Must-Try Foods In Rawana Ella Cave (Ella) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Rawana Ella Cave, Ella, Sri Lanka

The area surrounding Rawana Ella Cave, a popular tourist destination in Ella, Sri Lanka, is rich with a history steeped in legend and folklore. The cave itself is said to be part of the Ramayana epic tale and has become a historical site. The nearby region and its culinary history are a blend of indigenous Sri Lankan ingredients and the influences of trade, colonization, and cultural exchanges. Traditional Sri Lankan cuisine combines local fruits, vegetables, and grains with an array of spices, reflecting the island's spice trade history.

Ella is particularly known for fresh produce due to its fertile soil and favorable climate. While there isn’t a specific food history unique to Rawana Ella Cave, the broader history of the region includes a typical rural Sinhalese diet that typically consists of rice, vegetables, and curries, utilizing ingredients such as coconut milk and spices like cinnamon and cardamom, which are found plenty in the region.

Must-Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Ella for Tourists

1. String Hoppers (Idiyappam) – Veg: A breakfast dish made from rice flour dough pressed into noodle form and steamed.
2. Kottu Roti – Veg/Non-Veg: A hearty dish made by stir-frying chopped flatbread (roti), vegetables, and egg or meat.
3. Hoppers (Appa) – Veg: Bowl-shaped pancakes made from fermented rice flour batter with coconut milk, often served with a variety of curries.
4. Dhal Curry – Veg: A staple curry dish prepared with lentils, coconut milk, and spices.
5. Lamprais – Non-Veg: A Dutch Burgher-influenced dish consisting of rice, meat, and sambol chili sauce wrapped in a banana leaf and baked.
6. Curry and Rice – Veg/Non-Veg: Various vegetable and meat curries served with rice, a mainstay of any meal in Sri Lanka.
7. Wambatu Moju (Eggplant/Aubergine Pickle) – Veg: Deep-fried and caramelized eggplant with spices and vinegar.
8. Wood Apple Juice – Veg: A refreshing drink made from the pulp of the wood apple fruit, sweetened with sugar or honey.
9. Polos (Green Jackfruit Curry) – Veg: A spicy curry made using young green jackfruit, coconut milk, and a blend of spices.
10. Buffalo Curd with Kithul Treacle – Veg: A dessert made with buffalo milk curd and sweetened with kithul palm treacle.

Top Famous Restaurants in Ella with Address and Famous Food

1. Café Chill
   Address: Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway, Ella
   Famous Food: Kottu Roti (Veg/Non-Veg)
2. AK Ristoro
   Address: Passara Rd, Ella
   Famous Food: Japanese Cuisine (Veg/Non-Veg options)
3. Matey Hut
   Address: 39 Wellawaya Rd, Ella
   Famous Food: Spicy Curries with Rice (Veg/Non-Veg)
4. Dream Cafe
   Address: Main Street, Ella
   Famous Food: Hoppers (Appa) – Veg
5. Curd Shop
   Address: Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Highway, Ella
   Famous Food: Buffalo Curd with Kithul Treacle (Veg)
6. Ella Spice Garden
   Address: Kithalella Road, Ella
   Famous Food: Cooking Classes for Traditional Dishes (Veg/Non-Veg options)
7. Chill Bar
   Address: Kitalella Road, Ella
   Famous Food: Seafood Platter (Non-Veg)
8. Starbeans Coffee & Restaurant
   Address: Ella
   Famous Food: Western Breakfasts (Veg options available)