Sri Lanka Food and Culture Festival

Overview

If it's been a while since your last holiday — or if you're in the midst of a bad case of post-holiday blues — you're probably itching to plan your next big trip. Or just eager to immerse yourself in another culture and taste some food that's not pub grub or shrimp on the barbie.

Over the weekend of November 23–24, Darling Harbour will come alive with the sights, sounds and spices of Sri Lanka — so you can get a little taste of the island destination. The Sri Lanka Food and Culture Festival, hosted by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, will give Sydney a chance to experience just some of the things that led to Lonely Planet dubbing the small nation the number one country to visit this year.

You'll witness authentic cultural performances, pick up some traditional handicrafts and jewellery, sip endless cups of the area's famously delicious ceylon tea and, of course, eat. Following centuries of complex history, Sri Lankan cuisine enjoys the best of its varied influences and tropical climate, with vibrant curries, fresh coconut and fruit, plus plenty of spiced cakes and custards. Make sure you arrive hungry, as you'll want to sample all the kottu roti with spicy curry sauce, Sri Lankan pancakes (hoppers), rice and meat curry wrapped in banana leaves (lamprais) you can handle.

Entertainment-wise, you'll learn about the traditional health practices of ayurveda, play games (including ones at a dedicated kids zone), get the lowdown on the best ways to travel Sri Lanka and maybe even win a holiday package, so you can check out the country's growing surf scene.

Sri Lanka Food and Culture Festival runs from 10am–7pm, Saturday, November 23 and 10am–5pm, Sunday, November 24. For more information, head here.

Image: Parker Blain.