+ Fun, cozy atmosphere with good service + Cocktails + Best Naan bread in town ? Small space and long wait (no reservations) ? No curry dishes ? Food didn't hit the mark for Indian-American read more

A fantastic new addition to the Ballard neighborhood! We ordered essentially everything on the menu and some of the table's favorites included the naan, thali salad, dhal curry, mutton roll, Kerala fried chicken, and pork curry ribs. The sides were great for dipping the naan - the chili sambal definitely has a spicy kick to it! The chai for dessert was delicious. There is limited seating and it's a first come, first serve basis - so get here early! read more

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I've been at home too long, but this place did not disappoint. Lamb shank is the best thing on the menu followed with the deja vu cocktail, most items on the menu are small plates, order more than you think is reasonable for a human. Pro Tip: take your cocktails and dessert to go! Cheers! read more

tl;dr: bring a couple (3) friends so you can try everything on the menu! ------- What an experience! Great services, awesome drinks and yummy apps! My friends and I came just a bit before 6pm on Tuesday and miraculously got seated right away. But this place is pretty small so do come early if you don't want like the long wait. It's tapas styled so definitely bring a couple of friends with you so you can try everything. We ordered almost everything on the menu and our favorites were the daal, the fried chicken and the cauliflower. The black cod curry was interesting but not a hit with our table (perhaps it needs to be cooked a little bit more?). We also got to try quite a few of their drinks. They were all super tasty and well-balanced. So.. definitely control yourself there ;) read more

Rupee Bar - Saffron Burrows - tasted like mango lassi! - Sri Lankan Near Me - Seattle, Washington

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Wow. Eat here now. No, seriously, try this place before the line gets twice as long. We went on a Friday night just before 6. Party of 2, 30-45 minute wait. No room inside to pass the time. That's ok, Olaf's is next door. It was a short half hour and well worth the wait. The craft cocktails were delish (Paan is gin with cardamom and citrus) and the gateway to the divine. We tried the Kerala chicken, thali salad, cauliflower/eggplant, and naan. Kerala chicken reigned supreme, but the other dishes were knockouts, too. The flavors delighted the senses and were so artfully balanced. Ooh la la. Now, for full disclosure, I have not visited Sri Lanka and never eaten the cuisine. Judge me for that or accept my declaration that this is exquisite. P. S. The staff is awesome, too! read more

Not a fan of spicy food, even a #1. But this place, also a bar, serves very good food based on Sri Lankan recipes. The mutton was very good as was the unique Dahl soup Highly recommended. Found out through the Food section of the Seattle Times, which recommends other delicacies around town read more

This place is awesome.. I went with my friends and tried the pumpkin curry, coconut chutney and papadum. Also got the Dr.'s Orders to drink. Everything was delicious and combined familiar flavors with a unique twist. Was just popping in for a quick pre-dinner snack, but I'll definitely come back with my family and try everything available. Good restaurant recommended to everyone.. read more

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Such amazing and unique dishes, cannot wait to return with a larger group do we can try everything on the menu!

As a vegetarian, I sometimes have trouble getting full at "small plate" places. At Rupee, I had the opposite problem: after a few plates there was more I wanted to try, but I was too full. Every single thing was amazing, including drinks. This bar is a great place to get introduced to arrack if you've never met it. Can't wait to go back and try more sauces. read more

Décor and drinks are outstanding. The food is excellent, but the flavors are extremely strong. I think the dishes would be better balanced if white rice was available as a side, or served alongside by default. The naan got the job done though in a pinch. read more

Overpriced but not that worth the hype when it came to food. Cocktails were great though!

Fantastic food and cocktails! Food is flavorful but really lets the quality of the ingredients shine. Especially enjoyed the deviled prawns and coppa and the fried chicken was unique and delicious. The cocktail menu is unique and well worth a try plus they have a lot of less sugary options. Definitely recommend and we'll be back! read more

Always nice to see Indian subcontinent style food elevated from home dining to a James Beard design awarded restaurant. If looking for authentic make you miss your mama's cooking, I don't think this is the place. However if looking for hip place to enjoy flavors of Sri Lanka-India with fun cocktails this place is great. Have friends who I always hesitate to invite out to Indo style restaurants as they are not familiar with flavors, but this place was a great bridge to introduce them. Naan was spot on. Pakoras were big, dense and a little oily. Mutton roll had delicious keema and potato mix, but was not expecting it to be deep fried. Kerala chicken was flavorful and cooked well. Cod dish was fusion food at its best. Staff was very attentive. They warned us dishes would come out at different speeds, which was fine with appetizers to share but was awkward with entrees. Outdoor space was comfy and warm. read more

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This is a great place in Ballard neighborhood (in Seattle) for creative ethnic theme cocktails (and regular wine list) and pub style, small portion SriLankan and Indian food. I tried their seasonal halibut, which I highly recommend. The Nan was crisp and Dal was flavorful. The food is creative and chef driven, so don't go there expecting chicken tikka or similar dishes, which you can get in every other Indian restaurant. I loved the ambiance and service. They really seem to care about their customers. They made me feel welcome and special. I will go back soon. read more

I met a friend here and we waited outside until they opened at 5pm. The owner helped us. He was unfriendly and sat us in the worst two places at the bar (even though we were the first 2 there and waited until they opened). He could have asked what side of the bar we wanted to sit. Plates are small so not a place you can go to have a substantial dinner. The naan and dips (purchased separately) were the only great things. Delicious. We shared 3 other plates- the shrimp, rice thing, and something else. Nothing amazing and nothing I'll return to. read more

Flavor explosion! We ordered the naan with the dahl, pickles, kale salad, fried chicken, mutton rolls and an iced chai. Every dish was packed with flavor and so tasty. The fried chicken was super delish with a curry twist - some of the best I've ever had. All this was for 2 people and I was really stuffed...I think in the future I would skip the naan and that would be plenty for 2 for dinner. Definitely check this place out! Small restaurant with street parking, but we walked up at 7 pm on a Saturday and were able to get a table. read more

Incredible flavor. Service was quick, no bs. Naan and Daal, bhel puri so good. Great drinks. Fun environment.

Amazing food and great service. We sat outside but the ambience inside looked interesting and we'd like to sit inside next time. We got the naan (excellent), dhal (decent), fried chicken (favorite dish of the evening), kale salad (excellent), and prawns (very good, although the fried shells weren't for me). The rice pudding and drinks are were delicious. The bill for two adults with three cocktails was $115, which was great for Seattle. Staff was attentive, food came out quickly, and overall experience was delightful. Will definitely come back! read more

Incredible food!!! The best lamb shank I have ever had and I have had a lot. Loved the chickpea dish and naan as well. Both our servers were great and overall we loved the place! read more

Fish cutlets, dhal, mutton rolls, and Kerala fried chicken- the food I've tried here is all SO good!! Ordering online and picking up is super simple and seamless. Their drinks are really nice- very well thought out and complex, but also get me tipsy in fast order. The only thing I can think of is that their portions are almost more tapa-sized than dish sized, so order accordingly. If you're super hungry, order 2-3 dishes rather than one. Frankly it might actually be another upside, considering that you get to try more of the delicious food!! read more

This is definitely a must-try for food. I was unfamiliar with Sri-Lankan food prior to eating here, but I am definitely a fan. As a table of four we ordered at least half the menu. The plates are very small, so plan on ordering a lot. Some may consider it a positive since you get to try lots of different dishes. Naan-you must, it is so good. Bhel Puri-This was my favorite dish, a combination of flavors I have never tasted before. Puffed rice, pomegranates, yogurt, etc. YUM Mutton Roll-delicious lamb roll Kerala Friend Chicken-this was a favorite at our table. Some said this was their favorite fried chicken they've ever had. Small nuggets of chicken. The breading is so flavorful and heavily but deliciously seasoned. Tandoor Cauliflower- the eggplant puree is the best part of this dish so rich and umami-y. Pumpkin Curry-absolutely creamy and delicious. The depth of flavor in this sauce is amazing Con: The portions are very small. Even with all of the dishes we tried, some were still hungry when with left. read more

Rupee Bar - Pumpkin curry - Sri Lankan Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Hard to get a table. No reservations, just walk ins. I was about to return back a second time yesterday but decided to wait for 5 more minutes and managed to get a seat at the bar. The cocktails are refreshing. We tried Dhal Curry, Naan and the bhelpuri which were great. My favorites were the tandoor cauliflower and the Kerala fried chicken! The mutton roll was okay but the tomato dip (also available in their sides) was amazing. And did I mention they had papadum on their menu to enjoy with your drinks? read more

Loved the food and ambiance. Outdoor seating was nice even though it's on a busy street. Good was memorable too. Excellent choice

The food, cocktails/drinks, service, and atmosphere were all absolutely perfect. From the second we arrived, the host was friendly and accommodating for our group. We ordered many different food items and shared between the group--all were delicious, flavorful, and well seasoned. The first time I went to Rupee Bar I had their turmeric cocktail which was surprisingly delicious. The second time, I tried a nonalcoholic drink and it was equally as tasty. Highly recommend this restaurant! (I wish I took pictures of our meals but we got too excited and started eating right away) read more

The promising menu did not deliver. Most items ordered were disappointing -- mutton rolls (too much dough, very oily, bland filling), naan (undercooked with raw dough -- sent back to kitchen but was given another one that was barely cooked too), chickepea and carrot curry (bland). The only good item was the Kerala fried chicken, but the amount of food you get is not worth the price. read more

This small but mighty spot in Ballard offers delicious food and a warm ambiance. The mutton rolls, black cod, and fried chicken were highlights, as was the piping hot naan dipped in chili sambol. A word of warning: it is "cozy" (with all the positive and negative connotations thereof). But well worth it if you can get in. read more

Food, service, ambiance... all of it is 100% and makes the dinner experience a little extra sparkly

Wow. This place is awesome. Went on a Friday and expected a wait as I'd heard it's small. Maitre'd / Host was amazing. Super friendly and engaging, quoted us only 30-40 minutes then suggested we go next door to Olafs for a drink. We actually saw him going into Olafs to fine guests on the waitlist. Very impressive. 30 minutes later, we're in. Space is small but BEAUTIFUL! Just lovely in every way. Food: Naan with Ghee: Solid, good on it's own and for sopping up sauce Dhal Curry: Least favorite. Kind of meh, not much flavor Deviled Prawns: Amazing. Great flavor. Served out of their shells but with the shells fried and seasoned served on top. Crunch deliousness. Pork Ribs: Just ok. Heavily crusted exterior didn't do much for me. Pork was nice and moist though. Still decent, especially for the price. Fried Chicken: Excellent flavor, crispy, unique. Didn't even need the Aioli it came with Black Cod Curry: Maybe the best value dish I've ever had. A 4 oz or so, perfectly cooked piece of Black Cod with a nice crisp exterior served in an elegant, subtle yet flavorful curry. For like $12. Insane Value. So good. Short Summary: Killer value, delicious, go here! read more

Loved this place - great spot for a date or a small group. The decor is on point. Food is great - Daal and naan, mutton roll and Kerala friend chicken are must haves. Service is great as well - they check on you in between, refill your glasses and recommend drinks if you are confused! read more

All the food was AMAZING. The cabbage dish was surprisingly incredible. I don't normally like mezcal but the cocktail bandra bird was so delicious and the mezcal complemented things so well. Also Anthony the server was so attentive, incredibly knowledgeable, charismatic and helpful. The outdoor seating was really charming. Can't recommend enough and I hope you get Anthony to serve you if you can be so lucky. read more

Creative cocktails. Small and meaningful menu. The fish curry is not to miss. Enjoyed sitting at the high top tables. The atmosphere is cozy and delightful. Will definitely return. read more

Rupee Bar - Keer with birthday candle - Sri Lankan Near Me - Seattle, Washington

Awesome experience. Unique food, good drinks, fun space. Will be back again. The melon with chili crisp in particular was fantastic.

Well so this happened, my husband told me this is a Sri Lankan restaurant, and I went thinking We'll Be eating a hearty Sri Lankan meal, but we reach there and turns out they don't service Rice, which was a shock(being part Sri Lankan )but then it was a bar cum fine dining restaurant, and the shock subided, .....then comes the real shocker they only serve small plates like the ones that make you feel as if you're on a play date with a child, the servings left much to be desired for the price you're paying?however the food was delicious and so was the drinks but the small servings kept us thinking if this was a practical joke ..if you've got deep pockets and want a taste of Sri Lanka definitely go there, but ..Me well I continue my hunt for a good Sri Lankan restaurant in Seattle who serve Rice and delicious curries. Not an authentic experience for sure. read more

I was really excited for this place! Being a huge fan of Manolin the bar was very high! Overall the food was yummy, affordable, and the cocktails were great! The only reason I'm giving it a 4/5 is because I don't understand why it's Sri Lankan food. It was all Indian with some American twists to it. Being from India I was excited about a new South Asian flavor profile being introduced to the PNW but I didn't quite get that. I was expecting more fish, maybe coconut flavors but I didn't quite get that. But they do says it's their 'interpretation' of Sri Lankan food so ‍ That being said, I would still come back here as it's yummy and I live walking distance :) My favorites from the minute were the bhel, fried chicken and pumpkin curry! read more

Rupee Bar - Pumpkin Curry! - Sri Lankan Near Me - Seattle, Washington

This is a difficult review to write, and the main reason I am writing it is that I hope Rupee Bar can regain its footing. We've been many times and reccomended it to friends many times. Alas, there seems to be a problem. To be concise, the pacing is way way off. Within a few minutes of ordering 5 menu items -- hot and cold -- they all appeared at the table in a spew. The tension to churn through the cold starter dishes quickly so as to enjoy the hot main dishes was disconcerting. It also felt like a crass "turn the table ASAP" play. For God's sake let me get though one or two courses before you throw down two or three more. And the food has fallen in quality. Witness the fried chicken -- there is zero crunch to it. It's like a steamed chicken tender. Not up to the standards this place suggests. KFC gives more satisfaction to someone hungry for this dish. Good people work here and they have a good idea. I hope they can take a breath and nail the basics again. But as for now, we won't be going back anytime soon. We were seated and out in 48 minutes. That's just nuts for a $175+ dinner. read more

Authentic flavors presented in wonderfully lively new ways. Every dish a taste sensation. Timely and efficient thoughtful service.

Great tapas style dishes for sharing. Sri Lankan and Indian 'inspired'. Felt it was missing traditional spices in that type of cuisine but did not take away from taste at all! The Naan was excellent. Nice and light and crispy and great to use to scoop up any leftover sauce. Cauliflower, cod, lamb, and the mutton rolls were all fantastic. Oddly didn't offer rice to complement the dishes but we felt that didn't take away from anything. It actually probably would have made the meal too heavy. Great cocktails too. Last Night in Negombo and Sri Lankan Sour were not too sweet read more

First time and won't be the last!! Staff was welcoming and friendly. Food was unique with exceptional flavor. Cocktail was delicious. Happy with what we spent for a delicious meal for 2. Recommend: fried chicken was great, not necessary every visit but definitely the first. The halibut was super good, 100% order again. The chick peas were bomb!!! So many different flavors. And the turmeric cocktail 10/10. read more

I created a Yelp account to add a measure of reality to the choir of praise from the other reviewers. What we were expecting: I spoke to the owner (also of Manolin*) one day a few weeks before Rupee Bar opened and understand the idea was to replicate a sort of snack tavern common throughout the country in Sri Lanka, where small plates and interesting tonics are served to locals looking for cheap, good eats. So, this is what we were expecting. I think this is fair, since as I said, the owner told me this himself. What we received: We ordered the naan, cauliflower, prawns, and curried pork ribs and black cod. We also ordered a few drinks. To start with the booze-- the cocktails were great. The "King Coconut" and "Looking Glass" really were unlike anything else I've had. Refreshing, interesting and got me buzzed. Everyone wins except my liver. My wife ordered another cocktail (I forget the name, but it was respectable) and a glass of sauv blanc. As of the date of this review, the sauv blanc on menu tastes like a Sauternes but, to be fair, does compliment the kitchen's offerings here.** When the naan arrived, I literally almost choked on my tongue. Tucked well inside the undersized dish was a single article of starch no larger than a small tortilla. It's brushed with ghee, so they charge you $4. Great. Rinse and repeat this same story with the cauliflower and prawns. The flavor of the prawns was virtually indistinguishable from salt and pepper shrimp you can buy for $10/lb. at nearly any Chinese restaurant. For $8, you get two crowns of cauliflower. Time for another drink. The coupe de grace of our meal was the curried pork ribs and curried black cod. The actual memory has been repressed, but I had a nightmare where they only gave me two ribs. So let's go with that. You get two ribs for $12. Wait, what? Let's break this down: pigs have 13 ribs on each side. I can buy a whole rack of baby back ribs for $17 at QFC. That's about $0.75/rib, retail. So I guess I'm paying $10.50 for cost of labor? That's funny, because I only make ribs when I'm too lazy to make anything else. I'd get into brass tacks on the cod, too, but I'm getting woozy. BRB after I eat. My wife is petite and eat's like, a grain of rice a day. Even she was hungry afterward. We literally went to the grocery store and bought $25 of salami and cheese to round out the hors' d'oeuvres we paid $120 for earlier. Concluding remarks: Rupee Bar suffers from not knowing if it's a bar, or a small plates bistro. If it's a bar, let walk-ins stand and drink, serve beer, and give the people something to actually line their stomachs. If it's a bistro, take reservations, give the people something to actually line their stomachs, and...take reservations. In the meantime, either lower your offensive prices or increase your portions. This is not Manhattan. But is this why Sri Lankans are so skinny? *NB: We've dined at Manolin, one of our favorite restaurants here in North Seattle, about four times and have never left hungry. And, to be sure, the bill is about the same as it was here. **NB: The bar manager comped us a glass of rose after we quaffed the wine and let our faces do the talking. That'd be nice of him if he hadn't then told us that we'd "better like the rose, since [he] just poured [us] a full glass." Lose the 'tude, bro. read more

I don't understand why such places get so much hype in Seattle. Very average food. Cocktails are nice hence the 2 stars. Food is sad. The tandoori cauliflower was basically raw cauliflower in some sauce. Don't they know that tandoori means grilled???? Big turn off. read more