New York City hosts the largest Sri Lankan population outside of Sri Lanka. Indeed, the borough of Staten Island is even home to an area known as Little Sri Lanka, thanks to its concentration of Sri Lankan eateries and citizens. Get to know this New York subculture at the best places for Sri Lankan food in New York City.
In the restaurant-packed East Village, Sigiri manages to stand out. Not only is it the area’s sole Sri Lankan restaurant, but Sigiri’s black pork curry, string hopper kottu, and Sri Lankan fruit cordials are a few of the best dishes in the neighborhood. Best of all, Sigiri is BYOB, allowing you to spend less money on hops and more on hoppers.
A feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds awaits at Lakruwana. Ornate décor including earthenware pots and wrought iron chairs set the scene for indulgent meals of smoked eggplant, egg curry, and sago pudding. Tip: Visit Lakruwana on the weekend to experience one of the best buffets on the island.
For classics done right, make yourself at home at Kottu House. Kottu roti, string hoppers, and watalappam join a small selection of classics in the making (think sweet hoppers and South Asian fries) on the menu at this crowd-pleasing place on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
A taste of tradition is what’s on the menu at SanRasa, a Staten Island spot proving that good food never goes out of style. Sri Lankan staples such as deviled fish and black curries are out-shined only by the restaurant’s signature dish, lamprie, a Dutch-influenced meal of basmati rice, cashew curry, and meat, topped off with a fish cutlet and a boiled and fried egg.
Authentic Sri Lankan home cooking is just a brief trip away at New Asha Sri Lanka Restaurant, where traditional dishes like fish buns, mutton curry, and chicken biryani are all accounted for. Warm customer service from New Asha’s owner, known for loading up customers’ plates with more food than they bargained for, completes the experience.
Those hungry for hoppers need look no further than Randiwa. Here, the famed Sri Lankan dish of rice and coconut milk crepes (and the unofficial star of Randiwa’s menu) comes crowned with toppings such as black lamb curry, tamarind claypot fish, prawn curry, and more.
Satisfy your appetite for adventure at Ceylon Curry, a Staten Island eatery cooking up Sri Lankan classics like you’ve never experienced them. Innovative plates of cheesy kottu, coconut roti, and string hoppers served with milk curry set the standard for a new generation of ethnic eats.
In-the-know eaters swear by Dosa Garden, a popular Indian restaurant cooking up a solid selection of Sri Lankan specialties. Some of the authentic items you can savor include Pittu, or cakes made from steamed rice flour and grated coconut, kottu roti, and string hoppers.