.

Loved this beachfront place! Staff was incredibly friendly and chill, some of the best in Hikkaduwa. It’s a fun ambiance, they have live music twice a week and the band is incredible. Also a fantastic place to watch the sunset. Food is great too, although a bit pricey relative to other places. I would highly recommend!!

Really good coffee and sweet owners! We came back three days in a row for the coffee🙏🏼 I loved the iced latte, with coconut milk or normal milk, either way it was good👏🏼👏🏼🎺🎺🕺🏼🕺🏼🧚🏽‍♀️🧚🏽‍♀️‼️❤️‍🔥😍

The coffee was excellent, and the owner was really friendly. The environment was cozy and welcoming. We tried the banana porridge, and it was tasty. Definitely worth it!

amazing cappuchino from a very friendly owner. I enjoyed going there often. always had one or two cappuchinos and an omlett. however, outside seating is just by the main road which is not really relaxing. long atory short; the coffee is amazing, omletts are good.

Great spinach omlette with Butter toast for a great breakfast. Also amazing homemade cakes with a good Ceylon Black tea as a Snack or at tea time!! 🥥🍌 Close to beach, u can watch and try surfing. 🏄🏼☕️🫖🍽

Hard to believe that we found this place on our last day in Sri Lanka. It was definitely the best cup of coffee. We’ve had the entire trip. Highly recommend it.

This is a pretty basic coffee shop you can visit. We tried two burgers and only positive thing about that was the price. Taste was so bad and it was obvious that the oil used for frying french fries were pre used oil. So the taste was not that good. Definitely not going back..

Excellent coffee and lovely owner :-) we came twice during our time in Hikkaduwa and can recommend a little break here. Food also looked delicious. Photo: delicious Affogato 🍨

Sam's Bar in Hikkaduwa is my go-to spot for watching Premiere League games on TV. With three screens, I never miss a moment of the action. The comfy seats make for a relaxed viewing experience, and the service is always top-notch. Whether you're a football fanatic or just looking for a cozy spot to catch a game, Sam's Bar delivers the perfect atmosphere

Firstly the food was fine. Wine not on the menu was available but not great and $8USD and was really bad. Double the price of anywhere in Hikkaduwa. The worse part was the service. All the servers were inattentive. Most of the time on their phones. Only way to get any service was to wave your arms and call out. Told Sam the owner. Didn’t seem to care too much. His servers are costing him money. Might be great for sport but service and pricing terrible.

A cute dive bar in the city. We loved the exceptional service and spent the night enjoying beer on tap, playing pool and listening to some great music. Thanks for the exceptional service.

Great for Sports. Owner turned on Rugby for people that wanted and EPL was showing too. Draft Beer was nice and service good. We didn’t have a great experience with food hence the lower score but the owner was nice about it and apologised, weren’t charged. Would 100% go back to watch sport but would give the food a miss.

Totally ok place for drinks. Don't know about foods here. Couple of big TV's to show different sport channels.

I like the place , it was empty however I guess it's becoz it was off season, but overall the place is good

Good place if your intention is to watch sport. I visited two nights in a row to watch the English Premier League. A beer here will set you back 1000 of the local currency. They accept card payments which is a bonus.

Chami is simply the best host you could wish for. From exception on the menu to flexibility on every aspect to accommodate our needs. Anything you need this place have you covered. Help to find the cheapest taxi price, menu variations, three house mood and chill vibes with excellent ambiance is what you can find here at chami’s. Enjoy your experience in Hikkaduwa staying here! I would add that this place is a paradise for smokers of any kind too 🌿 ;)

What a gem in Hikkaduwa. The food was spectacular. Had fish the first night and was extraordinary. The second night had the lagoon crab and the salad was fantastic as well. So good. Kind staff and it is very reasonable ✨🙏✨

Beware of scammers. I booked a room with a private bathroom for a week through Booking and paid in advance. When I arrived, they gave me a dirty room with dampness, wood smells, and mold, with a shared bathroom in poor condition. When I told them that this was not my reservation, the owner shouted, “You pay what you deserve. If you don’t like the room, go somewhere else.” He refused to cancel the reservation. I have never seen such rude treatment. Finally, the sockets did not work, so I had to charge my phone in the restaurant.

Great guest house and restaurant just set back slightly from the main strip of Hikkaduwa. Spent many evenings eating at Chami’s whilst in Hikka, he’s an amazing guy, who’s helped us out a lot with tours & accommodation. He’s food is great & the beer is cheapest I’ve seen in Hikka 🤣

We discovered this lovely spot while staying in Hikkaduwa!! What a hidden gem! The food was absolutely delicious, with generous portions and freshly prepared meals👌🏻. The service was excellent too!! A big shoutout to Chami and the rest of the team for making us feel so welcome. Highly recommended!

I must say.. possibly the best curries we've had in Sri Lanka so far. Tucked away up a little street means the prices aren't as extortionate as those on the strip. Great jungle feeling open air restaurant. We got the vegetable curry and coconut mango prawn curry and the portions were pretty huge. Mojito could have been a bit better but also I'm not sure the family drink alcohol so can't complain. They also had some good tunes on the local radio 😋 Highly recommend 🙏🏻

Came for the reasonable rate of the rooms, but the real treasure is Chami and his staff. Chami will help you make your stay in Sri Lanka better, not just his own place, the whole country if he can help it! Besides that the food and drinks were good and the rooms and facilities well maintained. Definitely the best place for those on a budget. Want more luxury, Chami also owns/runs Hikka Green.

Nice atmospheric place with good music, but food isn't. Fried rice - isn't actually fried (but portion is big enough). Seafood soup - disgusting. Shrimp avocado salad is controversial no.

Located right on Galle Road near the famous Main Point in Hikkaduwa, Surf Control is a great spot for surfers and anyone looking to relax with great food. The seafood is incredibly fresh. The white snapper I had was perfectly cooked and wonderfully delicate. The laid-back atmosphere makes it an ideal post-surf stop, and Sanath, the owner, is always kind, welcoming, and ready to help. Highly recommended for a true local experience by the sea.

I am very disappointed in the service. We ordered and the waitress obviously didn't understand us. We got food for four people and after addressing the misunderstanding, we only got the answer: you can take it home. We didn't even touch a meal and the waitress came and just asked us why we didn't eat the food. No empathy, no apologies. Mistakes can happen, but reacting in this way is not ok. Of course we could pay for everything. I just don't understand why you don't ask about the amount of food when you obviously don't speak English. You have to realize that you misunderstood something, when you bring 2 people so much food. The food was ok not great except for the prawn curry. That was very good. I wouldn't recommend this place.

Love this spot, it has the BEST curry!!! Such a cool vibe and the kindest staff. Will be coming back here for sure, thanks guys.

Love this place! We were dining here many times, alway delicious food, great atmosphere, good people working here. Highly recommend rice&curry and fried prawn 🤤🤤🤤 Best place in Hikkaduwa♥️

Nice place to sit, take beer ir two. Good music, vibe. Also here you can play table games. Small menu comparing to other Hikkaduwa places, but quite often small variety of menu means better food. In our case: ordered pawns avocado salads, bbq pawns with chips and salads, grilled chicken with chips and chips. We were satisfied. Some prices higher than other places, but it was worth all the RS.

Very rad little restaurant. I got the red snapper and it was very fresh, they have you go downstairs to pick what fish you want to eat and they cook it up, and it was delicious. The guys who work here are all surfers and very cool. The dining area is relaxed with cushions on the floor and a kind of tiki hut experience. They play great music as well. I’d highly recommend this place!

10/10 food here! We came multiple times during our 2 week stay volunteering, I had the smoothie bowl and the pancakes which were both incredible! The iced matcha too was amazing and the staff were so friendly. Portions are huge and great value for money, really nice atmosphere and cute little shop where you can buy clothes from too. Really worth a visit if you’re nearby!

Quite easily one of the nicest and most flavourful breakfast spots I've visited in awhile. Food arrived within 5 minutes or so. Presentation was unbelievable. And the food was just perfect. Tried a few menu items and was satisfied with every one of them. The staff were super chilled and very welcoming. Highly recommend if you happen to be in Hikkaduwa.

The food was unreal — really fresh and full of flavour. The coffee was the best I’ve had in Sri Lanka. Only downside was that they forgot my wife’s order, so I’d finished my hot breakfast before they realised. A shame, as everything else was spot on!

Loved this place! We were a bit group and everybody was very satisfied with their order. Small and cozy, lovely staff. I got the chia pudding and was delicious, another friend had the French toast with caramel and was so good! Cappuccino was great too. Definitely recommend

Best breakfasts in Sri Lanka, we came here multiple times and were always happy. Lovely staff and good coffe too.

Super Yummi!😍 Burger & Bowl & Brownie we had were super tasty. Staff is very friendly. 100/10 food experience. Highly recommend to you if you are in the area or even just drive by.

This is one of the best places I have been….. am going to stay here for six months so lucky me!!!! The food is excellent, very healthy (the dark brown bread is so delicious) and the plates are beautifully made up!!! The service is great…… they are all super friendly and delightful to talk to….. love this place!!!!

On our first night in Hikkaduwa, we went to Steffi's Mandala, a place I had saved earlier because it was recommended on Lonely Planet. Since other spots were closed due to the low season, we decided to try it and what a pleasant surprise it was! We were welcomed by a stunning sunset and a lovely, relaxed atmosphere. The staff were kind and helpful, and the food was really good, especially their vega burgers, which we truly enjoyed. All in all, a great spot to relax and enjoy good food. We definitely recommend Steffi’s Mandala!

We didn't stay here, but came for lunch, the atmosphere and beach setting. I had the tofu, veg and rice bowl and it was absolutely delicious. Nice and healthy and a great place to chill.

We visited the place a few times during our stay in Hikkaduwa. The staff was very kind and helpful. We were there off-season, so it wasn’t crowded, which made it much more peaceful and pleasant. We had the opportunity to chat with the staff. Personally, I recommend taking a look around the small shop — they have all kinds of clothes, jewelry, and various accessories. It was my first time in Sri Lanka, but definitely not the last. It’s worth returning because this place is magical, and the friendliness of the locals truly gives it its charm.

We had dinner here and absolutely loved it! I enjoyed a very tasty, fresh and healthy rainbow bowl with falafel. Amazing location! Highly recommended.

The food was absolutely delicious and beautifully arranged on the plate. The staff were exceptionally friendly and welcoming. I wholeheartedly recommend visiting this little gem—it truly feels like a slice of paradise.

We ate here recently during our 5 day stay at Hikkaduwa. Loved the food, specially the Tuk Tuk Bowl with udon noodles. You'll meet nice people there such as Mr Kasun.

Located right on the beach this places serves only vegan food. Went there for breakfast and was not disappointed at all. All items on the menu looked super tempting. I ordered a tofu burger and it was super yummy and filling. This would be a great place to enjoy sunset and sip a few drinks.

Ranjit is a very friendly owner and runs this little cafe with his family. The portios are big and inexpensive. The food was very delicious, so far the best that we have tries. Eat food at local places and not the hotel restaurants. ✌️

Highly recommendable little restaurant full of authenticity, fresh ingredients and flavour in their food. Best mixed rice and kottu so far in Sri Lanka. Understandably, the ladies at the kitchen cook with care. Please, if you like their cuisine, let them know and... bon appetite!

Very good food served with smile 😊 just how we like it!

We visited three times here on our holiday. Food was tasty and fresh, dishes were big ones and price level was low. 😊 Service was good and friendly 😊 Food came fast except last time when the cafe was almost full on customers. My favorite dish was "Prawns Kothtu". Also curries were tasty 😋

Ordered rice and curries, waited a long time, the rice was the cheapest and not very tasty, the curries were 2 of 4 not bad. But we found many places where prices are lower and much tastier.

I recommend this place if you don't want to spend a lot of money. All the dishes are quite tasty, especially the kottu.

Best traditional food, very cute cooking woman in the kitchen. Best service from ranjith. He’s honestly interested at his guests. They serve originally Sri Lankan breakfast like string hoppers and also khitari. Just ask him one day before! They also do cooking classes! We ate here 4 of 5 days!

Small Local Sri Lankan restaurant with delicious food being served. Had me some chicken curry with rice,onions and other stuff. Very spicy and tasty at a very local price. I was the only tourist in there and got some stares 👋.they also have roti,limited cold and hot drinks.they need fans because it’s very hot inside. The plate of food along with a cold bottle of water was 450 LKR ($1.50 USD) highly recommended

Good food, local price, typical local Sri Lankan restaurant

Great vegan curry..

Worst service in Sri Lanka. Lazy people and food!

Great Rice and curry

(Translated by Google) A colorful establishment with local cuisine for local residents. We were the only tourists at lunchtime - we took one serving of curry for two because... The portions are very large, but we couldn’t finish it - it was very spicy! But the locals killed him on both cheeks) Another time they took buriani for 800 rupees, also one serving, it was already medium in spiciness, it was delicious) I definitely recommend trying fruit with ice cream and milkshakes, they are in the refrigerator at the very end of the hall and cost about 150 rupees each, but sooooo delicious! A full lunch for two here cost us 1,200 rupees. (Original) Колоритное заведение с местной кухней для местных жителей. Мы были единственными туристами в обеденное время - взяли одну порцию карри на двоих т.к. порции очень большие, но доесть её так и не смогли - очень остро! Но местные уминали его за обе щеки) В другой раз брали буриани за 800 рупии тоже одна порция, он уже средний по остроте, было вкусно) Обязательно рекомендую попробовать фрукты с мороженым и молочные коктейли, они стоят в холодильнике в самом конце зала и стоят примерно по 150 рупий, но ооооочень вкусные! Полноценный обед на двоих здесь нам обходился в 1200 рупий.

A proper find in what is mainly a tourist town. The food and service was quality. Asked if was ok to eat there as its a locals place but they were fine with it.

So I went to look for this place today 06/03/2025, but it would appear that it is no longer a restaurant. It does still have many books though, although I didn't actually see any proprietor.

Very nice view, only popped her for a beer. It was okay beer is beer. Waiter was very attentive but maybe a little too much. Very eager for a review kind of ruined the experience a little bit. And they charged service charge for 2 beers…

This was the best dining experience I've had, and it was extra special as I returned after 14 years! The seafood dishes were fresh and delicious. The view was absolutely stunning as always. The staff were friendly. When we needed to adjust a dish due to my husband's allergy , the owner personally made sure it was taken care of. I'm so impressed. I highly recommend this restaurant for a family meal or a special evening out.

One of the best beach restaurants I’ve ever been to. Really good atmosphere. Private beach and you can just relax. Food and drinks are very good too. I’ll definitely come again

Stopped off for a late lunch here. Sat at a table right by the sea with a beautiful view over the ocean. Varied menu. We were there around 3pm and restaurant was empty. Huge portions. Did not stay in the rooms so can't comment on that

If you’re craving the perfect blend of ocean breeze, fresh seafood, and coastal comfort, look no further than mama’s hotel. Nestled right on the beach, this hotel offers not just stunning views, but an unforgettable seafood dining experience food was so yummy 😋. We only stayed one night at Hotel Our room was clean, cozy, and had a beautiful view of the ocean. The sound of waves just outside made for the most peaceful sleep. We’ll definitely return for a longer stay next time.🫶🏻❤️

In short, we ordered their special rice. It took more than 20-30 minutes for it to arrive at the table. The food was cold and not worth the money. When we told the waiter about it, the first thing she said was, "We’ll get you a discount."

The food is deep fried slop covered in sweet and sour source. Eat up and shut up style grub. Nice view of the sea but the road noise is constant. Should've just walked an extra 50m to somewhere else.

Excellent food and service. I had prawn curry and my wife had chicken curry. They will cook it to your request . Mild, medium, hot ect. Highly recommended.

Cool Spot is a must-visit restaurant in Hikkaduwa, offering delicious Sri Lankan and international cuisine in a cozy and welcoming setting. Whether you're craving a flavorful curry, fresh seafood, or a refreshing tropical juice, this place has it all! The service is excellent, with friendly staff who make you feel at home. The portions are generous, the prices are reasonable, and the beachfront atmosphere adds to the overall experience. It’s the perfect spot to unwind after a day at the beach and enjoy a great meal. 📍 Tip: Try the seafood platter or Sri Lankan rice & curry—both are packed with authentic flavors!

Friendly and welcoming staff and a nicely decorated location to enjoy a meal in. We had rice and curry as well as an avocado and prawn salad. The curry was tasty but not the best I’ve had, while the salad was ok, but the prawns were frozen and not fresh. Prices are around average for the area close to the beach with most meals around the 1000LKR range.

Cool Spot is back! And it is even better than before! Great place, delicious food and beautiful service! The best place to eat in Hikkaduwa!

Excellent customer service and great food for affordable price. Had a lovely time.

Super cool spot indeed! Lovely staff, they didn’t have kotthu but we asked and they did it without any complaints

The staff were very friendly, and the prices are quite affordable. A great spot to visit!”

I’ve been to JHL twice the food was amazing, with good portions and so many dishes to try 😍 Everything came out so fast, and the staff was really nice. Honestly, one of the best spots in town 🍲🤎 However, I was a bit disappointed during my last visit. We went around 10:15 PM, but the manager asked us to leave since they were closed, even though Google says the closing time is 11 PM. Hope this feedback helps improve the consistency.

Great place to have a meal with the sea breeze and the stunning sunset. Food was delicious 🤤 and mouth watering. Recommend the seafood rice. And highly recommended the spicy chicken pasta. And the chocolate milk shake was good 👍 the only negativity is that they don’t accept any card payments.

The best seafood restaurant in Hikkaduwa! Stumbled on JLH restaurant as we were having a walk away from our hotel and went in for lunch. The Seafood Bucket is a very mighty and generous serving of all the best seafood to offer tossed in a signature sauce which can be adjusted to your spice level. Everything was super fresh & flavorful, hearty portions for 3-4 people with 2 side dishes (salad and fries) Best of all is the outdoor seating which is right on edge of the beach with spectacular views of the ocean waves crashing just meters away from your table. The service staff is also very quick, courteous and helpful. Pricing also is very good considering the portion sizes. Definitely would recommend this place to anyone visiting Hikkaduwa to drop by, even have a cocktail and rest while watching the waves crashing.

Found this hidden gem while we were walking and finding a place for lunch. Highly recommend this place. Delicious food worth the price. Atmosphere is very nice calm. Service is also really good. There's an uncle around his 50's or 60's. He is super friendly.

Great spot, awesome service, and the food was delicious! We got the seafood chopsuey rice and oysters—totally reasonable price. They even customized my oyster order, even though they only had 2kg on the menu, they gave me 4 pieces! Good job, keep it up!

“An army marches on its stomach, and if that stomach is filled with lobster, crab, and shrimp, victory is assured.” At JLH, we ordered the big seafood plate, an impressive array of oceanic conquests—lobster, crab, oysters, shrimp, jumbo shrimp, octopus, and more. A feast fit for an emperor! The portion was vast, enough to sustain three hungry soldiers, yet no warning was given. Still, at such a price, no complaints—only strategic miscalculations. The battle of flavor? A solid 4 out of 5. The seafood stood its ground, but a true victory required hot butter for the lobster and crab, and extra sauce for dipping. Without them, perfection remained just out of reach. The ambience? A fine coastal stronghold. Lighting was decent, and the view of the sea—formidable. Then there was Suranga, our commander of hospitality. His service was nothing short of elite—attentive, precise, and worthy of a grand dining hall. While JLH sits in middle-class territory, Suranga’s service belongs among the upper echelons of fine dining. But alas, even empires have their weak points—the bathroom could have been cleaner, and the lack of soap at the main toilet was an oversight. A secondary basin was available, but hygiene should never be an afterthought in a well-run campaign. Final verdict? A strong 4 out of 5, with just a few reinforcements needed to achieve total victory. —Napoleon Bonaparte, probably.

Great place esp. to see the sunset while enjoying a meal! However, food didn’t taste as we expected! Deviled prawns with rice, grilled tuna with chips, nothing reached our expectations! Even the mango juice & chocolate milk shake! felt that something is missing to delight the Sri Lankans taste buds!!

One of the well-known restaurants in Hikkaduwa. We tried the Seafood Fried Rice and it was one of the best we’ve ever had! Generous portions of fresh seafood (fish, cuttlefish, prawns, etc.) and served quickly without a long wait. The taste was excellent, though a bit spicier than expected for fried rice 🫣. The waiter was professional and very friendly. Overall, a great experience — highly recommended!

Great service staff. Good location. But the food misses the mark. Large portion sizes of mediocre food. Ordered prawn cocktail and whole fried fish. Both were covered in unnecessary, thick sauce. Only thing you could taste was the sauce. Fish was overcooked

Nice seafood restaurant on the main strip of Hikkaduwa. You can sit also on the first floor patio, which is nicer not to get impacted by the street. The room is full of spirit, I also liked that there were people inside (most places were empty at the beginning of November). Service was nice, they were quick to take the order and bring the food. Had the red lobster special soup and a rush Curry. Both tasted good, I enjoyed my dinner. The price was reasonable.

Been here before in 2023 and wanted to relive the experience so visited on 26th Aug 2025 for Lunch. Best as always. The service was good. The staff was welcoming and food came very fast. Quality of the food was great and not to mention the portion.... Damn they are huge.... I will be coming back soon and would not hesitate to recommend for others.

We were excited to try The Red Lobster in Hikkaduwa, but we were greatly disappointed. Upstairs is open area you can see the Main Street, and a breeze coming through, it was pleasant so I gave that a star. We ordered a grilled lobster and Sri Lankan style veg curry. The order came well into an hour and half and that too when trying to grab the attention of staff… we saw others of certain ethnicity arrive way after us and get served immediately and staff hovering around them. Next the food , the veg curry was excellent so I gave a star for that but the grilled lobster was tough and dry and hard to remove from the shell, so highly disappointed to have a horrible lobster at a place that specializes in them.

Good location and very good staff. Thank you. Very tasty food. Overall I like grilled prawn. Very delicious one.

Soup had nice sea food flavour but was little salty. Though Fried prawns were in good quantity, they charge it accordingly. Restaurant charged 2k+ SLR for fried prawns.. Difficult for two people to finish it. Served nice desert.

Nice oceanfront cafe. We ordered a plate of seafood. Delicious. Delicious cooked shark meat. The portion is large. Fire!

After several weeks in Sri Lanka, I can say this is one of the restaurants I'll always remember from my travel. The staff is very friendly, the food delicious, the prices affordable for what they offer, and the location unbeatable. You can also pay by card (VISA). My recommendation is to order fish or seafood and enjoy the sea breeze with good music and good company. The Google rating certainly doesn't do it justice to this Jewel; it should have a 5 or higher.

It's a great place. It's not as modern or fancy as the other places next to it, but I really like the vibe. There are some music posters and local paintings, the staff is friendly, and the food is good. I recommend it as a not obvious choice in Hikkaduwa.

Place is fantastic, it’s right by the ocean! The food is fantastic I could eat this everyday. Perhaps this was the only “fun” meal I had in hikkaduwa. I recommend you to come to this phenomenal place!

Food took a little while to arrive but definitely having the best lobster in town. Staff is really friendly which is worth mentioning.

Great place with an amazing atmosphere and a stunning view. The service is good — the service charge of 10% is worth it. The food is really tasty — we had the barracuda and tuna steak, both were excellent and the portions were big. The lime juice was also great — strong lime flavor, not just watered down. We came here a few times, and there’s always good music playing. Highly recommend!

Nice portions, kind staff and yummy food. The views make it for a great Sri Lankan breakfast too. It might look a bit hidden when walking the main road, but give it a try and you'll have a good meal in a nice cozy ambience. @lifetimetravelmates favourite!

Deliciously fresh seafood that is prepared perfectly! We booked for a large group and they bought a huge lobster that was the freshest we have ever had. I would recommend visiting A2 hungry as the portion sizes are huge!! The cocktails are good and very strong so all worth your money! The service is amazing here, very attentive and friendly and gave good recommendations and helpful tips throughout our dining experience. Would highly recommend!

Excellent service by Anishka! My husband was keep to try crab and they kindly cooked him 2 crabs - I can confirm it was one of the best meals he had. My jumbo prawns were equally great. Highly recommend it :)

A2 Restaurant is a fantastic spot in Hikkaduwa for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan food in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Though it’s not by the sea, the cozy atmosphere more than makes up for it. The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes, and everything we tried was fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. We went there everyday during our weeks stay in Hikkaduwa. The seafood curry is an absolute standout, packed with flavor and perfectly spiced. Their vegetarian options, like the Srilankan style curry and traditional dal, were equally delicious. The portions are generous, and the prices are very reasonable considering the quality of the food. What really sets A2 apart is the friendly and attentive service. The staff are always smiling and ready to offer recommendations if you’re unsure what to try. If you’re in Hikkaduwa and want a memorable meal in a laid-back setting, A2 Restaurant is definitely worth a visit. It’s the perfect spot to experience true Sri Lankan hospitality and flavors.

A2 Restaurant offers fresh seafood, awesome sea view at level 3. Service provided by Raja is close to the heart! Recommend all to come and have lunch or dinner! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Friendly staff and reasonable prices (if you stick to the menu). The staff at A2 Restaurant are quite welcoming, which made for a pleasant visit. Prices are clearly listed on the menu and are generally reasonable. However, be aware that if you order something not listed—like I did with two fried eggs—it can be unexpectedly expensive (Rs. 500). The meals are good, though not the best I’ve had. Overall, it’s a decent place for a quick bite, just make sure to check the menu before ordering extras.

We had a lovely meal here tonight. Plenty of selections. We opted for the Sri Lankan beef curry and had a plane naan on the side, it was very nice highly recommended. The service was very good and the waiters were very attentive. Definitely would go back again. The prices were very good. 👍

This place was recommended to us from someone familiar with the area and we are so glad we went! We had a fantastic seafood dinner for four persons - delicious calamari and prawns fresh with garlic, along with a whole grouper grilled and crab done Chinese style, with rice, fries and salad plus ice cream! As tourists, we felt comfortable eating the salad and no problems the next day. Very attentive and warm service. We had a nice table on the very top - with a fresh breeze and lovely lighting. Really enjoyable experience!

I came and had the Chicken and Veggie Rotti Wrap tonight. So much flavour and good quality meat. This restaurant is clean from the moment you walk in. Staying 5 nights here and this had to be the best meal I have had so far. Service quick and attentive too. Menu has plenty of options also.

The best, tastiest chicken soup I’ve ever tasted! Thank you

Absolutely delicious food, enjoyed by all of the family. The fish Naan and vegetable and cheese naan were both amazing. Good service. Freshly cooked food

Best food I’ve had in Sri Lanka!! And I’ve been here a month😃 Amazing gem of a place, the owners are so thoughtful and kind, the food is amazing (makes sense when the food is cooked by someone who sailed the world as a chef for 30 years!), the place is clean and the price is great. Plenty of vegan and vegetarian options🙏🏼 The aubergine curry is to die for! I even went back for a takeaway before leaving Hikkaduwa! Thank you!

We are here a few times, and I wish we are here a few times more! The devilled dish is AMAZING, it was my first and only time finding a vegan one In Sri Lanka and It truly was amazing. Also, PANCAKES. Again very good, dreaming of this place again as I write this review a week later....

I came here 3 nights in a row for dinner because I just couldn't see how it could get better than this. I had the vegan curry set twice which I deffo recommend, it was an amazing mix of flavours. The staff are really welcoming and very smiley 😊😊

Amazing food!! Serve non veg and veg and Vegan food. The whole meal set is so soooo good. Best pumpkin curry I ever had! I wish u had the chance to try their vegan pancakes, next time! The place is clean and atmosphere nice. A must try in Hikkaduwa!

Extremely good food and portion sizes. We stayed right across the restaurant and had most of our dinner and lunches here. The portion sizes are good for two people and the food is very good. Loved the Srilankan curry rice and the passion fruit juice here. Highly recommend!!

The Finest & best sea food resturant in All of Hikkaduwa. I would say the most populer one also. The tast & quality is kept to the highest level. The owner Mr. Priyantha him self to the purchase every day. This is my go to place when ever am in Hikkaduwa. Try Grilled Carb which is a top notch & live lobsert tank there for you to select.

I highly recommended the sizzling dishes they have! I got the sizzling prawns and it was soooooo good 😋 I also ordered paratha with it that was NEXT LEVEL. The pizza was okay but not great. The location is really good because it’s easy to walk in either direction from it.

The food here is absolutely superb! We tried the fried prawns, fish fingers with chips and salad, and a tasty rice dish—everything was fresh, crispy, and full of flavor. Portions are generous, presentation is great, and prices are very reasonable. Plus, it's easy to access with a relaxed vibe. Highly recommended if you're in Hikkaduwa!

I ordered 5 dishes, they’re on the snip of the receipt. The one I liked the most was the Seafood Rice (photo also attached) the one that the waiter had offered to try after my request for his advice) So try seafood rice, or ask the waiter for advice. They seem to know their menu well. The other two salads and omelette were quite average, seems like they aren’t cooking them too often. The service is nice in general, but waiting times are quite extensive during the peak hour, I was there around 2pm.

Moon Light restaurant offers delicious food with generous portions that are worth the price. The prawn soup, brown onion soup, wraps, and spaghetti I ordered were all flavorful and well-prepared. The soups, in particular, were a highlight of the meal. The service provided was satisfactory, with attentive and friendly staff. Despite the small size of the place, it didn't hinder the enjoyment of the food. However, an area for improvement is the lack of card payment acceptance. It would be beneficial for the restaurant to consider introducing card payment options. Overall, Moon Light restaurant provides a tasty dining experience

We love the food here very much because of the unique taste and freshness. I highly recommend this restaurant for seafood lovers as they have a variety of sea food plates. You can also have some cocktail or liquor as they do have the beverages too. One of my favourites is the hot and spicy crab dish which they serve along with steamed rice. Seafood fried rice and batter fried calamari are also delicious. Although the food they serve are pricier, taste and the portions are worth the price.

This is a fantastic spot run by the loveliest ladies. The food is really delicious and all vegan I believe? One of the only places doing authentic curry and rice on the strip. You just sit down and they bring you all the dishes they've cooked that day. Amazing and deserves to be super super busy!

Literally still sat at the table and it was incredible! The food came out quick and you could tell it had lots of attention and love! Four of us shared a variety of small veggie curries with the highlights being the slightly sweet aubergines and the curry pumpkin! So good and a must visit!

Lovely and beautiful little restaurant tucked away off the main road. Don’t miss out on this place. Family looked after us. Incredible 6/7 veggie curry brought out to us, great tea was organic and home made- is an extra cost though we didn’t realise but no stress, it goes to a beautiful family in need.

A hidden gem!! Amazing Sri Lankan food and lovely service. The owners are 3 moms who decided to serve their delicious homecooked food in this cozy place.. Authentic and mouth watering experience. A must visit if you are ever in that part of Sri Lanka!!!

Beautiful family run business. Wholesome and unbelievably tasty curries! This is one of those meals you think about and crave after going back home. I wish we hadn’t of discovered this place on the last day otherwise I would have been there everyday! 💜

I’ve eaten here so many times. Food is by far the best in town and the family here is so lovely. They’re always open for conversation. Ask for their curd too, they run the fruit shop by the road so you can mix your curd with fresh produce.

Authentic Sri Lankan curry in a family owned restaurant. They don't have a menu, you simply sit down and they bring out a beautiful selection of tasty vegetarian dishes. Great flavours, nice level of spice and a refreshing lime tea to finish. Very reasonably priced (LKR700 per person).

The place is a bit hard to find. It is tucked away inside a lane with little signage. The owner offers homemade, six different SriLankan curry with brown rice which is worth repeating. The portions are generous. We paid LKR 750 per person for set meal. Honey infused tea (a bit sweet for my taste) was offered for LKR 150 No beer or non vegetarian food here.

Very tasty tea and amazing rice and curry! Love the aubergine and okra, also jackfruit curry! Friendly and very fast service!

Get the red snapper it was delicious! The staff was fun, while you wait for your food you have many board games to play. The kottu portions were a bit small, which is the only minus I can give.

The best cooked red snipper I ever had! Delicious food! Funny and friendly staff. Lovely dog, Brownie, to make us smile. Totally recommend this place!

Absolute big recommendation to this place - like honestly, it was amazing. We first were a bit upset because there is no sea view BUT the staff is incredibly friendly and the service was on top (special thanks to Dusha!). Also the prices are totally humble and absolutely fair for the delicous food we got served. It was our last night in sri lanka and we are so happy we got to spend it here. If we had more time we would have definitely come back to this place. So thanks again for this amazing dinner and awesome service. We hope everyone enjoys this place as much as we do ❤️

We found this by reading Google reviews and were not disappointed! I love kottu roti, and chose the seafood one here which was delicious and a huge portion. We also had fresh mahi mahi which was also great! Lovely staff, a good vibe. They had some card games / board games on the tables which was fun! A local experience, with great food and serve beer / cocktails. Definitely worth a visit now

We tried Tom Yam and seafood soup, and both were good. The prices are affordable. They also have different table games we played the Uno card game:)

Best Ambiente with our Tables on the beach feet in the sand while eating best fresh fish catch of the day. Lovely young crew cooking and managing the place, loves to turn into really good music and vibes when the people are motivated, or you simply make it happen 👌💃 thank youuuu!

Beef Burger with Cheese was nice. They serving with sweet potato for 2200 rp. Good service. And little table with ocean view.

The weather was very overcast today. I was in two minds whether to go beach or jungle side today. I chose this beach side restaurant anyhow in the end. It was almost empty at 4 pm on Easter Monday. I ordered the beef pepper steak medium rare. Service was prompt, the steak was in two pieces. No idea what cut it was? Barely 250g, it was cooked to my liking but the beef was poor quality. Pepper sauce was as it should be. The salad came with no dressing. The fries were mediocre and there was no seasoning on the table. No steak knife was provided. Very disappointing overall and no need to return.

The Soup and Fish platters that we ordered were good however the Chicken noodles and Mix Fried rice that we ordered was too spicy (this was even after telling to make less spicy).

We hung out here for the whole day on sun beds and it was great. Best smoothies we’ve had in Sri Lanka! And cheap compared to other places too. Didn’t have food but menu looked good, very clean toilet available as well :)

The service is very prompt and the food is tasteful. Wonderful atmosphere by the beach. Woukd totally come back

cozy place with seaview and sunbeds on the beach, tasty smoothies, delicious food, highly recommend jacket potatoes marinare and white fish fillet with mash potatoes.

The den is a cozy guest house, the rooms are clean and overlook the ocean. The staff is very friendly and always available for any need. The food is delicious! Sarhat is a great cook, I also recommend for lunch and dinner. A beautiful place in Hikkaduwa!

Great location facing the sea and with tables on the beach. Service friendly and menu quite extensive with local and international.options. We had Devilled fish and Garlic Prawn to Spicy (you can choose the spice level) , which we shared, and noth were excellent. Finished dinner off with banana and pineapple fritters with ice cream, again both were excellent. Highly recommend

A Hidden Gem in Hikkaduwa 🌴 We slept in the hotel and the breakfast was included. It was so good that we decided to try the dinner as well. It was absolutely delicious. The curry rice and the fresh fish were to die for, a must-try! The waiters are really friendly, funny, and helpful, making every meal an enjoyable experience. New Year's Eve dinner was especially fun. We met some wonderful people and had a few beers together, turning the evening into a memorable night. If we come back to Hikkaduwa, we'll definitely go there again. The service is fantastic and the atmosphere is unbeatable. Highly recommended!

Having been in Sri Lanka for nearly 5 weeks, Neelas has been my go to for food. It has never disappointed me. The food is fresh and full of flavour. The beef burger being a particular favourite, such a great combination of ingredients. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is a great selection for all. The staff at Neelas are very friendly and helpful, they are a great bunch of guys. And to top it all off, it’s located on the beach front, if you dine on an evening you’ll be able to capture the most amazing sunsets.

We stayed a Neela’s for the second time over 18 nights in Dec/Jan. You can forget the fancy hotels because this wonderful, family-run guesthouse is perfect and so much more of a local experience. The rooms have everything you need if not, just ask! Cleaned often and we had plenty of warm/hot showers. The sea view is stunning. The entire family and all staff are the warmest people you could hope to meet. Their hospitality and service is outstanding. We ate breakfast here every day, the string hoppers and curry were amazing. My other favourites were prawn/mango curry, garlic toast (wow!) with prawn cocktail. The quality of ingredients is excellent. Btw, their cocktails are excellent, as are the gin & tonics. We used the loungers most days. This part of the beach is perfect. So many visitors from other properties come to Neela’s daily to drink and eat there. That says a lot about the place and the staff. All local places - Sunday Market, Turtle Beach, main Hikkaduwa, other restaurants and bars are all a walk along the beach or the main road or a short and cheap tuk tuk ride away, making it the perfect location. I cried when we left. It felt like leaving such good friends behind. We look forward to returning at some point in the future. It really is wonderful there! Thanks for everything, Charmera, family and all the staff. You made our stay perfect!

Really love Neela’s. I’ve been twice now. The rooms have a really cool beachy feel about them, which is perfect as it sits right on one of the nicest stretches of beach in Sri Lanka. The staff are really friendly, the service is great and it’s super affordable. What’s not to love??

Staying in bentota but really wanted to see hikkaduwa. After a couple of hours spent at turtle point we wanted to make sure we grabbed something to eat and drink before heading back. Luckily neelas was only 3 minutes down the road in a tuk tuk. With 2 young kids and direct beach access this was ideal. The menu had a decent selection, especially the cocktails and price very reasonable. We actually enjoyed the food here compared to the 5 start hotel we were staying in Bentota. Highly recommended. Vibe is just awesome. From family’s to backpackers.

Food was good. We Head better tuna Steaks in Sri Lanka and larger portions as well. Still good quality and a nice place to enjoy your dinner right at the beach.

Four of us had dinner here tonight and it was wonderful! Delicious food, beautiful atmosphere and lovely wait staff. Highly recommend!

The Cafe is right on the water front. I had the most delicious crab cooked with madras curry sauce. It was the chefs own recipe. I went back the next day for breakfast which was great and the coffee was excellent.

Really lovely view and friendly servers. Wonderful view of turtle beach, especially from the second floor. Not too expensive. I would recommend the watermelon juice, it was delicious.

Very nice family restaurant, the grilled sea food platter is amazing, among the other traditional dishes. Everyone is really kind.

I recently dined here and was thoroughly impressed by both the delectable dishes and the warm hospitality of the owners. From the moment we stepped in, we were greeted with genuine smiles and a welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for the evening at the beach. The menu boasted an array of fresh seafood options, each prepared with skill and precision. The seafood chowder was a standout, bursting with flavor and brimming with generous portions of tuna fish and crab. The crab was cooked to perfection, tender and succulent. What truly elevated the dining experience, however, was the attentiveness of the owners. They took the time to engage with each patron, and treated us like their own kids. Overall, exceeded my expectations in both cuisine and hospitality. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking a memorable seafood dining experience with a personal touch.

Cozy restaurant just on the beach. Food are great! Chopsuey are yummy. And rooster is definitely a winner! Must visit if you are around!

Just perfect place! Stuff is very friendly and helpful! Food and cocktails are delicious! And sunsets... Just check pictures! The best sunset I have ever seen! Totally recommend!

this is a beautiful family run restaurant in Hikkaduwa right on the sea front. Stunning views of the sun set and fantastic freshly cooked food and fresh local ingredients. I had the Sri Lankan fish curry and it was succulent fresh fish and my wife had Daal and fresh avocado salad which was light fresh and tasty. A must visit when in Hikkaduwa

Visited Dolphin restaurant in August 2023. There are tables with a fantastic view over the seashore. This view gave us the feeling we're in a theatre. We ordered local specialty - a big plate of grilled seafood (crab, shrimps, calamari, fish etc.) and a pot of cinnamon tea. Seafood was very rich and well cooked. Tea was nice too. My opinion is, the balcony differs this place from neighbouring cafes, so worth visiting

We sat downstairs overlooking the ocean watching the sun go down, and the view was stunning. Once we got over the view of the ocean, we noticed that the table cloth must have been in use for a week at least, it was filthy. We tried to turn it round to find a clean bit, but someone had already done that. A member of staff noticed us and came over to wipe the table cloth with a dirty grey rag that I wouldn't wash my car with. At this point the people sitting beside us had finished their meal and the table cleared. Out came said dirty grey cloth to wipe the table. Having said all this, we had the coral fish and fish and vegetables which was OK, but by this time, we were both wondering what other germs were we consuming along with our meal. We were also thinking that if this is front of house that customers see, what was the preparation and kitchen area like. We won't be going back

A very comfortable hotel for Sri Lanka. A good combination of price and quality. The restaurant serves delicious food and has a very friendly waiter.

We had a beautiful ocean view dinner, polished with the refreshing mojito. Very attentive guys here, we clearly recommend

Lovely place. Beach view rooms

Ordered shrimp tomyim soup and octopus kutty The taste of the soup was off, and the octopus was wayyyyyyy tooooo saulty. Honesty it's so far the worst restaurant in hikkaduwa The owner is also lying!!!! I never asked for anything for any sort of discount!!! Remarkable how would they like for those!!! Seriously unbelievable!!!

Overlooking the ocean - had to raise our voices over the crashing of the waves, which was truly wonderful. The grilled seafood unexpectedly had sauce on it, which we didn't care for but the avocado seafood salad was outstanding if a little expensive (nearly 2,000). Sadly, the waiter asked for a tip despite 10% service already being added to our bill. Makes me think the workers don't see a penny of our extra payment.

I ate rice with vegetables here, with juice and rea. The rice was cold, the juice not 100% juice (cut at least with 50% of water). The only advantage of this place is its location and the fact that it was empty so very quiet... I also found the prices expensive and I wait almost 40 minutes for a simple plate. Avoid this place, I should have checked the note and the bad comments before entering.

Their chef was not in on the day we went there and therefore fried rice was not available. So we had to order pizza only. Pizza tasted good. Below are the photos I took from their menu. Place can be recommended for a family dinner also. We took our own liquor but they also have a bar their, I guess.

We enjoyed the delicious, freshly made pizza and banana fritters. 👍🏼👍🏼 Fully worth the reasonable price. Friendly staff. Spacious place. They even allowed me watch the pizza being baked.

The pizza is SO DELICIOUS! We were served very quickly and the food was fantastic. The calamari was a big hit but the pizza was the real star. Crispy crust, lots of cheese, delicious toppings. MMMM! We went back the next day and received a complimentary plain pizza. Highly recommend!

Probably the best sea food restaurant in Hikkaduwa. Don't know about pizza but we had sea food. It was fresh and lots of flavours. Guys try the sea food

The best rice and curry in Hikka! While you're waiting the main course they offer free tortilla with basilica leaves and sauce. The portion is totally enough for two. Update: as we passed through Hikka once again we tried deviled prawns and calamari here. Everything is fresh, tasty and big, no service charge. So do not go here if you're not hungry!

A cool place to have a decent pizza. Prices are reasonable. The food is good. And the beer is cold. It's also a great place to catch an evening sunset.

We did not stay in the accommodation here but we spent a day in the beach restaurant. The food was very good and the drinks were chilled. The service was exceptional. It is a pricier place but really worth it if it is within your budget. On a nice stretch of beach and with a variety of seating options, from chairs to stalls to cushions on the floor.

Fantastic restaurant. Probably the best we've been to in over two weeks. The space is lovely and serene, very open. The music was relaxing and add nice ambience. The vegan food was amazing. I ordered the Mandala burger, my wife got a rainbow bowl of some kind, and my kids shared the Tofu burger. I also got a side of the Tofu with some chilli sauce. It was all amazing. The waves were quite rough nearby and we were all transfixed looking at them. There was a lovely dog who slept on the floor, who had unfortunately lost one leg. It would just sleep near different patrons and was very endearing. The staff were kind and receptive. It's my third time in Hikkaduwa, wil definitely come back here if there is a fourth.

Located right on the beach this places serves only vegan food. Went there for breakfast and was not disappointed at all. All items on the menu looked super tempting. I ordered a tofu burger and it was super yummy and filling. This would be a great place to enjoy sunset and sip a few drinks.

A very nice place to eat and hangout with friends. The food is very delicious. The tofu burger and the avocado toast are definitely worth trying. Highly recommend the place for vegans and vegetarians.

We visited the place a few times during our stay in Hikkaduwa. The staff was very kind and helpful. We were there off-season, so it wasn’t crowded, which made it much more peaceful and pleasant. We had the opportunity to chat with the staff. Personally, I recommend taking a look around the small shop — they have all kinds of clothes, jewelry, and various accessories. It was my first time in Sri Lanka, but definitely not the last. It’s worth returning because this place is magical, and the friendliness of the locals truly gives it its charm.

very cool hostel! we stayed here during off season so it was quite calm but still nice! the rooms were clean, the hostel is located directly at the beach and there owners are very friendly! at the last day the owner helped us to take the bus to the next city :) there is also a water dispenser. only the wifi is not working in the upper rooms.

Absolutely incredible food and service Tofu burger was the show stopper, incredibly will made soft tofu Fresh juices, great rice bowls and yes perfect fries. Get here for chill vibes and great food.

I visited this place for dinner. I must say that the food was really delicious. The pizza was thin and crusty. The price was reasonable and the size was really worth the price. The carbonara can also be given 10/10. The atmosphere wad peaceful and relaxing. The night sea breeze and the sound of the waves enhanced the vibe. Perfect place for a peaceful and unforgettable dinner date. Service wad quick and friendly too. Highly recommended and I will definitely visit again.

A very welcome break from rice and curry. Recommended to us by our neighbours. Very pleased. They do a non cheese pizza, never seen that before. Avocado salad was so fresh. We ate the salad before I remembered to photograph it. It’s tucked down a little alley but very easy to find on the beach front

What a gem. Third time now. The food is first class, generous portions and well priced. We were a party of four. One pasta dish, one gnocchi, another grilled prawns, and a pizza. Salads, bruschetta, and wine. Brilliant evening on the deck with great company, fantastic food, and the gentle sounds of waves. We will keep coming back.

Believe me, they have a great salami pizza here, which you can eat right on the beach. The service is very kind and friendly. I go back to eat there a lot.

Been there 2 days ago, the pizza was average but still good, we also had seafood soup which was absolutely amazing soup in a baked bread inside the bowl, the setting was great with an wonderful view. We definitely recommend.

Good quality food, like real Italian pizza, perfect carbonara, need to try pizza MARE, also intelligent owner and waiters, good service. Nice atmosphere with beach view, Highly recommend

Great pizza!! I first went here last year when I was on holiday in Hikkaduwa for a week. Now I'm on a very-extended holiday to this great place and Differente is my favourite Italian restaurant by far. I like my pizza extra crispy and their thin base pizza is perfect for that (I do ask for extra well cooked). The other food being delivered always looks amazing too - their seafood soup always looks especially good. You do have to wait a little while for your pizza - but that's because they are making it fresh not taking it out the freezer!!! Yes, it's quite different to pizza you would get in Italy - they use a different type of dough - if you want 100% authentic Italian food then I would suggest a trip to Italy. It's a Sri Lankan take on Italian food and I think it's great. The staff are super friendly too - it's always the same guy working when I go there does he ever have a day off? They are situated near the American Tailors on Galle Road - you have to go down a little alley to find them - or just walk along the beach. They only open at 2pm - but totally worth the wait.

Really good delicious Italien Pizza. The place is small, cuzy and directly in the Beach. Also can have some cool Beers.

Pizza was very nice and freshly made. The personell was too needy though. They went readying with you on the menu. Couldn't wait for you to order something. Is this a Sri Lanka thing? They were so kind to order me a (low priced) beer from a nearby bar. That's something that I can really appreciate. Good service!

This place has a fantastic ambience. Possibly one of my favorite in Hikkaduwa. Unfortunately, it was also the worst pizza I ever had, something really wrong with the ingredients, especially with the cheese. Thankfully I got to speak to the manager and he was eager to hear the feedback and act on it. If they fix the pizza, I 100% recommend this gem.

If you want to eat tasteless pizza to partymusic you are at the right place. 2 olivs on it 40 grams of tuna pizzabread dry no salt..overpriced in my opinion..

Pizza was good. Service was prompt. Smooties were "pure" fruit. Really a place I'll visit again.

Good authentic Italian pizza. Very decent prices.

Nice place and ambiance, good price value for money tasty wood fried pizza , thin crust

Universal Beach Guest House... Best Place Narigama Beach... Sumith and family are super really...... Ice Cream, Beer, Room top, Service, the eat amazing...... but you must booking this hotel 😎⚠️ Very good place too stay here with children and friends!!!!!!!!!!! No Pool but the ocean is yours 🫶🌊 And in every hotel Are man Russian but FOR ME IS OK for another people its too much René

Best beef shawarma and fried rice around you can't get any better, the view is amazing the owner and all staff are super friendly best spot to eat 100% recommend

I come to Universal Beach Guesthouse since they opened in 2006. I love the family the food actually everything at this place. I stay here over the winter for 6 month and i met always nice people here. Some shops are close to the guesthouse and to Hikka it takes only a few minutes with my bicycle. The perfect place for me!

Best place ever. Close to everything in Narigama, and cool members of the family. Aleays there to give a helping hand.

Very tasty homecooked food, friendly owner and family gives fine service. Prices are low. You can eat and drink both in the restaurant or at your free sunbed. Beautiful beach just in front. Can recommed! Nordic traveller

Looks bad, not like in the photo. we waited for a very long time. we give a low rating 👎

Nice seaside restaurant. We only ordered beers as food on the beach can be overpriced. Large Lion beer is 450. Staff was friendly and quick.

This place was such a nice find in Hikkaduwa. I was looking for a place to have lunch near where I was staying, and after reading some reviews, I decided to give a try and ended up here. I had the chicken and cheese kottu, and honestly, it was one of the best kottus I’ve had in Sri Lanka! I also had a big Lion beer, and the price was much better than most other places around that tend to overcharge tourists. They have a big menu, and most of the items are fairly priced, which is great when so many spots hike prices just because you’re a foreigner. The waiter was really nice and welcoming. It is a simple restaurant with not fancy designs and it is not in front of some beach or some rooftop but honestly I was okay with it since I only cared to eat a nice local meal not overpriced and it turned out to be very tasty!

Just stopped to have lunch at about 3.30 pm. What a surprise. Service is super, very attentive, the food is good. Enjoyed the stop and the meal. Meet Hasitha to get the best service

Good menu assortment. Tasty meals. Although, service wasn't fast but I suppose it was related with a party at a big table. It's a place where I've tried grilled shark steak at the first time in my life and It was cooked very well and delicious. Recommend to try it!

The best place to eat in Hikkaduwa! Better to be on 2nd floor - it’s more comfortable here. Last time we took lobster, jumbo prawns and deviled octopus - everything was amazing and we successfully closed our holiday with this dinner 🎉

Well, sadly it was a terrible experience during our honeymoon. Tom yum was super salty and uneatable and something in it (probably sea food) tasted like it was spoiled. The prawn salad was submerged in mayonnaise and the eggs seemed really overboiled, not fresh or whtvr with no colour in them. Lots of mayonnaise+ prawns + pineapple + cucumber are not good together. Even though the mango lassi was really tasty. We left the plates full and it was the first time in my life as well as in Sri Lanka, where until now we liked everything we tried so far. We only needed to pay for one meal (of course the more expensive one) and drinks, but that does not change a thing because it was impossible to eat. Really afraid to get food poisoned.

Great food Good amount Fair price for sea food

The portions are very big, and it's tasty too. But we had to wait 1 h 20 minutes for 2 dishes we ordered. Even though it was not very busy )))

Delicious food. Together with my husband, we've been there twice. First time we had beers and chicken burgers. Second time beers, beef burger and chicken with noodles. Total cost RS 5500 per day meals. Big portions, great taste, no spicy. Long wait the second time as only one cook but was worth it. Highly recommended

Dined in at Garlic and while the ambiance was pleasant and not overly crowded. Firstly, the waiting time was minimal, which was a plus. The environment was comfortable, making it a nice place to enjoy a meal without feeling rushed. We ordered the pepper steak and prawn curry with steamed rice. Unfortunately, the steak was lacking in tenderness and extremely difficult to cut, which significantly detracted from the overall experience. Additionally, the provided knife was dull, making it even harder to enjoy the steak. It would greatly improve the dining experience if the restaurant offered sharp, high-quality knives for dishes like steak. The prawn curry was average and did not stand out in terms of flavor or presentation. In summary, while the ambiance and quick service were commendable, the quality of the food and utensils left much to be desired.

Overall, a poor experience. The food took over an hour and a half to arrive. A couple of the members of the group had the Sri Lankan curry, which they enjoyed, but the rest of the meals were rather lacklustre. The servers were friendly and made an effort but they were too busy and unfortunately made a lot of mistakes which I believe could’ve been avoided if there were more staff otherwise they should’ve turned us away if they couldn’t handle it.

Just had a brilliant meal at the garlic, our waiter Ileesha was a great guy and spent a lot of time talking with us and we all enjoyed the conversations. The food there was also very nice, I had a Sri Lankan special curry which was very good. I would reccomend calling in for a meal

We were hesitating visiting this place because of mixed reviews. Finally, we decided to go and give a try to their Sri Lankan Rice & Curry. It was fantastic. A bit more pricey than in other places in Hikkaduwa, yes, but portions are generous and you'll and up full with a happy stomach. We regret not coming here before! The oysters with orange sauce were nice too. Special mention to the cocktails. The arrack cocktail is YUM! Check out our YouTube Channel: Lifetime Travelmates

It is a great place! Food is tasty, I would even say delicious, service is also at a high level!

Here is the thing.. I ate 2 times in the same week in this restaurant, the first time i had one of the greatest experience with such a delicious fish plate and starters! It was perfectly cooked with delicious garlic sauce!. So it was 5 stars 🌟 experience! BUT !!! The second time was one of the worst if not the worst fish plate ever ! I orderd the same plate of the same fish but this time The fish wasn't good cleaned from inside and they kept some of its organs ! I couldn't eat it so i ordered a new fish! But it was even worse the smell of the fish was really bad i couldn't even eat one piece! And both were over cooked and without any sauce over. I couldn't know the reason maybe there was another chef in that day!. And one thing the waiters there are super kind and behaved and fast !👍👍

although elevated (hence treetop) because it is roadside, the trucks passing by are very noisy and continuously horn. wouldn’t recommend for a quiet meal but i was satisfied with the food regardless. don’t miss the coconut sambol!

This is one of the budget friendly restaurants at Hikkaduwa. Really loved the food. The food portion was really good. The prices were cheap. The amount of ingredients was full compared to colombo places. And the food was also very tasty. Will I go again? Definitely. Loved the calm and chill atmosphere. Nice helpful staff.

Went there the day before to buy some French fries. It was obviously pricey than what you'd get at places like pizza hut or dominoes but I was in a rush and needed it for my hungry kid and said as much to the man who greeted me and took my order. It looked fine and I trusted it would taste like normal fries would. Went back to our hotel and tasted it and it was absolutely nasty like they had fried them in reused, old coconut oil. Threw away the whole box. Was it done on purpose as a racist move? Or do they not know how French fries are done? Or just didn't care enough cause I am a local? Whatever the case, I'm just extremely disappointed at this terrible service. You had one job. French fries!

An inexpensive meal that unfortunately fell short of expectations. We were looking for a simple dinner on a small budget but were left a bit disappointed. The glasses and cutlery could have been cleaner, the bottle of water we received had signs of mould, and the table wasn’t in the best condition. We ordered a yellow curry with chicken, but the dish consisted mostly of skin and bones in a thin curry soup, with no vegetables or much meat. If you prefer chicken dishes with more substantial meat, this might not be the right choice. On a positive note, the rice portion was generous. The service was friendly and impressively quick, which we appreciated. The toilet was not very clean and lacked essential supplies like toilet paper, soap, and a way to dry your hands.

Very bad place. There were no one in the restaurant when we arrived. There were just 15 of us. Took more than an hour to supply the food. There were pieces of hair on few dishes. But they have charged for them too. Food were not even good. Prices are somewhat fare but it is very poor comparing to the quality of food. The customer service is very bad. Especially the person who took the order from us

Very delicious sri lankan curry! You definitely have to try the sambol to spice up your food!

I strongly recommend this restaurant. My husband and I really enjoyed Sri lanka food here. Reasonable price and kind service here. The home made food tastes amazing. Feels like home food !