🍃 2. Kandy: Flavors from the Hill Country

The royal city of Kandy, nestled near tea plantations and Buddhist temples, offers earthy, slow-cooked dishes influenced by monastic simplicity and mountain produce.

🌿 What to Eat:

👉 Jackfruit Curry (Kos Ata Maluwa) – A hearty meat substitute in creamy coconut gravy

👉 Gotukola Sambol – A detoxifying green salad with shredded coconut and lime

👉 Bath Kenda – Herbal porridge served for breakfast, loved by Buddhist monks

🌸 Best Veg-Friendly Cafés:

👉 Balaji Dosai – No-frills pure vegetarian spot with perfect masala dosas

👉Natural Coffee – Offers veg wraps, coconut rice, and fresh herbal teas

👉 Cafe Secret Alley – A hidden gem serving vegan smoothies and lunch bowls

🛕 Cultural Pairing: Visit the Temple of the Tooth Relic before or after your meal for a spiritual complement to your food journey.

🌊 3. Galle: Coastal Flavors with a Tropical Twist

👉 Head down to Galle Fort, a colonial-era town on the southern coast. The food here is as charming as the cobbled streets and blue sea.

🌶️ Coastal Vegetarian Delights:

👉 Vegetarian Kottu Roti: Chopped roti stir-fried with veg and curry spices

👉 Pumpkin Curry (Wattakka Kalda) – Slightly sweet, spiced with cinnamon and cardamom

👉 Curd & Treacle: Local buffalo milk curd with sweet kithul syrup—dessert perfection!

🍴 Top Veg Picks in Galle Fort:

👉 The Mango Tree – 100% vegetarian, specializing in Sri Lankan thalis

👉 Calorie Counter – Veg bowls, gluten-free meals, and detox juices

👉 Poonie’s Kitchen – Quirky courtyard café with vegan bakes and seasonal salads

🌅 Don’t Miss: A sunset dinner near the Galle lighthouse with a veg curry spread and the sound of waves in the background.

🌌 Must-Do: Lie on the boat deck under a sky full of stars—no artificial light, just the Milky Way.

🫖 4. Ella & Nuwara Eliya: Tea Trails & Plant-Based Comfort Food

👉 The misty mountains of Ella and colonial-style charm of Nuwara Eliya offer scenic serenity—and surprisingly good vegetarian meals.

🫓 Comfort Veg Bites:

👉 String Hoppers (Idiyappam) with dhal and pol sambol for breakfast

👉 Vegetarian Sri Lankan Rice & Curry Plate – 5-7 veg curries served with red rice

👉 Sweet Potato Roti with Lunu Miris – A spicy onion-chili paste that wakes up your taste buds

🧡 Best Veg Spots to Refuel:

👉 Cafe Chill (Ella) – Offers customizable vegan and vegetarian platters

👉 The Grand Indian (Nuwara Eliya) – Pure vegetarian North Indian meals with a mountain view

👉 Salmiya Pizza – Family-run spot with veg cheese-less pizza options (and gluten-free crust!)

🚂 Experience Tip: Take the scenic train ride from Kandy to Ella—and enjoy packed vegetarian snacks along the way (banana chips + curd rice = winning combo!).

🌾 5. Local Markets & Street Snacks: The Real Flavor of Sri Lanka

👉 Sri Lanka’s street food is spicy, flavorful, and often surprisingly vegetarian-friendly!

🌮 Top Street Eats to Try:

👉 Vadai: Deep-fried lentil patties (ask for ones without seafood)

👉 Vegetable Roti Rolls: Sold at train stations and bakeries

👉 Hoppers (Appa): Bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour—best eaten plain or with coconut chutney

🛍️ Must-Visit Veg Markets:

👉 Pettah Market (Colombo) – Spice stalls, tropical fruits, and local cooking herbs

👉 Kandy Central Market – Buy local teas, pulses, and banana varieties you’ve never seen before

👉 Ella Market – Perfect for fresh produce and street vendors offering quick veg bites

✅ Important Tips for Vegetarian Travelers in Sri Lanka:

👉 The term “vegetarian” often includes eggs here—ask for “pure veg” or say “no egg, no fish, no meat” clearly.

👉 post temples and pilgrim centers (like Kataragama or Anuradhapura) serve free vegetarian meals to visitors.

👉 Sri Lankan vegetarian food is naturally gluten-free, high in fiber, and coconut-rich—great for health-conscious travelers.

🧳 Ready for Your Plant-Based Island Escape?

👉 From the spice markets of Colombo to the hills of Ella, Sri Lanka offers a wholesome and exciting vegetarian journey through flavors, traditions, and nature. With Plan My Tour, we make sure every meal you have is not just meat-free—but memorable.

🥥 Sri Lanka is waiting—with spices, smiles, and a spoonful of soul. 🥥

🌿 Book your Veg Paradise Tour today with Plan My Tour.