Like almost anywhere else in the world, Sri Lanka’s restaurants and eateries skewer towards meat options, while vegetarian dishes have been sorely neglected. However, there has been a recent rise in the value of vegetarianism, and new restaurants have popped up to fulfill that need. Some of the restaurants on this list are fully vegetarian, while most have amazingly delectable vegetarian dishes that have been crafted with care. The best part about this list is that the vegetarian cuisine on offer here is not limited to any one genre of food, as there are restaurants here that are have menus inspired by Indian, Western and Asian cuisine.
Shanmugas
This Indian restaurant is one of the oldest vegetarian options in Colombo. For years, Indian has been your best bet when it comes to flavoursome, delicious vegetarian dishes. And for years, Shanmugas has been serving unquestionably appetising vegetarian food. Affordable, with a vast menu that covers both South India as well as North India, Shanmugas is housed in a cosy, atmospheric old-house-turned-restaurant and is usually packed with satisfied diners. They also have delivery options if you prefer to get raithas and parathas delivered straight to wherever you are staying. You can also order in advance and pick up from the restaurant. Their naans are incredible, and they feature a variety from butter naans to stuffed naans and parota stuffed with potato. They have lunches which are spreads based on both South and North Indian fare. Overall, if you’re looking for vegetarian with some bite to it then this is the place you should go.
Milk & Honey
Aiming for healthy foods in general, Milk & Honey is a recent addition to the Colombo food scene. The surroundings are calming, and make for a pretty spot for brunch, with a delicate garden space and a sweet mural sprawling over the walls. Their food is great for breakfast, in fact they have an all-day breakfast menu, and the food on offer is very modern and western, with little Sri Lankan twists. You can order from a variety of things, and dessert is the real winner here. Their wraps use ingredients such as roasted spicy pumpkin, beetroot, and avocado in lieu of meats. They also have a number of salad bowls for those who want to skip the carbohydrates altogether. A quiet spot nestled in the heart of Colombo, Milk & Honey is a lovely vegetarian option that you should definitely try. If you’re rooming in Colombo in The Steuart by Citrus or a similar place, then consider coming here to try it out to escape the noise of the city.
Café Kumbuk
Café Kumbuk and its counterpart Kumbuk Kitchen has grown to be a huge hit in Colombo for its tailored, fresh and punchy menu. They use local, seasonal and organic ingredients wherever they can, and regularly update their menu depending on what is it season. Even their coffee is local! While not a fully vegetarian restaurant, they have a large variety of vegetarian meals that cater to a number of dietary requirements, whether gluten or dairy free, vegan as well as vegetarian. One of their lunch options is the Shroomy Avo Toast, a delightful concoction that sees mushrooms piled on top of flavourful mashed avocado over crisp bread, making for a yummy and fulfilling meal. Their naked burrito bowls are a highlight, and can be made vegetarian or vegan.
Bowl’d
Bowl’d is another restaurant that has garnered a cult following in Colombo. Unique in its offerings, Bowl’d takes the Hawaiian Poke bowl and gives it a Sri Lankan twist. Meaning ‘to slice’, the Poke bowls are absolutely fresh and tangy, resulting in bowls of healthy ingredients that unite to make for a supremely tasty meal. You can order off the menu or customise your bowl, deciding on your base, additions and the strength of the spiciness in your food. The three bases are sushi rice, red rice and zucchini noodles, stylised as zoodles. If you can’t decide, then you can try half of two bases! You can also choose your own additions, ranging from a variety of vegetables to toppings such as wanton strips and seaweed. The bowls are truly appealing, and the fusion on Hawaiian flavours with Japanese influences and fresh Sri Lankan ingredients makes for an experience that must not be missed. The café has a laidback atmosphere, and there is both outdoor and indoor seating.
Exploring Colombo 