Matey Hut

Matey Hut

Someone from this business manages this listing.
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+94 77 258 3450+ Add website
Hours
Sun
11:00 - 22:00
Mon
11:00 - 22:00
Tue
11:00 - 22:00
Wed
11:00 - 22:00
Thu
11:00 - 22:00
Fri
11:00 - 22:00
Sat
11:00 - 22:00
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What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS
Food
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.8 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.9 of 5 bubbles
Atmosphere
4.7 of 5 bubbles
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
Learn More
CUISINES
Sri Lankan
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
features
CUISINES
Sri Lankan
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Drinks
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Table Service
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5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1,811 reviews
Excellent
1,608
Very good
125
Average
50
Poor
12
Terrible
16

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Romina
Madrid205 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 friends
it was an unforgettable experience at Matey hut. The location itself is stunning, offering an amazing view that adds a special point to the dining atmosphere. The food was equally impressive, with the pumpkin soup and vegetable chicken curry standing out as highlights. Each dish was flavorful and crafted with care, bringing out the best of local ingredients. The ambiance of the restaurant felt both classic and authentically local, and the staff was incredibly welcoming and polite, providing warm, attentive service throughout. Highly recommended for anyone looking to experience a beautiful setting, excellent food, and exceptional hospitality.
Written 27 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Devon
17 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 solo
You may have to wait around 15 minutes to be seated because it's a small place with limited seating space, but it's well worth the wait because the curries are unbelievable. You can customize your own rice and curry plate with the different choices on offer, and they'll fire it up on the spot. I went with the jackfruit curry, banana blossom curry, potato curry and seeni sambol, but there are many other types of curries and sambols on the menu (pumpkin, manioc, green beans, etc.). Staff were attentive.
Written 19 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GeeCee94
Cheshire28 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 couples
Great local food as previous reviews had highlighted. I’m glad we tried this place and trusted reviews - food was excellent. Setting is less impressive but I suppose that’s what makes it more authentic vs many of the touristy restaurants in the strip. Only downfall for us was that we were swarmed with flies during our meal which made it difficult to relax. We went for lunch but every evening in Ella we witnessed large queues outside - therefore, I’d recommend going for lunch (no queues) or getting there early for dinner! No alcohol served. Would recommend the Murth Parata (veg + chicken curry in the best Parata we had in Sri Lanka), very filling and no more than RS1400 (the most expensive thing on the menu and still so cheap). Definitely one not to miss when in Ella
Written 5 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rachael951
Melbourne1053 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 family
After reading that this was the place to eat real authentic Sri Lankan food we were eager to try it ourselves. We ordered a chicken curry which came with 4 different vegetable curries of our choice. These included, carrot curry, eggplant, banana, beetroot, okra, potato, beans, mango as well as a variety of Dahl. We asked for it to be spicy as we had done every where else here but this would have to have been the spiciest curries I have ever eaten ( and that includes curries in India and all over SE Asia! My mum had a paratha filled with mixed veg, egg and potatoes which she thoroughly enjoyed. Overall a fabulous experience which we would highly recommend. Note, they don’t take reservations, don’t serve alcohol and there are only 6 tables in the restaurant so be prepared to queue!
Written 13 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bobs
Hong Kong71 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2024 couples
HEAVENLY! So yum gosh! We waited 15min for our table but was worth it. I got the chicken curry - it came with banana, pumpkin(delish), eggplant (delish), carrot curry. Highly recommend. My hub got the spinach and Dahl curry which he enjoyed! Mango lassi also a hit! Staff are friendly 🩷
Written 26 December 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

donatella d
Trieste136 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2024 friends
Better smells and flavors than my trip to Sri Lanka where I ate very well. The place is simple without frills, the kindness that you get used to traveling in this wonderful country, I always ate here at Ella and I also participated in their cooking class that I recommend because it is fun, interesting and then you eat all together in the cooking school. You know. Go there.
Automatically translated
Written 18 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rachyr14
Melbourne25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 couples
Best food in Ella. You can select your own veggie curries (only place we went to that let us do this- it’s usually set) and add on a meat curry if you choose. I choose a banana curry, mango curry, Dahl and others. The price was very cheap! Also got a mango Lassi but didn’t love that as I thought it wasn’t cold enough. They don’t sell beer here. Food and service amazing! Highly recommend
Written 8 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nelleke R
Naarden77 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 family
Went to Matey Cabin twice already. Dinner and lunch. What a wonderful food. Best so far in Sri Lanka. The salads and desserts are also recommended. In the evening you have to wait stupidly on the street but you can already order and food comes quickly.
Automatically translated
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sara J
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 friends
Very good local food, the best we have tried. If you ask for no spicy, it really isn't spicy. They understand gluten intolerance well, they explain what options are GLUTEN FREE. It is perfect. Very friendly and attentive. I recommend it 100%
Google
Written 25 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tallen
Nottingham14 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2023 couples
We found this place and we were super happy because it felt more local than most the other places in Ella. The guys there are a right laugh they crack a few jokes and make it a bit of fun. The food is also banging, it really hits the spot but our favourite thing was the cooking class. I’m majorly into cooking but have never done a cooking class because it’s always so expensive but the value of this we couldn’t miss out on, 4500 rupees pp and you get to eat most likely the freshest tastiest curries you’ve had in Sri Lanka and bonus you’ve cooked them yourself! He also gets you making dessert after and when you think things can’t get any better they do! We’d love to return one day. You should definitely give it a go!
Written 18 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Banashri
44 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 couples
For our last lunch in Ella we came here. Small and unpretentious place with nice smells of home cooking wafting around the narrow wraparound veranda where four tables have been set out. We had banana flower fritters as starters with a tomato chilli chutney and a mango chutney. It was delicious. Then I had a rice lunch which included red rice and a choice of FOUR vegetables ( I chose jackfruit, aubergine; okra and spinach with dal). Everything was really tasty. My husband ordered a chicken curry and two coconut rotis ( breads). The curry was again very nice. The only problem was that the rotis were so big, my husband could only eat one. We ended our meal by sharing a dessert of extremely thick and yummy curd doused with a special local treacle. The whole meal cost us about 5000 SLR (14 dollars) and guess how pleasantly surprised and impressed with the chef owner generosity, when we noticed that he had not charged us for the 2nd roti when I insisted that we should pay for what we had ordered he said that he should have advised us that we were ordering too much In my years and years of travel I have never come across such a generous gesture. No wonder that such a genuine person produces such good and authentic food.
Written 7 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Elisabetta S
28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 family
We came here for a family dinner and it did not disappoint! We got there at around 5pm and were seated quickly, although a large queue formed quickly afterwards so would recommend getting there early to avoid waiting as it is quite small. We all had the veggie curry option which was so good- definitely recommend the samosas as well to share as they were some of the best I've ever had. The restaurant was such good value and the staff were lovely. Definitely recommend.
Written 1 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lucio D
37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 friends
Small place located at the bottom of the main street, despite the few tables managed to accommodate our group of 11 people (we went around 21, from 19 to 21 usually there is a line outside). They offer several local dishes all good bikes, my "parade" with chicken and vegetables was delicious! Large portions and low costs (I seem to have spent about the equivalent of 8-9 euros per person). Nice and friendly staff. Absolutely recommended.
Automatically translated
Written 7 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

carabat
Melbourne28 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2024 friends
AMAZING! Long queue to get in but moved swiftly and well worth the wait. Best food I’ve eaten in Sri Lanka so far! We will be heading back tomorrow to try more on the menu!! The staff in the kitchen were having fun and cooking up a storm, they were friendly, kind (explaining different items) and accommodating (we needed more of the delicious sauce) HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Written 7 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sophie
London62 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 couples
Unreal food at Matey Hut in Ella. 10/10 the best we’ve eaten in Sri Lanka. We had the Sri Lankan curry with chicken, plus coconut rotis and it was by far the best meal we’ve had on our travels so far. We went back the next day for lunch but alas the chicken curry wasn’t ready this early in the day, but still the other dishes were fab. Located near to the train tracks and main road that runs into Ella town centre, it’s just a few minutes walk from the main drag of bars and restaurants. The seating is around the outside of the building, which is very rustic and basic, but was still buzzing and very busy on both occasions we visited. Service was fab both times, with lovely waiters, and the food came out relatively quickly, but still seemed to be cooked somewhat on request. Reasonably priced and great value for the quality. Would totally encourage you to visit whilst stopping in Ella. (They also run cooking courses which we wish we did - we need that chicken curry recipe!!).
Written 12 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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