Ella Spice Garden Cooking Class
Learn to cook authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry after a tour of a vibrant spice garden with the charismatic host, Theeka.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
See the spice garden in light
Ella Spice Garden Cooking Class
Best Time
See the spice garden in light
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Learn to cook authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry after a tour of a vibrant spice garden with the charismatic host, Theeka.
"Cooking with Theeka was like cooking with a good friend. "
🎯 Book Your Spot Early
Classes, especially with Theeka, are popular. Book in advance to guarantee your spot!
☀️ Lunch Class for Garden Views
Opt for lunch to fully experience the spice garden in daylight.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Spice Garden Tour
Ella Spice Garden
Explore a vibrant garden filled with local spices, learning about their uses and aromas before cooking.
Hands-On Curry Cooking
Ella Spice Garden Kitchen
Learn to prepare authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry dishes from scratch in an interactive session.
Delicious Home-Cooked Meal
Dining Area
Savor the fruits of your labor – a truly delicious and authentic Sri Lankan meal you helped create.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Peak Times
Embrace the Full Experience
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Your Spot Early
Classes, especially with Theeka, are popular. Book in advance to guarantee your spot!
☀️ Lunch Class for Garden Views
Opt for lunch to fully experience the spice garden in daylight.
🧑🍳 Learn Authentic Recipes
Master delicious Sri Lankan dishes like dhal and coconut sambol to recreate at home.
😂 Enjoy Theeka's Humor
The host, Theeka, is known for his entertaining personality and good humor.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Your Spot Early
Classes, especially with Theeka, are popular. Book in advance to guarantee your spot!
☀️ Lunch Class for Garden Views
Opt for lunch to fully experience the spice garden in daylight.
🧑🍳 Learn Authentic Recipes
Master delicious Sri Lankan dishes like dhal and coconut sambol to recreate at home.
😂 Enjoy Theeka's Humor
The host, Theeka, is known for his entertaining personality and good humor.
🌶️ Discover Local Spices
Gain insight into common spices used in Sri Lankan cooking during the garden tour.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors rave about the Ella Spice Garden Cooking Class, highlighting the warm hospitality of host Theeka and the delicious, authentic Sri Lankan food prepared. The spice garden tour is a unique and insightful prelude to the hands-on cooking experience. While some mention the possibility of rain affecting the garden tour, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, with many calling it a must-do in Ella.
"Theeka is one of the most interesting and lovely people we’ve met in all of Sri Lanka.
The cooking class is really fun, engaging and interactive. Three hours go by in a blink. The tour of the spice garden before cooking is really insightful and as for the cooking itself, a close second highlight to the eating (everything is absolutely delicious).
Thanks once again to Theeka for making it another special day in this beautiful country. Hope to see you again one day soon.
Diolch yr holl ffordd o Gymru / Thank you, all the way from Wales 🏴❤️🇱🇰"
Rhys Minchin
"Cooking with Theeka was like cooking with a good friend.
Despite the down pour, we were warmly welcomed and loved every minute of the experience.
While we didn’t get to see the spice garden, everything was well explained and structured and Theeka’s good sense of humour and welcoming personality rounded up the whole cooking experience. All the dishes we cooked were super delicious with the highlights being the dhal, coconut sambol and garlic curry. Can’t recommend it highly enough. Make sure you make it part of your Ella experience and get cooking, so you can bring some of the Sri Lankan flavours home with you🇱🇰🍛❤️"
Pauline Haeberer
"It was my first time to experience for cooking class and I never regret it. Meeting diff nationalities sharing ideas. The host was very entertaining. He showed us to the garden ,and shared knowledge with the common spices of the locals using when they are cooking. The highlight of the activities,the time when we started to cook. It’s like we are in the cooking show. And I enjoyed it. Highly recommend this whenever you are visiting ella."
mia orbeso
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Ella Spice Garden is located in Ella, Sri Lanka. You can typically reach it by tuk-tuk or taxi from the main town. Many accommodations in Ella can help arrange transport.
Yes, it's generally considered accessible from Ella town. The journey is usually short, making it a convenient activity to fit into your itinerary.
Tuk-tuks are a popular and convenient way to get around Ella. Confirm the price with your driver before starting the journey.
Depending on your hotel's location, walking might be an option, but it's often more practical to take a short tuk-tuk ride, especially if you're carrying groceries or have mobility concerns.
Ella Spice Garden is situated in the scenic Ella region, known for attractions like Little Adam's Peak and Nine Arch Bridge.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The class is priced at 6,000 LKR per person, which includes the spice garden tour and the cooking experience.
Yes, it's highly recommended to book your spot in advance, as classes can fill up quickly, especially during peak season.
The fee typically covers a tour of the spice garden, hands-on instruction for preparing multiple Sri Lankan dishes, and the meal you cook.
Classes are usually offered for lunch and dinner. It's best to confirm specific timings when booking, as they can vary.
While not explicitly stated, the class is designed for interactive learning, suggesting smaller groups are ideal. It's best to inquire directly when booking.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
You'll learn to prepare authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry dishes, including popular items like dhal and coconut sambol.
Yes, Sri Lankan cuisine is very adaptable, and the class can accommodate vegetarian and vegan preferences.
Absolutely! The highlight of the class is enjoying the delicious meal you've prepared yourself.
While not explicitly mentioned, it's common for cooking classes to provide recipes or at least share them during the session so you can recreate the dishes.
Based on reviews, the dhal curry, coconut sambol, and garlic curry are frequently mentioned as delicious highlights.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, the spice garden offers lush greenery and vibrant colors, perfect for photography. The cooking process itself also makes for engaging shots.
Definitely! The tour is a great opportunity to capture the diverse spices and plants.
Generally, no. Guests are encouraged to capture their experience, and many share their cooking moments online.
Daylight hours, especially during a lunch class, provide the best natural light for vibrant photos of the garden and food.
The spice garden itself, with its variety of plants, and the beautifully prepared Sri Lankan dishes are prime photo opportunities.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
The hands-on nature of the cooking makes it engaging for younger participants, allowing them to get involved in simple tasks like mixing or stirring. Consider booking a lunch class so the children can enjoy the meal they helped prepare while it's still light outside.
The interactive and entertaining style of the host, Theeka, is also a big plus for keeping kids engaged throughout the session. 🧑🌾 Foodies & Aspiring Chefs
This class offers a deep dive into the nuances of Sri Lankan flavors and cooking techniques.
✈️ Day-Trippers
Opting for a lunch class is ideal for day-trippers, as it allows you to enjoy the fruits of your labor and still have time for other Ella attractions before evening.
The class duration is manageable within a day trip, providing a fulfilling and memorable activity without consuming your entire day. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Magic of Theeka and the Spice Garden
This hands-on exploration provides a unique context for the dishes you'll prepare later. Many visitors highlight that the spice garden tour is a significant part of the experience, offering insights into the local flora and its importance in Sri Lankan cuisine.
The cooking itself is described as being like being on a cooking show, with clear instructions and a fun atmosphere.
Culinary Delights: Sri Lankan Rice and Curry
Participants get to prepare several key components, learning the techniques and spice combinations that define this staple of Sri Lankan cuisine. Key dishes often prepared include dhal curry, a comforting lentil dish, and coconut sambol, a fresh and zesty condiment made with grated coconut, chili, and lime.
The class emphasizes understanding how these elements come together to create a balanced and delicious meal. Beyond the specific recipes, the class offers a broader understanding of Sri Lankan cooking techniques and the cultural significance of food.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit