Kingfisher (Unawatuna).

Kingfisher is an Unwatuna icon. The place has rapidly evolved from a beach shack with amazing food to a boutique hotel, party-spot and more. They still serve up pretty good food on a nice stretch of beach.

The Food

When it was just a beach shack and platform on the beach, Kingfisher was known for its arrack prawns, interesting cocktails, etc. They’ve still retained a lot of the creativity and they still use fresh ingredients, but there’s just a lot more scale now. Whereas the kitchen served maybe 10 people at a time before, now it’s dozens.

We tried the Garlic Prawns (Rs. 980) and the Tuna Filet (Rs. 980). The prawn was pretty good but not mind-blowing, big fellows served with rice and salad. The base ingredients were good but the basic garlic preparation didn’t really take it anywhere.

The tuna filet was quite good. A generous hunk of tuna, perfectly cooked and seasoned. A simple dish and well done.

They do a range of drinks (alcoholic and non) but we just tried an (we assume homemade) apple soda (Rs. 250) which was quite good.

Overall the food starts with great ingredients and sometimes, but not always, transcends them to something awesome. Our personal feeling is that the menu has gotten more mainstream and a bit less adventurous than beach shack days, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Location

We’re kicking ourselves for not taking pictures of the beach, can’t imagine why we missed it. Suffice it to say, the Una beach is crowded but beautiful, especially in season (from roughly December to April). Kingfisher went through a period of no beach with erosion, but the government erected a breakwater and the beach there has come back. There’s now a good ten meters of sand between the restaurant and the water.

You generally eat at shaded tables in the sand, though you can eat inside. There’s a bar as well. They’ve constructed their hotel up and the ground floor is almost completely open.

The beach itself is quite swimmable, though there’s a bit of broken coral about.

Service

The Kingfisher service is highly professional and actually checks how your meal is, etc. The owners are also usually around.

Conclusion

Kingfisher remains a culinary hotspot in Unawatuna, though it’s not the hidden gem it used to be. It’s now an extremely popular beachside restaurant serving up reliably good fare.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Cinnamon Life Brings Authentic Korean Cuisine to Colombo with “A Taste of Korea”

By Sharon Nonis, Cinnamon Life recently hosted “A Taste of Korea,” a spectacular dinner buffet

Highlights Kamu Trending

Korean Food Lovers, This One’s for You – Cinnamon Lakeside’s “Korean Themed Buffet”

By Sharon Nonis, We recently experienced the Korean themed buffet at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, and

Highlights Kamu Trending

Serendib Feast at Sheraton Colombo – A True Sri Lankan Buffet Experience

If you’re craving a proper Sri Lankan buffet that doesn’t hold back on flavor or

Highlights Kamu Trending

7 Late-Night Eats in Colombo: Where to go after 10 pm!

Shamrina Carim So you’re starving, it’s well past 10 PM, and the usual restaurants have shut

Kamu Trending

Sri Lanka’s First Hotpot Conveyor Belt Launches at We Ai Family in Colombo

Colombo has just welcomed an exciting new culinary experience with the launch of Sri Lanka’s

Highlights Kamu Trending

A Vintage Affair at Sky Lounge

An Evening of Fine Wine and an Italian Touch The Kingsbury, Colombo, invites you to

Highlights Kamu Trending

Trending.

Cinnamon Life Brings Authentic Korean Cuisine to Colombo with “A Taste of Korea”

By Sharon Nonis, Cinnamon Life recently hosted “A Taste of Korea,” a spectacular dinner buffet

Highlights Kamu Trending

Korean Food Lovers, This One’s for You – Cinnamon Lakeside’s “Korean Themed Buffet”

By Sharon Nonis, We recently experienced the Korean themed buffet at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, and

Highlights Kamu Trending

Serendib Feast at Sheraton Colombo – A True Sri Lankan Buffet Experience

If you’re craving a proper Sri Lankan buffet that doesn’t hold back on flavor or

Highlights Kamu Trending

7 Late-Night Eats in Colombo: Where to go after 10 pm!

Shamrina Carim So you’re starving, it’s well past 10 PM, and the usual restaurants have shut

Kamu Trending

Churros at The Kingsbury Celebrates World Chocolate Day

The Kingsbury Colombo's beloved pâtisserie, Churros, marked World Chocolate Day in true decadence with an

Highlights Trending

Sri Lanka’s First Iris Photography Experience by Eye Craft

On June 29th, the iconic Virticle by Jetwing hosted the grand launch of Eye Craft,

Trending

Yamu Guide.

A Curated List of 9 Japanese Restaurants in Sri Lanka

1.Salmon and Maki - Thalawathugoda Japanese Fusion Cuisine 11.00 AM - 10.30 PM (everyday) Visit:

Highlights Yamu Guide

Best Waterfalls in Sri Lanka (Including Hidden Gems)

By Fathima Rukaiya, There are many beautiful waterfalls in Sri Lanka, but are you unsure

Highlights Trending Yamu Guide

The 2025 High Tea Round-Up

Looking for the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing high tea? Whether you're into sweet

Highlights Yamu Guide

Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025

By Linara Wimalaweera Father's Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and influence of

Yamu Guide

Top Must-Try Restaurants in Ahangama for 2025

Ahangama, a charming surf town on Sri Lanka's southern coast, is becoming a popular spot

Highlights Yamu Guide

8 Gift Ideas to Celebrate Your Mom This Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a special time set aside to honor the amazing women who shape

Yamu Guide