Priyanka Restaurant Dikwella: Local Food Near Hiriketiya

The $1 Sri Lankan Lunch Near Hiriketiya That Most Tourists Miss

Looking for cheap Sri Lankan food near Hiriketiya? Priyanka Restaurant in Dikwella is a simple local spot serving rice and curry, kottu and other Sri Lankan favourites at local prices.

Hiriketiya is not exactly the place it used to be.

The little beach in Dikwella has become one of the most popular stops on Sri Lanka's south coast, and with that has come a lot of beautiful cafes, smoothie bowls, specialty coffee, sourdough, cocktails and restaurants made for travellers.

They're great.

But after a few days, you might start wondering where the locals actually eat.

And that's when I'd point you towards Priyanka Restaurant in Dikwella.

It isn't fancy.

It isn't trying to be.

And that's exactly why I like it.

Where is Priyanka Restaurant?

Priyanka Restaurant is on the main A2 road in Dikwella, making it an easy stop if you're travelling between Dikwella, Hiriketiya and the rest of Sri Lanka's south coast.

Google Maps

It is only a short trip from Hiriketiya, so you don't need to make a whole day out of visiting.

You can simply jump on a tuk tuk, head into Dikwella, eat, and continue with your day.

And if you're already passing through Dikwella, it's even easier.

The restaurant is currently listed on the A2 in Dikwella, with opening hours listed from around 7:30am until 10pm. Hours can change, so I'd still check before making a special trip.

Why I would choose this over another tourist restaurant

There is nothing wrong with eating at the beautiful restaurants around Hiriketiya.

I've got nothing against them.

But there is a difference between eating Sri Lankan food in a restaurant built for tourists and walking into a simple local restaurant where Sri Lankan food is simply what people are eating.

That's what makes Priyanka interesting.

You aren't going there for the interior.

You're going there because you're hungry.

You want rice.

You want curry.

You want something filling.

And you don't want to spend the equivalent of a nice dinner every time you sit down for lunch.

That makes a place like this particularly useful for backpackers, solo travellers and anyone travelling Sri Lanka on a budget.

The rice and curry is what I'd come for

If you've never had a proper Sri Lankan rice and curry, this is the kind of place where you should give it a try.

And don't worry if you don't recognise everything sitting in front of you.

That's part of it.

Sri Lankan rice and curry isn't one fixed recipe.

Depending on the day, you might find dhal, potato curry, vegetables, sambol, jackfruit, eggplant or other curries alongside the rice.

Some will be spicy.

Some won't.

Some might be things you've never tried before.

Just point at something that looks good.

That's half the fun.

Traveller reviews of Priyanka have repeatedly mentioned its simple buffet style and rice and curry, with visitors describing it as inexpensive, authentic and popular with both locals and travellers.

Can you really eat here for $1?

This is where I want to be a little careful.

You'll sometimes see Priyanka described online as a $1 restaurant in Dikwella or as a place where you can get a very cheap Sri Lankan rice and curry.

And historically, it really was incredibly cheap.

One traveller review from 2019 reported paying just Rs. 150 for the lunch buffet.

But Sri Lanka's prices have changed since then.

So I wouldn't arrive expecting to hand over exactly one US dollar and get the same meal described in an old review.

Instead, think of the "$1 Sri Lankan lunch" as what this place represents:

proper local food without the tourist price tag.

Check the current price when you arrive. I think it's around 400-500 bucks now for a rice and curry. Just over a dollar.

That's much more useful than promising travellers a price that might already be out of date.

What else can you eat at Priyanka Restaurant?

Rice and curry would be my first choice if you're looking for traditional Sri Lankan food.

But Priyanka isn't only about curry.

The restaurant also has kottu and other casual Sri Lankan food, which makes it useful if you're travelling with someone who doesn't want rice and curry.

And if you've never tried kottu roti in Sri Lanka, this is another good opportunity.

It's one of those dishes that makes more sense once you see it being prepared.

Pieces of roti are chopped together with vegetables, egg, meat or other ingredients on a hot metal plate.

You'll usually hear it before you see it.

That unmistakable tak tak tak of the metal blades hitting the hot plate.

Very Sri Lankan.

Don't expect Hiriketiya beach vibes

This is probably worth saying before you go.

Priyanka isn't a beach club.

There isn't a beautiful ocean view.

You're not going to get the kind of carefully designed interior that you find in some of Hiriketiya's newer restaurants.

And honestly?

Good.

That's not why you're coming here.

You're coming for food.

The restaurant looks and feels much more practical than polished. Traveller reviews over the years have specifically praised it for being simple, affordable and focused on local food rather than a Westernised restaurant experience.

That's exactly the sort of place I think is worth finding when you're travelling.

A cheap lunch can tell you a lot about a place

One of my favourite things about travelling around Sri Lanka is that you don't always need to go somewhere famous to experience something interesting.

Sometimes it's a restaurant on the side of the road.

Sometimes it's a bakery where everyone seems to know each other.

Sometimes it's a tiny shop selling short eats.

And sometimes it's a plate of rice and curry that costs less than the coffee you had an hour earlier.

Places like Priyanka give you a little break from the tourist version of Sri Lanka.

You sit down.

You eat.

You watch people come and go.

You see what people are actually ordering.

And for a little while, you're not following an itinerary.

You're just having lunch.

Is Priyanka Restaurant good for tourists?

Yes, especially if you're looking for cheap local food in Dikwella.

You don't need to be an experienced Sri Lankan food traveller either.

The setup is straightforward, the food is familiar enough to understand even if you've never tried it before, and previous visitors have specifically recommended it to travellers looking for authentic Sri Lankan food at affordable prices.

I'd particularly recommend it if you're:

Staying in Hiriketiya
Travelling Sri Lanka on a budget
Looking for cheap lunch
Trying to eat more local food
Tired of tourist prices
Travelling solo
Curious about Sri Lankan rice and curry

What I would order

If it were my first visit, I'd keep it simple.

Rice and curry.

Get whatever curries are available that day.

If there's a vegetable curry you've never seen before, try it.

If there's dhal, get some.

If there's sambol, definitely try it.

And if you're still hungry afterwards, order something else.

You don't need to turn it into a complicated food experience.

That's kind of the point.

Priyanka Restaurant vs eating in Hiriketiya

If you're staying in Hiriketiya, you'll have plenty of options.

Some are excellent.

But you'll also find yourself paying considerably more at restaurants aimed primarily at international travellers.

For example, current menus at some Hiriketiya restaurants show mains running into several thousand Sri Lankan rupees.

Priyanka is a completely different proposition.

It's a local restaurant first.

That makes it especially appealing when you're trying to keep your Sri Lanka trip affordable.

You can still have your nice brunch by the beach.

Just don't feel like every meal has to be one.

How to get to Priyanka Restaurant from Hiriketiya

The easiest option is a tuk tuk.

Tell the driver you're going to Priyanka Restaurant in Dikwella on the A2.(just be like the main coastal road into town)

Google Maps

It's close enough that getting there shouldn't be complicated.

If you're comfortable riding a scooter, you can also make the trip yourself.

I'd use Google Maps before leaving because restaurant entrances and road conditions can sometimes be a little confusing when you're navigating unfamiliar roads.