In Sri Lanka, meals are much more than just food; they are celebrations of community, family, and togetherness. Traditional Sri Lankan dining is built on the idea of sharing, where each meal is a communal experience. This tradition of sharing has its roots in village life, where people gather around shared plates and trays of rice and curry, engaging in conversations, laughter, and stories. Meals become moments where bonds are strengthened and where everyone is connected through the rich, spicy, and aromatic food they enjoy together.
At Ceylon and Beyond, we bring this beautiful tradition to the UK with our Lankan Feast menu, designed to capture the spirit of Sri Lankan communal dining. The Lankan Feast allows diners to choose a mix of starters, mains, salads, and desserts, creating a balanced meal that’s ideal for sharing among friends, family, or colleagues. From spiced curries to unique salads and traditional sweets, each dish reflects the authentic flavours and warmth of Sri Lankan cuisine.
Warming Up the Table
The starters in our Lankan Feast set the stage for an incredible meal. Small, flavour-packed bites like Dry-fried Nuts with curry leaves and spices and Sri Lankan Rolls made from crispy pancakes filled with spiced potatoes or mutton embody the traditional Sri Lankan love for bold, inviting flavours. The Fish Cutlets, made with smoked tuna, spiced potatoes, and herbs, are crispy on the outside, with a soft, savoury filling that brings out the best of island ingredients. These starters are perfect for sharing, inviting everyone to reach across the table and dive into these vibrant bites.
Other starters, such as Dal Vada (lentil fritters) and Sri Lankan Patties stuffed with chicken, chilli beef, or wild mushrooms, reflect the diversity of Sri Lankan cuisine, where even the simplest ingredients are transformed into mouth-watering dishes. Each starter is a unique taste of Sri Lanka, bringing traditional family recipes to a new dining experience.
The Heart of a Sri Lankan Feast
In a traditional Sri Lankan meal, the main dishes are arranged to create a balanced flavour profile. Our Lankan Feast offers the same experience, with classic curries and rice dishes that represent the heart of Sri Lankan home-cooked meals. The Sri Lankan Rice & Curry is a staple, served with basmati rice, house pickles, cucumber salsa, and crispy papadum. This dish is the foundation, providing a neutral base that pairs well with the rich, spicy curries on the menu.
The Coconut Dal, made with red lentils and coconut milk, is mild yet flavourful, perfect for those who enjoy a comforting curry without too much heat. For those seeking more spice, the Black Pork Curry and Roasted Chicken Curry are made with deep, toasted spices that create complex, medium-spiced flavours. The Curried Jackfruit and Cashew Nut Stir Fry are excellent vegan choices that add variety and texture to the meal, ensuring there’s something for everyone around the table.
In Sri Lanka, it’s common for meals to feature an array of curries with different textures and spice levels. The variety encourages sharing, as people sample a little of each dish to create their own perfect plate. At Ceylon and Beyond, our mains are carefully selected to reflect this tradition, bringing together options that work harmoniously as a full meal while allowing diners to enjoy each flavour individually.
Special Flavours from the Sea
For those looking to enhance their Lankan Feast, we offer supplementary main dishes that feature fresh seafood, bringing Sri Lanka’s coastal flavours to the table. The Sri Lankan Seabass with lemongrass, green chillies, and ginger in a coconut curry sauce adds a touch of indulgence to the feast, while the Negombo Prawn Curry and Crab Curry are classic favourites. These dishes are ideal for sharing and represent Sri Lanka’s vibrant seafood culture, especially cherished for communal dining occasions and special celebrations.
Salads: Fresh and Vibrant Sides
No Sri Lankan meal is complete without fresh, zesty salads to balance the richness of curries. Our salads, like the Papaya Salad with lemon dressing or the Chickpea Salad with curry leaf and coconut shavings, offer refreshing flavours and crisp textures. These salads add brightness to the meal, with ingredients like coconut, tomato, green onions, and lemon, which provide a burst of acidity to complement the mains.
Our Coconut Sambol – a fresh chutney made with grated coconut, lemon, and chilli – is a must-try. This traditional side is often sprinkled on top of rice and curries, adding texture and a unique Sri Lankan flavour that ties the entire meal together.
Sweet Endings to a Perfect Meal
Sri Lankan desserts are unique in their use of spices, coconut, and tropical fruits. The Watalappan, a spiced coconut milk custard with nutmeg and cinnamon, is a beloved traditional dessert that’s both sweet and aromatic. For something a little lighter, our Chilli Caramel Grilled Pineapple offers a delightful blend of sweet, spicy, and tangy notes.
We also offer Coconut Ice Cream with Spiced Toffee Sauce, which brings out the tropical sweetness of coconut with a caramel sauce that has just a hint of warmth from Sri Lankan spices. Each dessert is a fitting finale, providing a satisfying end to the meal and leaving diners with a taste of Sri Lankan hospitality.
Traditional Sri Lankan Beverages
To complete the experience, our drinks menu features traditional Sri Lankan favourites, from Ceylon Black Tea to Ceylon Chai brewed with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. The Golden Milk, made with turmeric and ginger, is an Ayurvedic beverage that brings a warm, soothing element to the meal. For something unique, try the Magic Blue Tea made from butterfly pea flower, which offers a refreshing floral flavour and a stunning natural blue hue.
Bringing Sri Lankan Traditions to the UK
At Ceylon and Beyond, we’ve crafted the Lankan Feast menu to bring the tradition of communal dining to the UK, allowing friends, families, and colleagues to gather around a meal that’s meant for sharing. Our dishes honour Sri Lanka’s rich culinary heritage, with each item on the menu thoughtfully prepared to offer authentic flavours and the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality.
Whether it’s a special occasion, a team gathering, or simply an excuse to enjoy a hearty meal with loved ones, our Lankan Feast is more than just food; it’s a celebration of connection, togetherness, and the joy of sharing. Let us bring the essence of Sri Lankan dining to your table, creating memories and connections that are as nourishing as the food itself.
Planning an event?
We’d love to help! Whether you’re hosting at home, at a venue, or outdoors, we cater to all events, including weddings, birthday parties, baptisms, private parties, garden parties, hen and stag parties, corporate events, Christmas parties, banquets, live events, and anniversaries. From informal gatherings to formal sit-down meals with exceptional table service, we’ve got you covered. We also provide delivery for breakfast and lunch to workplaces.
Our menus range from Sri Lankan Curries, Street Food, Mediterranean Feasts, Thai, and French cuisine, to Canapes, Sandwiches, BBQ, Hog Roasts, Desserts, Drinks and more! We also offer vegan, vegetarian, and custom options to suit all dietary needs. No kitchen? No problem—we bring everything we need for a seamless, stress-free event. Based in Bristol, we proudly serve Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and surrounding areas.
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