Blog

Our Story
Take a group of Sri Lankan friends and family brought together by a vision of bringing Sri Lankan eats to communities across the world. With hard work and dedication, the vision became a reality and The Coconut Tree was born.
We’re passionate about sharing uniquely Sri Lankan flavours with the world. We serve our delicious Sri Lankan small plates in a relaxed ‘island vibe’ setting, mixed in with our unrivalled hospitality and some great tunes.
Our customers, communities and everyone who works for TCT are extended family and ‘everyone is welcome to the table’ just like back home. Our plates are made for sharing and fit perfectly with our island Cocotails.
Good Food, Good People, Good Times.
We’re super chuffed with the level of support & accolades we’ve received, see our awards here.
Top Things to Do in Bristol: Food, Culture, Views and Great Nights Out
11 March 2026
Bristol is one of the UK’s most vibrant cities, here are some of the top things to do in Bristol.
Mother’s Day – Celebrating the Women Who Raised Us 🌸
04 March 2026
The perfect gift guide for Mother’s Day and what it’s all about…
Rainy Day Activities in TCT Cities: Make the Most of February 2026
25 February 2026
Grey skies and rainy days? 🌧️ Spring’s nearly here — until then, get cosy and explore the best rainy day activities to do near you!
Valentine’s, Sri Lankan Style: Love, Celebartion & Sharing Plates 🥥❤️
09 February 2026
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all roses and heart shape chocolates. Sometimes, the best way to celebrate love is with good food, good times and good people.
Sri Lanka Independence Day: A Celebration of Culture, Resilience & Flavour 🇱🇰
02 February 2026
Every year on 4th February, Sri Lanka comes together to celebrate Independence Day!
Why the Coconut is at the Heart of Sri Lankan Cooking
30 January 2026
If Sri Lanka had a national ingredient, it wouldn’t be a spice – it would be the coconut and this is why…
Inspired by Sri Lanka: The Food Behind The Coconut Tree
20 January 2026
Some of the most-loved dishes in Sri Lanka don’t come from fancy kitchens – they come from street corners, roadside cafés, and busy markets.
A Guide to Gluten Free Eating (Without Missing Out)
13 January 2026
One of the biggest frustrations for gluten-free diners is eating out…That’s where The Coconut Tree does things differently.
Why Veganuary Is a Great Idea (and Definitely Not Boring)
08 January 2026
Veganuary is a chance to try something new, feel good, and explore food in a more exciting way. At The Coconut Tree we’re excited to introduce our refreshed Roots menu, and a new sharing platter!
Winter Comfort Foods That Aren’t Just Soup
07 January 2026
Comfort meals are those warm, satisfying dishes that wrap you up in nostalgia and bring a sense of emotional warmth. We asked our team what their ultimate comfort foods are… find out what they said. 🥘✨
Kotthu: Sri Lanka’s Ultimate One-Pan Comfort Food
05 January 2026
Looking for a delicious way to use up leftovers? Kotthu is the perfect one-pan meal—fast, flavorful, and endlessly customisable.
Escape the Cold: A Taste of the Tropics This December
22 December 2025
Winter can be tough — short days, grey skies so here’s your cozy guide to beating winter blues….
The Coconut Tree: A Dog-Friendly Dining Experience Across the UK
09 December 2025
Dogs aren’t just pets – they’re family. That’s why we welcome all four-legged friends with open arms…
Christmas Stocking Ideas: Fill ‘em With Joy This Year
28 November 2025
For some inspiration this year, we asked our staff what they most like to receive in their stockings…
From London to Colombo: Celebrating Christmas Around the World
24 November 2025
Food is the heart of every celebration, all around the world. Never more so than at Christmas!
More than flavour: The healing power of Sri Lankan spices
12 November 2025
We know a thing or two about comfort food here, so we’re shining a light on the heroes of Sri Lankan cooking – our spices!
Christmas Pantomimes & Christmas Cheer at The Coconut Tree
06 November 2025
This holiday season, The Coconut Tree invites you to combine the magic of festive theatre with the vibrant flavours of Sri Lanka.
IT’S BATH TIME: TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN THE MOST FAMOUS GEORGIAN CITY!
24 March 2025
Heading to the beautiful city of Bath? Get the local’s tips for a great trip from the team at our Bath restaurant!
Help! School’s out…
What to do with the kids?!
01 February 2024
It feels like we’ve only just got over the Christmas holidays and we’re already at half term? Say what!
Relax. We’ve got your back.
getTING to the root of why Veganuary Is worth a GO!
10 January 2024
Vegan doesn’t equal boring. Far from it. Some of the most beautiful vegan foods we’ve ever eaten (and made) were a flavour explosion.
Shake up your cocktail traditions this Christmas.
04 December 2023
Ahem, we meant Cocotails. Sorry, not sorry. You say cocktail, we say cocOtail…
The magic of the Christmas Market
04 December 2023
“Three eggy Hoppers, Two Cashew Curries, and some drinks in The Coconut Treeeeeeee!”
tis the season for giving PRESENTS!
17 October 2023
Our gift to you is helping avoid any stress & disappointment
Money doesn’t grow on trees… but coconuts do!
29 September 2023
We’re sure you’ve heard your parents say money doesn’t grow on trees 🙄. We thought we’d help you out with five top money-saving tips.
A MEMORABLE Hen Party, you say? RELAX, THE COCONUT TREE HAS got you covered!
22 September 2023
The best hen parties are the ones that are a little bit different. That go somewhere new, do something special, are memorable and unique.
Try something new this year… The Freshest TCT Dishes
17 March 2023
If you are wondering what to order from our menu, we asked our team to share their favourite fresh TCT dish, this might inspire you!
Try something new this year… Learn a little Sri Lankan!
05 March 2023
Try something new this year and learn some of our favourite phrases! There might be a couple you can try when you visit one of our restaurants! ;)
Try something new this year…Our new menu
06 January 2023
Introducing the awesome new dishes on our new menu – available from 6th Jan.
Come and try something new this year at your nearest TCT!
Try something new this year… Resolutions?
01 January 2023
Happy New Year! We asked Team TCT what their plans and New Year’s resolutions were and here’s what they said! What are you planning this year? Try something new with us, try Sri Lankan.
21 November 2022
Want to know where we began? Learn all about The Coconut Tree fam, where our Unique Sri Lankan dishes, cocotails and island vibe comes from.
07 November 2022
Whether you are visiting for the first time, or wanting to try something new, here’s 5 of our favourite dishes.
01 November 2022
What to expect when you visit The Coconut Tree UK, share our uniquely Sri Lankan eats & vibe.
Why Is Sri Lankan Food So Yummy?
09 June 2022
When you produce most of the world’s spices it follows that your cuisine will be pretty darn good. Here’s a quick explanation of why Sri Lankan food is so yummy…😋
Sri Lankan Is Back! 🇱🇰 💚 Where To Stay On The South Coast…
09 June 2022
Yes, we’re happy to announce that after the Easter Sunday attacks this year Sri Lanka is open for business. That means just one thing; you can book your sunny holiday on our beloved isle once again…. 💚
09 June 2022
Bristol; the city we love so much that we planted two coconuts on its shores. Yes, let it be known that there are two places where you can experience The Coconut Tree in Bristol. With Bristol being a major foodie hub we had to make sure that we threw Sri Lankan street food in to the mix
Jay Rayner Review For The Observer
09 June 2022
Top food critic Jay Rayner recently stopped by TCT Cheltenham to sample Sri Lankan street food, TCT-style. Check out his review in The Observer…
Can You Still Experience An Off-the-beaten-path In Sri Lanka?
09 June 2022
Are there still untapped parts of Sri Lanka? This is a question that we’re asked often. With an unprecedented number of tourist arrivals in the country last year are there still unique experiences to be had on the island?
09 June 2022
Enjoy a plate of Sri Lankan sunshine at home!!!! Big Chef shares the secrets to a TCT ABSOLUTE FAVE – the Vegetable Kotthu.
Give it a bash and tag #tcttakeaway on Instagram for us to see and share! 😍💚🌴
🎉 🎉 Restaurant Of The Year!! 🎉 🥰 🙌🏽
09 June 2022
🥂🥂We are MADE UP AND HONOURED to win the So Glos Restaurant of the Year award for a second time!!
Tct @ Henley Royal Regatta Vip Mahiki
22 May 2022
We’re made up to have been invited by Mahiki London to attend Henley Royal Regatta 🚣♀️ VIP Mahiki, the famous glitterati parties noon til night 🌙 from Wednesday 11th to Saturday 14th August! 🔥
22 May 2022
You may have heard that we were invited to the British Grand Prix 2021 this weekend, if not where have you been?! We were absolutely buzzing to show off our Sri Lankan street food to hungry VIP’s in the official Silverstone Mahiki F1 VIP enclosure…
Condé Nast Traveller’s Best Restaurants In The Cotswolds
20 March 2022
We are more than excited ⚡️⚡️⚡️ to be named number three on Condé Nast Traveller’s list of the Best Restaurants in The Cotswolds! 💥💥💥👌🏽🙌🏽🤟🏽 Check out what they had to say at cntraveller.com
20 April 2019
Just wowwww!!!! Still pinching ourselves! Did this really happen? TCT WON BEST NEW BRISTOL BUSINESS at The Bristol Life Awards 2019! 💥