Must-Try Foods In Pettah Market (Colombo) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Pettah Market, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Located in the heart of Colombo, Pettah Market is a vibrant and bustling trading area known for its multicultural influence, which is reflected in its rich culinary heritage. Pettah has been at the crossroads of trade for centuries, with influences from the local Sinhalese, Tamil, Moor, and Malay cultures, as well as colonial influences from the Portuguese, Dutch, and British who once ruled the island. This melting pot of cultures has given birth to a unique gastronomic tapestry that tantalizes the taste buds with a variety of spices, flavors, and textures.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Pettah Market, Colombo, Sri Lanka

1. Kottu Roti (Non-Veg) - A beloved street food made with shredded flatbread, vegetables, and spices, frequently including eggs or chicken.
2. Hoppers (Appa) (Veg/Non-Veg) - Bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour, often served with a spicy sambol or curry.
3. Falooda (Veg) - A sweet, rose-scented beverage with vermicelli, basil seeds, and a scoop of ice cream, perfect for cooling down.
4. Samosas (Veg/Non-Veg) - Deep-fried pastry triangles filled with spices and either vegetables or fish.
5. Vadais (Veg) - Savory deep-fried snacks made from dhal, chickpea, or urad flour, typically served with chutney.
6. Lamprais (Non-Veg) - A Dutch-Burgher influenced dish consisting of rice, meat curry, and accompaniments wrapped in a banana leaf and baked.
7. Fruit Juices (Veg) - Freshly squeezed tropical fruit juices, including king coconut, pineapple, and mango, which are abundant in the market.
Rice and Curry (Veg/Non-Veg) - The staple dish of Sri Lanka, consisting of rice served with various curries made from vegetables, chicken, or fish.
8. String Hoppers (Idiyappam) (Veg) - Steemed rice noodles served typically with a coconut sambol and curry.
9. Biriyani (Non-Veg) - A fragrant rice dish cooked with a mix of spices, chicken or fish, and sometimes topped with hard-boiled eggs.

Top Famous Restaurants in Pettah Market, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Hotel de Pilawoos

Address: No. 417, Main Street, Colombo 11. Famous for: Kottu Roti (Non-Veg).

Nana's

Address: Gas Works Street, Pettah, Colombo 11. Famous for: Street-style Kebabs (Non-Veg).

Raheema Hotel

Address: No. 48, Jampettah Street, Colombo 13. Famous for: Biriyani (Non-Veg).

Kandoori

Address: No. 32 B, 40th Lane, Wellawatte, Colombo 6. Famous for: Indian-inspired Dishes (Veg/Non-Veg).

Buhari Hotel

Address: No. 11, New Moor Street, Colombo 12. Famous for: Chicken Biriyani (Non-Veg).

Greenlands Hotel

Address: No. 68, Galle Road, Colombo 3. Famous for: Lamprais (Non-Veg).

Pettah Floating Market Food Stalls

Address: Bastian Mawatha, Colombo 01. Famous for: Various Street Food (Veg/Non-Veg), including hoppers and vadais.

Mayura Hotel

Address: 46, Sri Kathiresan Street, Colombo 13. Famous for: Hoppers (Veg/Non-Veg).