Coco Veranda.

Coco Veranda on Ward Place is one of Colombo’s most popular coffee shops. We loved them in the past, but this time around it was a let down.

Food and Drinks

So at the time of our last review, back in 2012, we felt that Coco Veranda was one of the best coffee shops in Colombo, but since then it seems they’ve let their standards dip. The menu is still very extensive, with a greater selection of beverages than most other cafes. Most of the beverages are priced between Rs. 450 – Rs. 750, the more expensive ones being their signature beverages like the Italian white chocolate and deluxe frappe. The food menu is also pretty decent with a good amount of snacks and mains priced between Rs. 400 – Rs. 1300.

The mocha latte (Rs. 540) was not one of the best we’ve tried. We usually expect a good balance between the chocolate and the coffee when it comes to mocha latte, but in this one the chocolate was just way too overstated. The coffee had a slightly burnt flavour to it which was not pleasant either. We’re guessing that the burnt coffee part was a one-off mistake but unfortunately that’s all we’ve got to go on.

We were hoping the creme brulee latte (Rs. 540), one of their signature frappes, would be exceptional. It was exceptional alright, exceptionally sweet that is. It was fine for the first few sips when the cream on top balances the sweetness but once that’s over it’s just a latte with a whole ton of sugar and caramel. Don’t get me wrong I like a bit of sweetness in my coffee, but this one was just too  sweet to even finish.

The apple pie (Rs. 390) was pretty good. The filling was what made this one really stand out with a good balance of sweetness and acidity. The pastry wasn’t undercooked but we would have liked it baked through a bit more, but that’s personal preference.

The lemon chicken mayo wrap (Rs. 400) didn’t really deliver. The portion size was fine but the filling was mostly just lettuce and tomato with bit of chicken here and there. We couldn’t really tell if it was lemon chicken either since the excess lettuce masked most of the flavours. Less lettuce and more chicken would probably have made this one a winner.

Ambience & Service

The ambience at Coco Veranda is chic and tasteful, which is one of the reasons why it’s such a popular hangout spot. We dropped in on a poya day and the place was pretty much entirely occupied. The interior is still in very good condition but the couches and the furniture in the outdoor section look a bit worn out, but that’s to be expected after some time.

The service was another letdown this time around. One of the main highlights of our previous review was the excellent level of service but one year down the line we experienced pretty much the opposite. As we took our seats the waiter cleared out the table, so we assumed he would be back with a menu but that was the last we saw of him until he came to clear out our table again when we were leaving. So after waiting for about 10 minutes I went to the cashier and placed the order. The service time was also pretty slow with it taking around 20 minutes to prepare 2 drinks, a wrap and piece of pie. All in all we weren’t happy with the service, specially compared to what we’ve experienced in the past.

Conclusion

Coco Veranda has been a solid choice when it comes to coffee shops in the past, but this time around they didn’t really impress. They’re usually good at attention to detail so hopefully they’ll make the necessary changes in due time.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Iftar delights at The Banyan, Heritance Negombo

Iftar delights at The Banyan, Heritance Negombo Written by Fathima Rukaiya, Mad Dogs Bodega, Banyan

Highlights Kamu

Budget-friendly Iftar spots 2024

Written by Fathima Rukaiya, In our previous article, we highlighted some exquisite and upscale Iftar

Highlights Kamu

Iftar Buffet Round Up 2024

Written by Fathima Rukaiya As Ramadan arrives, a warm feeling of reflection and community fills

Highlights Kamu

Discovering Pasta Paradise: The Pasta Factory, Galle Fort

In the historic Galle Fort, The Pasta Factory brings a taste of Italy to Sri

Highlights Kamu

A Home for Desi Dreams – Bombay Nights by Radisson Colombo

As we stepped into the ‘Dine’ in Radisson Colombo, our senses were immediately tantalized by

Highlights Kamu

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

Trending.

Experience the Elegance and Excitement of RTC Tourism Race Day in Nuwara Eliya

RTC Nuwara Eliya will hold its RTC Tourism Race Day on 30th March 2024 at

Trending

“85th Annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim” by SLASU held at the Mount Lavinia Hotel Beach

The "85th Annual Mount Lavinia 2-Mile Sea Swim" organized by Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union

Trending

Sheraton Colombo Hotel celebrates International Women’s Day with empowering insights

Sheraton Colombo Hotel, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary brands, marked International

Trending

Anantara Kalutara Presents an Elevated Gastronomic Journey to Italy

Kalutara, Sri Lanka - March 14, 2024 - Anantara Kalutara Resort is delighted to announce

Trending

List of Party Venues 2024

By Fathima Rukaiya Finding the perfect place to host a party can be a hassle.

Highlights Trending

LCY Unveils Debut ‘LCY for Her’ Collection, Redefining Women’s Polo Wear with Strength, and Sophistication

Thursday, 14, March, 2024, Colombo: LCY, a brand synonymous with manufacturing high-quality men’s polos of

Trending

Yamu Guide.

Steak Bar: A Grand Sunday Brunch at Kingsbury, Colombo

Written by Shamrina C Welcome to the ultimate brunch experience! Nestled in the heart of

Highlights Kamu Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Him

By Fathima Rukaiya Are you trying to find the perfect way to show your special

Highlights Yamu Guide

9 Special Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas for Her

Written by Fathima Rukaiya The season of love is upon us once more, and opinions

Highlights Yamu Guide

Romantic Dinner and High Tea date spots for Valentine’s Day  2024

Written by Shamrina C 1. Via Torino Indulge in a fine dining exclusive 3-Course meal

Highlights Yamu Guide

BYOB Bliss: 16 Places to you can Bring Your Own Bottle!

Written by Shamrina C 1. Giovannis Indulge in Italian flavors, grooving music, pet friendly, and

Highlights Yamu Guide

Unveiling Ramada’s Festive Christmas High Tea Extravaganza!

Written by Shamrina C Mark your calendars for the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of December,

Highlights Yamu Guide