Isso wade (crispy lentil cakes with prawns)
A crispy lentil cake with whole prawns on top, served hot with chopped onion and chilli sauce. The most famous Galle Face snack.
Food guide
Street food at Galle Face Green
What to eat, how spicy it is, and how to enjoy it safely. The food comes out in the evening, just in time for the sunset.
What to eat
Red chillies show how spicy each one is. Look for “Kids like it” for milder treats.
Crab wade (crispy lentil cakes with a crab)
The same crispy lentil cake, but with a small fried crab on top. Fun to look at, crunchy to eat.
Achcharu (spicy fruit pickle)
Mango, pineapple or other fruit mixed with chilli, salt and vinegar. Sweet, sour and hot all at once.
Fruit with chilli salt
Fresh slices of mango or pineapple sprinkled with chilli and salt. Juicy, salty and a little spicy.
Kadala (chickpea snack)
Chickpeas cooked with onion and spices, sold in a paper cone. Filling and good for sharing.
King coconut (thambili)
An orange coconut, opened in front of you. Drink the sweet, cool water with a straw.
Ice cream
Cones and cups from carts and vans on some evenings. Perfect after something spicy.
Kottu (kottu roti)
Flatbread chopped on a hot plate with egg, vegetables and often chicken, with a loud clack-clack of metal blades. The kottu stands left the seafront in 2024, but kottu is sold all over Colombo.
When, where and how much
- When
- Mostly in the evening, from about 4 or 5 PM. Some carts leave by about 8 or 9 PM.
- Where
- Stalls along the seaside walk, shops on the road side, and carts by the road.
- Cost
- Most snacks cost a few hundred rupees. Pay in cash and carry small notes.
- Spice
- From not spicy at all to very hot. Ask for “less chilli” if you like it mild.
How to eat street food safely
- Choose busy stalls. Lots of customers means the food is fresh.
- Pick food cooked hot in front of you. Skip anything that has been sitting out.
- Drink bottled water or king coconut. If your tummy is sensitive, skip drinks with ice.
- Clean your hands before you eat. Bring tissues or wipes.
- Ask the price first, and pay in cash with small notes.
Good to know: in January 2026 the park managers said no stall had an official health certificate yet. In July 2026 officials caught some sellers near Galle Face charging too much and selling out-of-date goods. To report overcharging, call the Consumer Affairs Authority on 1977.
Visited before 2024? Things have changed
The famous food carts no longer stand on the seafront lawn. Since 2024, food is sold mainly from rows of stalls along the seaside walk and from shops on the road side. In the evening, carts also sell food along the road.
Not in the mood for street food?
One Galle Face mall at the north end has a big food court. The Galle Face Hotel at the south end has restaurants and a lawn by the sea. The Dutch Hospital, a short walk away, is full of cafés and restaurants.
Questions about Galle Face food
What is the most famous food at Galle Face Green?
Isso wade: a crispy lentil cake with whole prawns on top, served hot with onion and chilli sauce.
How much does street food cost at Galle Face?
Most snacks cost a few hundred rupees each. There is no official price list, so ask the price before you order and carry small notes.
What time do the Galle Face food stalls open?
Most evenings, from about 4 or 5 PM. Weekends and public holidays are the busiest. Very few stalls open in the morning or at weekday lunchtime.
Is the street food at Galle Face safe?
Many people enjoy it with no problems. But in January 2026 the park managers said no stall had an official health certificate yet. Choose busy stalls and food cooked hot in front of you, and drink bottled water or king coconut.
Is there vegetarian street food at Galle Face Green?
Yes. Kadala (chickpeas), achcharu (spicy fruit), fruit with chilli salt and king coconut are all vegetarian.
Is Galle Face street food very spicy?
Some of it is. Isso wade and achcharu can be hot. King coconut, ice cream and kadala are mild. You can always ask for less chilli.
Where our facts come from
Facts checked on 16 October 2026. Prices and times can change, so check the official source before you go. Main sources:
- Daily Mirror: the challenges of running Galle Face Green (stalls, health checks) (Jan 2026)
- The Morning: the food stalls on the green (Mar 2024)
- Newswire: Consumer Affairs Authority raid on Galle Face vendors (Jul 2026)
- Wikipedia: Kottu (checked Oct 2026)
- Wikipedia: King coconut (checked Oct 2026)
Updated · Found a mistake? Email us
Come for the sunset, stay for the food
The food stalls get busy just after the sun goes down. See today’s sunset time and plan your evening.