Amidst an evening of elegance and celebration on the 12th of March, we gathered to honour the luminaries of our establishment, the ambassadors who epitomise the essence of hospitality at The Resplendent Awards. Congratulations resonated through the hall as we applauded the well-deserved winners of the Resplendent Awards, each category a testament to the dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment exhibited throughout the year.

It’s no secret that Ahangama houses some of the most Instagrammed dining spots in the island right now. Frequented by digital nomads and those with an eye for design, this once sleepy fishing village has cemented itself as Sri Lanka’s most vibrant surf town, with a continuously evolving food scene. Take a stroll along its tiny alleyways and you’ll quickly notice contemporary chic cafes, tropical design-led bistros, rooftop sunset bars and elegant dining venues tucked away in its green jungles. With new spots open every peak tourist season (it’s when the surf's up with bright blue skies), Ahangama’s culinary scene is only going to be more varied, and exciting—and you can go from sampling island-inspired small plates to trendy hangouts serving avo on toast within a couple of hours. This is our edit of Ahangama’s favourite cafes, bars and restaurants for anyone visiting the south coast’s lively beach town.

Once a sleepy village, Weligama is now south Sri Lanka’s buzziest surf town. It’s vibrant, laidback, and magical, with the sunny southern coast’s palm-fringed shores and inland paddies. It draws in both thrill seekers and those who love something a bit more sedate—breezy sundowners by the ocean, after-dinner nightcaps under star-studded skies, and lazy, jazzy brunches with good coffee under the tropical sun. More recently, Weligama has also become one of Sri Lanka’s culinary-forward beach spots, with a new sleeve of cafes, pizzerias, al fresco dining venues and sushi bars championing native, locally grown produce and once overlooked spirits. There’s something for everyone here, from al fresco lunches in stunning settings to vegan-focused menus, and craft cocktails curated by homegrown mixologists. This is our edit of some of the best places to eat and drink in Weligama, within a short drive from the resort—in no particular order.