Skip to main content

In late 2019, our team spent two weeks exploring Sri Lanka’s blissful beaches, visiting the heralded world heritage sites, inspecting incredible villas – and most importantly, dining our way through the island. These beachfront villas will deliver you into a divine food coma thanks to their fabulous private chefs.

When it comes to menus and pricing, each villa is unique and follows its own system. For more details on what to expect, take a look at our in-villa dining guide.

1. Talalla House

7 Bedrooms – Talalla, Sri Lanka

Talalla House offers a spectacular location on a quiet beach in the idyllic region of Talalla on the south coast. Besides the stunning locale, unique architecture and fabulous rooftop lounge, food is definitely one of the highlights of this exceptional property. Chef Anthony and his team come with more than 30 years’ of experience and the proof is in the pudding. When our team stayed here, we were treated to a feast of freshly grilled seafood. Breakfast was another highlight with the team whipping up a batch of pancakes special for our two-year-old mascot travelling with us.

2. Ocean’s Edge

4 Bedrooms – Kahandamodara, Sri Lanka

The name says it all – Ocean’s Edge offers an absolute beachfront position on the south coast, with a beautiful sandy beach frequented by sea turtles waiting in your back yard. Breakfast is included in the villa’s rates, with the option of also indulging in lunch and dinner at the villa. The suggestion menu offers vegetarian options as well as kids’ meals. The cook’s Sri Lankan specialities are a must, with a rice and curry feast including veggie curries, a choice of chicken or fish and scrumptious pappadam.

3. On the Rocks

7 Bedrooms – Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

This fabulous beachfront villa in Unawatuna was one of our favourite villas we inspected while exploring Sri Lanka. The villa features seven bedrooms with wide open living areas, making it ideal for hosting large groups in style. Meals can be enjoyed on the breezy veranda or with your toes touching the sand by the sea. A special barbecue in the garden is a must! If you’re travelling with a bigger party still, the villa is located next to Bellini Blue with two bedrooms.

4. Ani Sri Lanka 

15 Bedrooms – Dickwella, Sri Lanka

There’s nothing quite like the words “all inclusive” to make a glutton purr with delight. At the incomparable Ani Sri Lanka, this ethos gets taken to the next level with everything from spa treatments to children’s activities and yes, full-board gourmet meals included in the rates. Our stay at Ani Sri Lanka was nothing short of culinary Nirvana, with each meal outdoing the last. South Asian cooking classes are just one of the complimentary activities offered and if, like us, you’ll never say no to a cocktail, you’ll be delighted to learn that the rates also include premier spirits, house wines, soft drinks and juices. Cheers!

5. Villa Sielen Diva

7 Bedrooms – Talpe, Sri Lanka

If you’re looking for some wow factor, the sleek and seductive Villa Sielen Diva is more than up to the challenge. Hugging the sands of Mihiripenna Beach, this designer villa is all about modern angles, curated furniture and sublime views of the ocean. The villa’s skilled chefs will plan out menus based on guests’ tastes and preferences prior to arrival, with meticulously picked herbs and spices ensuring an authentic and unforgettable Sri Lankan dining experience. All dishes are made using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, whether that means seafood caught that morning or herbs picked from the herb garden.

6. South Point Ocean

8 Bedrooms – Koggala, Sri Lanka

If you’re heading to Sri Lanka with the extended family, this eight-bedroom, three-storey villa built right on the beach is the perfect choice – especially if you’re travelling with foodies in tow. Our team loved – and I mean loved – the food at South Point Ocean and the chef and his team were great at catering to the vegetarians in our team. If you’re travelling with a huge entourage, there are two more villas right next door –  South Point Villa and South Point Abbey – with the option of booking up to 15 bedrooms.

7. Ishq Villa

4 Bedrooms – Talpe, Sri Lanka

Though this elegant white villa wows with its boutique style and blissful beachfront locale, the real stars of the show are the staff. The culinary team at Ishq Villa (the name means “love“ in Persian) will map out your dietary preferences prior to arrival and prepare delicious meals using fresh and seasonal local ingredients. Garden cooking classes, poolside dining and picnics under the stars are just some of the unforgettable dining experiences available at this exquisite beachfront villa.

8. Habaraduwa House

4 Bedrooms – Habaraduwa, Sri Lanka

This stunning beachfront villa sprawls around a central living area, with four bedrooms spread off to the sides and the whole property facing the Indian Ocean. The beach house is meticulously staffed, with a manager ready to arrange any tours and activities you’d like to partake in. The chef’s authentic Sri Lankan dishes are best enjoyed in the traditional ambalama pavilion graced by a fresh breeze blowing in from the ocean. Some guests have rated the meals at Habaraduwa House as the best they had anywhere in Sri Lanka!

9. The Sandals

5 Bedrooms – Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka

The Sandals is a luminous white villa with rolling green gardens stretching towards a quiet beach – in fact, you might just have the beach all to yourself. The elegant beach house has a fresh Mediterranean feel to it with the white and aqua blue décor matched by the vast swimming pool waiting in the palm-dotted garden. Alfresco barbecues with seafood caught fresh on the day will undoubtedly be a highlight of your stay.

10. Elysium

5 Bedrooms – Talpe, Sri Lanka

Elysium offers a mix of beachside splendour and historic elegance on the south coast. Designed by one of Australia’s finest architects, Elysium is both elegant, modern and utterly luxurious with features including a private spa, gym, cinema room and billiard table. The five-bedroom mansion is located right on the Indian Ocean with direct access to a white sandy beach. The highly trained chefs are real miracle workers, serving a delicious range of local and Western dishes. From eggs Benny to beach barbecues and from Sri Lankan curries to Japanese tuna sashimi, a stay at Elysium is a foodie’s dream come true.

Our team had a blast dining our way through Sri Lanka. You can read all about our travels in Sri Lanka here. If you’d like some help planning your trip, get in touch by filling out the form below.

2 Comments

  • Avatar for Clare Ridley-Barker Clare Ridley-Barker says:

    Dear sir or madam,

    I would like to enquire about staying in one of the Villas above.
    We are a family of 7, needing 5 bedrooms. We would like chef service as an option.
    Our dates are 23rd – 30th December 2023

    Having visited Sri Lanka previously, we would very much like to return.
    Please advise us as to the current situation for tourists in Sri Lanka.

    Kind regards
    Clare Ridley- Barker

Leave a Reply