Where to Eat in Polonnaruwa: Best Restaurants and Local Food

Polonnaruwa is a small town built around one of Sri Lanka’s most significant archaeological sites. The food scene is correspondingly small — a handful of local canteens, guesthouse kitchens, and a few basic restaurants near the site entrance. There is nothing here that will stay in the memory as a meal, but there is enough to eat well while spending a day or two exploring the ruins. The approach most visitors find works best is a rice and curry lunch before or after the ancient city, and an evening meal at wherever they are staying.

The Giritale area, about 10km north of the Polonnaruwa town centre, has slightly more options — a few mid-range hotels with proper restaurant kitchens that are worth knowing about if you want something more than a canteen lunch.

What to Eat

Rice and Curry: the standard Sri Lankan lunch and the default eating in Polonnaruwa. The local version is in the central Sri Lanka style — less coconut-heavy than the south coast, more closely resembling the up-country preparation. Good dhal, vegetable accompaniments, and whatever protein the canteen is serving that day. A full plate runs LKR 350–600.

String Hoppers: the tea shops near the bus stand and in the town market area serve string hoppers for breakfast, from around 7am. A practical option before a full day at the ruins, which cover several square kilometres and take most of the morning to tour properly.

Short Eats: bakeries and small tea shops in the town centre sell rolls, cutlets, and biscuits throughout the day. Useful as a snack or a quick lunch if you are cycling through the site and do not want to stop for a full meal.

Where to Eat

Local Canteens near the Site Entrance: there are a few local restaurants and canteens within a short walk of the Polonnaruwa ancient city entrance. They serve rice and curry at lunch and simple dishes for dinner. The food is basic and the prices are fair. These are the most convenient option if you are eating between or after visiting the ruins.

Guesthouse Restaurants: the guesthouses dotted around the Polonnaruwa New Town and near the site often have small kitchens that cook for guests. Dinner on request is the standard arrangement — let your host know in the morning if you want to eat in the evening. The cooking varies by property but is generally the best available option in the area.

Giritale Area (10km North): the Giritale area, on the shores of the Giritale tank (reservoir), has a few mid-range hotels that run proper restaurant kitchens open to non-guests. The menus are broader — Sri Lankan, some international options, decent seafood given the freshwater fish from the tank. Worth the short ride if you want a sit-down restaurant meal rather than a canteen lunch.

Town Centre Canteens: the Polonnaruwa New Town market area has canteens serving lunch from around 11am. These cater primarily to locals and are cheaper than the guesthouse restaurants. The curry selection varies daily; the dhal and vegetable options are consistently good.

Practical Notes

• Polonnaruwa’s food scene is small and functional — set expectations accordingly
• The ruins are best explored by bicycle (rentable near the entrance); carry a packed lunch or snacks for a full-day visit
• Guesthouse dinner needs to be arranged in advance; kitchens do not cater for walk-in evening meals without notice
• Giritale adds 20km of travel (return) but provides a noticeably better restaurant dinner option
• Cash only at local canteens; guesthouse restaurants may accept card if they are mid-range or above