Hungry for a bite after a day spent exploring the captivating attractions and cultural festivals in Kandy? Here are the best restaurants and cafes to head to:
1. The Empire Cafe
Dine in a modern setting filled with contemporary pieces, fluorescent coloured paintings and feature walls painted in vibrant hues. Empire Cafe churns out a range of irresistible fare, so get ready for a feast made up of rice and curries, toasty wraps, refreshing juices and decadent homemade desserts.
2. Flower Song Chinese Restaurant
Enjoy a taste of Chinese flavours at Flower Song Chinese Restaurant. This family-friendly restaurant features a children’s play area on the second level, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. A good selection of meat and seafood dishes fills up the menu. Service may be on the slow side, particularly during the bustling weekends, when crowds of families and tourists dine at the restaurant.
3.Helga’s Folly
Helga’s Folly‘s ornate furnishings and eclectic designs ooze a quirky charm that will intrigue visitors with a taste for unordinary designs. An afternoon tea or meal here promises to be a fine experience, complete with an atmospheric setting, excellent service and beautiful silverware.
4.Honeypot Restaurant
Honeypot Restaurant welcomes diners with friendly service and a variety of cuisines, ranging from Sri Lankan and South Asian food, to Western mains. A selection of vegetarian dishes makes this a great spot for veggie-loving travellers to dine at. During the evenings, dining outdoors is recommended – you will enjoy stunning views of the river, and keep cool with the windy breezes.
5.The Kandy House
A blend of cuisines at The Kandy House caters to a diversity of diets and tastes. The Sri Lankan dishes will please diners keen on eating as the locals do, while a selection of Western fare will suit those who are unused to the local flavours. Indoor plants and minimalist furniture fill up the spacious and tastefully-decorated interiors, creating a beautiful setting perfect for an enjoyable meal.
The menu is a delight to explore – you will find intriguing fusion fare, like the Thai pumpkin soup with crab, home-made crab ravioli or cardamom kulfi ice cream available during dinner, and a variety of pastas, salads and club sandwiches for lunch. If you can stomach a good level of heat on your palate, be sure to try out the ten-course curry feast, available twice a week.
6.The Kandy Garden Cafe
The Kandy Garden Cafe is a no-frills, casual eatery dishing up a wide array of authentic Sri Lankan fare. The eatery is frequented by locals and tourists alike, and is extremely busy during the evenings. Diners can expect to feast on tasty food, dealt out in generous portions at affordable prices.
7.Rockview Restaurant
Just as its name suggests, meals at Rockview Restaurant come with a view – a breathtaking one made up of rolling hills, emerald rainforests and vast tea plantations. When such scenic tropical beauty surrounds the restaurant, the best option is to dine alfresco at one of the tables lining the airy outdoor deck. Rockview does not disappoint when it comes to the food either – an array of fascinating traditional dishes, like the lemongrass and tomato soup, raw banana and jackfruit subzi with red rice and devilled chicken curry await. At the end of the meal, cleanse your palate with a cup of aromatic Ceylon tea.
8.Bakehouse
Stave off your hunger pangs with generous servings of Sri Lankan, Chinese and Western fare. The huge portions of the meals are likely to leave you feeling well satisfied, but do not leave the eatery without getting some sweetmeats. Bakehouse is well known for its baked goodies, so grab some crumbly cakes and pastries to go. 3 P.M. is a good time to stop by, for that is when the second batch of freshly baked goodies are laid out, and when the savoury short eats are still warm.
9.Delight Bakers & Sweet House
Situated in the heart of Kandy town, Delight Bakers and Sweet House is worth a stop by for travellers keen on sampling traditional Sri Lankan cakes and pastries. Embark on a culinary adventure as you try out local treats like kawum, kokis and rulan.
See our villas in Sri Lanka
