I was extremely delighted to learn that Pearl Island, in Van Nuys, was starting their Friday Night AYCE Sri Lankan Hopper buffet. The timing was 6 pm to midnight and I made sure to put that on my calendar for their first presentation. The inside is cozy with two tables, with the rest of seating outside. There are well known Sri Lankan musical hits, playing in the background. Menu consists of both plain and egg hoppers (cooked perfectly, with an over easy to medium liquid yolk, just the way I like it). Other dishes are chicken curry, lentil curry, pol (coconut) sambol, seeni (onions and chillies) sambol, white rice and pol (coconut) roti. What clearly stands out at this restaurant is the culinary prowess of the Chefs (headed by the Matriarch) and the freshness of all the offered dishes. They came out one at a time, just after they were prepared in the kitchen, accompanied by intoxicating aromas. The sambols were addictive. All the food was distinct and tasty, bursting with complex flavors and a harmonious blend of chili heat and several authentic Sri Lankan spices. If you get the chance to separately get their chocolate roll cake, it is amazing. This is a family operation, with the mother and daughters cooking and also affectionately serving their customers. Service all round, was attentive, timely and nothing short of exceptional. Need to be going back. Thank you, Taki and everyone else, for a delightful and memorable dining experience. read more

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This restaurant has one of the best Sri Lankan cusine. Everyone is very friendly and welcoming. Every dish feels like you're going back to Sri Lanka. read more

We love to eat together with friends and every other day we are going to different places We landed in pearl island restaurant We loved the food we love the service and what else you can ask Thank you sfor everything read more

Great food and solid service. The seafood was fresh and flavorful, especially the grilled shrimp and crab curry. The ambiance was relaxed and perfect for a casual dinner. Our server was attentive without being overbearing. Would definitely come back for the lunch specials. read more

Small place but nice clean set up. Authentic Sri lankan dishes served here. Best price with delicious taste. Lady executive serving here is courteous and helpful. read more

Nice hidden gem tucked inside a strip mall. Flavours are great especially since we do miss Sri Lankan home cooked foods that we can't be bothered making like hoppers! For a very low price, you get to eat as many egg / plain hoppers served with a buffet selection of different accompaniments such as dhal, curry of the night (most likely chicken), white rice, seeni sambol, pol sambol as well as delicious hot ginger tea (sweetened) or fruit punch (super sweet). A bit of a drive for us but we will keep coming back at least once a month! Friendly service - assume it's a family run joint :) read more

They have new items now. Lunch buffet $6.99 Tues-Friday From 12pm to 3:30pm *lentil curry *Deviled chicken *Steamed rice *Vegetable chow main *Samosas *Pakora *and a vegetable salad for the day Including fruit punch and chai tea. Check the pictures I have posted. Also they have short eats everyday. Samosas have 3 fillings *Chicken *Beef *Fish Stuffed Godama roti Any fillings *chicken *beef *tuna fish Chinese rolls Any fillings *chicken, potato, and caramelized onion *Beef, Potato, caramelized onion *Tuna fish, potato, caramelized onion *vegetable Also they have Frozen cut 1lb godama roti packets Available to sale everyday. read more

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Have been trying to take my team here for lunch on Fridays for over a year. The restaurant is always dark at 12 PM but their store hours state they are open. Change your hours if you are not open by that time. Also, no one ever answers the phone. Even when I call at 1 or 2, so I have no idea when they are actually open. Read through the reviews. Others reporting the same issue over the past year. read more

Let me start by saying that if I were to judge this place based on the beef fried rice only, it would exceed five stars. But a restaurant is more than just the food. It is very difficult to order at this place. It's either you call and they don't answer or they answer your call to tell you that they can't serve you for some reason. It is a shame because the food is delicious. But a business should not put a customer through such trouble all the time. Why even be a restaurant open to the public if a customer has to cross their fingers hoping their order will be accepted? I believe that they have trouble with the demand for their food and they adjust hours of operation without making the changes online. I think they really need to hire more people and assess the way they run their business or they will lose all the customer who love their food but are tired of trying. read more

Even though it is now Talawakal. The food is super fresh, highest quality and so darn delicious. Take a break and give the beef meat kebob (big plate) with the spicy sauce, and the lamb! Don't over order the portions are big. 4 stars instead of 5 because no wine or beer.. I hope that will change with the new ownership. read more

Finally got here w/ my cousin & her hubby for the first time after an hour 20 minute drive. Yes they may not open on time & yes its a tiny place. But as a Sri Lankan American Chef I must say I was impressed. We were there for tge hopper buffet. Great kind service and great tasty authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. It well priced. I will go back indeed. The pol roti was excellent along with with chicken curry. read more

Just stopped in for the first time after multiple people recommended it to me. I have never had Sri Lankan food before and I was super excited to try it. I got the chicken roti and it was delicious! The chicken was cooked perfectly and everything was fresh and yummy. The staff was super sweet. I will definitely be back to try more items. read more

The BEST!!! Along with the best hoppers in town, you can request for a live operatic performance from the owner's daughter who's truly a fantastic singer. Great Great Great!!!! Everyone must try this place at least once in their lifetime. The food is simple Indian Sri Lankan home cooking but delicious to no end. And the price is extremely reasonable. Whattaya waiting for!?!?! read more

Best Sri Lankan food in LA. Ask for their daily specials. They are helpful if you don't know what to order. We tried their Chicken and bread on the side it was delicious. They have dinner buffet every Friday, call before you go they are a family run business your food will be cooked fresh so please give time. read more

Some of the best and authentic Sri Lankan food you will find in LA. Friday night hopper buffets are the best thing. Affordable and a true gem that reminds you of home. read more

We showed up here at the advertised lunch time on a Wednesday, traveling from far only to find it closed. Very disappointed!

Pearl Island Cafe definitely isn't closed or out of business!!! Our family had a delicious meal here last week and can recommend it with utter confidence to anyone of you out there, who value authentic and freshly prepared food in an authentic and incredibly versatile and tasty manner. The kind lady there explained to me, that the business sometimes had to run the restaurant during varying hours of operation in the last few weeks (always displayed on Google) , but everything is now going back to the regular hours again. It's one of our absolute favorites in the valley. read more

I love Sri Lankan Food, and I didn't want to deal with going to that stupid place on Corbin & Ventura called "Apey Namey" or whatever the hell it is called today (Use to be called The Curry Bowl) which I care not to know, where the owner & food is cooked by someone who IS NOT EVEN A SRI LANKAN, BUT AN INDIAN, A SOUTH INDIAN. No NO, Not to mention parking is a bitch there, Parking here is a lot better & the food is better too and it's made by a Sri Lankan family where the whole family, Husband, Wife & 3 daughters work as a team. Because Poor Latini does all the cooking by herself, it's always a good idea to call in advance to see if the restaurant is going to be open or not. I love this place & I can recommend this place time & time again. read more

Love their godamba roti with beef curry, coconut roti is amazing as well. Love their stuffed roti with Chicken. Best of all got to try their milk tea. read more

This is a great place if you like home-style cooking and small family operations. The food is prepared to order. We tried several items on the daily menu, and all of them were delicious. If you have to choose one, try the beef curry. The service was excellent. Mom and daughter took the time to tell us about Sri Lankan food. We laughed and had a great time. read more

I had this last night for the first time and it was truly one of the best Sri Lankan food I ever had. I have always been picky resorting only to what my mom cooks but this lady can cook! The food is only not only authentic and flavorful but you have access to choose entrees and meals that you can't find at most Sri Lankan places. The portions are huge and it's fairy priced. Will definitely be commuting to this place on a monthly basis from SB as its worth it for such great tasting food! read more

Best Sri Lankan food in the valley! Our Sri Lankan friend told us about this place and we have been return customers ever since.

One of the best places to have Sri Lankan food. Friday nights are the best. Parking is not a problem and owners are very friendly. Mostly open on weekends. read more

Before you go there, call and see what food they have - we drove 20 miles, just to find out that they only have fried rice and kotthu - no drinks - no desserts. Please don't get deceived by the photos on Yelp - they don't have them - and no buffet. Food is very good - so three stars. Also they don't accept credit cards - even though in Yelp, it says Yes. read more

I've been eating Sri Lankan food for over 15 years and this is by far my favorite place. Friday night they have all-you-can-eat hoppers. If you've never had them you're in for a treat. The way Budi makes them is perfect. read more

This place is rarely open and never ever picks up the phone. No idea how they stay in business.

This is a Gem tucked away in a small shopping center. I was there on Friday night and food was delightful. The couple runs the place were friendliest people I have met. I will be back again. read more

Called numerous times during their "open hours". Never picks-up or closed when going there. Really tasty food if you're lucky enough to get whatever they might have available. read more

Top notch food!! Best fried rice I've had since I left Sri Lanka!! Generous portions and prices as well!!

Incredible food, particularly the godamba and their hoppers! I could eat this every day with no issue, it's so so delicious. The service is wonderful, and the owners are extremely caring and genuine people. I highly recommend this. read more

Made it just in time for their lunch buffet, which was only $7/8! I don't imagine this place getting large enough crowds to keep it constantly fresh especially at around 3, so pakora was a little soggy. But with that said, fresh samosas did come out, and it was delicious! Their plain white rice was really well made too. Overall I enjoyed the meal. The buffet doesn't have much variety, but once again, it's cheap for what it is, and the taste of what you do get is great! Some things to be aware of, no public restroom inside the restaurant, there's plenty of parking, and it's a little small inside. read more

Tried this restaurant over the weekend and really enjoyed both the very fresh and authentic dishes that were served. Every dish was both unique and delicious - well worth a visit! The atmosphere was also very friendly and welcoming. We will certainly go back..and would highly recommend anyone who enjoys authentic Sri Lankan food to try this lovely restaurant. read more

Very few places you can find authentic sri lanka food and this place dose is to perfection. We had fried rice which was too good . Thx guys as always for keeping it real . read more

Pearl Island Restaurant - Sri Lankan Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I really like the food here especially the Friday night Hopper Buffet. The price for the buffet is very affordable and the food taste good. We also take our adventures foodie friends here to try Sri Lankan food. Most people think it is like Indian food and it is not. I'm giving this place a 4 star because they don't have the Sunday Lunch buffet anymore. I like rice and curry and I hope they bring it back soon. read more

Pearl Island: Sri Lankan Cafe ... totally delicious food! Also: Iced Coffee, Sri Lankan style, is delightful. The staff are so very nice, very courteous and eager to be of service. They used to be open only some days, but now they are open 6 days a week: Tuesday - Thursday 11:30 am - 8 pm, Friday 11:30 am - 11 pm, and Saturday - Sunday 11:30 am - 8:30 pm read more