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Vegetarian Guide to Colombo Local & Street Food

Find authentic meat-free options, learn essential phrases, and get local tips for plant-based dining.

Local Foods

Food districts

Filtered results are based on automated analysis of common food data. This is for general guidance only. Ingredient variations, preparation methods, cross-contamination risks, and data accuracy can differ significantly. Always verify all information directly with vendors before consumption, especially for allergies or strict dietary needs. See full disclaimers for filtered results.

Not all dishes marked vegetarian are strictly vegan. Some may contain eggs or dairy. Always confirm specific ingredients with the vendor.

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Essential Phrases

I am vegetarian

මම ශාකාහාරයි

mama shakaharayi

Indicates vegetarian diet preference

No meat or fish please

කරුණාකර මස් හෝ මාළු නැතුව

karunaakara mas ho maalu naethuwa

Specifies no animal flesh products

Watch Out For

Maldive fish (dried fish flakes)
Fish sauce
Dried shrimp paste
Meat-based broths

Safe Options

Vegetable rice and curry
Vegetable kottu (specify no meat)
Parippu (dahl) with rice
String hoppers with vegetable curry

Important Notice

Many Sri Lankan dishes contain small amounts of Maldive fish flakes (dried fish) for flavoring, even those that appear vegetarian. Always specifically ask about Maldive fish when ordering.