Bentota guide · Where to eat
Places to eat in Bentota, with what to order and how comfortable each is for families and older travellers.
Updated
Bentota's everyday food is Sri Lankan rice and curry: rice with dhal, vegetable curries, mallum (shredded greens with coconut) and fish or chicken dishes. Hoppers, string hoppers and pol roti turn up at breakfast. Resort hotels along the beach cook a wide menu for foreign guests, and a few small restaurants line the road beside the sea. Toddy (palm sap) is a local drink; it is alcoholic when fermented, so ask before you taste.
For vegetarian diners, the plain truth is that I could not confirm any fully vegetarian, Jain, vegan or Indian restaurant in Bentota that is currently open, so none are tagged on this guide. Ask for rice and curry with vegetable curries only, and check sambols for Maldive fish (dried tuna) and curries for fish or meat stock. Useful phrases are 'Mama mas kanne naha' (I do not eat meat) and 'Malu kanne naha' (I do not eat fish). Plain hoppers and dhal are usually vegan, but check for ghee or coconut milk preferences with the cook.
Jain travellers should expect to explain no onion, garlic or root vegetables each time. Larger resort hotels will usually manage simple vegetarian and no-onion-no-garlic meals if you tell them well before arrival, and some Ayurveda resorts follow a vegetarian diet plan. Confirm by phone or email before you book rather than relying on a directory listing.
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
191/1 Galle-Colombo Road, Bentota
A beachside restaurant and cocktail bar on the Galle-Colombo Road at Bentota, listed for fresh fish you choose and have grilled, and for grilled king prawns.
Elpitiya Road, Adaganthota, Bentota
A seafood restaurant on Elpitiya Road in Adaganthota, known in one guide for sunset views over the lake and for garlic lobster and chilli prawns. A calm evening option away from the main beach strip.
Bentota Bridge, near the National Holiday Resort, by the Bentota lagoon
A long-running restaurant beside the Bentota bridge, with a menu that mixes Sri Lankan, Indian and international dishes. Useful for a mixed family where one person wants vegetables and another wants crab.
National Holiday Resort area, Bentota Bridge
A seafood and Asian restaurant in the National Holiday Resort area at Bentota Bridge, described by Wanderlog as serving generous portions.
Hungantota, near Galapatha Temple, Bentota River
A riverside seafood restaurant near Galapatha Temple on the Bentota River, listed by several Bentota restaurant guides, with a vegetarian and gluten-free option mentioned for the Malli's name.
Bentota River bank, Aluthgama
A riverside bar and restaurant on the Bentota River at Aluthgama, listed for seafood platters, tropical desserts and sunset views over the water.
Inside Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, Bentota
The hotel restaurant inside Taj Bentota Resort & Spa, serving continental, Indian and fusion dishes after sunset.
357 Warahena, Bentota
A cafe-restaurant at 357 Warahena, Bentota, whose menu draws on dishes, spices and herbs from countries along the old land and sea silk routes.
130/1 Main Street, Dharga Town, Aluthgama
A small Indian vegetarian restaurant in Aluthgama town, known for dosas served with house-made sambar and chutneys at modest prices.
357 Galle Road, Bentota, a short distance from the beach
An Indian restaurant and bar on Galle Road in Bentota, serving North Indian dishes with a separate vegetarian side of the menu. A practical choice when the family wants familiar flavours after days of rice and curry.
Pitaramba Road, Bentota
A Bentota restaurant on Pitaramba Road listed for fine dining, fish curry, spiced rice and an international wine list.
