Reef tells the decades-long story of Triton, a young Sri Lankan boy who works for a wealthy intellectual, Mister Salgado, and eventually becomes a successful restaurateur in London. Set against the context of the Sri Lankan Civil War, the text provides an intimate look at the personal consequences of classism and injustice.
The text opens with a scene set twenty years after Triton moves to London. At a gas station, he helps a recent Sri Lankan refugee, prompting him to recall the events that brought him to London. Triton then recounts his early childhood in Sri Lanka. After Triton accidentally burns down a schoolhouse, his uncle gives him to Mister Salgado as a servant. Initially, Triton is given menial tasks, like sweeping and bringing Mister Salgado tea. He clashes with the head servant, Joseph, who later sexually assaults Triton and is dismissed. After Joseph leaves, Triton, still a child, assumes the responsibility of running Mister Salgado's entire household.
As the years pass, Triton remains with Mister Salgado and demonstrates his natural talent for cooking. Mister Salgado begins to research oceanography, focusing on the erosion of coral reefs. Mister Salgado begins to court Nili, a hotel manager of a lower social class. Triton finds immense satisfaction in preparing elaborate, inventive meals for the couple, including an English-style Christmas dinner. Though excluded from the festivities, Triton overhears discussions of political unrest and anti-capitalist sentiments.
Nili moves into Mister Salgado's home, which pleases Triton, as Nili often praises his cooking and shows interest in his life. As she and Mister Salgado host parties for their eccentric group of friends, cracks in their relationship begin to show. Eventually, Nili leaves Mister Salgado for an American named Robert, causing Mister Salgado to plunge into a depression; Triton assumes the burden of attending to Mister Salgado's emotional needs as well as his physical needs.
After the opposition party wins the Sri Lankan election, Mister Salgado's research lab closes, and his close friend, Dias, goes missing. Afraid for his safety, Mister Salgado flees to England with Triton. The two men settle in London, and their relationship evolves into friendship. Mister Salgado buys Triton a restaurant and leaves him his house before returning to Sri Lanka to care for Nili, who suffered a mental break after arsonists razed her hotel. Alone for the first time, Triton follows his passion and grows his restaurant.
