Smoke & Bitters

Must try for next level cocktails and great food! We shared some starters and mains, accompanied by four different cocktails (we couldn't resist trying a variety ;)). Highly recommend the tuna starter and the pork, but honestly everything was amazing. Great helpful staff is happy to advise with both food and drinks.

When I say Smoke & Bitters is off the chain, I truly mean it with every fiber of my being. This place isn’t just a restaurant—it’s an experience, a vibe, and a culinary movement tucked away in Sri Lanka. The food alone is worth every cent, but what truly sets this spot apart is the passion and soul poured into it by the people who run it. You feel it the moment you arrive. Every dish is crafted with a kind of care and creativity that’s rare. There’s no phoning it in here—everything is intentional. No two dishes taste remotely alike, and yet they’re all unified by bold flavors, thoughtful ingredients, and an unapologetic commitment to quality. It’s not just about eating; it’s about being surprised, delighted, and blown away—bite after bite. And let’s talk about the people: they’re the heart of this place. You can see their love for what they do in every interaction, every plate, every perfectly mixed cocktail. The hospitality is warm, real, and unforced. Come with an open mind and a hungry belly, and I promise—you will leave satisfied, inspired, and already planning your return.

This place is an absolute gem and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. We were staying in Matara (about 50mn away by scooter) yet we came twice in a row - that’s how good the food was! Cocktails and overall vibes are great! We probably tried the whole cocktail menu at this point ;) Cocktails were also definitely the best we had in Sri Lanka during our 2 weeks trip. Special mention to the king coconut calamari - such a brilliant, innovative and great take on elevated local food!! All the slow cooked meat were obviously amazing - our favourite being the goat in Jaffna curry. If I was being picky, we would have LOVED more curry sauce with our dishes, simply because it’s so delicious and we couldn’t get enough of it! Thank you to the chef to also always serving burning hot bread- what an overall experience! You have to try the food & cocktails at least once if you’re in the area. Make sure to book to secure a seat :)

Rated #29 in Asia's top 50 bars. This bar in a tiny little village was an eye opener. The drinks were well made and had some good technique. Food was excellent. The sunset views around 530 to 730pm are worth a visit. Drinks are priced at around 4000 LKR plus 10% service charge, but are made quite well. Service is friendly and quickly. Strongly recommend doing a reservation before if you are a group of 2 or more. Good choice for a date night or friends meet up. Enjoy and look forward to my next visit to try out more drinks and food.

Absolutely incredible - a must-visit. Everything about this place was excellent; from the choice, quality of food, service, atmosphere. The cocktails are so unique and I recommend you try a few! The food was simply stunning - every dish unique, tasty, well cooked and thought through. The ideal dining experience

I can see why this place is one of the top rated cocktail bars in Asia!! The cocktails taste superb and beautifully presented, and reasonably priced considering its fame (£10 each). As well as a tasty cocktail, it’s a lovely spot to watch the sunset! The staff are all very attentive and happy to describe the cocktails in more detail or make recommendations. I would however recommend booking in advance as it does get very busy, however we were still able to get a table even though we booked it earlier the same day. All in all, it’s a must-do experience when visiting hiriketiya!

We had a lovely diner at Smoke & Bitters. The staff is very friendly and well-trained. The food not only looks amazing but also tastes really good. The plates are stunning! Dish sizes aren't too big so make sure to order at least 3 dishes for two people. The cocktails taste great as well and you can see the beautiful sunset here. Reservation is necessary!

Easily the best meal I have ever had! I organised a table for my boyfriends 30th birthday. We had the best seat in the house to watch the sunset and they delivered on bringing him a little cake with a customised message. Service was outstanding!! So helpful, friendly and attentive. Cocktails were unique and delicious. Like I said the food was of an extremely high level! Amazing experience and a must do !!! Highly recommend.