Guide to
Sri Lankan Restaurants
welcome to The Sri Lankan Restaurants Guide
Sri Lankan cuisine is a vibrant celebration of flavour, colour, and tradition, offering a unique combination of aromatic spices, fresh ingredients, and diverse influences. Known for its bold yet balanced use of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and curry leaves, Sri Lankan food blends fiery heat with fragrant, savoury, and sweet notes. Typical dishes include fragrant rice and curry platters, crispy hoppers (fermented rice flour pancakes), and spicy sambols made with coconut and chilli.
Sri Lanka’s regions each bring something distinctive to the table. The south is famed for fiery fish curries and seafood, while the central highlands are known for vegetable-rich dishes and aromatic rice varieties.
We’re incredibly lucky here in Brighton and Hove to have two outstanding Sri Lankan restaurants showcasing these diverse flavours and traditions. Whether you’re new to Sri Lankan food or a seasoned fan, expect a feast of textures, tastes, and warming hospitality.
The Coconut Island in Brighton
The Coconut Island is Brighton and Hove’s exciting new Sri Lankan restaurant, opening at the end of 2024 on Hove’s Western Road. This vibrant gem brings an irresistible mix of colour, flavour, and energy to the city’s dining scene, offering a joyful taste of Sri Lanka in a lively, welcoming setting.
Why You’ll Love This Sri Lankan Restaurant
From the moment you step inside, you’re immersed in its island charm. Hand-painted murals of Sri Lankan life blend beautifully with Brighton’s own edgy graffiti art, creating a fun and eclectic atmosphere. Relax under a beach canopy, sip on a fruity cocktail infused with Sri Lankan Arrack, and let the sounds of reggae, smooth beats, and throwback 80s and 90s hits transport you straight to paradise.
The Menu at Coconut Island
The Sri Lankan menu delivers a fresh, modern twist on Sri Lankan street food, designed for ‘sharing or pairing.’ Expect flavour-packed curries, crispy hoppers, Kothu roti street dishes, battered bites, and spicy sambols, with roti, pickles, and other sides completing the feast. Whether you’re a first-timer or a Sri Lankan restaurant fan, the friendly team is on hand to guide you through the menu.
The Coconut Island caters for everyone, from meat and fish lovers to vegans, vegetarians, and gluten-free diners, thanks to Sri Lanka’s naturally inclusive culinary traditions. Nearly everything is made fresh daily with locally sourced ingredients, enhanced by speciality spices imported from Sri Lanka—including their secret house blend, kept tightly under wraps!
Sri Lankan Island Escapism
The Coconut Island is more than a Sri Lankan restaurant; it’s an experience.
Whether you’re out with friends, on a date, or enjoying a family meal, its warm hospitality, fantastic playlist, and incredible food will leave you smiling.
For an island escape right here in Hove, The Coconut Island promises sunshine, spice, and good vibes all year round.
The Moonstone Sri Lankan Restaurant in Hove
Moonstone is a cherished gem in Brighton’s dining scene and one of the UK’s earliest Sri Lankan restaurants. Located just a short walk from the seafront, this family-run restaurant has been serving authentic Sri Lankan cuisine for many years, earning a loyal following.
The food at Moonstone is a celebration of tradition, crafted with care and bursting with flavour. Their signature curries are a must-try, available from mild to hot to suit every palate. What sets this Sri Lankan restaurant apart is their unique curry powder, grown and ground within the family in Sri Lanka and passed down through generations. This intricate blend of spices includes coriander, turmeric, cumin, fennel, curry leaves, and rumpa, with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves added for meat curries, creating rich, aromatic dishes.
Guests can expect a warm welcome and a relaxed, homely atmosphere that reflects the family’s pride in sharing their culinary heritage. For those craving Sri Lankan flavours at home, Moonstone also offers a range of takeaway dishes. Whether you’re dining in or enjoying it on the go, Moonstone restaurant in Hove delivers an unforgettable taste of Sri Lanka right here in the city.
