The best food & restaurants spots in North Central Province, grouped by district — every listing rated 4 stars or higher on Google.
★ 4.8 900 Google reviews
Sri Lankan · Budget · Anuradhapura
Garden restaurant with one of the highest ratings in Anuradhapura, serving home-style Sri Lankan rice and curry spreads cooked to order. Small, personal and worth the wait.
622/18 Godage Mawatha, Anuradhapura
★ 4.6 1,877 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Western · Mid · Anuradhapura
Hugely popular family restaurant known for enormous portions — one plate can easily feed two — and consistently friendly service. A favourite with both locals and travellers visiting the sacred city.
364 Agbo Mawatha, Stage 2, Anuradhapura
★ 4.5 808 Google reviews
Sri Lankan · Mid · Anuradhapura
Rustic village-style restaurant on Freeman Road serving traditional Sri Lankan curries cooked over wood fires in clay pots. A memorable authentic-cuisine stop near the ancient city.
743 Freeman Road, Anuradhapura 50000
★ 4.4 604 Google reviews
Sri Lankan · Budget · Anuradhapura
Budget-friendly local favourite serving authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry and kottu on Maithripala Senanayake Mawatha. Simple setting, big flavours.
Maithripala Senanayake Mawatha, Anuradhapura 50000
★ 4.3 430 Google reviews
Sri Lankan · Budget · Anuradhapura
Cheerful budget eatery near the new bus stand dishing out traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry with village-style trimmings. Great value for a quick authentic meal.
5th Cross Street, New Town, Anuradhapura 50000
★ 4.1 4,644 Google reviews
Indian, Sri Lankan, International · Mid · Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura's best-known dining landmark on the A12, serving Indian, Sri Lankan and international dishes in generous portions. Draws thousands of reviews for its consistency and value.
A12, Anuradhapura
Official website ↗★ 4.1 1,201 Google reviews
Chinese, Sri Lankan, Indian · Mid · Anuradhapura
Long-established air-conditioned restaurant in the new town serving Chinese, Sri Lankan and Indian dishes. A dependable sit-down choice after a day among the ruins.
Maithripala Senanayake Mawatha, Anuradhapura
★ 4.0 3,347 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Indian · Mid · Anuradhapura
One of Anuradhapura's busiest family restaurants, famed for its lunchtime rice and curry buffet and Indian-style dishes. Popular with tour groups and locals alike.
Jayanthi Mawatha, Anuradhapura 50000
Official website ↗★ 4.9 876 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Village buffet · Mid · Polonnaruwa
Open-air garden restaurant by a canal on the A11, famous for its home-cooked Sri Lankan buffet with plenty of vegetarian curries and the charismatic host Jaga himself. Booking ahead is recommended.
A11, Diyasenpura, Polonnaruwa
★ 4.9 198 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Village buffet · Mid · Polonnaruwa
Highly rated authentic Sinhala buffet near Bendiwewa built around locally sourced ingredients and traditional recipes. A quieter, top-quality alternative to the bigger buffet houses.
Near Bendiwewa Maha Vidyalaya, Bendiwewa, Polonnaruwa
★ 4.8 1,336 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Village buffet · Mid · Polonnaruwa
Legendary village home-kitchen on the Habarana road serving a traditional Sri Lankan buffet cooked in clay pots over wood fires, with rice-field views. Widely considered the definitive local-food experience near Polonnaruwa.
Kalahagala, Polonnaruwa
★ 4.7 218 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Village buffet · Mid · Polonnaruwa
Charming palm-shaded buffet restaurant in Bendiwewa surrounded by rice fields, serving authentic village-style Sri Lankan curries with warm hospitality.
1608 Bendiwewa, Polonnaruwa
★ 4.5 205 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Western · Budget · Polonnaruwa
Family-friendly restaurant and cafe in Polonnaruwa town mixing local rice and curry with Western comfort food. Clean, welcoming and popular with younger locals.
Polonnaruwa town
★ 4.4 587 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Buffet · Mid · Polonnaruwa
Buffet-style restaurant overlooking lush paddy fields, laying out around 30 Sri Lankan dishes including numerous vegetarian options. A convenient authentic lunch stop between the ancient city and Giritale.
Polonnaruwa-Habarana Rd, Polonnaruwa
★ 4.2 258 Google reviews
Sri Lankan, Chinese · Mid · Polonnaruwa
Modern restaurant with an open kitchen near Hospital Junction serving Sri Lankan and Chinese food, with indoor and outdoor seating and a bar. One of the newer quality options in Polonnaruwa town.
Good Market, Hospital Junction, Polonnaruwa
Official website ↗★ 4.1 405 Google reviews
Indian, Sri Lankan, Chinese · Mid · Polonnaruwa
Popular tour-bus stop on the A11 with a North Indian chef turning out Indian, Sri Lankan and Chinese dishes. Spacious, air-conditioned and good value at around USD 6 per head.
A11, Polonnaruwa 51000