Peninsula (Sri Lankan & Indian Cuisine)

"Located a five-minute walk from Victoria station, this laid-back spot is perfect for a last-minute dinner when your friends are looking to you for restaurant ideas…again. The menu is straightforward, split into devils, kothu, curries, and other Sri Lankan classics, and the biriyani is great for sharing. The servers are friendly and helpful, and will absolutely not let you leave without trying the kothu. Heavy on the roti and spices, it’s a satisfying mountain of carbs that you’ll nibble at long after you’re full. Come here for a no-frills delicious meal with portions so big you’ll inevitably leave with a doggy bag." - rianne shlebak, jake missing, heidi lauth beasley

"Located a five-minute walk from Victoria station, this laid-back spot is perfect for a last-minute dinner when your friends are looking to you for restaurant ideas… again. The menu is straightforward, split into devilled meats, kothu, curries, and other Sri Lankan classics, and the biriyani is great for sharing. The servers are friendly and helpful, and will rightfully not let you leave without trying the kothu. Heavy on the roti and spices, it’s a satisfying mountain of carbs that you’ll nibble at long after you’re full. Come here for a no-frills delicious meal with portions so big you’ll inevitably leave with a doggy bag." - Rianne Shlebak

"Perched on a busy intersection, this small, new venue is on the former site of Sekara, the Hoppers of its day. Well, not quite — but 15 years ago, most Londoners knew of only one Sri Lankan restaurant, though many couldn’t remember its name and referred to it as “that smart Sri Lankan near Victoria.” It wasn’t particularly smart, and neither is this — though the word can loosely describe a white table-clothed venue that’s not particularly cheap and cheerful. Here there’s a standard menu of good hoppers served with curries, and godamba roti with a choice of dal, curry or sambal. A few surprises include devilled wild boar, seerfish curry made from the mackerel-like fish, and a mellow, green chilli-laced kiri hodi, in which the ubiquitous coconut gravy is improved by the addition of eggs. Sekara was renowned for its Sunday buffets and — although this restaurant has a different ownership — it has continued the tradition." - Sejal Sukhadwala