After a day of sari shopping we were famished and we were told that we must eat here and that we would not be disappointed. As it was an odd time we were lucky enough to have the restaurant to ourselves. It's a lovely atmosphere with a beautiful bar. Our server was very friendly and helpful giving us plenty of advice on what we should eat and making sure it would satisfy our spice levels. We started off with the masala mogo we wanted to order more starters but didn't want to get carried away. This was nice we also ordered coffee with condensed milk! Even though we have made it ourselves so many times it just tastes better when someone else makes it for you. Apart from having it in Sri Lanka made lovingly by my aunt which is the best I have had this is second I would say. For our mains, I had the crab curry and it was again such a high standard the columbu (gravy) was so good I didn't want to leave any behind. I also loved how they gave me cutlery to crack and scoop out the meat of the crab lot easier and quicker which i know is why lot of people are put off eating crab curry. My sister had the jaffna aatu elambu curry with veechu roti which she enjoyed very much it was not full bones so she had plenty of chewy meat to devour. My mum had the lamprais which she also enjoyed but she did say she has had better. And my dad had mutton biryani which he enjoyed thoroughly. Unfortunately we were too full to have dessert! It is pricey for a casual meal out our bill came up to about £102 but I would say the food is worth it. Seeing we live in Essex and this is not local to us we would definitely say it was a lovely experience and I would recommend it if you are in the area. I would love to go back and try out their banana leaf rice meal next time and more of the starter options and maybe for a cheeky coffee with condensed milk! It was even a perfect spot for me to photograph some calligraphy! Check out signedbyvidhya on...
Read moreWe went to Virundhu for dinner on 29/05, hoping to relive the good experience we had a few months ago. Back then, even though the prices were high, the food was worth it. This time, however, it was a complete letdown – especially unfortunate as we chose this place to celebrate a dear friend’s birthday.
Things started badly. As soon as we began ordering starters, we were told that paneer wasn’t available, which was very disappointing for the vegetarians in our group. We were served Gobi 65, which turned out to be incredibly salty and tasted more like poorly cooked broccoli than anything else.
When we moved on to the mains, it got worse. Most of the items on the menu were unavailable, including favorites like aubergine curry, lampraise, veg kotthu, and many other dishes. Then suddenly, a waiter told us that if we wanted, we could still order a paneer dish, and we were brought paneer fry. Unfortunately, it was terrible – the paneer tasted like spoiled milk and was completely unappetizing!!!! :/
Hoping dessert might redeem the night, we ordered carrot halwa, but that was another disaster. It came completely soaked in ghee, making it greasy, heavy, and hard to eat.
We felt really bad for choosing Virundhu for such a special occasion. The contrast with our last visit was shocking. For a restaurant that charges so much, the lack of availability, poor food quality, and inconsistency are unacceptable.
After this experience, we’ve decided we won’t be going back – and we certainly wouldn’t recommend it for any kind of...
Read moreWithout a doubt, the best Sri Lankan restaurant I’ve ever been to! I’ve been to many Sri Lankan restaurants over the years, but Virundhu in Harrow stands head and shoulders above the rest. From the moment we walked in, the atmosphere was inviting, and the hospitality was second to none. The food was a masterclass in authentic Sri Lankan cuisine — every dish was rich in flavour, made with fresh ingredients, and cooked with real heart. You could tell this place takes pride in what they serve.
A huge part of what made our visit so memorable was the outstanding service. Sam went above and beyond — he didn’t just serve us; he made our experience personal and unforgettable. He even helped make our 9-year-old son’s birthday extra special with a thoughtful surprise that truly touched us.
And we can’t forget the lovely waitress (we didn’t catch her name) — she was of Asian Oriental background and her service was just as incredible. Friendly, professional, and attentive, she made sure everything ran smoothly and made us feel genuinely cared for. Her service was 5-star all the way!
It’s rare to find a restaurant that delivers on food, service, and atmosphere all at once — but Virundhu nails it. If you’re after authentic Sri Lankan food served with heart and excellence, this is the place. We’ll definitely be returning —...
Read more