The Coconut Island

01 The Arrival

The Coconut Island feels warm and colourful, with a real sense of Sri Lankan identity without the decor becoming overly themed.

02 The Food

Chicken kottu roti, vegetable samosas, dhal curry and pol sambol. The kottu was the standout - chopped roti, vegetables, spices and tender meat all coming together - while the dhal was creamy and comforting and the pol sambol added a fresh coconut and chilli hit.

03 The Experience

Staff were friendly and welcoming, happy to explain unfamiliar dishes. Relaxed, colourful and informal - the kind of place to easily spend a couple of hours working through different dishes.

04 Was It Worth It?

Excellent value - Sri Lankan food works brilliantly for sharing, and portions make it easy to get plenty of variety for the price.

05 The Verdict

Fantastic kottu, authentic flavours, generous portions and excellent value, though the menu can feel slightly overwhelming if unfamiliar with Sri Lankan food. A brilliant introduction with enough variety to keep people coming back.

Location — 103 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2AA, England