Copper Ceylon is the kind of place that makes you forget you're in Bromley and transports you straight to Colombo. Crowned 'Best Restaurant London Suburbs' at the 2022 British Curry Awards and 'Sri Lankan Curry Restaurant of the Year' at the London Curry Awards, owner Haran's passion for his heritage shines through every dish. Go for the lamprais, string hoppers, and hot butter squid — this is Sri Lankan cooking done with genuine soul and serious ambition.
Award-winning Sri Lankan cooking in Bromley — the lamprais and hot butter squid alone are worth crossing London for.
Book ahead on weekends — this place fills up fast, and walk-ins often face a wait.
Sri Lankan cooking that rivals anything in central London
Copper Ceylon is, frankly, a revelation in the middle of Bromley. With a 4.7 Google rating from over 1,700 reviews and a 9.6/10 on TheFork, the numbers tell the story — but it's the food that seals the deal. Owner Haran has built something genuinely special here: Sri Lankan cooking that respects tradition while feeling fresh and modern. The lamprais — banana leaf-wrapped rice parcels with a deeply spiced filling — is the dish everyone talks about, and rightly so. The string hoppers with curry are comfort food at its finest, and the hot butter squid is the kind of starter you'll order twice.
The atmosphere is warm and buzzing without being loud, and reviewers consistently praise the lovely ambience and attentive service. It's the sort of place where the staff clearly care — they'll guide you through the menu if you're new to Sri Lankan food, and they know their stuff. Spices are sourced directly from Sri Lanka, and you can taste the difference in every bite. For a suburb that isn't exactly known for its culinary scene, Copper Ceylon is a standout — award-winning, locally loved, and worth the trip from wherever you are in London.
My one tip: book ahead, especially on weekends. This place fills up fast, and with good reason. If you're used to the standard British high street curry house, this is a completely different experience — lighter, more nuanced, and far more exciting.