The East - Sri Lanka - page 541

You'll find a great range of places to eat, with cosmopolitan menus in many restaurants of-
fering everything from Italian to Indonesian dishes, including lots of seafood. For inex-
pensive local grub many guesthouse owners (including Nice Place) will whip up a mean
rice and curry given a little notice.
Mambo's, Galaxy Beach and Beach Hut all organise beach and full-moon parties in sea-
son, and are good spots for a drink on any night. Beach raves at Whiskey Point's SaBaBa
Surf Café can be wild in season, with dancing under the stars.
Most restaurants in Arugam Bay serve alcohol.
Meena SRI LANKAN
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; meals Rs 200-500)
For a very authentic local meal, this small place pumps out all the usual faves including
string hoppers, rice and curry, kotthu ( rotti chopped up and mixed with vegies) and fried
rice. Sip on a tropical fruit juice while you savour the flavours.
Perera Restaurant SRI LANKAN
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; mains Rs 250-400)
Simple roadside joint that works well for a decent rice and curry and genuine Sri Lankan
meals at affordable prices. Also serves some Western food, including breakfasts.
Samanthi's Restaurant SRI LANKAN
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 077 175 9620;Freedom Beach Cabanas;mains Rs 250-675; )
Samanthi's, at Freedom Beach Cabanas, is run by a family of strong, cheerful local wo-
men. Order ahead for rice and curry (around Rs 350); other dishes are the standard A-Bay
mix of Western and modified Sri Lankan. Try the fresh fruit with honey and buffalo curd:
the yoghurt is a regional speciality.
Siripala Place Surf Cafe SRI LANKAN, SEAFOOD
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; mains Rs 400-850)
Right next to the spot where the fish are first hauled out of the deep blue, so the seafood at
this palce is surf-fresh. The views and breezes are the perfect backdrop.