Located on King Street, Mr. & Mrs. Chefs Palmy is a popular Sri Lankan restaurant holding a 4.5-star rating from over 230 reviews. Diners frequently highlight staples like kottu, string hoppers, devilled chicken, and flaky roti, alongside warm service and hearty weekend specials.
Authentic Sri Lankan dining centres on layering bold spices with creamy coconut milk, fresh curry leaves, and punchy aromatics like pandan and black pepper. A hallmark of the cuisine is street-food style kottu roti—chopped flatbread stir-fried on a smoking griddle with vegetables, meat, and rich curry gravy—which demands exact timing to keep the bread tender rather than soggy. Good spots balance fiery heat with bright, tangy condiments like pol sambol or tart lime pickles, making it easy to tailor the spice level to taste. Regulars often recommend trying string hopper nests paired with a mild coconut sodhi before moving on to punchier devilled dishes.
For flavour-packed curries and classic island street fare, head to King Street in Palmerston North.