Kotuwa

Situated in the ground floor of an apartment complex, the restaurant was unassuming. We managed to get an indoor table, as it was very hot and humid. We visited for the first time, having just returned from several weeks in Sri Lanka. The food at Kotuwa was every bit as good as the food in their home country! The service was attentive, without being intrusive. The menu offered good vegetarian options. The dall had great flavour and texture, the cauliflower curry was bursting with flavours, and not overpowered with coconut milk, it also retained the texture, where many other restaurants overcook it. The butternut squash dish was a complete contrast, with rich flavours developing in your mouth, with a warmth continuing to be present without being over spiced. The sambal flight was a great choice - one coconut, chilli and lime, the next aubergine based and the third tamarind with caramelised onion. They allowed the flavours to supplement the other dishes. A small portion of plain rice was sufficient for two people. The food was so good we booked a table and returned three days later and tried the Cashew yellow rice, and Okra - well worth trying. The mango beer was worth a try and very fruity, on our second visit the local lager was a good bet. We liked the scorched art on the tables too. If we are back in Singapore we will visit again!

If you're looking to try something different yet familiar, in an elevated style, Kotuwa is the place to plan your next date. Full Kudos to the staff 5/5 for their kind courtesy and attentiveness. The staff was very knowledgeable about the menu, and happy to help. We took most of their recommendations for and were not disappointed. The ambiance was quite pleasing and spacious as well. Food 4/5, the dishes were flavourful , nicely presented, and portion sizes were generous. Must try the Kotthu chicken prata, and fried calamari. We didn't try any of the drinks. The dessert (the tart slice) was so-so. My only feedback: some room to improve the perfection and consistency of the dishes. Some things like duck curry and the lamb rolls could be slightly on the overcooked or unevenly charred side. But all-in-all the food is satisfying and delightful.

If you are looking for something different and in the mood for some adventure but not so wild, this is the place. The restaurant ambiance was really nice. If you can make it during happy hours or when it is not so darn hot outdoors their backyard patio was sooooo nice. On the wrong day, it would be an outdoor sauna or shower. The service was friendlier than most other restaurants especially when you get the Phillipina waitress but in general the staff is knowledgeable enough and could make good recommendation. The food was somewhat an interesting fusion of Indian food with many twist and turns. Srilankan cuisine is NOT Indian food but heavily influenced by it. Give it a try.

Heard a lot of great things about Kotuwa and was thrilled to finally try it. Did not disappoint! For ~$80 per person, it’s quite a feast you get. Tamarind is quite prominent in the meal, likely to combat some of the spicier dishes, so the meal is quite balanced overall. There truly wasn’t one bad dish. Standouts: Malu Kirata – I’m a big fan of fish and this was sooooo good. I hardly have sea perch so I didn’t know what to expect. Fantastically crispy skin, just-cooked fish meat, bathed in a fragrant yellow curry. Jaffna Duck Curry – A tad sweet for me with the tamarind gravy, but the duck itself was so perfectly prepared. This is for those who love fried duck (Bebek Goreng; Duck Confit). Good: Mutton Roll – Simply yummy with great flavour and crisp. Pol Sambol – For the serunding lovers. Having this paired with rice and dahl is such a winning combo. Plain hopper – Appam is already so delicious, so there’s not much to improve on, really, but this one is just SO well done. Can really taste the fermentation here Special mentions: Dhal – Dhal is so commonplace in Indian cuisine you wouldn’t think it’s something worth shouting about, but this dhal was so well seasoned and just memorable? I don’t know what’s in there, just that it’s good enough to worth mentioning Watalappam Tart – I love sweets and I love spices. Simple, straightforward dessert goodness that isn’t overwhelming. What a way to end the meal Special shout out to the Chilli Annansi Punch and to all the wonderful staff that attended to us that night. Can’t wait to be back!

The interior was very stylish, and the overall atmosphere of the restaurant was lovely The food was generally good but since I’m not good with spicy food, we mainly ordered non-spicy dishes The Mutton Rolls were very spicy for me I ordered them but there were quite a lot of chilies inside, not just in the sauce so I couldn’t finish them The Kaju Curry tasted good but there were too many cashew nuts, which made it a bit overwhelming and tiring to eat after a while I think it would be better if there were fewer cashew nuts or if there were more onions to balance it out We ordered both the plain hopper and the egg hopper and personally, I preferred the egg hopper The service was polite, but the staff were constantly moving around us They kept refilling our water after almost every sip, which made it hard to relax and focus on our meal and conversation

Heard that the food here was good so I decided to try it out for an occasion! Overall, portions size was just nice and I really enjoyed the flavours in every dish but there were a few standouts: ⭐️ Matti (one of my favs) which is Venus clams cooked in coconut and curry leaves butter — honestly would come back for this ⭐️ Mali Kirata (another one of my favs) crispy fish in yellow curry other stuff we ordered: - Poricha ercha, fried beef cheek - Lamb shank - Egg hoppers - having been to Sri Lanka before, this was good but expensive for a street food item - Condiments: pol sambol, seeni sambol and wambatu moju - Yellow rice - was enough for my table of 4, goes great with the dishes

Kotuwa by Chef Rishi Naleendra delivered an incredible dining experience — easily one of the most memorable meals I’ve had in Singapore. The food is bold, vibrant, and deeply flavorful, with every dish showing layers of spice and balance that make Sri Lankan cuisine so special. I had the Jaffna Duck Curry, Kaju Curry, Malu Baduma, assorted croquettes, and hoppers — each one excellent in its own way. The duck curry was rich and aromatic, with tender meat and perfectly balanced spice. The Kaju Curry was creamy and comforting, the Malu Baduma beautifully seasoned and full of character, while the croquettes were crisp and bursting with flavor. The hoppers tied everything together — light, delicate, and the ideal companion to all the curries. The ambiance was lively yet cozy, with warm lighting, great music, and attentive service that made the experience even better. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, and the whole vibe felt inviting without being formal. It was also my first time at the New Bahru area — such a pleasant surprise with its creative, laid-back energy that pairs perfectly with Kotuwa’s food. Definitely a must-visit spot in Singapore. Make sure to reserve ahead — it’s absolutely worth it.

We went there for a dinner. It’s a pretty small facility and all the tables are pretty tightly appointed. The food was okay. Nothing extraordinary that would make us go there again. The lamb shank was average. We have had better at regular restaurants. Considering Kotuwa is a Michelin recommended restaurant, we were not that impressed. The service was average as well. We would have appreciated if they had cared to change our plates after the appetizers. But we used the same plates for the appetizers and the main course. Not Michelin standard. Overall, it’s worth a visit to go there once if you never had a Sri Lankan food before. But nothing out of the ordinary. I would rather go to one of the Indian restaurants instead. The prices don’t match the quality either. It was pretty disappointing.