Kalpitiya · Sri Lanka
Exceptional on Booking.com
Staff 10.0 · Couples' location 10/10
Excellent on Tripadvisor
21 reviews · 43 traveller photos
Beach at your door
Direct access from both rooms
Curries from scratch
Vegetarian & vegan friendly
The family behind the sand
Maduka and Nissansala built this place on family land between Puttalam and Kalpitiya. The fishing boats belong to his father. The recipes are Nissansala's. The welcome belongs to all of them.
There are only two rooms and one kitchen, so nothing here feels performed. Breakfast is cooked when you wake up. The curry is started at 2 PM because that is how long the spices need. If the boats come in while you are on the beach, dinner may change before your eyes.
Come for a night before the airport or stay for a week. Either way, you are pulled into the family rhythm: long tables, cold drinks, dolphin mornings, and the kind of quiet that only a fishing beach has.
Maduka & Nissansala
Your hosts · Ilandaiyadi
“We were received like friends.”
Around the table
Pull up a chair.
10/10
Booking.com
01Your host
Host, dolphin guide & the person to message
Maduka grew up on this stretch of coast and runs the place with an easy, generous kind of hospitality. He arranges private spinner dolphin trips from the family beach, sorts scooters and tuk-tuks, and answers every question personally on WhatsApp.
“Every guest, a friend of the family.”
02The kitchen
Chef, recipe keeper & cooking teacher
Nissansala is the reason people write home about the food. Her rice-and-curry table is built from family recipes and cooked from scratch each day—sweet-and-sour pineapple, pumpkin, aubergine, daal, green beans, cabbage and popadoms, with the lagoon's crab and the morning's fish when they arrive.
“Spices first. Everything else follows.”
03The sea
Fisherman, boatman & maker of the house cocktails
A veteran local fisherman, he lands the catch in front of the restaurant and drives the boat on the family's private dolphin tours. He also ferments the fruit and ingredients behind the homemade cocktails that guests remember long after the last glass.
“Out with the boats, home with the catch.”
Stay a while
There is no lobby, no pool bar and no queue for sunbeds. Just two timber rooms on family land, a private strip of sand, and the sound of the Indian Ocean on three sides of your sleep.
Booked directly with the family
No platform fees, no call centre. Maduka answers every message himself, and the rate you are quoted is the rate you pay.
Only two keys on the ring.
A timber chalet on the sand
The Sea View chalet
Room 01 · On the sand · Sleeps 2
A timber chalet on the sand
Wake to fishing boats on the horizon and fall asleep to the surf. This is the room guests describe as the chalet on the sand: white linen, warm timber, a private bathroom and a terrace made for long mornings with ginger tea.
Rates are confirmed directly by Maduka for your dates.
Cash only for rooms
A garden room under the coconut trees
A room among the palms
Room 02 · In the garden · Sleeps 2
A garden room under the coconut trees
The garden room is the more tucked-away of the two: a queen bed, warm timber walls, a terrace for the evening breeze and a private bathroom that opens to the coconut trees. Simple, spotless and surrounded by green.
Rates are confirmed directly by Maduka for your dates.
Cash only for roomsNissansala's kitchen
Breakfast starts with hoppers and egg curry. Lunch is whatever the boats bring in. By two, the clay pots are on the fire for dinner. Nissansala and Maduka cook everything from scratch, so the table follows the garden, the lagoon and the tide.
Everyone at the table
The full rice-and-curry table can be made vegetarian or vegan. Every vegetable curry is cooked fresh with coconut milk, local herbs and ground spice—tell Nissansala what you need when you pre-order.
Open daily · breakfast to dinner · cards & cash
The catch, grilled simply
Landed out front. On the fire by lunch.
The crab pot
Green beans, before the fire
Beetroot and roasted spice
The kitchen journal
Breakfast begins with hoppers and egg curry. By two, the clay pots are on the fire. The catch is landed by Maduka's father and the local boats right out front, and Nissansala decides the rest. This is slow food, cooked to order.
From scratch daily
Curries start at 2 PM
From the garden
Local vegetables, ground spice
Everyone at the table
Vegan & vegetarian spreads
Cards & cash
At the restaurant
Sweet lagoon crab simmered in a clay pot with roasted Ceylon spices and coconut milk, cracked at the table and served with rice, daal and garden curries.
The crab comes from the lagoon; the recipe is Nissansala's.
Pre-order this
The morning's catch, landed on the beach in front of you, grilled simply with lime, garlic and island herbs.
Ask what came in today.
Pre-order this
A sharing platter from the morning boats: jumbo prawns, lagoon crab and the morning's fish, char-grilled with lime and served with yellow rice and golden roast potatoes.
Best shared as the sun goes down.
Pre-order this
Whatever the boats bring in—squid, cuttlefish or shellfish—cleaned fresh and cooked to order with garlic, chilli and curry leaves.
Availability changes with the tide.
Pre-order this
The full spread: sweet-and-sour pineapple curry, potato, pumpkin, aubergine, daal, green beans, sliced cabbage, garlic rice, salad and popadoms.
The table the reviews keep coming back to.
Pre-order this
Pineapple slow-cooked with Ceylon spices, coconut milk and a gentle sweetness—the dish guests ask for by name.
A house signature.
Pre-order thisShowing 6 of 16 dishes
Dinner is cooked from scratch from 2:00 PM. Pre-order your curries or crab by WhatsApp or through the Booking form.
Every vegetable curry is cooked fresh with coconut milk, local herbs and ground spice. Tell Nissansala what you need when you pre-order.
For a special evening, the family sets a table on the sand with fresh tropical flowers, incense and the sound of the boats coming home.
Everything is cooked from scratch from 2 PM. If your table is not quite ready, there is a hammock under the palms.
AUTHENTIC COASTAL & WILDLIFE ADVENTURES
From 7:00 AM private dolphin & whale voyages with Maduka’s father to guided Wilpattu safaris, beachfront BBQ nights, and island vehicle rentals—everything is organized personally by our family.
Arranged by the family
One WhatsApp to Maduka is all it takes. He will tell you honestly what the weather, the season and the sea are doing.
Message Maduka on WhatsAppSet sail off the magical coastline of Ilanthadiya, Kalpitiya onboard your own private fishing boat
Dreaming of seeing dolphins in their natural environment? Book your private dolphin tour with us and enjoy a magical experience onboard our fishing boat. We leave every morning at 7am for the best chance to spot them in the wild. WhatsApp to book or stop by our restaurant to reserve your seat!
Rates confirmed directly by MadukaNo booking feesWeather dependent
More from the family
Tell Maduka what kind of day you have in mind. He will arrange the boat, the jeep, the table or the kitchen around you.
Beach Night Grilling
Celebrate on the sand with a custom beachfront BBQ party! We grill the day’s freshest ocean fish, jumbo tiger prawns, squid, and lagoon crab right by the waves, paired with tropical salads, roast potatoes, cold beers, and homemade fermented fruit cocktails.
Guided Wildlife Safari
Venture into the untamed wilderness of Wilpattu National Park with Maduka personally guiding your journey. Spot elusive Sri Lankan leopards, sloth bears, wild elephants, and painted storks with private transport and homemade safari meals.
Island Mobility & Rentals
Need wheels to explore Kalpitiya? Maduka provides hassle-free scooter, motorbike, tuk-tuk, and private vehicle rentals directly from the property, along with reliable airport and regional transfers.
Authentic Cooking Class
Join Nissansala and Maduka for a fun, hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class! Learn how to balance freshly ground spices, coconut milk, and local produce in traditional clay pots—and feast on your creations by the sea.
The photo album
Breakfast on the sand, the boats coming home, the crab curry, the two rooms, the hammock. Every photograph here was taken at Maduka Restaurant & Rooms or on the beach directly in front of it.
Tap any photograph to open it full size. Use the arrow keys to move through the album.
Showing 16 of 96 photographs
What guests write home about
Real stories from our guests. Whether they came for a single night before the airport or stayed for a week of dolphin mornings, they write about the same things: the welcome, the food, and the quiet.
Booking.com & Tripadvisor
40+ verified guest stays & reviews
10.0
/ 10
Exceptional hospitality
Couples and solo travelers consistently rate our beachfront location and fresh seafood dinners 10 out of 10.
What guests scored
Booking.com Verified AverageStaff
10.0/10
Cleanliness
9.9/10
Comfort
9.9/10
Facilities
9.9/10
Value for money
9.9/10
Location
9.7/10
Guests frequently mention
Showing 27 guest experiences. Hover or touch any card to pause.
Liam & Emma
London, UK · October 2026
We had the most memorable stay at Maduka. The crab curry prepared by Nissansala is the best meal we had in Sri Lanka. In the morning, Maduka and his father took us out on their private boat and we saw hundreds of spinner dolphins!
Lærke C
Traveller · 1 Apr 2025
We ate here for dinner, the food was amazing and had a great view. The service was also very great and we can only recommend it!
Andreanna W
Traveller · 13 Apr 2025
Stumbled across this place on the way to our homestay in Kalpitiya. Maduka not only runs the most underrated restaurant in Sri Lanka, he organises private tours to the spinner dolphins. (Cheapest tour I found.) In addition to his generosity, he sorted us out a homestay for the night before the tour at Dolphin Chill, which is a few metres away from his restaurant and dolphin tours. We went there on three occasions to eat—two for dinner and one for breakfast. All meals were outstanding. The dinners involved several vegetable curries and you can have fish and chicken on request; he normally has access to fish and squid or shellfish quite readily, as his dad fishes, so it is freshly caught. The highlights for me were the potato, pumpkin and pineapple curries and the coconut sambal. (The coconut sambal was served in the morning for breakfast.) However, they are all out of this world and you would think you were in a five-star resort. When we went for the meals and for the tours, he offered us an abundance of coffee, water and ginger tea for free mostly. The other things to try would be the homemade cocktails, which are made by his dad, who ferments the fruit and ingredients that go into it himself. And the buffalo curd and coconut honey dessert. In addition, the second night when we went for dinner he set the table with flowers and incense, making it a very romantic setting. Please do try this place when in the area—there is parking for bikes and tuks to the side of his restaurant. We were gutted we had to leave, as we were treated like kings and felt like one of his family. If you would like to eat at a certain time, please inform him via WhatsApp on +94 72 961 4412. Otherwise you could wait a while, as they cook all their curries from scratch.
Daniel P
Traveller · 20 Aug 2025
Great food. Great service. Great variety. We ate there two nights in a row and the meals were completely different. Best meals we had in Sri Lanka. Highly recommend.
Frollick
Traveller · 12 Jan 2026
We had a fantastic meal at Maduka's Restaurant today and highly recommend it for a fabulous Sri Lankan curry—which came with many dishes including a fabulous pineapple sweet-sour dish which I'd never tried before, daal, prawn curry, aubergine curry, sliced cabbage, green beans, pumpkin and potato, popadoms. We had a couple of beers and a homemade cocktail followed by ginger tea. Lovely view right on the beach. Fresh flowers and great hospitality and price. We will be back tomorrow to try the catch of the day at sunset. If you are in Kalpitiya do take the time to visit this excellent new restaurant—you will not be disappointed.
Scottie
Traveller · 20 Apr 2026
What an amazing place, right on the beach, fresh fish and traditional Sri Lankan food. Cold beer at sunset watching the fishermen bring in their catch. We stayed in the accommodation, clean and beautifully presented.
Leila B
Traveller · 1 Mar 2026
Beautiful experience and discovery. Do not hesitate to go and see the dolphins—Maduka is a master in this matter, we saw them from all sides. Simple and tasty cuisine facing the sea.
LittleWarriorJules
Essen, Belgium · 19 May 2026
Amazing experience. Arrived at odd hours and without booking and we were welcomed warmly. Beautiful spot on the beach. They made us freshly caught fish with local side dishes like rice, salad and potatoes and offered a free cocktail with the meal. Nicely spicy and wonderful flavors. We had to wait a while but the owner put up a hammock for us and we had a nice shady spot. Lovely local food experience!
Guest tip
Book ahead if you want to eat quickly. Try the fresh fish.
Angelika
Switzerland · Highlighted review
Very quiet beach location, courteous and very friendly owner. Very good vegetarian and local food.
Soheila
Iran · 19 Feb 2026
The location is wonderful and the breakfast is amazing. I really enjoyed my stay.
Scott
Australia · 17 Apr 2026
A beautiful location, the food was amazing and Maduka was excellent. The only thing we missed was air conditioning on a really hot night.
Jean-philippe
France · 7 Aug 2026
A little corner of paradise. The chalet on the sand with a sea view is great, the private bathroom under the coconut trees is very pleasant. Everything is nicely arranged. Maduka and his wife, a very good cook, are very attentive. Delicious fish of the day, generous and nicely presented breakfast. We were welcomed with a good fresh fruit juice. Possibility to rent a scooter. At the end of the day, the boats return from fishing—what a sight. Perfect for a penultimate night before catching the plane.
Violaine
France · 1 Sep 2026
The welcome, the attentiveness and the great kindness of Maduka and his family. We were received like friends. We shared the best meal and breakfast since we've been in Sri Lanka. The portions are generous and the quality of the food is top-notch. The setting is very warm and well maintained. Everything is perfect for making us feel good in this place.
Kris
Netherlands · 26 Sep 2026
What an amazing place! Even nicer than we had imagined. The previous reviews are all correct. It really is a little paradise and the family is incredibly hospitable and warm, but they also give you complete freedom. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner here and everything was equally delicious and extensive. Lunch with fresh fish and dinner with crab from the Puttalam Lagoon, caught by the family themselves. We stayed here on the penultimate day before our flight home and this was the perfect end to our trip!
Liam & Emma
London, UK · October 2026
We had the most memorable stay at Maduka. The crab curry prepared by Nissansala is the best meal we had in Sri Lanka. In the morning, Maduka and his father took us out on their private boat and we saw hundreds of spinner dolphins!
Lærke C
Traveller · 1 Apr 2025
We ate here for dinner, the food was amazing and had a great view. The service was also very great and we can only recommend it!
Andreanna W
Traveller · 13 Apr 2025
Stumbled across this place on the way to our homestay in Kalpitiya. Maduka not only runs the most underrated restaurant in Sri Lanka, he organises private tours to the spinner dolphins. (Cheapest tour I found.) In addition to his generosity, he sorted us out a homestay for the night before the tour at Dolphin Chill, which is a few metres away from his restaurant and dolphin tours. We went there on three occasions to eat—two for dinner and one for breakfast. All meals were outstanding. The dinners involved several vegetable curries and you can have fish and chicken on request; he normally has access to fish and squid or shellfish quite readily, as his dad fishes, so it is freshly caught. The highlights for me were the potato, pumpkin and pineapple curries and the coconut sambal. (The coconut sambal was served in the morning for breakfast.) However, they are all out of this world and you would think you were in a five-star resort. When we went for the meals and for the tours, he offered us an abundance of coffee, water and ginger tea for free mostly. The other things to try would be the homemade cocktails, which are made by his dad, who ferments the fruit and ingredients that go into it himself. And the buffalo curd and coconut honey dessert. In addition, the second night when we went for dinner he set the table with flowers and incense, making it a very romantic setting. Please do try this place when in the area—there is parking for bikes and tuks to the side of his restaurant. We were gutted we had to leave, as we were treated like kings and felt like one of his family. If you would like to eat at a certain time, please inform him via WhatsApp on +94 72 961 4412. Otherwise you could wait a while, as they cook all their curries from scratch.
Daniel P
Traveller · 20 Aug 2025
Great food. Great service. Great variety. We ate there two nights in a row and the meals were completely different. Best meals we had in Sri Lanka. Highly recommend.
Frollick
Traveller · 12 Jan 2026
We had a fantastic meal at Maduka's Restaurant today and highly recommend it for a fabulous Sri Lankan curry—which came with many dishes including a fabulous pineapple sweet-sour dish which I'd never tried before, daal, prawn curry, aubergine curry, sliced cabbage, green beans, pumpkin and potato, popadoms. We had a couple of beers and a homemade cocktail followed by ginger tea. Lovely view right on the beach. Fresh flowers and great hospitality and price. We will be back tomorrow to try the catch of the day at sunset. If you are in Kalpitiya do take the time to visit this excellent new restaurant—you will not be disappointed.
Scottie
Traveller · 20 Apr 2026
What an amazing place, right on the beach, fresh fish and traditional Sri Lankan food. Cold beer at sunset watching the fishermen bring in their catch. We stayed in the accommodation, clean and beautifully presented.
Leila B
Traveller · 1 Mar 2026
Beautiful experience and discovery. Do not hesitate to go and see the dolphins—Maduka is a master in this matter, we saw them from all sides. Simple and tasty cuisine facing the sea.
LittleWarriorJules
Essen, Belgium · 19 May 2026
Amazing experience. Arrived at odd hours and without booking and we were welcomed warmly. Beautiful spot on the beach. They made us freshly caught fish with local side dishes like rice, salad and potatoes and offered a free cocktail with the meal. Nicely spicy and wonderful flavors. We had to wait a while but the owner put up a hammock for us and we had a nice shady spot. Lovely local food experience!
Guest tip
Book ahead if you want to eat quickly. Try the fresh fish.
Angelika
Switzerland · Highlighted review
Very quiet beach location, courteous and very friendly owner. Very good vegetarian and local food.
Soheila
Iran · 19 Feb 2026
The location is wonderful and the breakfast is amazing. I really enjoyed my stay.
Scott
Australia · 17 Apr 2026
A beautiful location, the food was amazing and Maduka was excellent. The only thing we missed was air conditioning on a really hot night.
Jean-philippe
France · 7 Aug 2026
A little corner of paradise. The chalet on the sand with a sea view is great, the private bathroom under the coconut trees is very pleasant. Everything is nicely arranged. Maduka and his wife, a very good cook, are very attentive. Delicious fish of the day, generous and nicely presented breakfast. We were welcomed with a good fresh fruit juice. Possibility to rent a scooter. At the end of the day, the boats return from fishing—what a sight. Perfect for a penultimate night before catching the plane.
Violaine
France · 1 Sep 2026
The welcome, the attentiveness and the great kindness of Maduka and his family. We were received like friends. We shared the best meal and breakfast since we've been in Sri Lanka. The portions are generous and the quality of the food is top-notch. The setting is very warm and well maintained. Everything is perfect for making us feel good in this place.
Kris
Netherlands · 26 Sep 2026
What an amazing place! Even nicer than we had imagined. The previous reviews are all correct. It really is a little paradise and the family is incredibly hospitable and warm, but they also give you complete freedom. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner here and everything was equally delicious and extensive. Lunch with fresh fish and dinner with crab from the Puttalam Lagoon, caught by the family themselves. We stayed here on the penultimate day before our flight home and this was the perfect end to our trip!
Jule
Leck, Germany · 22 Mar 2025
The service was very attentive, the food tasty and the whole thing against a fantastic backdrop. We can only recommend this small family business.
Chris H
Traveller · 13 Apr 2025
What an unforgettable experience! Seeing dolphins in the wild has been a bucket list dream for us, and thanks to Maduka and his dad, that dream became a reality. Maduka was absolutely fantastic—knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He led us right to where the dolphins were, and the moment we saw them was pure magic! A special shoutout to his dad, too, who drove the boat with such skill and care, making the whole journey as smooth, safe and comfortable as he could. It really felt like we were in the best hands the entire time. This was more than just a dolphin-spotting trip—it was a truly special memory that we'll cherish forever. We can't thank Maduka and his dad enough for making it happen. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure! We also had the best curries freshly prepared for us on two evenings and one breakfast—sensational food at a great price. We were sad to go because we loved every bite! Thanks Maduka and his family!
Connie A
Middelfart, Denmark · 24 Apr 2025
Homemade delicious rice and curries, right on the beach. A hidden gem. We loved it. Thanks to Maduka and his wife, who is an excellent cook ❤️❤️
AnSi_10
Munich, Germany · 2 Jan 2026
We found Maduka's restaurant by chance when we were looking for a dolphin tour. Maduka cooks very well! It was a great evening on the beach, very cozy and relaxed. You can eat on the beach—we had a little rain, so we ate in his cabin. Price-performance top! From this year Maduka also has rooms for rent.
Passenger38202069504
Traveller · 4 Feb 2026
Incredibly friendly beach-side restaurant—wonderful family and delicious food. We had fresh fish caught that day and grilled prawns. Fab atmosphere, great value! Don't miss this gem of a restaurant whilst in Kalpitiya!
SigiL
Genval, Belgium · 25 Feb 2026
This is the best restaurant we tried in Sri Lanka! Maduka's wife is a fantastic chef, her food is so tasty! Can't recommend this place enough 🤩
ciaran61
London, United Kingdom · 12 Mar 2026
Maduka's is a great family-run restaurant serving delicious, flavourful and authentic Sri Lankan food in a lovely setting right on the beach. Seafood is freshly landed right in front of the restaurant and is cooked perfectly. We went for dinner twice: the first time we had fresh fish, salad and garlic rice; the second time we had rice and curry with lagoon crabs. Both meals were delicious—it's obvious they use top quality ingredients and they really know how to get the most out of the herbs and spices. Maduka and his family are lovely and go out of their way to make you feel welcome and ensure the food matches your tastes. Very highly recommend.
maria rosaria m
Italy · 9 Aug 2026
Wonderful restaurant. Highly recommended. I am a vegetarian, my husband ate the crab. The food was excellent and the staff wonderful.
Bruce
United Kingdom · 13 Feb 2026
Owner Maduka is a friendly young family man whose fishing family owns the land, so it's great to help out local people's businesses instead of resorts. He's very helpful, and they cook an excellent breakfast of your choosing and a delicious rice-and-curry medley. Although a peaceful spot, it's a fisherman's beach with a coal port to the south and massive wind turbines, but the water is good for swimming.
Muriel
Germany · 6 Mar 2026
We had a really lovely stay at this place. Maduka is an incredibly welcoming host and made us feel comfortable from the very beginning. He helped us with every question we had. The location is simple and beautiful, right by the beach, and perfect if you're looking for a quiet and relaxing place. The food cooked by his wife was also a highlight for us. It was very tasty and freshly prepared every day. A special experience for us was the dolphin tour with Maduka's father, who is a fisherman. All in all, we had a really great time and can definitely recommend staying here.
Anton
Sri Lanka · 22 May 2026
It was very delicious—one of the best I have ever had.
Silvana
Switzerland · 16 Aug 2026
A deeply warm and welcoming family who care about nothing but their guests. The food is fabulous. Simply enjoyable! The cooking class was very fun and educational! The accommodation couldn't be better, and is located directly on the private beach. Anyone who hasn't booked a room should at least pay a visit to the restaurant to enjoy the food.
Willem
Netherlands · 13 Sep 2026
Great location on the beach! We were received with enormous hospitality by the whole family. Dinner was served with freshly caught fish from the sea and was truly delicious. Highly recommended for a local experience in Sri Lanka!
Jule
Leck, Germany · 22 Mar 2025
The service was very attentive, the food tasty and the whole thing against a fantastic backdrop. We can only recommend this small family business.
Chris H
Traveller · 13 Apr 2025
What an unforgettable experience! Seeing dolphins in the wild has been a bucket list dream for us, and thanks to Maduka and his dad, that dream became a reality. Maduka was absolutely fantastic—knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He led us right to where the dolphins were, and the moment we saw them was pure magic! A special shoutout to his dad, too, who drove the boat with such skill and care, making the whole journey as smooth, safe and comfortable as he could. It really felt like we were in the best hands the entire time. This was more than just a dolphin-spotting trip—it was a truly special memory that we'll cherish forever. We can't thank Maduka and his dad enough for making it happen. Highly recommend to anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure! We also had the best curries freshly prepared for us on two evenings and one breakfast—sensational food at a great price. We were sad to go because we loved every bite! Thanks Maduka and his family!
Connie A
Middelfart, Denmark · 24 Apr 2025
Homemade delicious rice and curries, right on the beach. A hidden gem. We loved it. Thanks to Maduka and his wife, who is an excellent cook ❤️❤️
AnSi_10
Munich, Germany · 2 Jan 2026
We found Maduka's restaurant by chance when we were looking for a dolphin tour. Maduka cooks very well! It was a great evening on the beach, very cozy and relaxed. You can eat on the beach—we had a little rain, so we ate in his cabin. Price-performance top! From this year Maduka also has rooms for rent.
Passenger38202069504
Traveller · 4 Feb 2026
Incredibly friendly beach-side restaurant—wonderful family and delicious food. We had fresh fish caught that day and grilled prawns. Fab atmosphere, great value! Don't miss this gem of a restaurant whilst in Kalpitiya!
SigiL
Genval, Belgium · 25 Feb 2026
This is the best restaurant we tried in Sri Lanka! Maduka's wife is a fantastic chef, her food is so tasty! Can't recommend this place enough 🤩
ciaran61
London, United Kingdom · 12 Mar 2026
Maduka's is a great family-run restaurant serving delicious, flavourful and authentic Sri Lankan food in a lovely setting right on the beach. Seafood is freshly landed right in front of the restaurant and is cooked perfectly. We went for dinner twice: the first time we had fresh fish, salad and garlic rice; the second time we had rice and curry with lagoon crabs. Both meals were delicious—it's obvious they use top quality ingredients and they really know how to get the most out of the herbs and spices. Maduka and his family are lovely and go out of their way to make you feel welcome and ensure the food matches your tastes. Very highly recommend.
maria rosaria m
Italy · 9 Aug 2026
Wonderful restaurant. Highly recommended. I am a vegetarian, my husband ate the crab. The food was excellent and the staff wonderful.
Bruce
United Kingdom · 13 Feb 2026
Owner Maduka is a friendly young family man whose fishing family owns the land, so it's great to help out local people's businesses instead of resorts. He's very helpful, and they cook an excellent breakfast of your choosing and a delicious rice-and-curry medley. Although a peaceful spot, it's a fisherman's beach with a coal port to the south and massive wind turbines, but the water is good for swimming.
Muriel
Germany · 6 Mar 2026
We had a really lovely stay at this place. Maduka is an incredibly welcoming host and made us feel comfortable from the very beginning. He helped us with every question we had. The location is simple and beautiful, right by the beach, and perfect if you're looking for a quiet and relaxing place. The food cooked by his wife was also a highlight for us. It was very tasty and freshly prepared every day. A special experience for us was the dolphin tour with Maduka's father, who is a fisherman. All in all, we had a really great time and can definitely recommend staying here.
Anton
Sri Lanka · 22 May 2026
It was very delicious—one of the best I have ever had.
Silvana
Switzerland · 16 Aug 2026
A deeply warm and welcoming family who care about nothing but their guests. The food is fabulous. Simply enjoyable! The cooking class was very fun and educational! The accommodation couldn't be better, and is located directly on the private beach. Anyone who hasn't booked a room should at least pay a visit to the restaurant to enjoy the food.
Willem
Netherlands · 13 Sep 2026
Great location on the beach! We were received with enormous hospitality by the whole family. Dinner was served with freshly caught fish from the sea and was truly delicious. Highly recommended for a local experience in Sri Lanka!
Finding the quiet
Maduka Restaurant & Rooms sits on a private stretch of beach in Ilandaiyadi, a fishing village on the Kalpitiya peninsula. There is no signposting circus and no traffic—just the road, the sand, and the family waiting for you.
Before you set off
Message Maduka when you are close and he will guide you the last few minutes, or arrange a tuk-tuk from town.
Message the familyThe address
Off Kalpitiya Road
24235 Ilandaiyadi
Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka
500 m
Ilandaiyadi town centre
68 mi
Bandaranaike International Airport
6 km
Lake Pal Kulam
18 km
Siebels Sea Foods
Ilandaiyadi town centre
500 m
The nearest shops and the heart of this traditional fishing village, a short walk or tuk-tuk from the gate.
Lake Pal Kulam
6 km
A quiet inland lagoon just off the peninsula road—an easy detour for a different view of the landscape.
Siebels Sea Foods Restaurant
18 km
A well-known seafood stop further up the coast, if you feel like exploring beyond Ilandaiyadi.
Playground Karamba
13 km
A local recreation ground and a useful landmark when you are exploring the peninsula by scooter.
Checking in
Check-in
1:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Check-out
12:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Arriving late? Send a message with your estimated time and the family will keep the light on.
House rules & good sense
Payment
Cash only for the rooms. Credit cards are accepted at the restaurant.
Children
All ages are welcome. Guests aged 11 and above are charged as adults. Cribs and extra beds are not available.
Pets
Pets are allowed on request, free of charge.
Smoking
Rooms are non-smoking. The restaurant and beach are open-air.
Cancellation
Cancellation and prepayment terms vary by room type and dates. Message the family for the current policy.
Parking
Free public on-site parking for cars, bikes and tuk-tuks. No reservation needed.
Check-in window
From 1:00 PM until 12:00 AM.
Questions, answered
If your question is not here, message the family directly. Maduka answers personally, usually between the kitchen and the beach.
Ask MadukaThere are two double rooms: the Double Room with Sea View, a timber chalet set directly on the sand, and the Double Room with Private Bathroom, a garden room with its open-air bathroom under the coconut trees. Both sleep two guests and have a private bathroom, terrace and outdoor furniture.
The last night of the trip
One room, one table, one sunrise boat. Tell Maduka when you are coming and he will take care of the rest—no booking fees, no scripts, just the family.
You arrive as a guest. You leave as family.
