nycgo / maps

Little Sri Lanka

It used to be that Sri Lanka and Staten Island shared nothing in common…except for the fact that they are both islands that start with the letter “s.” But over the years, the South Asian country’s rich culture and delectable Indian-, Dutch- and Portuguese-influenced cuisine have made their way to Staten Island—and the free, 25-minute ferry ride from Manhattan makes it easy for both visitors and locals to take part in the experience. A 15-minute walk from the St. George Ferry Terminal, the hub of Little Sri Lanka is located between Bay Street and Victory Boulevard, where most of the neighborhood’s restaurants and shops are clustered. Be sure to arrive hungry to taste Sri Lankan food like crepes and rice and curry. If the closest you’ve gotten to Sri Lanka is buying an M.I.A. album, Staten Island’s version of the country is well worth the trip.