Travel Weekly was lucky enough to recently experience the warm Sri Lankan hospitality from the team at Karpaha Sands, located along a 15km stretch of pristine beach on the country’s East Coast.
The resort is incredibly remote and as such, most guests dine exclusively at the restaurant and bar, which boasts sweeping ocean views, calm sea breezes and an exciting array of dining options.
The restaurant’s menu features locally sourced ingredients and fresh seafood including prawns, lobsters, crabs, and fish caught by the fishermen hauling their nets just in front of the resort. We loved the locally caught deep fried sprats with curry leaves. With an exciting mix of European, traditional Tamil and Singhalese cuisine available, all tastes are catered for, and all very well executed.
The resort also grows its own organic fruit and vegetables, including mushrooms, ladies fingers, ginger, peanuts, which feature in a number of their dishes.
We ate breakfast and dinner at the restaurant however chose to have lunch by the pool most days, allowing the kids to eat between swims. The children’s menu is very well designed with a vast array of options, and dishes that will suit the fussiest of eaters. Our nine-year-old ate the mini beef burger for three out of four lunches.
Next to the restaurant is also a games, library and TV room so that the little ones can entertain themselves while mum and dad finish dinner.
The restaurant menu is available for in room dining or the resort can set up a romantic dinner for two (or three!) on the beach, underneath the swaying coconut palms. There is also a focus on bespoke dining experiences, so if you want a beach BBQ under the stars or a packed picnic for a day tour, they can do it!
In terms of overall menu design, Karpaha Sands’ famous seafood platter for two is very impressive and the desserts were both delicate and delicious. Their fresh juices and cocktail selection of classics or special spice and herb-based concoctions are some of the best in Sri Lanka and they have a detailed and well thought out wine list.
Overall, we found the restaurant and bar provided an excellent selection of food and beverages for all palates and we wouldn’t hesitate in recommending this resort to anyone wishing to experience Sri Lanka with a touch of luxe.
You can also find our property review here.
