The Coconut Tree brings Sri Lanka street food to Bournemouth town centre. It is one of nine restaurants and bars in the same group. Locations range from Bristol to Birmingham.
The food menu covers a broad range of Sri Lankan dishes. First timers are recommended to start with hoppers, a bowl-shaped coconut milk pancake that is either served plain or with egg. Lamb cutlets and deep fried cheese cubes round out the smaller portions.
Main courses are divided into vegan and non-vegan. Vegan dishes include kaju maluwa (cashes and green peas on a sweet coconut sauce), sri-tato (roast potatoes spiced Sri Lankan style) and three kinds of sambol: kale, coconut or carrot and coconut. Chicken or goat curry headline the meat options, while prawn curry and hot butter calamari feature for fish.
Kotthu, a type of street popular throughout Sri Lanka, is also on offer. Made using finely chopped roti, it comes either vegan or with chicken or beef brisket. That same roti can also be ordered as a side, while sambol and brinjal moju (pickled aubergine) are the condiments.
There’s also two set menus. Those in a rush should opt for the express lunch menu, served Monday to Friday between 12-4pm. This is a hopper, curry, sambol or condiment, roti or rice and a soft or hot drink all served in 30 minutes or less. For £25 per person (£20 if vegan) you can choose a selection of dishes and a hopper. This option is available at all times.
Drinks are also a big part of The Coconut Tree’s offering. There’s a large selection of Sri Lankan inspired cocktails, labelled as Cocotails on the menu. This includes the drunken Sri Lankan (whisky, coconut flower sap, ginger beer) and the yaka (tequila, lemon, mint, honey).