Hands down the best Sri Lankan food I have had till date!!!!!!
Super delicious flavors. Authentic spices!
The kuthu paratha was oh gosh so damn good.
Lumprice was such a unique dish!
Stuffed roti was bursting with flavors.

Service is outstanding! The lady explained all dishes so well and she catered to all our dietary needs!
Will definitely be back!

I had never had the opportunity to try Sri Lankan food until here. I loved that it was family run and they were passionate about what they serve and do.
The food reminded me a lot of Indian cuisine which makes sense as they are close in proximity. It is a buffet style so you got to try everything. There was not one item that stood out at me as being phenomenal or something I must have in my life. They had a large variety of options though! Curries, stews, salads, breads and a plethora of desserts. I enjoyed the curries the most. I wanted more meat for sure. The owner even came over to ask if we wanted a special dessert made on the spot- it was like a puffy crepe.
Overall, I am glad we got the opportunity to try a new cuisine and I encourage everyone to expand their horizons and check it out!

This restaurant was on my list to try and finally got around to visiting with my friends. The place is casual with a bar that offers beer, wine and cocktails. They offer a buffet during the week and an à la carte buffet on Saturdays.

The drinks were made fresh, and we tried the sambol bun, egg hopper and cutlets for appetizers. The table ordered different dishes ranging between the biryani, curry and rice, beef bowl, lumprais and roti combo. I tried the fish curry and rice, which had a complete homemade flavor. Cannot ask for anything more! The only call out I would have is the portion of rice is too small if you are really hungry :). Everyone enjoyed their dishes and had great feedback on the flavor and presentation. The sambol is a must try.

The restaurant was fairly busy and service was a tad slow. It did look like they were understaffed. Family run establishments that make good food are always great. Who cares if the service is a bit slow ;)

Plenty of parking is available and the hoppers are made in the open kitchen which is nice to watch.

Pricing : Moderate

Will I return? : For sure!

Talk about a hidden gem in Dallas that will knock your socks off!! Have you tried Sri Lankan food before???!!! First of all, the greeting you get when you enter make you feel like family and a VIP regular. The place is beautiful and clean. The buffet spread will keep pulling you in for extra servings. It's so delicious, I forgot to speak to my family the whole time I was there. Everything took me straight to my childhood when my grandma used to serve me a mouth watery plate of her best cooking! This is a place you cannot miss. Any occasion, I urge you to make an excuse and go here. They even have catering and fun evening live music. Can't go wrong folks! What are you waiting for?

The food is excellent! I'm glad we found this place. But service is very bad. After 15 minutes of waiting, we had to go up and ask for water... she serves water by holding where we drink from, not a good manners. I even pointed that out, but she was still serving others like that with the dirty gloves on. Once they serve, no attention is given to you, we had to make an effort to get someone's attention to order some items or anything else.
Otherwise, the food is amazing. Noth Srilankan desserts were yummy!

They have some pretty amazing food. We've tried a number and some we were not fans of but overall it's good food and good service.

Update: Saturday Buffet Lunch - totally worth the experience with the taste of Sri Lankan. Tea, coffee, sodas, and mimosas part of the buffet.

Service was top notch despite it being a buffet.

Update: 12/28/2024
Friday night buffet was a hit. Good food and good music. If you haven't been here, you have got to try them. Lovely atmosphere as well with live music.

Great food and service. We went for the Friday buffet, which usually has live music, but unfortunately, the band couldn't make it that day. Even though it's a small place, they offer a wide variety of dishes. The live appam and hopper stations were a hit. Almost everything we tried was delicious. Our favorites were the deviled chicken, kothu, chicken and shrimp fried rice, and hoppers. They also include free margaritas with Friday dinners, which was a great bonus. Mohan was fantastic, always checking in and making us feel welcome. My only suggestion is that some of the dishes were cold; I would have preferred them warmer

I tried very hard to love this place. I know I did. But... it just didn't end up impressing me as much as I wanted it to?

I can't tell whether the food is "authentic" since this is my first experience with Sri-Lankan food. Those who've read my other reviews will know that it is seldom my first priority anyway. Hence, I'll simply attempt to comment on the taste from a neutral perspective.

So I had the mixed kottu, a fish bun, a dalgona coffee and a curds dessert. Not the best flight, but I felt it was diverse enough for a try.

The mixed kottu on its own is pretty good. Spicy (in the "lots of spices" way), al dente, and delicious. I ordered it with cheese, though I didn't notice much cheese. It wasn't a big deal, though. It could've just blended in with all the hot meat and eggs. I did taste a certain creaminess to it.

However, when I was having this dish, a constant thought kept crossing my mind:
"Hold on. Isn't Pad Siew just this but better?"

Yeah. Having lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a long time - a place with a large Burmese population, lots of whom can cook a mean Pad Siew, it was hard for me to be impressed.

Maybe I just wasn't sure what I was expecting, but I did expect some new flavors and tasting what amounted to an imitation of Burmese-Thai cuisine of all things did disappoint me a little.

The fish bun and the dalgona felt pretty much the same. The fish bun has too much bun and too little fish, and the fish paste they used had a quite fibrous texture that made it feel more like pork floss than a piece of fish to my tender teeth. I guess "fibrous vaguely-fish-flavored curry bun" just didn't roll off the tongue too well. Meanwhile, the dalgona coffee looked a lot better than it tasted. It didn't taste *bad*, it just tasted like a Starbucks frappe.

The curds dessert, on the other hand, was easily the worst offender in my book. It didn't taste like much else besides yoghurt smothered in honey - a VERY SOUR yoghurt, at that. Again, I have no idea if this is supposed to be authentic, but every rendition of the Halloumi and Honey dish has been more enjoyable to me, while feeling quite similar.

My friend had a chicken yellow rice and complained that the chicken was a bit salty. I only had a bite of it, but I'm inclined to agree. The chicken meat itself didn't seem to be anything special, either. It was breaking apart like everything you get from Tyson.

Service is ok. Atmosphere is ok. Neither really stood out either way to me.

TL;DR Sri Lankan cuisine is quite curious. However, I don't think the place stands up very well on its own.

It's not a big place, but we liked the intimate feel. All the staff was very friendly and helpful.

We drove 3 hours from Austin, TX to this restaurant. I heard a lot of hype describing the food served here, and was very skeptical. After eating here, I can only say that this restaurant is sublime in not only food taste but also service. I will not only drive another 3 hours to come back, but will also encourage others to do as well! Their Lamb Kottu was to die for! But I also enjoyed their Sri Lankan rolls, fish buns and even cocktails were excellent choices also. TRY THIS PLACE NOW. Don’t miss out.

My wife and I love this Sri Lankan restaurant. The lumprice, dhal, kottu, milk tea, and sweet chili curry are all in our rotation list. The owners are great and Mohan the head server is amazing. 10/10 will continue coming back!

Quite enjoyable. Everything is moderately seasoned. Attentive service. Good parking.

Do not order delivery or take out. Standard is very lower compared lo many restaurants
I ordered red strings hoppers on their own decided to send white then on top of that the price is $20plus tax for 10 broken strings.the yellow rice presentation was so bad because that has turned red and the rice was burned they had served all curries around wrapped in a banana leaf not presentable to eat.
Will I ever order again? No will never.will I recommend to someone ? No
I think this is the only Sri Lankan restaurant they have no one to compete
But I know what Sri Lankan food is I travel a lot most of the Sri Lankan restaurants don't do well in many parts of the world delivering food because they don't care to make it presentable.

This place is just like HOME!! Great service great quality of food and flavor!!

Step into a world of bold flavors and vibrant spices at Spicy Zest, where each dish delights your senses. They offer a unique dining experience with high-quality ingredients and exceptional hospitality, making you feel right at home.

We visited Spicy Zest for their Valentine’s Day dinner buffet and were treated to free champagne. The food was fantastic, with dishes reminiscent of Kerala cuisine, using more coconut milk than dairy. We especially enjoyed the mongo curry, chicken deviled, pork gravy, pittu, and hoppers. At $25 per person, it was well worth it. Highly recommended!

I've ordered multiple items from Spicy Zest's menu over a few years and all the dishes have been excellent. My favorites are the yellow rice and lamprais.

I’m at repeat customer love the food! Came here for my birthday. I love the idea that they use banana leaves makes it more authentic instead of foil. Cannot wait to come back to try their buffet!

Food was so good. I asked for spicy and they delivered! Love having a place that isn't scared to make the food clears my sinuses 🤣

I’ve visited this Sri Lankan restaurant many times, and it’s always a great experience. If you want to try authentic Sri Lankan food, this is the place to go! I especially love the Lamprais. During my visits, I also enjoyed Kottu, Hoppers, Nasi Goreng, and the buffet, which offers various dishes.

The restaurant is charming and has a lovely atmosphere. The staff is always friendly and provides excellent customer service. The prices are reasonable, and the portion sizes are generous – worth the price!

Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy authentic Sri Lankan cuisine.

The food was very tasty and presented in a lovely manner. The service was very courteous, and the live music was perfect for the evening.

I just want to give a good comment, my family and I went on a Sunday afternoon and the gentleman who served us was super friendly and the food was delicious. Then when I left I forgot my bag and on Monday it was closed. On Tuesday when I went back for it, the very kind gentleman returned it to me that he had saved it for me. I just want to say thank you.

Unpleasant Experience/Not recommended

My husband and I were excited to try your food but never going back, but unfortunately, our experience was disappointing due to the unprofessional behavior of your staff member.

From the moment we entered, the Bald server displayed an indifferent and cold attitude. While they spoke briefly with my husband, they completely ignored me, which felt both dismissive and disrespectful. As paying customers, we expected equal attention and courtesy, which were lacking. I’m saying thank you but he didn’t.

Additionally, we were the only customers present there, while we were eating, the server began changing table sheets one by one around us in an unhygienic and disruptive manner. The tablecloths were shaken vigorously, causing dust particles to scatter into the air, some even landing on our food. To make matters worse, another staff member started sweeping the floor right next to us as we ate. These actions were extremely inappropriate and unsanitary, making the environment unpleasant and unfit for dining.

This entire experience made us feel unwelcome, uncomfortable, and undervalued as customers. We expect better from a professional establishment, especially when we are paying full price for the service and food.

I hope you will take this feedback seriously and address these issues with your staff. Basic courtesy, cleanliness, and professionalism are essential to providing a good customer experience, and I believe improvements in these areas will benefit both your customers and your business.

Thank you for your time and attention.

What an amazing restaurant! Food is so authentic and delicious. Staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is amazing. Cant wait to visit again.

They have some pretty amazing food. We've tried a number and some we were not fans of but overall it's good food and good service.

Update: Saturday Buffet Lunch - totally worth the experience with the taste of Sri Lankan. Tea, coffee, sodas, and mimosas part of the buffet.

Service was top notch despite it being a buffet.

Update: 12/28/2024
Friday night buffet was a hit. Good food and good music. If you haven't been here, you have got to try them. Lovely atmosphere as well with live music.

Awesome food

Hands down the best Sri Lankan food I have had till date!!!!!!
Super delicious flavors. Authentic spices!
The kuthu paratha was oh gosh so damn good.
Lumprice was such a unique dish!
Stuffed roti was bursting with flavors.

Service is outstanding! The lady explained all dishes so well and she catered to all our dietary needs!
Will definitely be back!

The food is outstanding! Lamprais is highly recommended!

Spicy Zest has been my go-to Sri Lankan restaurant in Dallas for over 10 years, and it never disappoints! I’ve tried just about everything on their menu, and I absolutely love every single dish. Their authentic flavors, generous portions, and incredible variety make this place a must-visit.

What makes Spicy Zest even more special is the warm, family-like atmosphere. It’s managed by one of our close friends who truly goes above and beyond to ensure excellent service every time. They’re always so welcoming and accommodating.

If you’re planning a weekend outing, don’t miss their special events for lunch and dinner—it’s a delightful experience! Plus, they also offer a great selection of Sri Lankan groceries, making it a convenient one-stop shop for authentic ingredients.

Highly recommend Spicy Zest for anyone looking to explore authentic Sri Lankan cuisine or enjoy a hearty, flavorful meal. A must try restaurant in Dallas!

Very courteous staff and welcoming atmosphere. They have many different authentic, traditional varieties so definitely worth a visit.

So boring place and they no more have their somewhat good buffet and call it ala carte buffet. Nothing exciting about it and half the things we asked for are.. sorry we don't have that. Whatever little excitement this place HAD is no more there. They have a lot of things to be sorry though. Not returning and not recommending. Oh, they even serve the frozen shrimp tempura from Aldi

I had never had the opportunity to try Sri Lankan food until here. I loved that it was family run and they were passionate about what they serve and do.
The food reminded me a lot of Indian cuisine which makes sense as they are close in proximity. It is a buffet style so you got to try everything. There was not one item that stood out at me as being phenomenal or something I must have in my life. They had a large variety of options though! Curries, stews, salads, breads and a plethora of desserts. I enjoyed the curries the most. I wanted more meat for sure. The owner even came over to ask if we wanted a special dessert made on the spot- it was like a puffy crepe.
Overall, I am glad we got the opportunity to try a new cuisine and I encourage everyone to expand their horizons and check it out!

We are blessed to have one of the best Sri Lankan food in Dallas.

Talk about a hidden gem in Dallas that will knock your socks off!! Have you tried Sri Lankan food before???!!! First of all, the greeting you get when you enter make you feel like family and a VIP regular. The place is beautiful and clean. The buffet spread will keep pulling you in for extra servings. It's so delicious, I forgot to speak to my family the whole time I was there. Everything took me straight to my childhood when my grandma used to serve me a mouth watery plate of her best cooking! This is a place you cannot miss. Any occasion, I urge you to make an excuse and go here. They even have catering and fun evening live music. Can't go wrong folks! What are you waiting for?

Great Srilankan cuisine. I am familiar with Indian cuisine & found it refreshingly delicious. Superb ambience, it feels laidback, intimate & fun. There owner & service staff are great. Back to food, their chef not only cooks great food, but the attention to detail in its presentation enhances your culinarily experience.

Rare to find a Sri Lankan restaurant! Very good!

Sunday is a good time to visit there you can have a Buffet with various types of food. You can taste Sri Lankan taste mixed with some American food also. Also they offer High-Tea Saturday.

The owner has a beautiful smile and very welcoming. This place is awesome. Go check it out.

I had an amazing meal at Spicy Zest! The flavors were incredible, especially the Sri Lankan Chicken Curry, which had the perfect balance of heat and spices. The Egg Hoppers were light, crispy, and paired so well with their homemade chutneys. The atmosphere was cozy, and the staff was friendly and attentive. Every dish felt like a burst of authentic Sri Lankan flavor. Whether you’re a fan of spicy food or just looking to try something new, Spicy Zest is a must-visit!

We tried this restaurant on a whim and recommendation from another family. So glad. From the outside, we could never have guessed the quality, flavor and experience we were to have that night. They offered a high tea buffet, which was a bit heavy on the sweets IMHO. There were a few savory items kids were interested in, so they ordered the buffet and adults tried the menu.

The non-sweet buffet items appeared authentic, but proved too spicy for the kids. The owner came by, saw a ‘problem’, talked to my daughter about what she liked, and made her feel special by making her something just for her from the kitchen (chicken fried rice and an eggy cheese omelet with ketchup - what kid doesn’t like ketchup?). He SAVED the whole dining experience for us. There are not enough stars to give for this kind of service. The rice was probably the best chicken fried rice we’ve ever had btw…truly.

As for the adults…we were lost. Having never had Sri Lankan food we didn’t know what to order. We chose recommended items from our waiter. Fantastic. The spice levels were high (hint, an American 5 must be a Sri Lankan 3, lol). Each thing was beautiful, flavorful, filling and delicious. The hit at our table was a rice dish wrapped in a banana leaf that our teen had. We each tried his and it was fantastic. I personally had the lamb curry, which was phenomenal - I’m still thinking about it and will return to order it again.

We will return (multiple times I bet) partly bc of how the owner demonstrated his love of his culture & cuisine and treated us like guests vs customers. But also because the food was flavorful, delicious, filling, and hit spice notes that we love (think India + Africa, IMHO).

I could go on and on, really. Our only gripes were the buffet options/variety and atmosphere (white table cloths seem upscale, but the grocery store in the back and televisions don’t fit the price point).

Best SriLankan food in the midwest

This is one of the only Sri Lankan restaurants that I know of in the DFW area. The food is spectacular and every time I go to the resataurant the service is top notch. The staff actually cares about your restaurant experience and make suggestions on what food we might like based on our preferences. The food is always excellent. I loved the hoppers and the sauces that come with it.

The food was awesome. Service also great.the buffet is so much of varieties. Love this place and delicious dessert.

This restaurant was on my list to try and finally got around to visiting with my friends. The place is casual with a bar that offers beer, wine and cocktails. They offer a buffet during the week and an à la carte buffet on Saturdays.

The drinks were made fresh, and we tried the sambol bun, egg hopper and cutlets for appetizers. The table ordered different dishes ranging between the biryani, curry and rice, beef bowl, lumprais and roti combo. I tried the fish curry and rice, which had a complete homemade flavor. Cannot ask for anything more! The only call out I would have is the portion of rice is too small if you are really hungry :). Everyone enjoyed their dishes and had great feedback on the flavor and presentation. The sambol is a must try.

The restaurant was fairly busy and service was a tad slow. It did look like they were understaffed. Family run establishments that make good food are always great. Who cares if the service is a bit slow ;)

Plenty of parking is available and the hoppers are made in the open kitchen which is nice to watch.

Pricing : Moderate

Will I return? : For sure!

Food was amazing. Their buffet is great value and today’s buffet (Friday, sept 27) was particularly good. I’ve been trying to eat clean but like to treat myself once in a while and their salad with peppers and sweet chili sauce was amazing. I could live off that and some chicken. Today was their best buffet IMO and I’ve been here a few times too.

**Extremely Overpriced and Disappointing**

I would strongly advise against dining here if you value your money. The Sri Lankan roll, which should reasonably cost no more than $2 is grossly overpriced. The egg rotti is also excessively expensive. For the price they’re charging, you'd be better off saving your money and experiencing authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in Sri Lanka itself. Highly disappointing.

We had a group of three with our first experience at Spicy Zest. It was excellent from beginning to end. Our server made us feel welcome and helped guide us through the delicious dinner. It was our first time eating Sri Lankan food and won't be the last. We shared the Kottu, Sri Lankan Gravy, and Lumprais.

Great place! Good service and food.

The food is excellent! I'm glad we found this place. But service is very bad. After 15 minutes of waiting, we had to go up and ask for water... she serves water by holding where we drink from, not a good manners. I even pointed that out, but she was still serving others like that with the dirty gloves on. Once they serve, no attention is given to you, we had to make an effort to get someone's attention to order some items or anything else.
Otherwise, the food is amazing. Noth Srilankan desserts were yummy!

We came here for the Sunday lunch buffet after watching a YouTube video, and it was priced at $25. The food was okay, but it would have been much better if it had been served hot—almost all the items were either warm or cold. The ambiance was just average. However, the service was excellent, so I’d give it 5 stars for that. Overall, it was an okay experience, but we probably should have opted for the à la carte menu instead.

If you’re looking for delicious food that’s serving authentic Sri Lankan dishes, you HAVE to come here! The owner was super nice and recommended the most popular dishes, and after eating her I want to visit Sri Lanka haha!
The food at Spicy Zest was 10/10, along with atmosphere & service! HIGHLY recommend this hidden gem!!

Lovely and delicious. ☺️

Absolutely a cracker of a restaurant! What a hole in the wall!

We went to eat al la carte but was told that it was 'Buffet only' on a Friday night. Needless to say, the place was chaotic, crowded and noisy from the number of patrons dining in, the live ethnic music in the background and the waiters and patrons moving in and between the tight restaurant area tables.

What can I say about the food that has not already been said.....so heavenly, flavorful and endless. There were a large variety of meaty, vegetarian and desert offerings but the standout was their fresh made to order 'Appam'.

A little pricier than what I would have liked but absolutely worth it for the fantastic gastronimic experience!

It was ok. Went on a Sunday evening about an hour before close so maybe that was the problem? Said it would take 10-15 minutes but took 25-30 minutes. I got the kottu with lamb. Flavor was good but lamb was dry and noodles were mushy. It seemed reheated and not fresh. My husband got deviled chicken with bones. Should have paid extra for boneless. Flavor was good and his was fresh, but more than half the chicken was bone and cartilage. Maybe we’ll give them another try…

Great food and dishes, I will return!!!!

Great food and service. We went for the Friday buffet, which usually has live music, but unfortunately, the band couldn't make it that day. Even though it's a small place, they offer a wide variety of dishes. The live appam and hopper stations were a hit. Almost everything we tried was delicious. Our favorites were the deviled chicken, kothu, chicken and shrimp fried rice, and hoppers. They also include free margaritas with Friday dinners, which was a great bonus. Mohan was fantastic, always checking in and making us feel welcome. My only suggestion is that some of the dishes were cold; I would have preferred them warmer

Can’t say enough about how much our family loves SpicyZest. Our go-to is the Friday night buffet. The food is fantastic and the folks there are super friendly. It’s a very kid-friendly place and it’s become our kids’ favorite restaurant.

Why are there not more people here?? Friday night, live music, great food, excellent service.

We got the buffet. They had someone outside doing Mongolian barbeque (also included in buffet). Great quality and quantity.

SO good! Super friendly owner and staff. You won't be disappointed!

Spicy Zest is a delightful restaurant in Farmers Branch that specializes in Sri Lankan cuisine. I must admit I never thought I would try it. I mean Sri Lanka is far and this is the closest that I’m gonna get. 🤓 I was lucky enough to run into the owners and they were the friendliest people. I recommend trying their buffet. It is only on the weekends. It is totally worth it. There are many delicious and savory dishes to try for a great price. The restaurant also has family friendly karaoke on Friday nights. It was fun to watch! My favorite dish is their Chicken Biryani. You can choose between bone in and boneless chicken. The egg on the side was like the cherry on top. The flavors really come together like a match made in heaven!🥰🤤. I can say I didn’t know what I had been missing. It is very tasty. I took a friend and they enjoyed it so much that they brought their mom back to try it and she loved it. Please check them out. You won’t be sorry. 😉

Go Sunday for the buffet. It is amazing.

Love this place! I went on a Saturday afternoon and we were greeted with such great hospitality. Food was delicious! 10/10 would come back

First time trying Sri Lankan cuisine, and it tasted so good.

Excellent food and great music from the karaoke guy. The host was pleasant and very accommodating to make sure each customer was taken care of. Very tasty margaritas, too

Great food with great service

Our first time trying this place and we enjoyed our experience. The people were very friendly and explained different items on the menu. It does have a little kick of spice to their dishes, but nothing too hot.

The food tasted great and the service was amazing. Our server did a great job in recommending us different type of dishes since this was our first time there. Would definitely go there again!

1st time i eat here, it was very good, will come back again.

I did GrubHub some food from spicy zest. I love Srilankan food and is very similar to the state of Kerala in India where I am from. I ordered coconut roti with onion/chilly spicy chutney, seeni sambal bun and a watlaappam for my sweet tooth. I loved the spicy onion/chilly chutney very much resonated with my taste buds. The roti didn't have the coconut ratio as I desired and was a little bit uncooked in some areas. The jaggery based watlaappam was awesome and a big portion, was airy and nice. The seeni sambal bun was ok. A 'may visit again' place.

Great place, first time tried new cuisine.

Food was pretty decent and service was ok.

I tried very hard to love this place. I know I did. But... it just didn't end up impressing me as much as I wanted it to?

I can't tell whether the food is "authentic" since this is my first experience with Sri-Lankan food. Those who've read my other reviews will know that it is seldom my first priority anyway. Hence, I'll simply attempt to comment on the taste from a neutral perspective.

So I had the mixed kottu, a fish bun, a dalgona coffee and a curds dessert. Not the best flight, but I felt it was diverse enough for a try.

The mixed kottu on its own is pretty good. Spicy (in the "lots of spices" way), al dente, and delicious. I ordered it with cheese, though I didn't notice much cheese. It wasn't a big deal, though. It could've just blended in with all the hot meat and eggs. I did taste a certain creaminess to it.

However, when I was having this dish, a constant thought kept crossing my mind:
"Hold on. Isn't Pad Siew just this but better?"

Yeah. Having lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana for a long time - a place with a large Burmese population, lots of whom can cook a mean Pad Siew, it was hard for me to be impressed.

Maybe I just wasn't sure what I was expecting, but I did expect some new flavors and tasting what amounted to an imitation of Burmese-Thai cuisine of all things did disappoint me a little.

The fish bun and the dalgona felt pretty much the same. The fish bun has too much bun and too little fish, and the fish paste they used had a quite fibrous texture that made it feel more like pork floss than a piece of fish to my tender teeth. I guess "fibrous vaguely-fish-flavored curry bun" just didn't roll off the tongue too well. Meanwhile, the dalgona coffee looked a lot better than it tasted. It didn't taste *bad*, it just tasted like a Starbucks frappe.

The curds dessert, on the other hand, was easily the worst offender in my book. It didn't taste like much else besides yoghurt smothered in honey - a VERY SOUR yoghurt, at that. Again, I have no idea if this is supposed to be authentic, but every rendition of the Halloumi and Honey dish has been more enjoyable to me, while feeling quite similar.

My friend had a chicken yellow rice and complained that the chicken was a bit salty. I only had a bite of it, but I'm inclined to agree. The chicken meat itself didn't seem to be anything special, either. It was breaking apart like everything you get from Tyson.

Service is ok. Atmosphere is ok. Neither really stood out either way to me.

TL;DR Sri Lankan cuisine is quite curious. However, I don't think the place stands up very well on its own.

If you're seeking an authentic taste of Sri Lanka, this restaurant is a must-visit. With an all Sri Lankan staff, the experience is enriched with genuine hospitality and cultural warmth. The menu boasts traditional Sri Lankan dishes that are bursting with flavor and authenticity. Each dish is meticulously prepared to reflect the rich culinary heritage of Sri Lanka, ensuring that every bite is a delightful experience.

One of the standout features is the customization of spice levels. Whether you prefer your food mild or fiery hot, the staff are more than happy to accommodate your preference, making it a perfect dining spot for everyone, including those new to Sri Lankan cuisine or those with a seasoned palate.

Adding to its charm is a small grocery shop stocked with Sri Lankan items. This convenient addition allows diners to take home a piece of their dining experience, whether it’s spices, snacks, or other traditional ingredients.

Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone craving a true Sri Lankan culinary adventure. The combination of excellent food, welcoming staff, and the added bonus of a grocery shop makes it a standout choice for both regular meals and special occasions.

Good cozy place to taste srilankan food. We had kottu paratha, sweet hopper, cutlet, srilankan veggie roll and pitu. The taste was good. Kottu paratha and sweet hopper were good but pittu with potato curry was not up to the par. I would recommend to visit once to try.

I was looking forward to eat at your restaurant because , everyone I met said food is the bomb. 2 of my cousins and many of our friends ,My husband and I were there Last night for Sri Lanka World cup T20 after party. We were there around 11:45pm to 12 am. 9 of us had purchased $45 ticket to be there. Buffet was not filled with all foods, very less options and the taste is worst part. Kottu made with kirihodi was a first for me. Not to mention the service. Just wasn’t a good environment, was poorly organized. This was their best opportunity to get the word out since so many people came from out of state. We could have spent $405 at a good Steakhouse and call it a night .Anyway Watalapan was on the best thing I ever ate. Disappointed ! Was planning to drive for Saturday buffet, Will never make the 4 hr drive to eat here again.

Beautiful food, very well-presented. Informative and patient server who helped us make just the right choices.

Good food, good people, nothing could go wrong....😀😃

This was my first visit to Spicy Zest after reading about it in one of those Dallas Morning News Facebook articles so thought I would give it a try. The restaurant is in a strip plaza in Josey Lane in Farmers Branch and the day I visited it was not too busy considering I came for the weekend buffet however it was not on offer that day. I did have the option of the a la carte menu of five items for $29.99 which still has a lot to choose from.
I started off with a delicious rose syrup falooda and later had the Sri Lankan beef stew with rice along with Godamba roti with what I think was a really good spicy lentil gravy, and coconut sambol (which I found just a bit too spicy). For dessert I had the wonderful carmelised coconut roll cake. Everything was really good including the service. If you are in the area, it is worth popping into Spicy Zest for something different. This was my time trying Sri Lankan food and if you enjoy Indian, Nepalese or Gurkha dishes you will love this one!

Good experience

I've had the food in the past and it's always great. This was my first time eating at this location and was very impressed. They were packed for Mother's Day but so kind and helpful.

Great service as a first timer and newbie to this cuisine. I ordered the Lankan Mojito while I waited for my to go order. I got egg lumprais and the flavor is amazing. They took the time to explain what every item was in the dish and made it fresh when I ordered it.

Sunday buffet was delicious! Enjoyed all the spices, rice and curry. The owners were very friendly. Highly recommend!

Awesome authentic food. Great people serving and chefs are authentic sri lankans

From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warmth and hospitality by the friendly staff. The environment is inviting and vibrant, perfect for a meal with friends or family. And let's talk about the food - absolutely incredible! Every dish bursts with flavor and that perfect level of spice that leaves you wanting more. Whether you're a spice aficionado or just looking to tantalize your taste buds, Spicy Zest has something for everyone. Highly recommend!"

absolutely amazing food. Updating my review to include the weekend buffet. It was incredible! Great deal and like 10 delicious dishes. Will definitely be back for the foreseeable future!

Excellent buffet!

Spicy Zest - Sri Lankan cuisine is an absolute gem! I've indulged in their extensive buffet offerings multiple times, and each visit has been a culinary delight. From the mouthwatering veg cutlet and paruppu vadai to the flavorful chicken curry and egg stew, every dish is crafted to perfection. The veggie kothu, puttu, string hoppers, and hoppers (sweet, plain, egg) are all outstanding. Every time Mohan takes care of me like a family member, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience. Apart from the delectable dining experience, their exclusive grocery selection, including the addictive parai dry fish, keeps me coming back for more. Highly recommended for anyone craving authentic Sri Lankan cuisine!

Incredibly delicious and clean! Had a very pleasant first time experience.

This was the first time I ever tried Sri Lankan food and this restaurant is definitely the place to try it. Everything we ate was so flavorful and the staff was very nice 😄 Overall, I am definitely going to come back and try more menu items that this restaurant has to offer.

Delicious Friday night buffet with live music.
Friendly staff and great customer service.
Whether you are a family, couple or single, you can enjoy the atmosphere very well.

Food was delicious and so were the desserts..we had the buffet so we had a lot of options to choose from..also they had live music which was nice to listen while we ate..

Highly Recommend! Friday night-wonderful live band
Poori
Cutlets
Medhu vada
All sauces and curry
Dessert -watalappan
Milk tea is awwwwesome!!!

Wish you can offer some special ice cream ☺️

Just incredible food, atmosphere and value for the price. It was sour first time trying Sri Lankan food and we were just blown away by the taste and variety of flavors. An absolute hidden treasure. The buffet is also an amazing value. Will definitely come back again

Had Sri Lankan food first time. Liked it.

During my recent trip to Dallas, Texas, I had the pleasure of experiencing the dinner buffet at Spicy Zest. This restaurant offers an exceptional Sri Lankan culinary journey with its flavorful dishes. From aromatic, authentic Sri Lankan spicy curries to unlimited hoppers, the buffet menu presents a diverse array of options, appealing to both adventurous palates and those seeking familiar Sri Lankan favorites. With attentive service and a vibrant ambiance, Spicy Zest is a must-visit destination for spice enthusiasts looking to enhance their dining experience while in Texas.

Great traditional Sri Lankan food. Great flavor, you can get your choice of spice level, and they have everything from vegetarian, fish, beef, chicken, shrimp or lamb.

I have come here multiple times. Every time the owner was very hospitable. I have tried the kottu (chicken) and curry burrito (chicken) and both were ridiculously good. I will continue to bring new friends to this restaurant.

Delicious food..buffet was so good and different options..very nice people and staff..worth try..

We had the Friday buffet! This was out first experience at this restaurant. It was authentic and very good. The atmosphere was pleasant and the service excellent! We were greeted right away, and they gave recommendations of foods we had never tried. Thank you!

Fantastic food.Great service.We really enjoyed our meal here. The appams and watalappams were our favorites.Looking forward to our next meal at this little gem of a place!

I came in on a Friday evening for dinner. They had a buffet but were also open to take orders from the menu card if we didn't want to use the buffet. There was live music as well and it was pleasant.

I am a vegetarian and decided to go to the buffet. There were plenty of options available. The food was uniquely good and very tasty. Mango curry, coconut sambhal, Hoppers, onion sambhal, mango mousse was the star.

I will definitely recommend trying this place.

(Edited) Adding some more vegetarian options that were part of the buffet in case you are skeptical. If you tell them vegan or vegetarian, they will walk you through the food options:) All you need to do is share your preferences to them

Note: There are more to the list but I am adding what I remember.

Appetizer:
Medhu wada
Parrupu wada
Veg cutlet

Bread
Kottu porotta
Chapati/Roti ( two Types )

Three types of hoppers

Rice
White rice

Curry
Sambar
Mango curry
Veg Curry

Sides
Papad
Variety of Sambhal
Green chutney
Tomato chutney
Raita

Desert
Mango mousse
And they had 3-4 more, I don't recall names.

Drinks
Coffee
Some fresheners

Limited options for 25 dollars per person. Should be 10 dollars per person due to the food quality and quantity. Only good part was the service and the desserts

Their kottu is amazing

Delicious and different types of food 👍

Really good spot for Sri Lankan cuisine in Farmer’s Branch! First time having Sri Lankan food. I’d return for sure. We had kottu and lumprais - both were really good! The waiter said those are the two items to order if you’ve never been before.

The lumprais is wrapped in banana leaves!

I found this spot on D Magazine’s 2023 List of Best 50 Restaurants in Dallas. It ranked 43rd!

I was there on a Friday night buffet. I’m a vegeterian and had very few options. I can namethose handful like dal vada, veg cutlet (this had aweful smell) , medu vada( out of stock),sambhar, dal, paratha, naan, chhole( tastes so bad ) , a variety of chutneys and desserts.The live music was good.

Very friendly owners and attentive staff! It's definitely a new local favorite!

I love this restaurant! I was in town for a short while and made sure to go in 3 times in a few days! I promise you will love everything. The people, the food. Thank you for sharing you're AMAZING food and beautiful culture and cuisine. Bless you!

The all you can eat was amazing. Everything was so good. They even had some live music that was as amazing as the food.

Spicy Zest - Restaurant is Simply Superb!
Great interior design, decorative and antique of Srilanka culture and custom!
Awesome hospitality and amazing customer service care!
Great chef.. delicious food and yummy deserts and drinks!
I had an amazing experience having my meal here.. Great taste ,favlour, spice level, aroma, and presentation of the cuisine were extraordinary!
The chef is owner and has graduated from international reputable catering university!
Neat,clean, and ambiance were really well maintained!
They informed me that buffet service available on Friday, Saturday & Sunday!
Groceries are available inside..all spices,fresh tea leafs and variety of Red Ceylon rices are there ..
Must visit Restaurant at Dallas area..come & enjoy the food and cuisine of Srilanka!!
Best wishes to the Chef and his awesome team!

It's a hidden gem in Dallas. If you like coconut and fresh spices then this is the place. You should try Lumpraise. It is rice and couple of curries with choice of protein, steamed in banana leaf.

We went there as a large group. The food and service were really good, but a bit small to hold a lot of people.

Great Unique taste. Must try restaurant!

This was amazing!! As a Sri Lankan i dont get to eat much Sri Lankan food but this place is great. The food is delicious and the chefs and staff are amazing. If theres something you like, thats not on the menu, they will do their best to accommodate. The prices were very reasonable. 10/10

I've been here about a dozen times and it seems to only get better each time. Some of the most flavorful food around. Suggest the Friday night buffet to try a little bit of everything.

Stopped in for the first time last night with the family. Being unfamiliar with Sri Lankan food, we opted for the buffet so we could try a little bit of everything.

We loved it! (Even my picky 13 yr old) Everything was fresh and delicious, the staff and their service was wonderful , and the atmosphere was very friendly. We had a couple of great conversations with other patrons.

We’ll definitely be going back.

Tasty food, Reasonable price And excellent customer service

Amazing buffet, perfect service. The food is always outstanding!

I have eaten at spicy zest many times! Whether you’re ordering out or dining in they are delicious. I am so impressed with how hot the food is even when ordering out. The lamprais is amazing and they have options for everyone. Whether you’re keto, vegan, pescatarian, they will have something delicious for you. If you’re not feeling well and need a delicious spicy veggie soup I highly rec their vegetable soup. I am Sri Lankan and I’m so happy that Texas has Spicy Zest!

Tastiest food to start the new year. Awesome service. Planning to visit again soon.

Really good Sri Lankan food at very good prices ($20/25 for buffet). Tons of options (more than 25+ items for the buffet) and great flavor and a really good ambience with their incredible exhibits. Also the buffet included with a hot Sri Lankan style egg hopper on your request and a margarita. Definitely recommend!

The best Sri Lankan restaurant in the area! The service is excellent. The buffet is only on Fridays after 6 pm and in the weekend. Deviled chicken is amazing!

We had the lamb kottu, hoppers, coconut roti with sambol and curry. Everything was delicious and full of flavor. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere was nice. Will definitely visit again 😊

Delicious authentic Sri Lankan dishes. Highly recommend.

Love this place. Friendly family atmosphere and really good food. Huge portions.

Great food, great place to eat, great place with friendly people

Buffet on Friday was specially great .. you get to try all the Sri Lankan special cuisines in one single place.

Best Sri Lankan cuisine for everyone in Dallas. ✌️

Loved the place. Authentic food. Try the hoppers to start, especially the sweet ones. The main course can be the lamprais and end with the watapallam:)

Excellent place with lot of desserts and also people were very nice and friendly. Lot of vegetarian options with live counters.

Good food and good service!

Really nice food and nice service. Nice variety of food. Will definitely go back.

Awesome and unique food. We loved everything and will happily return.

Lovely atmosphere and a delicious buffet. Definitely a memorable first visit

Wir sind extra von Austin hier her gefahren und es hat sich gelohnt!! Das Essen war wirklich großartig, das Buffet gut gefüllt und Variantenreich. Der Service war jederzeit sehr aufmerksam und überaus freundlich. Da wir uns mit der Küche Sri Lankas nicht auskennen waren wir sehr dankbar, dass uns vieles erklärt wurde und wir alles probieren durften. Vielen Dank für dieses Erlebnis!

I had been eating at SpicyZest for quite sometime. I always loved their food and wanted to write review for them. First time, I took my date to the restaurant. I had fresh juice, fish cutlet in appetizer and lumprais as main course. I love spices so requested them get the additional spice on the side. Food was very tasty and our server was very nice. From that day, I always go their time to time to enjoy their delicacies. It is highly recommended.

Excellent food and people

Spicy Zest is a great restaurant with authentic Sri Lankan fusion food (popular Indian dishes are also available such as Biryani, Indi Appam, Appam, Puttu etc). The service is also really friendly and courteous. Thank you Mohan for great service! Well done Nimidu for starting this restaurant and making it a landmark for Sri Lankans in Dallas.