Top Sri Lankan Restaurants in Adelaide That Spiced Up Our Lives
From adopting a quirky alter ego to playing Quidditch in real life, there are several ways to spice up your life. For us though, savoring the dishes of Sri Lankan restaurants in Adelaide does the trick.
Whether it’s Lunuu’s red-hot Cuttlefish or Thiruna’s bold chicken kottu, our team knows which Sri Lankan spots in ADL can turn your foodie game from “ho-hum” to “holy-moly, that’s amazing!”
And since we aren’t self-proclaimed food critics who gatekeep exotic flavors, we’ll share the details below!
Lunuu
Address: Shop 3/297 Payneham Rd, Royston Park
Contact Details: 0478 009 707
Operating Hours:
- Mon – 11 am to 9:30 pm
- Wed – 5 pm to 10 pm
- Fri to Sun – 11 am to 10 pm
Lunuu electrifies Adelaide with its fusion dishes, courtesy of founder Meemanage Sachinda Fernando’s culinary genius. The bites are undoubtedly straight from Sri Lanka—just with a modern, Aussie spin.
On our first trip here, we had the Hot Cuddlefish, a crispy, lime-kissed cuttlefish with the right amount of fire. It’s perfect with the Mush-room In My Heart—crunchy, pepper-tossed mushrooms that further amplify the cuttlefish’s flavor profile.
To sweeten things up, our team ordered the decadent hot chocolate cake topped with ice cream, which surprisingly does not have a playful name. Nevertheless, its sweet essence kept the spiciness in check.
| Tip: You have to call the number above to save your spot. Reservations are required here. |
Thiruna Restaurant
– From cuisinexpeditions
Address: 2/255 Montague Rd, Ingle Farm
Contact Details: (08) 8261 2182
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Sat – 11 am to 10 pm
You won’t have second thoughts devouring Thiruna Restaurant’s sizzling and robust Sri Lankan meals. From the spices to the meat, everything they serve and use is fresh and high quality.
A dish epitomizing the resto’s farm-to-table goodness is chicken kottu, a spicy snack hailing from Sri Lanka’s frenetic streets. Shredded roti bread, vegetables, chicken, and a world of spices make up this satisfying dish.
The chicken kottu’s touch of fire might mess up your taste buds though, so finish it up with Thiruna’s divine mango lassi, aka the tropics in a glass. This smooth and ice-cold Indian beverage teems with ripe mangoes, yogurt, and a subtle hint of cinnamon.
| Tip: Driving from the Adelaide CBD to Ingle Farm takes around 27 minutes. If this sounds like forever, consider ordering online. |
Cafe Anthony
Address: 437 Magill Rd, St Morris
Contact Details: 0452 403 600
Operating Hours:
- Tue – 2 pm to 9 pm
- Wed to Fri – 11 am to 9 pm
- Sat – 9 am to 9 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 8 pm
We’d be lying if we say Cafe Anthony is a head-turner at first glance, as it’s one of those no-frills cafes with simple fixings and furniture. However, when it comes to their servings, they grab attention faster than free samples in a grocery store.
The initial plate we ordered was the steaming Sri Lankan mixed fried rice with chicken chunks and veggies. Each forkful filled our mouths with the protein’s savory character, the warmth of cumin and cinnamon, and the earthy depth of coriander.
To further elevate the meal, we paired it with the famous chicken curry that certainly did not lack rich and aromatic flavors. The diet-busting bowl came with tender chicken in a luscious coconut milk gravy, infused with spices like cardamom and cloves.
| Tip: You know what’s better than a party? A party with Sri Lankan food. Contact Cafe Anthony’s number above to hire them as caterers. |
Ceylonspot Cafe & Bar
Address: 95 O’Connell St, North Adelaide
Contact Details: 0466 049 803
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Thu – 4 pm to 12 am
- Fri to Sat – 4 pm to 1 am
- Sun – 4 pm to 12 am
Lit up by neon lights and decked with abstract wall art, Ceylonspot Cafe & Bar adds a hip side to authentic Sri Lankan feasts.
Not a single day passes here without nasi goreng topping the tables. You can’t blame the patrons for consuming it non-stop, as the dish is a delectable medley of prawns, chicken, and crisp greens, perfectly harmonized with chili paste.
Their biryani is also a foodie sensation that doesn’t get overpowered by robust flavors. The tangy kick of chutney and the subtle sweetness of caramelized onions balance the heat of the spices and the umami-packed notes of beef.
| Tip: Whether you’re dining in spring or winter, don’t forget to ask the waiter about their seasonal discounts! |
B & U
– From ryanetch
Address: Unit 7/352 Morphett Rd, Warradale
Contact Details: (08) 8377 0977
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Sun – 5 pm to 9 pm
B & U’s elegant setting will make you want to wolf down Sri Lankan nosh with a glass of premium vino.
The butter chicken and spicy lamb curry are the highlights, each bite popping with aromatic flavors, creamy textures, and a spice level that won’t singe your tongue.
If you’re seeking a seafood alternative, there’s also a curry with prawns sweeter than the lamb one.
To bring the dishes together, have B & U’s yellow rice, flavored with turmeric and complemented with indulgent spiced-up cheese naan.
| Tip: For a more relaxed or romantic atmosphere, dine here during the late hours. |
Taprobane
Address: 60 Unley Rd, Unley
Contact Details: 0405 171 160
Operating Hours:
- Tue to Sun – 12 pm to 3 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm
Adelaide’s dining scene just got spicier with Taprobane, the new face on the block pulling crowds with its vibrant aesthetics and Sri Lankan flavor bombs.
There are a plethora of options, but we recommend starting your meal with lamprais, a sweet-smelling blend of rice and chicken or lamb curry, all wrapped snugly in a banana leaf parcel.
Malu ambulthiyal will knock your socks off too with its slow-cooked, slightly flaky fish swimming in a zesty and peppery dry sauce. Finished with milk rice and string hoppers, a taste of this might have you planning a trip to Colombo.
| Tip: Give Taprobane’s Insta above a peek to know if they’re having their fan-favorite Sunday buffets. |
Belmondo Restaurant
Address: 1048 Grand Jct Rd, Holden Hill
Contact Details: (08) 8395 2677
Operating Hours:
- Wed to Sun – 10:30 am to 2:30 pm, 5 pm to 9 pm
Yes, Belmondo is technically one of the Mediterranean hotspots in town, but we still included them because of their special Sri Lankan Corner menu.
There’s no way to start other than gobbling their Sri Lankan-style, crumbed tuna balls, served alongside tangy tomato sauce. The coconut roti, a traditional Ceylon flatbread, completes this seafood offering with its nutty, sweet, and savory undertones.
For the mains, the Belmondo mixed chop suey rice is the clear winner for us. Hearty and umami-filled, this dish brims with greens, prawns, sausage, chicken, and a perfectly fried egg atop a bed of flavorful rice.
| Tip: Got an event coming up? Rent the restaurant’s function spaces to take the party up a notch. |
Bombay Bicycle Club
Address: 29 Torrens Rd, Ovingham
Contact Details: (08) 8269 4455
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Wed – 9 am to 12 am
- Thu to Sat – 9 am to 3 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 12 pm
Posh, quirky, and full of literal and figurative spirits, Bombay Bicycle Club is probably the ultimate destination for pub-style Sri Lankan snacks.
We decided to check out this spot on a Saturday and let us tell you, both the vibe and food lived up to the hype. As for the grub, we went for the samosas, which were filled with a tasty combo of peas and potatoes, all jazzed up with cinnamon and cloves.
When it came to the main, the chicken tikka was the plate that made us plan for return trips. The dish is a masterful serving of succulent chicken marinated in a light mix of spices and yogurt, oven-cooked, and served with a refreshing kachumber salad.
| Tip: If you’re seeking an entertaining post-meal spot, why not swing by their game room? Just make sure Lady Luck is on your side, or you might return to the bar for some stress eating. |
95 By Sozas
Address: 95 O’Connell St, North Adelaide
Contact Details: (08) 8464 0464
Sri Lankan fusion cuisine is where 95 By Sozas truly shines. For starters, they have a whopping 300-g Scotch filet, a grilled steak with Ceylon-style sautéed green beans, turmeric mashed potatoes, and a velvety curried mushroom sauce.
Then there’s the crab and clams linguine, a seafood sensation that ups the essence of the ocean’s flavor by adding Ceylon spices to the already al dente linguine.
We’re talking about clams flavored with fennel, chili, and a slow-cooked, creamy curried sauce.
| Tip: Due to maintenance requirements, 95 bt Sozas is temporarily closed. Check their Facebook profile for announcements of when they’re opening again. |
Soza’s Food Truck
Serviced Area: Adelaide CBD
Contact Details: +61 432 361 257
Operating Hours: Daily – 24 hours
Soza’s Food Truck brings the heat with Sri Lankan flavors on wheels. Spot them at the right place and time, and you’ll sink your teeth into their homemade roti mixed with veggies, eggs, and curry.
If you can handle the heat, there’s also the aptly-named devilled chicken, marinated in Soza’s special spice mix and tossed in a sauce that might be hotter than a summer day in Kandy.
But, if you’re craving familiar flavors with a Sri Lankan twist, opt for the fried fish cutlets, made fiery by a Ceylon-style chili mayo.
| Tip: For updates on where Soza’s Food Truck will be parked, check their Instagram above regularly. |
