Machan Kitchen in Croydon

Incredible food, and such lovely staff! Definitely eat here!

Took my mum for her birthday on a Sunday and had the most amazing food we've had in a while. We got mutton rolls and fish cutlets as a starter. The mutton rolls were super crispy on the outside and the filling was flavoursome and just delicious, reminded me of homemade ones. For mains we got chilaw crab, fish curry (tilapia), tatties and spot the goat with paratha and yellow rice. All of these were absolutely sublime. Each dish was cooked to perfection especially the meat and fish. The chilaw crab sauce itself was so good I ordered a paratha to scoop up the sauce. Would go back there in a heart beat. Our host was so accommodating and very friendly. We got a cake for my mum and she sent someone to buy candles which was so sweet. Talk about above and beyond. Recommend to anyone looking to try the tastiest food, beach hut vibes and an overall exceptional experience eating out!

Nice Sri Lankan restaurant with nice vegetarian selection. We went for my brother's birthday during the week. There were a few options not available, which maybe offered on the weekend. The decor is authentic and seating basic (not fine dining). We enjoyed the taste of the dishes and service was fairly prompt.

Very accommodating, very helpful with suggestions, delicious food

Lovely food and atmosphere, will come again

Totally outstanding in every way. Thank you.

Really delicious food and great service.

Very nice food. Would highly recommend the calamari starter and the fish curry of the day for mains

If you want to try Sri Lankan food with authentic spices this is the best place in Croydon. Service from the team is amazing and friendly. Food from the chief chef Ruchira Priyan is fantastic. All the dishes offered are delicious. You must try their mutton rolls, hot butter cuttle fish, goat curry and string hoppers. Nice atmosphere too. Best chef in the town.

Tasty dishes 😋 at the Machan Kitchen. Enjoyed my lunch with friends ☺. Definitely on my list to revisit

Staff were exceptionally friendly and accommodating. Came for my birthday to get a taste of home and overall it was an enjoyable experience. From the starters, the cutlets really stood out. Especially as they were fried fresh. In terms of mains, the Kotthu rotti was a little soft in places. And the crab was a little overcooked, but the curry the crab came in was flavourful and complex. A real delight. The best thing on the dish that I recommend everyone get is the devilled chicken. It’s fiery, tangy and takes me back to Sri Lanka in all the best ways. It left me wanting more and disappointed in myself that I didn’t indulge in more of it. Especially with the great pol rotti Definitely worth visiting for a taste of Sri Lanka and you can expect me to be a repeat visitor

Our food was a hit and a miss on this occasion. The lamb chops were not very fresh and lacked any flavour. The devilled chicken again wasn’t fresh, hard and over cooked. The Kothu was nicely done. Overall with half the dishes not being up to the mark a bit of a disappointment. We were not charged for the devilled chicken as we sent it back after a single bite

Waiter was being disrespectful. Egoistical and judgmental. Was incorrect in bringing a bottle of wine, and didn’t want to admit his mistake. Was being extremely rude and unpleasant. Ruined a lovely night!

Great service, great food, and affordable. We'll definitely be back as we really enjoyed the food and want to try more of the dishes. Plenty of options on the menu for vegetarian and vegan people (the ones who ordered were really good) as well as meat and fish dishes (also delicious).

I visited this restaurant about 2 weeks ago and I have to say hands down it’s probably the best restaurant in Croydon! I say that with confidence. There wasn’t a single part of our meal that wasn’t absolutely delectable! I’m pescatarian and their fish and vegetarian menu was so good! I find at some restaurants that ordering vegetarian often means compromising on flavour but not here. The okra was absolutely delicious, the roti was Cooke fro perfection and all the curries were just out of this world bursting with flavour! If that wasn’t enough, the ambience in the restaurant was just so lovely. I love how homely it felt. The decor was beautiful and the waiting staff were so lovely I wish I had gotten their names. They made us feel like we were just visiting a relatives home for dinner rather than going to a restaurant. I 100% recommend coming here. Anything you get on the menu is worthwhile.

Delicious food and fantastic mocktails. Lovely staff and great service!

I was craving for Sri Lankan South Food. My one of the friend recommended to visit this restaurant. Their food was awesome. Their service was so nice and the atmosphere of the restaurant felt like being in Sri Lanka. Nice place to celebrate parties as well. Highly recommended.

Great food, especially if you'd like a kick of spice. The goat curry we had was lovely with string hoppers. I was disappointed though with the Kothu paratha. It had a bit too much vegetables, especially cabbage, felt like a slaw version of Kothu. The prawns in the shell weren't that great. It was difficult to peel and eat.

Service was great right from the start. Booking for a large group was easy and smooth sailing. We was a group of 11 for a birthday dinner. Ordering was done via the qr code which was great for a large group and avoided working bill at the end. The food was great portion sizes but some dishes could done with a bit more flavour. The young waiter was very attentive. Would definitely go back. Unfortunately didn't get loads pictures.

Absolutely love this place, friendly staff and prompt service but the best of all is the food! Beautiful attention to spices, mouth watering food. Best food I've had in years.

Absolutely fantastic evening! Food was first class, unique main courses. Service was also excellent with friendly and helpful staff. A fair price as well. 100% recommend.

Great place, the food was super delicious, the devilled chicken was nice sticky, spicy and sweet. The staff are polite, speedy and attentive. Good vegan options too. Highly recommend this place.

Superb - I love a really good Sri Lankan curry or stew and these guys do it really well! Highly recommend their stewed goat! Tastes amazing! 😉

Amazing flavourful food… great service! Been wanting to come here for years so glad iv come and will be coming back very soon

i have eaten here a few times and always look forward to the next visit. always plenty to take home after the meal!

We were a large group. Ordered many dishes. Although food wasn't amazing , no complaints about the taste. However there are more negatives. We ordered many starters. For the price, they were too small. Mains weren't big either. It's a Sri Lankan restaurant, we expect slightly bigger portions, especially for the prices. A big negative was, all three staffs were standing only few steps away from us, watching us through out. Appreciate they want to look after the customers, but restaurants should understand no-one would enjoy eating when people are watching you. For these reasons s, we won't go back!!

We'd been eyeing up the menu in the window for a while, it sounded relevant to our interests. When we hit a Friday, designated takeaway night, I decided to give it a try and placed an order for collection. It was a revelation, simply delicious food. Everything was well-judged and in balance. Spice was present so that nothing was bland yet didn't overwhelm the other flavours. As veggies, we had a decent choice of dishes, too, which is always a joy. The restaurant itself was so cosily decorated that I secretly wish that we'd made a normal sit-down visit; maybe next time. If I had one mild grumble, I'd have liked a bit more paneer in the chilli paneer- but I'm greedy. We had an unusually good meal. I look forward to a proper visit some time.

Great food and fantastic service

Out of many great restaurants, this is by far my favourite restaurant in Croydon with SUCH lovely staff and service. Feels strongly like a family operated business. Great vegetarian and vegan recipes but also amazing meat dishes. Especially the Kottu Roti, Batu Maluwa and Bitter Gourd Salad are some of my favourites. Will come back to sample every dish on the menu.

Hidden gem! We spent NYE in London and was recommended Machan by a friend who lives locally. Food was delicious and I wish I had two stomachs so I can try more dishes on the menu 😄 We live in Manchester but will happily travel just to eat here!

Would travel 2+ hours from Manchester again just to have another plate of Batu Maluwa. Fantastic restaurant, great service, and live music on New Year's Eve was lovely.

searching for somewhere to have dinner with my other half in Croydon and was blown away by the food here. Service great too. Amazing!!

My friend and I came across this place on Friday night. The food was flavoursome and in decent size portions. Unlike a lot of restaurants these days there was space between tables so you could enjoy your conversation. The only reason I didn't give 5 for food is because I would have liked a few more meat choices. Having said that, I had the goat, my friend - the prawns and for starter the mutton rolls and they were gorgeous. Would happily recommend.

We had a amazing experience yesterday as we had a group of friends for lunch. Starter s to the end of the meal was great food and service was excellent! Many thanks to Rosh and his team! Reeni

I don't have words to express how deeply satisfied I was with my food. It tasted delicate yet strong, spicy but not overpowering, balanced and deliciously beautiful. I was upset that I got full up and couldn't try more dishes. Factoring in the absolutely reasonable prices, I cannot remember the last time I came away from paying for a meal and feeling it really was so worth it. Thank you.

Wonderful food, and an excellent choice of vegetarian and pescatarian dishes.

Delicious food! The boss beef starter was the best.

Amazing ! Food 10/10 , staff 10/10 , Atmosphere 10/10, if there were 10 stars to give on Google I would give Machan Kitchen 10 ! Their food is divine and delicious! Recommend the kothu and mutton rolls ! They are willing to accommodate spice tolerance for those who can't 😀 service was great, staff friendly and happy to recommend 😀

We are from Canterbury and were visiting friends in Croydon when we pit stopped here for food randomly and, what a pit stop it was. Amazing flavours, great menu choices, genuine service and, great value for money ...undoubtedly, this restaurant is why we miss London open in Canterbury 5 happy customers would be awaiting. We'll deserved review.

Very reasonably priced and dishes were interesting also not very not just perfect

Beautiful restaurant, lovely staff and INCREDIBLE food at great prices. One of my favourite restaurants in all of London. We went here for my partner’s birthday lunch with his family and not only was the food spectacular, but they went above and beyond to accommodate us having a cake, making frothy milk for my partner’s niece, etc. Would highly recommend to everyone!

Walked past this restaurant so many times telling myself I would try it one day. Yesterday was finally the day and now I'm so mad myself for not going sooner! Everything I ate was 10/10 and I went with a big group so luckily was able to try a lot of dishes. So many flavours and good spice, lovely cocktails, amazing staff and fun entertainment. Machan is now officially my favourite restaurant in Croydon and I will be back again and again!

Truly wonderful Sri Lankan food. They managed to capture the homely, family style of Sri Lankan cooking that I had always enjoyed from my grandmother with modern and high end cuisine. I would particularly recommend the Isso Wade, the fish curry of the week and any of the original and interesting cocktails. All of the food and drinks were priced affordably and the staff were attentive and kind. A must-go for anyone looking for proper Sri Lankan food!

What can i say to do this restaurant justice. First thing yes its all delicious what are you doing still reading this get down there! I didn't take many photos as I was too busy eating and enjoying every bite. So me and my wife were there for our wedding anniversary and been wanting to try this place out for a while. We booked a Saturday lunchtime slot of 2pm so it was quieter and we could enjoy the food and relax. My expectation was that everything would be authentic, not just a run of the mill curry house. We ordered our starters, lamb chops, hot butter chicken wings and calamari along with a couple of cocktails. When I say this food was cooked and seasoned beautifully I dont think I could do it justice. For the main we had pork, chicken and goat and these were each different, light, flavourful, the meat just came apart, just juicy. This was one of the best meals i have ever had and the cocktails were spot on. We were lucky with the timing as it was the end of the lunchtime service to it was quiet so not sure what its normally loke but i do suggest if you are on the area check it out.

The food was decent, not the greatest atmosphere inside but it was a weekday. Got a few dishes but the final price surprised me a little, would expect to spend less for what it was, could go somewhere nicer for the same price

My husband booked Machan for our 7 year anniversary meal. Having two under 5, we decided a late afternoon booking would be best and booked for 2pm. We had the restaurant to ourselves and it was great. The music was wonderful. The cocktails... strong and sweet. The food! Oh, the food... was exceptional, sublime, tasty, flavoursome, delicious, opulent... I can't find enough adjectives to describe it. The chef should be given every award going. We had three starters, 4 mains with 3 sides and 4 cocktails each, and the bill came to just over £65pp including service charge. Honestly worth EVERY penny. In addition, as my husband had added that we were celebrating our anniversary, we were given a complimentary dessert. I'm ashamed to say I can't remember the name of the dessert, but it was sweet and sticky and accompanied by a creamy, delicious coconut ice cream, and we devoured every morsel. I'd like to thank the front of House staff who looked after us so well. He is such a lovely gentleman. Thank you for capturing a picture of us aa that rarely happens. I can't wait to come back here with the wider family. I'll be bringing everyone I know here because, frankly, it feels like I've discovered a hidden gem in South Croydon.

The best vegetarian Sri Lankan food I've ever had and the staff are really nice and friendly

Best Sri Lankan this side of the river

Good evening when I attended to hear a live band. Food was good and reasonably priced.

Flavorful and varied menu. 5 prawns in a dish, so be sure to make them last

Great authentic Sri Lankan food, friendly staff and nice atmosphere with reasonable prices.

Today we went to the Machan kitchen Srilankan restaurant. The Food is very delicious. Especially jackfruit Amula and Cashwnut curry. They serve watalappan with coconut ice cream. It's so yummy. We really enjoyed your foods. Very kind and lovely staff always help us. Clean & very nice environment. I highly recommend Machan kitchen. Can't wait to go again. Thank you very much.Special thanks for Niru. Amitha Thewarapperuma

Very tasty food at this cosy Sri Lankan. All of our dishes were great tonight. I would particularly recommend the fish curry and prawn curry, the welling pork too. Very delicate in the cooking and flavour combos, not overpowering. The staff were very friendly to us, particularly as we made a few mistakes whilst ordering and returned some dishes and we weren't charged. Will definitely come again to try the other dishes.

Excessively spicy food, they should have asked what strength I wanted. The portion of rice was too small for the main. They also didn't have a great range of drinks available. Service and food was ok.

Had a amazing dining experience for my Aunty's birthday on Saturday night. The food was incredible and reasonable priced. Each dish was presented nicely and flavourful. The ambience was beautiful. Can't wait to visit again.

First time I tasted Sri Lankan food . Went to Machan restaurant yesterday ( Sunday ) with my Sri Lankan friends , I have to say the food was absolutely delicious , had something called Kottu which was amazing for vegans like me .

Please people listen to all the reviews. Almost every 1star comments says this is one of the worst resturent and not a srilankan taste. In fact there is no taste to feel good. Worth to go to mc Donalds rather waste your time in this restaurant hoping you are having srilankan food. I went there with family based on the good reviews and it was a such waste of time and full of disappointment. Disgusting food. Starters were tasteless seams to be kept in the freezer for long period. I’ve ordered srilankan goat curry, beaf curry and egg rice. Both curries are high in salt that you can’t even eat. The rice was staled and smelling disgusting. Apparently the meat also not in a reasonable condition. We returned the curry with waitress and he came back in 2 minutes with the same curry saying salt is in control. Unfortunately we had to cancel all of the main meal since the food was terrible. They charged me for the starters and by mistake the cashier charged me for mutton role which he never served us. Then process the refund as well but he charged me with service charge and tax for the item we never bought didn’t refund me those additional charges. Waitress was really rude at the end when I start to complain about the quality of their food. Honestly telling this restaurant is a day light robbery. Their charges are huge for a very little quantity old food. Ultimately all I want to convey to my people is !!Don’t get upset of srilankan food taste after you had some food at this restaurant!! Because this is not srilankan taste. These guys are destroying the taste of Srilanka.

Friendly, respectful and quick servers.And the food was lovely.

Came here for a work meal out. Staff were really friendly and professional. Food was tasty and good value. And they do lovely cocktails. Will come again for a date night!

Fish curry and ornamented lagoon (king prawns) were delicious.

Delicious food and very service.

It was quiet and the service was great. The recommendation was good. The food was very good. I personally don't like my plates cleared until I have finished eating I feel like they are trying to rush you to leave. So that was the only downside

The food was really really good and flavorsome, the staff were friendly and approachable. I would definitely recommend it.

Machan is undoubtedly the crown jewel of Sri Lankan cuisine in London. From the moment you step inside, the warm and inviting ambiance sets the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The restaurant's decor, adorned with traditional Sri Lankan elements, creates an authentic and cozy atmosphere. The menu at Machan boasts an array of mouthwatering dishes that capture the true essence of Sri Lankan flavors. The curries at Machan are nothing short of spectacular. Rich, aromatic, and expertly spiced, they transport you to the vibrant streets of Colombo with every spoonful. The tender and succulent meats and the array of vegetarian options cater to every palate. Their seafood offerings are equally exceptional. Fresh catches from the ocean are transformed into delectable dishes that showcase the coastal influence on Sri Lankan cuisine. Be it the spicy prawns or the fragrant fish curry, seafood enthusiasts will be in for a treat. To complement the delightful meals, Machan offers an impressive selection of Sri Lankan beverages. The attentive and friendly staff at Machan adds to the overall charm of the restaurant. They are always ready to assist in choosing dishes or explaining the nuances of Sri Lankan cuisine, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. In conclusion, Machan is the epitome of authentic Sri Lankan gastronomy in London. With its delectable dishes, inviting ambiance, and attentive service, it's an absolute must-visit for food enthusiasts seeking a taste of the rich and diverse flavors of Sri Lanka.

One of the places I have been with excellent customer service and real authentic flavours of real Sri Lankan cuisine.. definitely visiting again.. thanks for the delightful experience 👌🏽

I had a visit yesterday with my family dicisious food and service. Recommended place to visit......

Really great service and amazing food! Would definitely recommend

My sister and she gavue the following review. The waiter gave good customer service but the kitchen staff did not. Apart from the fish curry and the roti the food tasted old the goat curry tasted old with a revolting taste the jackfruit vegetable tasted off anyway and when I asked them to exchange it for some ladies fingers they said I would have to pay extra. My friend ordered the ladies fingers and it was old and dry. My stomach felt queasy and I'm still ill 3 days later with food poisoning. She now got sepsis and had to be rushed to hospital and luckily we caught it in time.

Food was lovely but very hot which is fine because love it hot. Service was good, restaurant was clean. Will go back again.

Really nice food and quite a different and varied menu, a nice change. Very much enjoyed our visit and will be back again to work through more of the menu...

New taste experience for me but enjoyable

Great Restaurant, Great prices and the Staff was quite lovely

Highly recommended, probably the most original genuinely taste driven food we have had in a long time. The dry spice on The Boss beef was amazing, very good all round.

One of the best place to eat, real Sri Lankan food, friendly staff. Great place

Really enjoyable meal at Machan. Dishes were all flavourful and reasonably priced. Service was excellent.

All-round exceptional evening with friends. The food was so flavourful and authentic. I highly recommend trying the mutton rolls and the kottu roti. The staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. It's definitely a must-try if you're looking for delicious Sri Lankan cuisine!

Love the vibe in there. Great food. My favoirite is Bitter Gourd Salad. Lovely staff . I definitely recommend this place !!!

Amazing Sri Lankan food. Thoroughly recommend. Too many dishes to name that are mouth wateringly good. From the coconut spicy sambal and roti at the start to the coconut watalapan desert it’s always a great meal … have eaten there many times. Staff really friendly and owner is fantastic host.

I've been to this restaurant quite a few times and without a doubt can say this is hands down the best Sri Lankan restaurant in England. They've always been consistent with the food they serve. Every dish is made to perfection. The staff here are really friendly and the restaurant has a really good vibe overall. Highly recommend this place to anyone who wants to enjoy a lovely Sri Lankan meal!

Amazing food, amazing customer service. The best Sri Lankan restaurant by far. Mutton rolls are delicious 😍. Lamprais is the best. Try the pork curry it's the best. Thank you for the amazing experience.

I have been to Sri Lanka 4 times and this is the closest it come to authentic Sri Lankan food. Been to Machan Kitchen a number of time and doesn’t disappoint! Love it And would highly recommend.

Very bad food, most of it was frozen and seemed like just heated, when you touch the meat was like powder, they selling mutton and call it goat meat. I had a very bad stomach problem next day and went to the hospital and had food poisoning. Please be carefull with this shop.

Had an amazing time at Machan’s in Croydon!!! Great Sri Lankan food, variety of menu, fab presentation, a large bar area , very friendly staff, happy to chat to us as we were so excited at this place !! as well as fantastic service Can’t wait to go back very soon with my husband and 3 grown up children and their partners

Excellent food, excellent value, excellent service - what is not to like?! My mum is disablled and almost 85 and yet they made her feel special and catered to her every need Highly recommend you try them

We've been here twice during the last 6 months or so. Courteous service, delicious food, meat and vegetarian. Will be back.

I have been visiting Machan since it opened and have always had a great culinary experience. Chef Roshan’s recipes are authentic and as close as one can get to good Sri Lankan food. The staff is exceptional and friendly and the ambience easy going. Just 1 year from opening this, the second branch has been opened in Central London and this is apt evidence of the love that Machan’s patrons shower on it

Food was Amazing. Mouth watering when it’s remember. How the hell did they cook like that 😍. Friendly smily stuff always .as soon as finishing starters, main course ready. Can’t wait to go again .

I visited here after going to the sister restaurant in Farringdon and it’s every bit as good. Authentic Sri Lankan food (I’ve holidayed there over 20 times), lovely staff and very reasonable prices. Highly recommended, we’ll definitely be visiting again

Worst Sri Lankan restaurant in Croydon. Worst curry, Mutton roll and cutlet not good. The paratha is shop brought and warmed. I never recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Lovely authentic Sri Lankan food.

Delicious and lovely service. Will be back!

It's a great night out. Food, ambience and value are all spot on.

Visited machan kitchen with more expectations, however not happy with the food and atmosphere. Doesn't have many variety . Ordered parotta with 🦀 curry and got kind of frozen parotta . Chicken kothu was so wet Finally fish cutlets and passion fruit mocktail was 🙂 👌

One of the best restaurants in Croydon. The food was amazing and the service by the staff was just great. I had no idea of their dishes but when asked, their suggestion of food was too good and I am completely happy I made a choice of going to this place. Their lotus seed dish and cashew nuts gravy was out of the world! Thank you team and the chef! 🙂

Amazing food, amazing staff, amazing interior design and space. Can’t fault this place at all, it is actually flawless. Very hard to find a good restaurant in a good location with delicious food and friendly staff. Food was served quickly with no long wait times and it was mouth watering. Olivia served us and she was very friendly and very attentive, always made sure we had everything we needed. Damian was also very friendly and polite. Two staff members that are a true asset to the restaurant. Overall highly recommended, whether you are dining alone, as a couple or with family and friends - add this beautiful restaurant to your bucket list!

Little hidden gem with amazing dishes 😁 An absolute must to visit! My recommendation would be take a mix of currys but definitely try the aubergine curry and black pork one. Delicious!!!

A wonderful restaurant with truly authentic Sri Lankan cuisine (I've been there). The subtlety of the sauces that accompanied the food were mouthwateringly crafted. There is a distinct marriage of flavours, as if the Indian subcontinent meets and blends with cuisine of the Far East. The softness of the black pork 'wildings' were some of the best I've experienced in a restaurant of any nationality. The banana blossom curry was amazing. A winning combination of spices. I was still trying to eat when I was way past full. That's how good it was! Top marks and great staff.

Amazing food amazing service a very reasonable place.

Delicious, authentic food at an amazing price with professional and attentive service. Cannot fault this place and can’t believe it took me so long to find! Thanks for a lovely evening

Had heard fantastic things about this place, and used to be a regular at the Croydon while food and all might be great but the manager here is absolutely disgusting I was here with a friend of mine and he kept finding reasons to touch her and I on are backs and hands. In fact we noticed him doing the same to the two waitresses there as well. You will never see me set foot in Machan again