Simply, it is a collection of a number of facets that bring out the exclusivity of the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’, Sri Lanka. Might it be its fascinating festivals, rich culture and traditions, gambling opportunities, or backpacking. All of them reflect a good portion of the authentic Sri Lankan life. Going beyond, the Sri Lankan Food Culture also holds a significant segment with regard. All its specialties such as cultural food, street food, sweet-meats, and everything else, reveal to the world the fascination of the Sri Lankan culinary experience. However, this country being an island surrounded by the blue waves, the bond Sri Lankans have with seafood can never be disregarded. Moreover, the amazing dishes made out of the seafood in Sri Lanka never fails to delight anyone with their delicacies.
However, some of the seafood dishes in Sri Lanka have shades of overseas cuisines as well. Yet, with the touches of the traditional culinary skills, they come into the plates with authentic Sri Lankan tastes. Moreover, it is not only their flavors that hold the fascination. Their rich looks and tang of the seafood in Sri Lanka make them more special. Hence, it is not only Sri Lankans that love seafood in Sri Lanka, but also the overseas visitors. Thus, if you are a seafood lover, Sri Lanka is the perfect destination for you to enjoy its intricacy at its best. Yet, you might still be a bit excited since you never know how wonderful the seafood dishes in Sri Lanka are. Keep calm, because we are ready to share with you their delicacy in detail. Continue reading, and you will never leave this splendid island without witnessing their delight!
Seafood in Sri Lanka
The waves of the Indian Ocean, surrounding Sri Lanka are indeed a fishing ground rich with a variety of bounties. Most of them caught freshly and cooked in various ways, leave anyone mouthwatering. First of all, let’s check out the most popular and widely available seafood in Sri Lanka.
- Fish
- Prawns
- Crabs
- Lobsters
- Shrimps
- Cuttlefish
- Oysters
Of course, each of them is a pack of nutritions and a bundle of flavors. With the touches of tropical tastes, Sri Lankans prepare a number of delicious dishes that call for celebration. Keep reading and you will get to know what they are.
Seafood Dishes in Sri Lanka
Dishes made out of freshly caught seafood in Sri Lanka are indeed impressive. The traditional Sri Lankan spices, blended with the flavors of the nutritional seafood please anyone and leaves them craving for more. Without further exaggerations, let us now highlight the most popular seafood dishes in Sri Lanka.
- Fried Seafood
- Fish Ambul Thiyal
- Crab Curry
- Hot Butter Cuttlefish
- Sri Lankan Seafood Platter with Lobsters
- Devilled Seafood dishes
- Claypot Prawn Curry
- Shrimp Salad
- Sri Lankan Oyster Dish
- Dry Fish Curry
Simply, they are some of the stupendous dishes that are second to none in this whole world. They surely have the perfect blends of tangs that leave you amused. So, why not? Let us get to know about each of these dishes, one after another.
1. Fried Seafood
Deep-fried seafood in Sri Lanka is a perfect snack, appetizer, and side dish. Some deep-fried dishes come with several seafood items, while some contain only one kind of seafood. However, some of the most popular fried seafood items in Sri Lanka are as follows.
- Chilli Fried Fish
- Crispy Fried Prawns
- Crispy Fried Shrimps
- Fried Cuttlefish
Whatever the seafood is, Sri Lankans season them with a fine thick coat of cornflour, spices, and garlic mixtures. Then they deep-fry them until they take up the appealing golden looks. Finally, they come into the plates with amazing looks and mouthwatering flavours. Simply, these peppery blends, along with the crispy crunches, delight any of the seafood lovers in a way like no other. Further, some restaurants offer them with a fresh vegetable salad and some with a gravy or sauce. However they are offered, the fried seafood in Sri Lanka is simply magical. So, never miss tasting the amazing flavors of them, at least once on this splendid isle.
2. Fish Ambul Thiyal
The Sri Lankan Ambul Thiyal is simply an authentic Sri Lankan dish, which makes a great addition to a traditional plate of rice and curry. It emerged from Southern Sri Lanka in the past, as a method of preserving cooked fish for a few days. However, later on, Sri Lankans island-wide embraced it with much love. It is now a favorite of both Sri Lankans and tourists. It is more or less a fish curry that looks dark and dry. The fish cubes in it are first sauteed with a fine blend of spices and then simmered. Duly, it offers a perfect combination of spice, sour, and seafood flavors, just with a single bite. Amazing, isn’t it? You would surely be more amazed if you taste it yourself. So, never forget to taste the ‘Sri Lankan Ambul Thiyal’, whenever you visit this island.
3. Crab Curry
The crab curry in Sri Lanka is simply a divine-tasting seafood dish. Herbs and spices added to it ground it to an astonishingly complex flavour that amuses any of the seafood lovers. Simply, a fiery tang of spices coupled with a sense of sweetness it is! Moreover, some even add a few springs of drumstick, to magnify its texture and nutrients. However, the curry might either be dry or gravy. Nevertheless, its rich flavours and savours that enhance its deliciousness are more or less the same. Further, the crab curry in Jaffna is more popular for its authentic humble touches of Hindu culinary traditions. Still, this amazing dish of crab curry can be easily found anywhere on this land. Hence, never regret later by ignoring to witness the delicacy of this wonderful seafood dish in Sri Lanka.
4. Hot Butter Cuttlefish
Simply, one of the favorites among Sri Lankans as well as overseas visitors! Of course, it is a fine dish of cuttle-fish, with some serious touches of foreign cuisines as well. However, it holds a unique flavor of their own as they are blended with the Sri Lankan authentic culinary styles. Nevertheless, it never fails to delight anyone with its spicy, and salty crispy crunches. Some prefer to have them as a snack, or an appetizer, while some love to have them as a side dish for the main meal. Whatever your choice might be, it simply happens to be a must-try in your Sri Lankan food list.
5. Sri Lankan Seafood Platter with Lobsters
Lobsters are surely seafood in Sri Lanka, which enhances the fascination of any of the seafood dishes. Usually, the fresh-caught lobsters are boiled, steamed, or grilled, and then served with some additions. The Sri Lankan seafood platter with Lobsters comes with a good collection of seafood items and a vegetable salad. Moreover, they are also served with mayonnaise and other sauces as well. Whatever the additions might be, we suggest that a seafood platter with lobsters is the most stupendous dish that one can ever witness on this island. The combination of these seafood treats might vary from place to place. Yet, their flavors never fail to leave your taste buds enthralled craving for more.
6. Devilled Seafood Dishes
Indeed, one of the mouth-watering seafood dishes that will simply leave you wanting for more! However, devilled seafood dishes come in various choices. You can find below the most popular devilled seafood dishes on this island.
- Devilled prawns
- Chillie Devilled Fish
- Devilled Shrimps
Whatever your choice might be, all of them offer you a vibrant dish with a perfect mix of flavors. As it is assorted with onions, chilies, capsicums, and sometimes carrots, the dish would not only enthrall you with their tangs but also with their luring looks as well. The devilled seafood dishes not only perfectly match with a plate of fried rice, noodles, or pasta, but also with paratha, naan, or roti.
7. Claypot Prawn Curry
It is not a secret that a number of dishes can be made out of prawns. Among them, the clay pot prawn curry happens to be one of the most popular seafood dishes in Sri Lanka. It is not only popular as a dish offered at restaurants but also as a favorite dish in houses island-wide. They might not have clay pots with them. Still, they would try it in a pan, just to fulfill their craving for prawn curries. However, a prawn curry cooked in a clay pot, with the Sri Lankan culinary techniques is the best. You can find it among most of the restaurants islandwide. Further, a prawn curry would pair well with a plate of rice and curry, noodles, bread, or even with naan, parathas, roti, or thosei. However, the prawn curry is simply a wonderful gravy that should never be missed!
8. Shrimp Salad
By now, you already know that fried shrimp dishes, and devilled shrimps, are popular seafood dishes in Sri Lanka. Apart from that, many restaurants even offer a delicious shrimp salad with perfect dressings. Of course, it also has considerable touches of foreign cousins. Still, the traditional spices add the exclusivity of Sri Lankan tastes to it. The baked shrimps together with mayonnaise, onions, and chilies, along with the delicate dressings make a fabulous combination like no other. Also, it is an ideal choice for anyone who is not that fond of spicy textures. Its creamy blends together with the flesh of fresh shrimps are simply fantastic. It goes well with pasta, noodles, or even with a sandwich. So, why not? Taste it once, and you will never regret your choice!
9. Sri Lankan Oyster Dish
There are not many variations of the oyster dishes in Sri Lanka. Yet, the Sri Lankan Oyster dish with simple touches of western cooking styles is simply the best. It is a perfect dish for any of the meals of the day. It comes onto the table with a bunch of flavors with herbs, spices, and sauces. Moreover, the fresh and juicy oysters of Sri Lanka further magnifies the delicacy of it. They are a bit rare to be found at restaurants islandwide. Yet, these stupendous oyster dishes are always available in luxurious restaurants and hotels around certain major cities. Still, if you are a die-hard fan of oyster dishes, nothing to worry about! Let your travel guide know about it, or else do simple research on the seafood restaurants around. You will surely find a place to fulfill your cravings with a fabulous oyster dish.
10. Dry Fish Curry
Dry fish curry might not be a dish that is popular all around the world. Yet, it happens to be one of the fine additions to an authentic Sri Lankan plate of rice and curry. Ancient Sri Lankans salted and sun-dried fish, in order to preserve them for a longer time without refrigerators. That is how they got used to preparing a delicious dry fish curry. Some might even deeply fry it and devil it. Whatever the way they prepare the dish, they come into the plate as a fine delicacy with all flavors of spice, salty, and fabulous savories. Neither the dry fish curry nor the devilled dry fish is available in most of the upscale eateries. Yet, if you visit a small boutique by the road, and enjoy a plate of rice and curry, they might most probably serve you a dry fish dish, as per your choice.
All these seafood dishes are indeed a flavourful addition to any of the meals. As Sri Lankans are now exposed to the world, all these dishes are now having touches of foreign culinary styles more than earlier. Still, Sri Lankans never forget to magnify their delicacy with Sri Lankan traditional styles as well. However, what we highlighted above are just a few of the seafood dishes in Sri Lanka. A good collection of seafood dishes are being added to the Sri Lankan menus in the present owing to the influences of the foreign cultures. Indeed, all of them together take the delight of the Sri Lankan seafood to another level. So, by chance, if you arrive on this beautiful island, never miss the chance of experiencing the delicacy of the Sri Lankan seafood dishes!
Seafood Restaurants in Sri Lanka
As we always say, the love that Sri Lankans have for seafood is never any less. Hence, Sri Lanka is home to a number of seafood restaurants that cover a wide range of appetites and budgets. However, to be specific, a dish of fish or prawns can be easily found on any corner of this splendid island. Yet, if you are craving for a dish of shrimps, lobsters, oysters, or cuttlefish, the best is to visit a seafood restaurant in a major city. While there are several seafood restaurants in Sri Lanka, the following cities house the most.
- Colombo
- Galle
- Negombo
So, you are excited to know more about the best seafood restaurants on this island. Isn’t it? Keep reading to get to know all about them yourself!
Seafood Restaurants in Colombo
The bustling city of Colombo, by the shores of the Indian Ocean, is simply a paradise of food. Thus, spotting out a seafood restaurant among them is not a hard task. However, below are some of the most popular seafood restaurants in the vibrant city of Colombo.
- Ministry of Crab
- The Lagoon
- The Ocean Seafood Restaurant
- The Manhattan Fish Market
- Nihonbashi
If you are a seafood lover, who is seeking a place around Colombo to fulfill your seafood cravings, you will surely need to know more of them! So, have a look at the sections below. We have briefed about them, just for you!
Ministry of Crab
Beyond a shadow of a doubt, one of the best seafood restaurants in Sri Lanka. Ministry of Crab also features among Asia’s top 50 restaurants. It amazes its visitors through its truly sumptuous dishes. Their menu highlights a good collection of fantastic seafood dishes and especially offers the country’s best lagoon crabs.
The Lagoon
Owned by the prestigious Cinnamon Grand Hotel, ‘The Lagoon’, is indeed one of the best open market seafood restaurants on this island. It creates opportunities for the visitors to inspect the fresh-caught seafood at first. Then the experienced skillful chefs would turn them into a delicate dish of seafood, giving an unforgettable eating experience. Moreover, its wonderful settings and the comfortable seating spaces would further enhance the delight at ‘The Lagoon’.
The Ocean Seafood Restaurant
The Ocean Seafood Restaurant, owned by the Kingsbury Hotel, offers an extensive range of choices. Nevertheless, they also have with them a variety of options to cater you the seafood dish exactly in the way that you crave for. Also, it is not only its food that makes it the best but also the panoramic views that it offers you over the sea. All these facets coupled together make it a seafood restaurant that suits for an excellent dining experience.
The Manhattan Fish Market
The Manhattan Fish Market recreates a perfect American style seafood experience, here in Sri Lanka. They are experts in coming up with creative seafood dishes with a fine blend of mouthwatering flavors. Going beyond they also delight their customers with their wide range of international cuisines, desserts, and friendly staff. After all, a dine at Manhattan Fish Market is simply one of the experiences that eating experiences that you can ever wish for.
Nihonbashi
Nihonbachi is next to The Ministry of Crabs and is indeed one of the finest upscale restaurants in the city of Colombo. It is also featured in the list of Asia’s top 50 restaurants. Combining the culinary styles of Japan and Sri Lanka, they offer some of the world’s best seafood dishes. Moreover, its sushi counter adds a different sense of elegance to this restaurant. So, if you are a seafood lover, never miss the chance of experiencing the great tastes of the country’s best seafood over there.
Seafood Restaurants in Negombo
As you might already know, Negombo is one of the scenic cities on the island of Sri Lanka. As it is bordered by the golden shores and the lagoons, Negombo and seafood are simply closely related. Moreover, owing to the fact that Negombo is located only a few miles away from the Bandaranaike International Airport, it remains a tourist hotspot. Hence, Negombo houses a number of amazing seafood restaurants delighting both the locals and tourists. Of course, there are a lot. Mains among them are as follows.
- Lellama by Jetwing Sea
- Seafood Club by Grandeeza
If you are planning to experience the delicacy of seafood in Negombo, the following briefs might help you choose the best place.
Lellama by Jetwing Sea
The Seafood restaurant at Jetwing Sea is one of the best seafood restaurants out there in the beautiful Negombo city. The extensive seafood dishes that they serve to your table, surely makes you dive into a fabulous taste sensation. Also, the surroundings of this restaurant are indeed impressive. It resembles a traditional fishing village. Further, it creates opportunities to experience the marvels of the seafood while digging your feet on the sand and soothing yourself with the cool breezes and the sounds of the waves. All these together make Lellama one of the best out of the best!
Seafood Club by Grandeeza
Seafood Club, by the Grandeeza Luxury Hotels and Banquets, is simply one of the best seafood restaurants in the town. Located at a corner of the hotel complex by the lagoon, it offers a wonderful seafood experience like no other. With its amazing dishes, it never fails in bringing out the delicacy of the ocean delights to your plate. Moreover, its scenic surroundings, the friendly staff, and the quality service lure more and more customers day by day. So, beyond a doubt, Grandeeza Seafood Club is one of the best places in Negombo for a scrumptious seafood experience.
Seafood Restaurants in Galle
As you might already know, the beautiful city of Galle is located on the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka. Miles of golden stretches keep guarding this city. Hence, the bond that Galle has with the blue waves should not be further exaggerated. Owing to this simple reason, and also because Galle is a significant tourist attraction, the number of seafood restaurants in this city keeps increasing day by day. Hence, you can find enough and more seafood restaurants out there. Yet for the moment, let us highlight the mains.
- The Tuna & The Crab
- Elita Seafood Restaurant
Also, if you need to know more about them, the following sections would help you with it.
The Tuna & The Crab
A visit there would simply remind you of the popular seafood restaurants in Colombo, The Ministry of Crab, and Niroshima. Shaping its food culture, having them as fine examples, ‘The Tuna & The Crab’ emerges as one of the best in the town. Combining the Japanese culinary styles with the Sri Lankan, the dishes that they offer hold unique textures and flavours. So, if you are a seafood lover, finding a place to fulfill your cravings, ‘The Tuna & The Crab’ would be one of the best.
Elita Seafood Restaurant
Elita Seafood Restaurant remains in Galle as one of the popular spots for seafood in the city. Running under the supervision of an experienced chef, Elita Seafood Restaurants offer scrumptious seafood dishes for any of their customers. Moreover, it is one of the best places in Galle for visitors to sample some of the fresh and best seafood in Sri Lanka. So, we suggest that enjoying the delight of seafood out there would be a wonderful dining experience.
After all, what we highlighted in these sections are the most popular. Yet, you can find many more seafood restaurants all around this island. So, never hesitate to travel an extra mile to dive yourself in the flavours of the finest seafood dishes. Keep exploring and you will surely be amazed by discovering many more wonderful seafood restaurants on this island!
Seafood Price in Sri Lanka
If you are craving to taste the seafood in Sri Lanka, you might surely have a doubt about the seafood prices on this land. Yet, it is hard to sort out an exact price for the wide range of seafood dishes out here. Their prices may highly vary owing to several factors such as the specialty of the dish, the type of seafood in it, the place you buy seafood, etc. However, on average, fried seafood crunch at street food stalls in Sri Lanka, would be the cheapest. A good amount of them would only cost around 1 or 2 USD. Still, if you choose a seafood dish at an upscale restaurant that we suggested, the price of a seafood dish would surely range between 3 to 10 USD. So, the price of a seafood dish simply varies on the choices of yours!
Is it safe to eat seafood in Sri Lanka?
Of course, yes! It is safe to eat seafood in Sri Lanka. All restaurants and food stalls, including seafood restaurants are regulated by the Food Control Administration Unit of Sri Lanka. Thus their quality is under constant supervision. Still, you must pay special attention in enjoying seafood, if you develop allergies on them.
The Bottom Line
Whether you crave fried prawns, grilled fish, or devilled shrimp, Sri Lanka is simply the best! The freshly-caught seafood, cooked in multiple ways, bringing out the tropical tastes, is simply an experience that is not to be missed. So, by chance, if you ever arrive at this island of beauty, never leave it without witnessing this amazing blend of flavors. With just one bite, you will realize the fascination of the seafood in Sri Lanka!
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