We tried the kottu and the fried rice and both were well up to the expected standard with a really good spice level. Everything tasted fresh and balanced. Expectations met. Friendly and attentive customer service too.
If you’re craving bold, authentic South Asian flavors without breaking the bank, The Walawwa in Panmure is your new go-to spot. Tucked away on Basin View Lane, this bustling eatery delivers generous portions that could easily feed two—perfect for a casual dinner or takeout fix. We dove into the nasi goreng and egg rotis with curry, and oh man, it was pure bliss! The nasi goreng was a fragrant, spicy symphony—crispy fried rice loaded with prawns, veggies, and just the right kick of chili that left us craving seconds. Paired with the fluffy egg rotis (so buttery and crisp!), dipped into that rich, coconutty curry sauce infused with tender lamb and aromatic spices, it felt like a hug from Sri Lanka itself. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and hit that sweet spot between heat and comfort—no skimping on quality here. The vibe is lively and unpretentious, with friendly staff zipping around to keep things moving. Portions are massive (we had leftovers for lunch!), and at under $20 a head, it’s an absolute steal. Only tiny nitpick: It gets busy on weekends, so arrive early. Hands down, one of Auckland’s hidden gems for South Indian/Sri Lankan eats. If you love spice and soulful food, run (don’t walk) to The Walawwa—you won’t be disappointed! #PanmureEats #Sri LankanFood #AucklandFoodie
It was my first time trying Sri Lankan food, and it was pretty good and unique! Recommended! P1. Egg Hoppers – 3/5 They look like cute little bowls with a runny egg at the bottom. The flavor is quite mild, tasting a bit like a slightly sour (fermented) pancake. They pair really well with the spicy pickled onions. P2. Coconut Roti – 5/5 These look like small, slightly thick pancakes. The outside is crispy while the inside is soft and tender, with a refreshing coconut aroma that makes them stand out from regular pancakes. They’re delicious with pickled onions too. P3. Kottu Roti – 4/5 I ordered the chicken Kottu. It’s made with chopped roti, vegetables, meat, and spices, all stir-fried together on a hot griddle. It reminded me of fresh, flavorful street food with that distinctive aroma of quick stir-frying. Overall, really good! P4. String Hoppers – 2/5 They look like small pancake-shaped bundles of vermicelli, but they’re made from rice. They have a light aroma of cooked rice and are served with a spicy dark chicken curry and a bean curry. P5. Sri Lankan Milk Tea – 5/5 Perfect!!! As a huge fan of milk tea from around the world, this one absolutely amazed me. Made with high-quality Ceylon tea, it has a strong black tea aroma and an incredibly smooth, rich texture. Definitely my number one! ❤️
We visited the Walawa restaurant with friends for a dinner. The ambiance of the restaurant was good, even though the space is small, tables are ordered in a proper way. The staff is helpful. We ordered pol rotti meal, veg chopsey rice, chicken kotthu and string hopper seafood kotthu. Stand out dishes were pol rotti and veg rice. The chicken kotthu was not up to the standards and taste was not that expected (might be on that day).. the average cost per meal is around 18$ to 25$… .. will visit again to try other srilankan food….
In an unassuming location right across a Sri Lankan grocery store, but amazing food and the lady there had brilliant recommendations for our group who needed some suggestions to get the best experience. The kottu roti, fish curry and egg hoppers made for an unforgettable food experience that we could hardly walk away from. Already planning our next trip back there.
We came by for a lateish dinner after playing futsal nearby since it was now of the few places open on a Tuesday night. It is located on Basin View Lane, just off Queens Road. The menu looked quite interesting and we ordered a few things to share. We did ask for mild since there were some people who weren't a fan of spicy food. Most of the items came out spicy. I thought the level was ok though. Out of all the items, the kottu rotti was the most interesting since I hadn't come across something like it before. It was almost like a noodle dish with the roti cut into strips with the meat and sauce all over. It was quite tasty and the spiciest of the lot. Their curries were also quite nice, particularly the potato curry with the flavoursome curry. The biriyani was a pleasant surprise since it came out with fried chicken and deep fried egg. The string hoppers were also quite interesting. We had the lamb curry and it also had a lentil curry with it, both tasty and a little spicy, I thought the food was quite flavoursome and the curries had different flavours which were nice. It was also spicy so probably not the best place for the spicey adverse.
Might not be ideal for people (like me) that are not good with spiciness. All the dishes tasted good though. I'd recommend the biryani, string hopper and yellow curry.
The food was well prepared and enjoyed some authentic Sri Lankan food after a very long time. Compliments to the chef and the staff. Loved the food we ordered.
The Walawwa is located at 2 Basin View Lane, Panmure, Auckland 1072, New Zealand
You can contact The Walawwa at +64 9 527 1545
You can find directions to The Walawwa by following this map link
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