Everyone goes to Coconut Tree Hill for the photo. Very few plan what they will eat or drink before or after it.
That is a missed opportunity. The eastern end of Mirissa has a small cluster of bars and cafés right around the hill, and timing them well turns a quick photo stop into the best evening of your trip.
This guide covers what to eat and drink near Coconut Tree Hill, when to go, how to get there and what to know before you arrive.
What is Coconut Tree Hill?
Coconut Tree Hill is a small rise at the eastern end of Mirissa Beach, lined with tall coconut palms growing from red soil, with the ocean spread out behind them. It is one of the most photographed spots in Sri Lanka, and it works best at sunrise and sunset.
The hill itself is a viewpoint, not a restaurant. But the area around it has places to sit, eat and drink, which is what this guide is about.
Are there restaurants at Coconut Tree Hill?
Yes, but think bars and cafés rather than a long row of restaurants. Reviewers mention a bar and a restaurant at or beside the hill, and a couple of well-known spots sit within a short walk.
Do not expect a big choice of full dinners right on the hilltop. For a proper meal, plan to eat in Mirissa town or along the main beach after the sun goes down.
Where to eat and drink near Coconut Tree Hill
Sunset Bar
Sunset Bar is the best-known stop at the hill. Visitors often walk through the bar to reach the viewpoint, and travel writers recommend it for a cold drink at sunset.
Go for a beer or a cocktail and a spot with a view. It is a drinks-first venue, so treat food as a bonus and check what is on the menu when you arrive.
Palm Coffee
Palm Coffee sits close to Coconut Tree Hill, which makes it a natural stop before or after your visit. Bloggers describe a menu of coffee and baked goods such as cakes and energy balls, and it is regularly mentioned as a good vegan-friendly option.
Come here for a morning coffee after sunrise, or a light afternoon stop before the hill fills up.
Other bars and cafés along the way
The walk between Mirissa Beach and the hill passes several beach bars and small cafés. Opening hours and menus change often at this end of the beach, so the best approach is to choose by what looks good on the day.
Where to eat in Mirissa if you want a full meal
For a bigger dinner, go back towards the main beach and the main road, where the choice is much wider. Names that come up often in travel guides include:
- Shady Lane, for smoothie bowls, avocado toast and brunch
- Aloha Coffee Gallery, for a relaxed coffee and brunch stop
- Doctor's House, a former Dutch Ayurvedic hospital turned bar and restaurant with occasional live music
- Kama, for cocktails and a laid-back evening
Menus, prices and opening hours change often, so treat this list as a starting point and check on the day. We have not listed prices for the same reason.
What should you eat in Mirissa?
Mirissa is known for fresh seafood, and many beachfront restaurants grill the catch of the day over the evening. It is also an easy place to eat well as a vegetarian or vegan, since many traditional Sri Lankan dishes are built on vegetables and coconut milk.
If you see rice and curry on a menu, order it. Local restaurants here often cook for international tastes, so choosing the Sri Lankan dishes is the best way to support the places that do them well.
Best time to visit Coconut Tree Hill
Sunrise
Quiet, cool and much less crowded. Reviewers recommend arriving early because the hill fills with visitors as the morning goes on. Pair it with a coffee at a nearby café afterwards.
Late afternoon to sunset
The most popular option and the best for photos. Get there early to claim a spot and avoid the rush as the sky changes colour. Stay for a drink and dinner nearby once the light fades.
Time of year
The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most reliable for clear skies and calm seas. Outside it, expect more cloud and rain, so check the forecast and have a back-up plan.
How to get to Coconut Tree Hill
The hill is on the eastern edge of Mirissa, roughly 1.5 km from the town centre. Most visitors take a tuk tuk, and you can ask to be dropped at Sunset Bar, then walk through to the viewpoint.
You can also walk along the beach from Mirissa Beach. It is pleasant in the cool of the morning but hot and uphill in the middle of the day. The final stretch is a short, steep climb, but it is manageable for most people.
Roads close to the entrance are narrow and parking can be tight, so a tuk tuk is easier than a car.
How to plan a sunset evening at Coconut Tree Hill
A simple plan that works well:
- Late afternoon: walk the beach from Mirissa Beach towards the hill
- About an hour before sunset: arrive, find your spot and order a drink at Sunset Bar
- Sunset: walk up to the viewpoint for photos
- After dark: head back by tuk tuk to Mirissa town or the main beach for dinner
Is Coconut Tree Hill worth visiting?
Yes, though it is busy at peak times. Go early, treat it as a short stop rather than an all-day destination and combine it with a drink or a meal so you enjoy the setting, not just the photo.
A few things we would know before visiting
Do not arrive at the last minute for sunset.
The best viewing spots go quickly, and the climb is easier when you are not rushing.
Do not climb on or damage the palms.
The trees and soil are the whole attraction. Stay on the paths and take your litter with you.
Do not expect a full dinner menu at the hill.
Plan dinner in town and treat the hill as the place for a sunset drink.
Do not rely on exact opening hours.
Bars and cafés here change their hours with the season and the crowd. Check before a special trip.
Do not leave valuables unattended on the beach.
Keep your phone and wallet with you, especially if you swim or take photos near the water.
Frequently asked questions about eating near Coconut Tree Hill
Are there restaurants near Coconut Tree Hill?
Yes. There are bars and cafés around the hill, including Sunset Bar and Palm Coffee, and a wider choice of restaurants a short tuk tuk ride away in Mirissa town.
What is Sunset Bar in Mirissa?
It is a beachfront bar near Coconut Tree Hill, popular for sunset drinks. Many visitors walk through it to reach the viewpoint.
Is there a vegan café near Coconut Tree Hill?
Palm Coffee, close to the hill, is often described as a good vegan-friendly café with coffee and baked goods. Check the current menu on the day.
Can you have dinner at Coconut Tree Hill?
You can find drinks and some food nearby, but for a full dinner most people head back to Mirissa town or the main beach.
What is the best time to visit Coconut Tree Hill?
Sunrise for quiet and cool weather, or late afternoon through sunset for the best photos. Dry season from November to April is the most reliable.
How far is Coconut Tree Hill from Mirissa town?
About 1.5 km, which is a short tuk tuk ride or a hot walk along the beach and uphill.
Is there an entry fee for Coconut Tree Hill?
We are not aware of an official entry fee, but arrangements can change, so check on arrival.
How long should I spend at Coconut Tree Hill?
Around 30 minutes to an hour for photos and the view, or longer if you stay for sunset and a drink.
Is Coconut Tree Hill crowded?
It gets busy from mid-morning and again around sunset. Early morning is the quietest time.
Where should I eat after Coconut Tree Hill?
Head back to Mirissa Beach or the main road, where there are plenty of seafood restaurants, cafés and bars to choose from.
Final thoughts
Coconut Tree Hill gets the photos. The bars and cafés around it make it a proper evening.
Coffee after sunrise, a cold drink as the light goes gold, and a seafood dinner back on the beach.
Go early, order something local and stay for the colour in the sky.
