The Best Vegetarian Restaurants In Colombo, Sri Lanka

Whether you are looking for authentic Sri Lankan or South Indian dishes, Colombo’s vegetarian scene is steadily expanding. The capital city is home to numerous vegetarian eateries that also cater for vegans or lactose-intolerant customers. Here’s our guide to the best vegetarian venues in Colombo.
Did you know – Culture Trip now does bookable, small-group trips? Pick from authentic, immersive Epic Trips, compact and action-packed Mini Trips and sparkling, expansive Sailing Trips.
Dunhinda
Duhinda, one of the city’s best and most unpretentious vegetarian restaurants. Passing through its door, visitors find themselves in a lotus garden filled with rustic huts which offers a truly enchanting setting. Looking like a street food stall, visitors will be dazzled by the well-balanced flavors and variety of dishes on offer. From home made papadum to curry and fruits, Dunhinda offers wholesome and healthy options. Although it isn’t easy to find, Dunhinda is worth the trip.
Shanmugas

Shanmugas is not only one of the best Indian restaurants in town but also one of the most sumptuous vegetarian spots. With its dazzling menu, it comes as no surprise that Shanmugas has acquired a loyal group of regular customers: the restaurant has perfected the balance between spiciness and creaminess and serves up some scrumptious curries.
Milk & Honey
Offering all things healthy, Milk & Honey has been a raving success in Colombo. It offers an impressive menu featuring sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, cakes and brownies. With its garden-like atmosphere, this cafe and restaurant is ideal for a light lunch or a reunion with friends and offers a welcome respite from the noise and bustle of the city center. This restaurant is known for using honey rather than extensive amounts of sugar, resulting in healthier desserts
Sri Suryas
Sri Suyas offers everything from dosas and vadais to other snacks, and serves dishes mainly inspired by South Indian cuisine which are considered some of the best in Colombo. With the service on point, reasonable prices and well-seasoned food, there’s hardly anything to dislike about Sri Suryas. With its unpretentious setting, it continues to welcome a steady stream of visitors, delighting them with some truly unique flavors.
Shri Vihar
Shri Vihar is situated in the heart of Colombo and provides traditional Indian cuisine at reasonable prices. Offering both Northern and Southern dishes, this place will satisfy many different tastes. Its extensive menu includes numerous dishes, sweets, snacks, desserts and juices. Shri Vihar’s skillful chefs carefully prepare spicy and creamy dishes.
Chutneys Cinnamon Grand

Chutneys | © Courtesy of Cinnamon Grand Hotel
Chutneys is a five-star Indian restaurant with a menu of more than 200 options. The restaurant also features a Dosai Bazaar offering freshly prepared dosais and fillings during dinner. The menu is divided between the four Southern states of Indian and between vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Sri Vani Vilas Hotel
Sri Vani Vilas Hotel is a wonderful place to enjoy some traditional Sri Lankan short eats such as dosas or rota, or indulge in a hearty curry with rice. The Sri Vani Vilas Hotel caters for lactose intolerant and vegan eaters.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.