If you’re wondering where to eat in Arugam Bay, you’ve come to the right place. This laid-back surf town on Sri Lanka’s east coast is bursting with flavours, both local and western. From the legendary $1 rice & curry buffets to beachside BBQs and picturesque cafés serving up smoothie bowls with lattes. Whether you’re after the best restaurants in Arugam Bay for fresh seafood, local eats or somewhere to grab brunch and good Wi-Fi, there’s no shortage of options.
This blog is a quick and concise, no nonsense guide about our favourite Arugam Bay restaurants, street food spots and cafés. Including where you’ll find authentic Sri Lankan dishes, healthy eats and the best restaurants in Arugam Bay for sunset views. After spending just over two weeks in the lazy surf town, we fell in love with it and the food! Read Here for a full list of Arugam Bay’s Top Things To Do.
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Flavours of Sri Lanka: Best Local Restaurants
While in Sri Lanka you have to try the famous rice & curry, a staple of every locals diet. You’ll find it everywhere, from roadside stalls to beachfront cafés, it’s a way of life in every Sri Lankan household.
The best restaurants in Arugam Bay that serve rice & curry will be the local plastic chair places, all cooked by a local mum. Don’t expect just one curry, Sri Lankan rice & curry is completely different to the usual curries we’re used to back in England, it’s a buffet of mostly vegetable dishes packed with flavour. Dhal (lentil curry), spicy jackfruit, beetroot curry, green beans, mango chutney and crispy papadums, served up with a hefty portion of rice.
🗺️ Your Ultimate Sri Lanka Map
On our way, we created a Google Pinned Map with all the places we visited in Sri Lanka. Grab your Pinned Map today and start planning your adventure!
Top Tip: Put your rice in the center of the plate, and dish up the curries around it!
- Mothers Kitchen: Sri Lankan home cooking, we recommend the veg curry.
- Samanthi’s: No frills, big portions and a legendary roti – a local hotspot.
- Buffet Arugam Bay: All you can eat curry buffet for under $2, a budget backpackers dream.
- Mama’s: Another dirt cheap rice and curry buffet. Dhal, jackfruit, pumpkin and loads more curries that they change daily.
- Tandoori Hut: An indian curry house with unlimited rice and bread served with each curry so you can stock up! We had the chicken tikka masala and it was gooood!
Ever fancied learning how to cook Sri Lankan cuisine?
Arugam Bay’s Best Fresh Seafood & BBQ Restaurants
If you’re a seafood lover, you’re in for a treat. Some of the best restaurants in Arugam Bay serve up the freshest catch caught that day on the fishing boats lined up at Arugam Bay Beachfront. Whether it’s tuna, snapper, prawns or calamari, the seafood here is as fresh as it gets. Many Arugam Bay restaurants offer nightly BBQs where you can choose your fish and have it cooked over the open fire. We did this multiple times during our stay and loved it. It’s often served with spicy sambols, grilled veggies and rice or chips.
Top Tip: Make sure to agree on a price before cooking the fish!
- Mr Fisherman: Grilled catch of the day, fresh everyday
- Surf’n’Sun: Beachfront spot with fresh seafood and a great sunset atmosphere
- Perera: Fresh rice & curry in the day, seafood BBQ at night
- The Sketch: Grilled fish whipped up by a local fisherman, multiple people said this is the best place they ate in Arugam Bay (ours was the local hidden gem below!)
Arugam Bay is the best place to surf in Sri Lanka, we took some lessons there and found it a great spot to learn
Healthy Eats & Cafés: Best Restaurants Arugam Bay
Where there are surfers, there are smoothie bowls, and Arugam Bay cafés do not disappoint. Whether you’re after a plant based brunch or a picture perfect iced latte, this town has become a hub of digital nomads so it’s got it all. Many of the best restaurants in Arugam Bay double as stylish cafés with great Wi-Fi in the day. From colourful vegan bowls at Shady Lane, to fresh Mediterranean-style dishes at Emily’s, if you’re wondering where to eat in Arugam Bay for western style flavours, then look no further!
- Salty Swamis: Surf café on the beachfront with a great fish taco and smoothie bowl
- Shady Lane: Tucked away in the backstreets, serving veggie specials
- Meori’s: Bit more fancy vibes but a great dinner treat
- Emilys: This was also closed when we visited but people raved about Emily’s!
- East Falafel: This does what it says!
- Squeeze Me: Big smoothie bowls, sandwiches and good Wifi, a great spot
- Rolling Pin: Arugam Bay’s very own bakery, think fresh croissants and iced lattes post surf. Hell yeah!
Everything You Need To Know Before Visiting Arugam Bay Beach!
A Local Hidden Gem
Ssssshhhhh! Don’t tell too many people about this spot!
Family Delight: Because we had our own tuktuk we drove over to Pottuvil to Family Delight for some amazing Kotthu at half the price of Arugam Bay. Keep this place quiet!
Pottuvil is the much more local town just next door to Arugam Bay, why not try the amazing Pottuvil Lagoon Safari to see crocs, elephants and more!
Renting a Tuktuk made our trip unforgettable, book here!
Pizza
Sometimes, post surfing you just fancy a pizza! Here’s what we think is the best pizza restaurant Arugam Bay:
- Pizza Hub: Super popular spot with a wood-fired oven, great atmosphere!
Hidden Cafés & Coffee Spots: Arugam Bay For Digital Nomads
If you’re looking for charm and character while sipping a coffee then these spots are for you. These Arugam Bay cafés are ideal for escaping the chaos, a slow morning, travel journaling or escaping the midday heat.
- Kaffi: Amazing chocolate brownies and coffee. This nordic-style café has got aircon and indoor seating.
- Hideaway Blue Café: Super fast Wi-Fi and a bit of a fancy spot in Arugam Bay as its located in the Hideaway resort.
- Nami Café: A vegan café perfect for brunch, the smoothie bowls here stand out from the rest.
The Kumana National Park is home to leopards and much less busy than Yala
So that’s all of our Best Arugam Bay Restaurants recommendations! We spent over two weeks there and absolutely loved every minute. For more resources on Arugam Bay, head over to:
- Arugam Bay Best Things To Do & Suggested Itineraries
- Where To Stay Arugam Bay
- Best Surf Spots in Arugam Bay
- Peanut Farm Beach
- Arugam Bay Beach
Best Places To Stay In Arugam Bay
$ Budget
Jama’s Stay
A great option for budget backpackers is Jama’s Stay in the heart of Arugam Bay. For less than $10 a night, Jama’s will give you the perfect base to explore the town as it’s close to main point. It’s also a popular spot with travellers for their homemade rice & curry.
$$ Mid-Range
Upali Beach Surf Resort
Less than $20 a night and located literally on the corner of main point, if you stay here you’ll have a view of the waves from your own private beach hut. The huts are a short walk into town but the real beauty of this place is the two minute commute to the lineup! If you surf or not, this is one of the best places to stay in Arugam Bay.
$$$ High-End
Bay Vista Hotel
Bay Vista Hotel is a great choice for families or luxury couples looking to relax and escape from the chaos that Sri Lanka can sometimes be. The rooms are clean, fresh and comfortable. Located right on the beachfront so you can go for a dip every morning. Great food served in the restaurant and a great choice for a place to stay in Arugam Bay.
Spacing
