Curry Leaf (Hilton).

Curry Leaf is the Hilton’s Sri Lankan restaurant, and they do an amazing spread of fresh seafood and local cuisine. They only have a buffet, from 7PM onwards, and there’s a surprisingly large, high quality selection to pick from.

It costs more than Rs. 3000 per person though, which is the hitch – our dinner for two racked up a fat bill. Still, if you’re looking for one of the best buffets in the city (and my personal favourite), this is it. 

The Sri Lankan Food

The Curry Leaf buffet has a very good, wide spread of local foods, so this is an especially good place to consider if you’re new to the country. There’s freshly prepared kottu and hoppers, and then clay-pot rows of rice, string hoppers, pittu, with all the hodhis, curries and sambols in tow.

Raja Bojun also does a similar looking spread but the difference is that here, from the fish curry to the mutton to the katta sambal, everything was especially tasty and enjoyable, and not your typical ‘meh’ Sri Lankan spread. The meats were tender and flavoursome and the sambals were dynamite.  

The Seafood

The seafood part of the buffet is my favourite part and deserves a special section. Separate from your Lankan buffet section is a chilled room with fresh seafood on display, everything from crab to garoupa. You can make your pick and your choice of preparation here and head off and they’ll bring it to your table – we asked for a little bit of everything. 

We got the deep fried fish, chilli crab, chilli prawns, hot butter cuttlefish and a plate of garoupa (check out this review’s gallery for more pictures). These meats were spot on. The chilli prawns came juicy in a spicy brown gravy, the HBC was great – and great HBC is hard to find – a little peppery, freshly fried and crunchy and the garoupa was an interesting change from the rest of our dishes – mild, creamy and perfectly soft.

The chilli crab was the winner though, deliciously presented in a coating of red sauce and green chillies, loaded with soft, sweet meat in easy-to-tackle shell. 

Ambience & Service

We were given confusing directions when we got to the Hilton gate – we had to cross the road, take many flights of stairs to an overhead bridge, before reaching Curry Leaf on the other end. Quite a pilgrimage for some good seafood. But there is an easier way to get there from the main lobby – just make sure to ask for directions when you walk in. The ambience here is very relaxed and simple, thatched roof and brown floors – there is an A/Ced indoor space and a very pleasant outdoor one nearer to the buffet. 

The good seafood, the carved moon-stone at the steps, the occasional Yaka mask hung up as decor, the Sri Lankan mariachi-type band (we got ‘Surangani‘ sung to us – good times) – it’s your typical tourist-friendly Sri Lankan dining experience. Service was superb, with the chef himself and the manager dropping by at the table to check on our meals. 

Conclusion

Curry Leaf is a high quality buffet and my own new favourite now – if you love seafood as much as I do, this is a win. Also useful if you’re new to the country and you want to try the best of local foods. It is however undeniably expensive – with taxes it came to Rs. 3500 per head. Quality, quantity and selection are still way up there, so if you do feel like a very special night out and you can afford it, this spread is worth considering. 

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Beyond the Hook: Exploring Totally Hooked’s non-Seafood dishes

By Hashini Pathirana Totally Hooked CMB, as we are all aware, is widely renowned for

Kamu Yamu Guide

The Art of Fusion Cuisine at Mövenpick Hotel

By Vera Wadugodapitiya We walked into Robata Grill, Mövenpick. Instantly, what struck me about the

Highlights Kamu

A Taste of Mexico – Cinnamon Red’s Latest International Cuisine

By Shamrina Carim Every month, Cinnamon Red has come up with an exciting initiative to

Highlights Kamu

A Classical High Tea Encounter with the Coronation at Mount Lavinia Hotel

By Shamrina Carim Mount Lavinia Hotel hosted a casual evening of classic high tea encounters

Highlights Kamu

The Bento Box at Royal Thai, Cinnamon Lakeside

By Hiruni Herath When you step into the Royal Thai Restaurant at Cinnamon Lakeside, you’ll

Highlights Kamu

Totally Hooked – The Ultimate Seafood Destination

It is not a surprise that “Totally Hooked CMB", the talk of the seafood town,

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

Chef Sanjay Brings the Flavours of Our Neighbours to Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo

Colombo, Monday 05th June 2023: Despite Sri Lanka’s proximity to the Indian Sub-Continent and a

Trending

Award Winning Indian Restaurant Junior Kuppanna in Colombo

Junior Kuppanna, opened its newest international branch in Colombo on 25th May 2023. The new

Trending

Hilton Sri Lanka Unveils ‘Enchanting Beginnings’ Wedding Sale

Swoon over exclusive wedding packages in stunning venues for a lifetime of memories Colombo, Sri

Trending

Ramada Colombo’s Exclusive Limited Time Wedding Discount

Book before June 15th and enjoy 25% off Planning the perfect wedding can be an

Trending

The 30th Gratiaen Prize shortlist was announced with the launch of the Gratiaen Trust Young Writers Club

The Gratiaen Trust in association with the John Keells Foundation partnering with the Trust for

Trending

Hilton Sri Lanka is set to commemorate Mother’s Day in grand fashion

Continuing our long-standing tradition of celebrating extraordinary mothers, Hilton properties across Sri Lanka have gone

Trending

Yamu Guide.

7 Yoga Studios in and around Colombo

By Udaraa Gamage Are you looking for ways to escape from all that hustling and

Highlights Yamu Guide

Beyond the Hook: Exploring Totally Hooked’s non-Seafood dishes

By Hashini Pathirana Totally Hooked CMB, as we are all aware, is widely renowned for

Kamu Yamu Guide

7 Decent BnB spots for under LKR 7500 – Sri Lanka

We all like spending mini vacations at affordable spots to relax or stay on the

Highlights Yamu Guide

7 Places to Dine Under LKR1500 LKR per person

By Udaraa Gamage Are you a foodie looking for budget places to satisfy your taste

Highlights Yamu Guide

The Aesthetics of Club Palm Bay

Club Palm Bay is a hotel located in the heart of a charming fishing village

Yamu Guide

High Tea Affairs at L.A.B by Hilton Colombo

By Hashini Pathirana A little chit chat with your besties, while sipping onto an Iced

Yamu Guide