From the lagoon
Lobster thermidor, clay pot prawn curry, baked or chilli crab, wok-tossed baby octopus in caramelised Thai basil, and whole grilled mullet with lemon butter.
The restaurant
Maalu by Aayu
Seafood at the water's edge
The setting
Set back from the road, open to the lagoon
Maalu — the Sinhala word for fish — sits at the bottom of the property, right on the water. Dining is open-air under a timber pavilion, with the lagoon breeze coming off the water and planes on their approach to Bandaranaike crossing overhead at dusk.
The walk down from the road is unglamorous. What's at the end of it is the best table in Negombo.
4.7Google rating
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The menu
Maalu's Lagoon Bounty
Where culinary tradition never retires. Seafood landed close to the kitchen, Sri Lankan dishes cooked the way they should be, and a Western menu that isn't an afterthought.
Sri Lankan
Seafood odiyal kool from the Northern peninsula, black pepper tuna loin with olu milk rice and moju, lemongrass chicken kaju, and authentic watalappan to finish.
Western
Handmade pasta, grilled tenderloin and sirloin, honey-glazed pork chop, fish and chips, and a club sandwich built properly.
Platters to share
The Negombo Special surf platter — lobster tail, white fish, jumbo prawns, lagoon crab and squid with lemon rice. Mixed meat and mixed grill platters alongside.
Bites
Deviled fish, hot butter cuttlefish, kochchi chicken, chicken karaage, deviled pork and Maalu special beef with coconut arrack and pepper reduction.
To start
Fresh oyster platter, mangrove clams, giant shrimp cocktail, maguro tataki, and soups including cream of pumpkin and seafood odiyal kool.
Full bar and fresh juices. Vegetarian dishes throughout. All prices are subject to a 10% service charge.
Visiting
Hours & reservations
MondayClosed
Tuesday – Sunday1.00 pm – 10.30 pm
Walk-ins are welcome, but weekend evenings fill up. Call or message us to hold a table — and tell us if you want one on the water's edge.
No. 582, Pamunugama Road, Thalahena, Negombo — about fifteen minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport. Parking on site. Open in Google Maps