A lot of restaurants/bakers/etc opened in Sri Lanka in 2014. These are the places we thought were mind blowing.
You can click on the name of each place to read our full review. Note that we aren’t saying these are the best places overall, these are just our favorite new entrants of 2014. If you feel like we’ve missed anything, please comment below.
In No Particular Order
1. The Original Rocket Burger
Rocket Burger will probably always be one of our favourite burger joints in the country. You’ll find it between shops on Pedlar’s Street in the Galle Fort, the burgers are tall and oozing, and you get a plate full of potato wedges instead of fries. Their Bulgogi burger is pure magic, stuffed with juicy marinated beef, Bulgogi sauce, mayo and kimchi.
Where: 24, Pedlars Street, Fort, Galle
How Much: Rs. 500 – 1000
Call: 91 45 45 488
2. The Achcharu Kade Cafe
Achcharu Kade is one of the many start-ups that moved out after gaining popularity at the Good Market. They have an interesting range of food on their menu that keeps changing daily – the food is super affordable, they’ve got a delicious rice & curry, and watch out for that awesome bombai muttai ice cream.
Where: 9, St. Anthony’s Mawatha, Colombo 03
How Much: Rs. 200 – 500
Call: 727 877 025
3. Ambrosia
Ambrosia is one of the two bakers on our list – and this year it really impressed us. Since they’ve got a low minimum order they’re more affordable than other bakers, and their sweet concoctions literally made us go ‘wow’. Their cupcakes are foodgasmic (go for the ones with warm ganache centers), and their almond-flake roulades are beautifully done.
Where: 2A, Turnour Road, Colombo 08 (Delivery)
How Much: Rs. 600 – 2000
Call: 777 772 052
4. Giovanni’s
Giovanni’s was such a pleasant surprise this year. It’s one of the city’s best pizza places, a one-man-show with Dimuthu at the clay oven,working hard to whip up his own recipes for generous Italian pizzas. Considering the quality of the pizzas and amount of toppings, it’s also super affordable.
Where: 145, Thimbirigasyaya Road, Colombo 05
How Much: Rs. 900 – 1500
Call: 77 033 5366
5. Eatalian
This new Italian restaurant is the result of a Sri Lankan restaurateur making it in Italy and bringing that experience (and a fair amount of investment) back here. This spot is in Bentota, but if you in the area they do a lovely and authentic take on Italian pastas and seafood, all at an international standard.
Where: 700B, Galle Road, Induruwa, Bentota
How Much: Rs. 1500+
Call: 775 314 126
6. Bakes By Bella
Bakes By Bella gained popularity for her yummy creations this year mostly through her Instagram. She makes divine mini-cupcakes, biskies, and peanut M&M cookies – but it was really her classic jar of brownies, cream and strawberries that made us fall in love. Now everybody’s putting stuff in jars, but for us it started here.
Where: Fairmount Residencies, Perera Mawatha, Rajagiriya (Home-Baker)
How Much: Rs. 500 – 1500
Call: 0777 445 449
7. The Bread Company
Another graduate of the Good Market, this family run spot on Thimbirigasaya does the best hot dog in the city (not much competition, but still) as well as excellent bread, sausages, pickles and more. It’s a place you can use for grocery shopping, but they also do a nice range of things you can eat in.
Where: 461 Thimbirigasyaya Road, Colombo 5
How Much: Rs. 500+
Call: 72 188 8821
8. Tom Yum
Another family run spot, this is basically a Thai wife who cooks really well and they opened up a restaurant. The food is amazing though the portions are small and the service basically couldn’t handle all the people after our first review (and word of mouth spread). They since improved their service and the food is still excellent. They go for a Thai street food style and they nail it.
Where: 330, Galle Road, Colombo 04
How Much: Rs. 500 – 1000
Call: 011 2 594 458
9. Cafe Francais by Pourcel
This place is so busy now that you can barely get a table, and for good reason. This expensive but authentic French restaurant is upping the food game in Colombo. They use great ingredients and have a real attention to detail that raises the bar for everyone.
Where: 48, Park Street, Colombo 02
How Much: Rs. 1500+
Call: 011 4 502 602
10. The Station
The Station is actually not new, but it’s been completely redone and, we think, under new management. It’s basically a new place. Beachside Chinese dining with cold beer is basically the holy grail for us food-wise, and they hit it. Station has quality food in a lovely spot on the Dehiwala Beach.
Where: 1/41, Wasala Road, Dehiwala
How Much: Rs.500 – 1000
Call: 011 2 715 232
EDITOR’S NOTE: We’re calling this a Top 10 because it sounds better but we actually want to include 11. So this is happening:
11. Cremalato
First off, ice cream delivery makes us happy. Cremalato is a start-up place that makes their own awesome gelato and delivers it too. It comes in great flavours like cookie, brownie and coconut.
Where: Delivery
How much: Rs. 300 – 400
Call: 72 769 63 52
So
So that’s our favorites for 2014. Colombo has gone from having the same few restaurants for decades to a new eatery opening almost every week. It’s been a pleasure to eat our way through all the creativity. Happy New Year.
