Indian food has always held a special place in the hearts of many Sri Lankans. With its rich spices, bold flavors, and comforting dishes, it’s no surprise that Indian cuisine is a favorite across the country. Colombo, being a multicultural city, offers a wide range of Indian dining options, from traditional South Indian meals to spicy North Indian curries, and even creative fusion dishes. This time, I set out to discover some of the most popular Indian restaurants around Colombo. These places are known not just for their flavorful food, but also for their ambiance, service, and overall dining experience.
Aachary’s Kitchen
Located on Collingwood Place in Colombo 06, Aachary’s Kitchen is a small but cozy restaurant that takes Indian food seriously. From the moment you walk in, the warm lighting, neat layout, and polite staff create a welcoming vibe. It’s a comfortable spot that mixes simplicity with taste, and what really stands out here is the food.
The restaurant offers a great selection of Indian dishes, from spicy street, style plates to home style comfort food. Their focus on using fresh ingredients, authentic spices, and thoughtful cooking techniques makes each dish feel like it’s been made with care.
We started our meal with their Indian chicken kottu, which was bursting with flavor. The finely chopped paratha mixed with spicy chicken was both satisfying and spicy, a delicious blend of Sri Lankan and Indian cooking. Another standout dish was the mutton border kada parotta. The mutton was well, cooked, tender, and packed with traditional flavor, while the parotta was flaky and buttery, soaking up the curry like a sponge.
For a twist, we tried the spicy chicken cheesy pasta. While this isn't a traditional Indian item, the mix of spicy masala, style chicken and creamy cheese sauce surprisingly worked well. It had a bold taste that offered the best of both worlds, Indian spice and Western comfort.
The black pepper fish was another favorite. The fish was soft and fresh, covered in a bold black pepper coating that gave it a deep, warm heat without overpowering the dish. This one’s especially great if you like strong, spicy flavors. We also sampled the chicken curry dosa. The dosa was crisp on the outside and stuffed with flavorful chicken curry. This dish really hit the mark for classic South Indian food done right.
To cool down from all the heat, we tried Aachary’s special passion and mint mojito. It was light, minty, and refreshing, though not the most memorable drink on the menu. But the grape juice with bubble was a clear winner. Made from fresh grapes and not overly sweet, it came with popping bubbles that added a fun texture and made the drink feel like a treat.
With its friendly service, flavorful dishes, and a nice mix of traditional and creative options, Aachary’s Kitchen has proven to be one of the great places for Indian food in Colombo. Whether you're already a fan of Indian cuisine or just exploring, it's a place worth visiting.
Maharaja Palace
Located at Rajakeeya Mawatha in Colombo 07, Maharaja Palace offers a very different experience. This is one of the best fine, dining Indian restaurants in the city. From the outside, it already feels grand, but stepping inside is like walking into a royal Indian setting. The interior is decorated with sparkling chandeliers, rich wooden furniture, and touches of antique luxury, all of which reflect the style and elegance of the Indian Maharaja era.
Maharaja Palace focuses on authentic North Indian food, prepared by experienced chefs who know how to balance flavor, spice, and presentation. The menu is full of rich, creamy, and spiced dishes, offering a wide selection of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. While the prices are on the higher side, the overall experience, ambiance, service, and food, makes it worth the cost.
One of the first dishes we tried was the Punjabi chicken seekh kabab. It was perfectly grilled, juicy, and had a smoky flavor that lingered with every bite. It was served hot and fresh, and definitely worth the price. Next, we ordered the crab meat bhuna, which was a spicy and flavorful dish. It paired especially well with the soft, buttery aloo paratha, making it a rich and satisfying combo.
Speaking of the aloo paratha, it was one of the simplest but most comforting parts of the meal. Soft, warm, and slightly crisp on the outside, it’s the kind of dish that makes you feel at home. But the real highlight of the evening was the prawns dum biriyani. It came in a sealed pot and had layers of perfectly spiced rice and fresh prawns. Every bite was full of flavor, and the spices were bold but not too heavy. It’s a must- try if you love biriyani.
We also had the fish maharaja, which featured a large, fresh fish cooked with just the right blend of spices. The dish was impressive both in portion and in taste. Another seafood favorite was the tandoori pomfret. The fish was tender and juicy, with a smoky tandoori flavor that wasn’t too dry or overpowering.
To finish off the meal, we chose a mango lassi. It was thick, smooth, and full of rich mango flavor, a cooling, sweet drink that helped balance out the spicy food. Among the many lassis we’ve tried in the city, this one easily ranks at the top.
Maharaja Palace also offers private dining options for those looking for a more personal experience. The quiet setting, soft lighting, and attention to detail make it feel truly special. It’s not just the taste you remember here, but the feeling of being transported into a royal dining experience.
Colombo’s Indian food scene is rich, diverse, and growing. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual bite with bold flavors or a luxurious evening out with royal,style dishes, the city has something to offer.
Aachary’s Kitchen brings you creative fusion and homely classics in a cozy environment, while Maharaja Palace offers a grand fine, dining experience with rich North Indian flavors and top- notch service. Each place brings its own charm, and both are worth visiting depending on the kind of food journey you’re looking for.
Indian cuisine is more than just food, it’s an experience filled with color, spice, and tradition. And here in Colombo, it continues to thrive and impress.
