Kotabi
Cafe Chill

Cafe Chill

4.512,151 reviews
Sri Lankan cuisine · Iconic Ella landmark · Vibrant hub
📍 A23, Ella 90090, Sri Lanka
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Hours
  • Monday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 AM
  • Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 AM
  • Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 AM
  • Thursday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 AM
  • Friday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 AM
  • Saturday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 AM
  • Sunday: 8:30 AM – 2:00 AM

The full picture

Cafe Chill is a central landmark in Ella that functions as a social hub and restaurant, known for blending traditional Sri Lankan flavors with international comfort food.

It suits travelers and groups looking for a lively atmosphere and a menu that accommodates both adventurous eaters and those seeking familiar dishes.

Lunch hours are typically quieter for easier seating, while evenings are high-energy and often require waiting for a table.

💡 Be prepared to join a queue for dinner as this is one of the most popular spots in town.

Visitors love
  • authentic lamprais and thali
  • fresh vegetarian options
  • efficient and courteous staff
  • vibrant social atmosphere
  • excellent grilled tuna
Some note
  • long evening queues
  • busy peak-hour wait times

Good to know

Is it good for kids?
The menu includes child-friendly options like pizza and pasta, though the evening environment is quite busy.
Is it OK on a rainy day?
Not mentioned in reviews.
How long should I stay?
Allow at least an hour for a meal, or longer if you plan to stay for drinks and the atmosphere.
Is a reservation needed?
The restaurant often has a queue at peak times, suggesting it operates largely on a walk-in basis.
🧭 Directions 🌐 Website 📞 Call
🗺 View on Kotabi map ↗ Open in Google Maps

Visitor reviews

★★★★★Shubham Sharma · a month ago
We visited Cafe Chill after taking the scenic train from Nuwara Eliya to Ella. Since we had to leave our hotel early in the morning, we skipped breakfast there and came straight to Cafe Chill. It turned out to be one of the best food experiences of our trip! We ordered pizza and pasta, and both were absolutely delicious. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. What we also loved was that Cafe Chill offers plenty of vegetarian options, making it a great choice for vegetarians as well. The food was yummy, the atmosphere was relaxing, and the service was great. Highly recommen
★★★★★Sri Kanagarajah · a month ago
Cafe Chill, Ella ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cafe Chill definitely lives up to its reputation and is worth a visit if you're in Ella. The restaurant has a fun, lively atmosphere with great music, friendly service, and a menu that blends Sri Lankan favorites with international dishes. It gets busy for good reason, so expect a bit of a wait during peak hours. We ordered the chicken lamprais, chicken rice and curry, devilled fish, two arrack ginger lime cocktails, a violet margarita, a cucumber detox drink, and finished with banana fritters topped with ice cream and honey. The chicken lamprais was the highlight of the
★★★★★Travel Notes · 3 weeks ago
If you’re in Ella and looking for a great place to relax, enjoy good food, and soak in the lively atmosphere, Chill Cafe is the place to be. It was quite busy when we visited for dinner, but we were still able to get a table after a short wait. The food was excellent. We tried the Sri Lankan thali and a fish starter, and both were delicious. The thali, in particular, stood out—it tasted authentic and felt like a proper local home-style meal, making it a great choice if you want to experience traditional Sri Lankan flavors. With its vibrant vibe, good service, and tasty food, Chill Cafe is de
★★★★★Fazeena Thassim · a month ago
Love the vibe. No stay in Ella is complete without a visit to Chill Cafe. Food was fabulous as always. The servers are super efficient and also so courteous. Thank you Yoga and Sampath. We look forward to our next visit. Keep up the great job team Chill.
★★★★★Edward D · 4 months ago
Tried "By the sea" (grilled tuna) and mango juice. Generous portion of tuna, well prepared. Mango juice is as good as it gets. During lunch hours I got a seat easily. I liked menu options, there's a lot to choice from. Then I visited in the evening - there's a lot of people, there was a queue to get in. And in the evening waiters are really busy, you need to wait a bit to be served. Overall the place definitely deserves a visit.