Eating free street food at Colombo Dansal during Vesak
7 Answers from travellers
It is highly encouraged! Dansals are an act of almsgiving and community sharing. Locals genuinely love it when foreigners join the queue, it shows respect and appreciation for the culture. The food is monitored by Health Inspectors and is very fresh due to high turnover. Eat the rice and curry, try the fried manioc, and enjoy the spirit of the festival.
Avoid the iced colored drinks if you have a sensitive stomach, just to be safe with the local water.
Be prepared to wait in line. The famous ice cream Dansals have queues wrapping around the block.
Do not try to pay them! Giving money is highly offensive as it defeats the purpose of almsgiving.
Some of the best ones are hidden in the residential streets in Colombo 7 and Borella.
The fried manioc with spicy sambol is the best thing I have eaten in Sri Lanka.
Scam Watch: colombo
Driver claims the meter is broken and quotes an inflated flat rate. Common on arrival at airport or railway stations when tourists are tired and disoriented.
Drivers wearing official-looking uniforms claim to be "government-approved" and charge 3-5x normal rates. They may have fake badges or ID cards.
Women with babies approach asking you to buy milk powder at a nearby shop (not cash). The shop is run by accomplices and charges 5-10x normal price.
You must be logged in to post an answer.
Log In to AnswerRelated questions
- Eating Vesak street food safely in Colombo culture festival4 answers
- Eating free street food during Colombo Vesak festival culture7 answers
- Eating free food at Colombo Dansal during Vesak festival safely4 answers
- Eating free Dansal street food safely during Vesak in Colombo5 answers
- Is Jaffna worth the long journey from Colombo? What to see and how to get there.2 answers
- Jaffna — is it worth making the trip to the north, and what should I actually do there?3 answers
Join a Crew
Kandy Perahera Live Tonight
Perahera Seats, Hotels & Roads
Dalada & Perahera Culture