BreadTalk. We've been there a few times. And on every visit I'm strangely drawn to the polished, round buns, the cheesy breads, the flaky danishes - and each time, I come away disappointed - like a…
The Barnesbury is another cafe in Colombo. They've got a lovely garden out back, interesting London themed decor and they do an ordinary range of generic Western dishes.
Not just the city's best Japanese restaurant, but one of the city's most seminal eateries, full stop.
Colombo's fine dining Japanese restaurant Nihonbashi has recently turned their outdoor dining section into a 'Yakitori Garden' - a small, bamboo-framed nook serving skewered, charcoal-grilled entrails out in…
Palmyrah has long been one of the best places in the city for Sri Lankan food. They've expanded well into Western and Indian too, the food is great, and it's also a comfy, quiet, chilled space to dine at.…
Gerard Mendis Chocolatier is a fancy chocolate manufacturer on Horton Place that also offers a range of other desserts. While they charge a premium for their bite-sized chocolates, we found very…
Any tour of city's art-spaces must begin or end at the Barefoot Gallery. Under different names this space - a large, bright, high ceilinged room to the right of the rear entrance to the Barefoot…
7 Degrees North at Cinnamon Lakeside is actually one of the older bars in town now. Their location by the Beira still makes for a great place to chill, and we like the fact…
Urban Kitchen is one of the city's newer dining halls. Located right next to Arpico, the lovely, large room serves a variety of cuisines from around the globe.
The Odel store near Townhall is pretty well known now, mostly to Colombo's high-end shopaholics. Their brand is a household name (if your house is in Colombo 7) and you can get top quality clothes,…
Toby's Estate in Mount Lavinia is a very cosy hangout that serves okay-food that's a little on the pricey side - this international franchise is still best known in Colombo as a coffee stop rather…
At the start, Coco Verandah was a huge hit amongst the local scene. They've steadily declined in terms of quality over time, though.
Java Lounge in Jawatta has become our go to spot for casual meetings or we just want to grab a quick coffee. They've got an accessible location, some surprisingly good pasta dishes and coffee that hits…
It’s called the swimming club, so this ought to be a good place for a swim - and it is. Apart from splashing it out in the pool, you can also dive into their excellent club-level food.
168 Sea Food Palace is a veteran among Chinese eateries in Colombo and is still hugely popular among locals. They do a decent take on Sri Lankan Chinese with efficient, but the place looks quite run…
Coffee Bean's prices are still atrocious, but somehow they've managed to stay consistent with the quality of their drinks. Strange, but true.
The Galle Face Hotel is one of Colombo's oldest, best known hotels, established in 1864. Over the years it's provided food and shelter to many a revered name: Yuri Gagarin, John D. Rockefeller, Prince Phillip…
The Heladiv Tea Club does a relatively affordable range of tasty waffles, sandwiches and teas at the Dutch Hospital. You can also get a decent bottle of wine here for just Rs. 2000.
The Bavarian has been around for ages, and is still hugely popular. Change can be a good thing but sometimes when you're doing something right, you should stick to it, and that's exactly what…
Park Street Mews Restaurant is one of those select few that have managed to remain relevant and maintain high standards throughout the years. They haven't changed much at all, but we're fine with that…
Commons is one of Colombo's most popular hangout spots. They've got a great location on flower road and a relaxed atmosphere. Its expansive menu means your spoilt for choice but quality varies depending…
Tiny little cafe with excellent froyo and plenty sandwiches, juices, smoothies, coffee and tea. Roast paan is on point.
La Rambla is a pleasant little restaurant tucked away down Hotel Road in Mount Lavinia. If you're looking for a quiet, private meal with good food and quick service, this is one we'd recommend. They…
Ministry of Crab is a high-end restaurant on Dutch Hospital premises that specializes in crab cuisine - the food is just plain mouth-watering and the service is good.
