Nestled in Sri Lanka’s misty hill country, Nuwara Eliya is much more than just scenic tea plantations. Its cuisine blends colonial influences and local traditions, offering hidden flavours and unique dishes that make every meal a cultural journey worth savouring.

Appam
Appam | Image via Wikimedia Commons

Kottu Roti

A beloved dish found throughout the island, kottu roti is a fixture of the cuisine in Nuwara Eliya. This delicious street food is made by chopping roti into fine pieces on a griddle and stir-frying with vegetables, egg, meat, and curry.

Egg Hoppers

If anyone is looking for a restaurant in Nuwara Eliya that serves these delicious treats known as egg hoppers, it truly is the perfect place to try them. Pair it with a cup of plain tea because in the cold climate of Nuwara Eliya, this combo is just a chef’s kiss! They are bowl-shaped pancakes made from coconut milk and rice flour, and can even be topped with a runny egg. It’s perfect to enjoy with a bit of fish curry and lunu miris. It also helps that places like Heritance Tea Factory offer this tasty dish.

Dhal curry

This curry is a staple food in any Sri Lankan home and is enjoyed at least 2 to 3 times a week. This curry is made from lentils, and when paired with rice, it’s absolutely flavourful and tasty. The best part of it is the spices and herbs that are added to give it that authentic twist, which makes it incredibly aromatic.

Watalappan

Watalappan is a sweet dish that is a delicacy that is very common to enjoy as a dessert following a joyous meal or a good occasion. It is made from coconut milk and is very much like a custard pudding, but has a local twist of spices to bring out an aromatic flavour.