Location: Jaffna
Top Restaurants in Jaffna
Northern Province, Sri Lanka Food Guide: 10 Indian food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Jaffna
Reviews on Indian food in Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka. Jaffna (Tamil: யாழ்ப்பாணம், translit. Yāḻppāṇam, Sinhalese: යාපනය, translit. Yāpanaya) is the capital city of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. It is the administrative headquarters of the Jaffna district located on a peninsula of the same name. With a population of 88,138, Jaffna is Sri Lanka's 12th largest city. Jaffna is approximately six miles (9.7 kilometres) from Kandarodai which served as an emporium in the Jaffna peninsula from classical antiquity. Jaffna's suburb Nallur served as the capital of the four-century-long medieval Jaffna kingdom. Prior to the Sri Lankan civil war, it was Sri Lanka's second most populated city after the commercial capital Colombo. The 1980s insurgent uprising led to extensive damage, expulsion of part of the population, and military occupation. Since the end of civil war in 2009, refugees and internally displaced people have started to return to their homes and government and private sector reconstruction has begun.
Things to do in Jaffna
10. Nila
Overall Ratings
3 based on 26 reviews
Reviewed By mahinthan5
There are two buildings in the compound and both of them are run by same owner and may be share the same kitchen. One is called Akshathai which serve veg food on competing price. I've been there, Akshathai was not an exceptional restaurant but for the price you pay it's outstanding. I wrote my review for that separately over there which was listed as Akshathai/Nila in TripAdvisor. The other building which I went there is called Nila which is more high class and suppose to bring item fresh/hot from the kitchen. Their price is similar to high end veg restaurants you have in Colombo such as Shanmugas/Dwaraka/Thalis. But Does "Nila" has the same quality and service?Let me tell my story. I went with my parents, to our surprise there were no waiters no other customers. It was empty!! The same person in the cashier came to serve us. Who cares?I wanted to eat Tandoori Roti. They had that only in the menu sadly not in the kitchen. Wasn't available. Then I asked Kulcha. They didn't have that as well. They didn't have most North Indian items which were in menu. Finally I settled with simple Paratha and Chapati. (For that I really had no reason to visit here never the less I took it).The person served us who was doing double duty (cashier and waiter) didn't give me proper explanation about north Indian side dishes when I asked explanation and ingredients. We wanted to get chapati then even that was out of order. Then we end up ordering fewer chapatis than we intended order (Because of unavailability) and some parathas. Quality is not bad but no way good for the price. Mainly I'm giving terrible rating for not having items in the menu. As a pure vegetarian I always want to support veg restaurants. I'm giving bad ration in order to get attention and correct their errors. And people I beg you.. Please write reviews. If you had been writing enough I would have avoided this place.
9. Hotel Rolex
Overall Ratings
3 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Devan G
Our tuktuk driver recommended this place, they have an conditioned section at the back of the restaurant. Variety of offerings on the menu. We had kottu roti, fried rice and goat curry. Was delicious. majority of the touristy cafes/restaurants in Srilanka charges 10% service charges. We found out at the end of our trip that if the service charge is an add on to the total you can refuse to pay. also no need to tip the waiter if you pay service charge.
8. Vishnu Bavan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By Thevathasan M
Pure vegetarian restaurant good customer service, hygiene is one of the premier restaurants in Jaffna. Traditional Vegetarian dishes are are given a Soulful and spirited workout!.Nice place for a vegetarian meals. tasty and affordable prices.
7. Eleven to Eleven Pizza
Overall Ratings
4 based on 17 reviews
We are serving Pizzas with other Asian foods with a fine dinning experience. It is alcohol free, has friendly staff and delicious meal. We do our best service to attract the visitors to Jaffna by introducing Jaffna authenticated Dishes. Italian pizza has
Reviewed By Mark604
Good pizza, is about the best I can say. The menu is somewhat confusing especially as to what the pizzas are. The waiter seemed as though he'd just been given the job that day and I was his first ever customer. He couldn't remember what I'd ordered from turning away from the table and had to turn back round again to ask. And that was just a pizza and a drink.Then he couldn't see the menu as though he'd not got his glasses with him and had to keep squinting to see it.Plus, be careful about things, like bottles of water, appearing on the table that were not ordered and then tried to be charged for.I'd go back for the pizza and entertainment though.
6. Akshathai/Nila
Overall Ratings
4 based on 52 reviews
Reviewed By Aneesha I
They serve some good indian food (vegetarian), there are two sections, a restaurant like section and a normal eatery type section, you can pick on your choice. Food is good, especially the hot hot wades.
5. Cosy Restaurant
Overall Ratings
3 based on 218 reviews
Reviewed By Martyn P
There are certainly cheaper places in Jaffna, but none that produce their own tasty breads in the tandoor and most definitely none that make the delicious crab curry we tasted last night.Atmosphere? Laid-back & chatty.Service? Typically Sri Lankan, I.e. slow. Not surprising when each dish is freshly cooked.Cleanliness? Perfectly clean, although the tables look a little bit tatty.Expensive? 3,000 rupees (about £13) for 2 crab curries (3 crabs each), 1 vegetable curry, 2 naan, 2 paratha and two beers.
4. Green Grass Hotel & Restaurant
Overall Ratings
3 based on 237 reviews
Reviewed By mainzamwein
good local food in Jaffna, visited 2 evenings, pricing is good, stuff was very friendly and kind. Food was very fresh and delicious, we just can recommend it to everyone who wants to try local kitchen with possibility to calm down the spice ;-)
3. Jetwing Jaffna
Overall Ratings
4 based on 96 reviews
The Peninsula is the main restaurant at luxury hotel Jetwing Jaffna. Serving authentic Jaffna and South Indian cuisine, the menu also includes Asian, Western and Mediterranean dishes and a wide range of vegetarian and seafood favorites such as the fiery r
Reviewed By Gerard R
Because the food was so great here we didn't bother to go elsewhere for food even though we had a car & driver if we wanted to.RoofTop Bar is welcoming after 5.00pm as the sun sets & we had good breeze on both days. The view is great & the bar bites are good too. Don't miss out the restaurant & Rooftop Bar if you visit Jaffna. I didn't get the opportunity to meet the GM Christopher P. to congratulate him for getting this hotel & restaurant staff trained to decent levels. This is no easy task when they have never had decent hotels ever before. Well Done Chris. Long may you continue with your good work. We visited Northgate but they have a long way to reach your city hotel.standards. The fitness room is too small even though we missed it at the city property.. Even though I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you ( you came in with Chairman after we left that morning), I wanted to inform your Chairman of the Hard Tasks he has set to you to manage both hotels from initial state to a blooming establishment. Congratulations & keep up your hard work..
2. Malayan Cafe
Overall Ratings
4 based on 277 reviews
Reviewed By Ravi R
Amazing food for cheap price. No nonsense and not posh. You get what you are there for. Simple and brilliant south indian vegetarian food. Staff are amazing and super efficient. Great place and a MUST try if you are in Jaffna town. Order and have the simple vegetarian set lunch on banana leaf.
1. Mangos
Overall Ratings
4 based on 677 reviews
Reviewed By Mazzap130
Great food. Quick service. Friendly staff. Good prices. Food tasted amazing. Authentic Sri Lankan dishes.
