Ahimsa Vegan Cafe.

Nestled within the expansive grounds of SurfnYoga Mirissa, Ahimsa Vegan Cafe is something you might miss if you pass by the place too fast. It is not visible from the street, and the only indication of its presence is a little sign stuck up on the road, right next to other signs that say 'yoga', 'hostel', 'surf shop' and 'good vibes' (which are apparently on the house) etc. The cafe serves a range of highly creative Sri Lankan and foreign fusion food.

Drinks

Melly's Ayurvedic Spicy Coffee (Rs. 350) is perfect to have after you eat, it has a faintly Arabic vibe mixed in with a smell not unlike the waiting room of an Ayurvedic doctor's office (points for authenticity), but in a good way, full of healthy things like cardamom, fennel seeds, cinnamons, cloves and other spices we couldn't identify.

The homemade lemonade (Rs. 350) is a great choice for a light, minty appetizer, just like the green tea with lemon (Rs. 150).

Food

Stuff we couldn't identify continued to be a strong theme when it came to the food as well. But again, not even remotely in a bad way. What we were eating was phenomenal food, and would have been phenomenal even if it wasnt vegan food, but had been cooked in the same way. There were a lot of flavors, spices and textures all conspiring to create beautiful music on your tastebuds, coming together like an orchestra conducted from the little kitchen inside the container box. Sorry, I shall stop waxing creepy-lyrical and try to get to facts.

The Ahimsa Bowl (Rs. 750) had herbed and curried potatoes, beans, lettuce, all sorts of seeds, other types of herbs with some rice cooked in tumeric and some potato fritters. I went inside to complement one of the chefs on it, especially the fritters, and he dumped more onto my bowl from a freshly fried batch he had just finished.

We ordered the Sauteed Mushrooms on kadey paan (Rs. 650) (they called it Toasted Wheat/Wholewheat bread, but im putting kadey paan here just to make it clear what kind of bread it was, gone are the days when 'bread' meant kadey paan by default no?) with tumeric hummus as a choice of dip. The tumeric was a brilliant touch, and went really well with the mushrooms which were fried to an optimum balance of juicy and crunchy. There was other stuff going on like onions, chillies etc. 

A little note here in case you're wondering. There might be a lot of flavors on the food, but it is no way too spicy, as in too hot.

Dessert

Dessert of the day was chia pudding with papaya (Rs. 300). The pudding had coconut in it, as well as passion fruit, and had a nice think texture something like that of sago. Again there were a few other flavors going on in there that we couldnt identify the origins of, yet they all came together like a cricket team on a world cup winning streak.

Ambiance

The place is basically a container box, something more and more hip as a space for establishments seeking to occupy the (gradually bluntening) cutting edge of pop culture. Half of it has space for a small couch and table, while the other half functions as a kitchen, which should be cramped, but actually looks really well managed and spacious.

Thankfully customers can sit outside on the wide varendah, under the leafy trees in the huge garden, on chairs and tables made out of metal barrels (another popular recycling trend) that can be hard to move if you want to adjust them. Around us six playful dogs were fighting and gambolling about. A really nice, relaxed environment.

Conclusion

While there are places on the South Coast that offer vegan options, as far as we know, this is the only place that is exclusively vegan. I am not a vegan, but i really appreciate the creativity that goes into the preparation process. Vegan food, to be good, should probably come from a place with a lot of passion.

And there is definitely a lot of that going on here, Melly and Michael, both vegan chefs who travel around hosting vegan pop ups wherever they go, got here a few weeks ago and were talked into by Priyal, who runs SurfnYoga, to think of a more permanent establishment. They will be moving on soon though, so make it here fast if you want to try their amazing cooking. But Priyal says he has already found a replacement chef, and hopefully they will be just as good.

Share on facebook
Share on twitter
Share on whatsapp

Highlights.

Latest.

KAMU.

Marine Spice: Colombo’s Global Fusion Gem

Indulge in a culinary journey at Marine Spice, Colombo's latest Indian-inspired restaurant. Open daily from

Kamu Trending

Oktoberfest 2023 at Hilton Colombo

The oldest and by far, the most authentic of the Oktoberfest is back with a

Highlights Kamu Trending

“Delightful Vegan Feast: Savor the Flavors of Compassion and Health”

Indulge in an expertly crafted meal featuring an amazing array of fresh healthy and delicious

Highlights Kamu

Sri Lankan flavors with a Mexican Twist at Taco Shack

See here Tacos but make it Lankan? A legacy that began in the humble confines

Kamu Test

Keells : Your one-stop destination for quick meals and more

By Shamrina C In the fast-paced world we live in today, convenience is key, especially

Highlights Kamu

Exploring rich Italian Pasta and Pizza at Penne

By Sahasni Gamage Ambiance Penne Colombo offers a captivating aesthetic ambiance with soft, ambient lighting

Highlights Kamu

Trending.

Courtyard by Marriott Colombo partners with Magzter to become Sri Lanka’s first Smart Reading Hotel

With sustainability increasingly taking centre stage in the hospitality industry, hotel chains worldwide are implementing

Trending

Mount Lavinia Hotel hosted the grand Christmas tree lighting ceremony

Mount Lavinia Hotel hosted the grand Christmas tree lighting ceremony on 26th November 2023. Dignitaries,

Trending

Gary Mehigan: Celebrity Chef and Former MasterChef Australia Judge is finally here in Sri Lanka

Internationally acclaimed Celebrity Chef and former MasterChef Australia judge, Gary Mehigan, has officially arrived in

Trending

Quick Chat with Celebrity Chef Gary Mehigan

Former MasterChef Australia Judge talks about the Culinary Extravaganza awaiting in Sri Lanka! Colombo, 21st

Trending

Unveil the Enchantment of the Tropics: Festive Luxury with Minor Hotels Sri Lanka

An unparalleled host of festive celebrations and getaways await you with Minor Hotels Sri Lanka,

Trending

The most inspired Christmas Tea Gifts from t-Lounge by Dilmah.

Embracing the festive season, and just in time for your Christmas shopping, t-Lounge by Dilmah's

Highlights Trending

Yamu Guide.

“Deck the Halls: Christmas Decor Roundup”

“Top 5 Destinations for Your Christmas Shopping Spree.”   Edys.lk: Unwrap the Magic Edys.lk is

Yamu Guide

11 Reasons not to miss Daraz’s 11.11 Mega Sale!

By Shamrina Carim Are you ready for a shopping extravaganza like no other? Daraz's 11.11

Highlights Yamu Guide

Yaal Virindu – Jaffna Food Festival: A Culinary Journey of Joy

In collaboration with My Sister’s Kitchen by Thushara & Danu Innasithamby By Shamrina C Sri

Highlights Yamu Guide

Where to buy the iPhone 15 in Colombo

By Shamrina Carim If you're on the hunt for the latest iPhone 15 in Colombo,

Highlights Yamu Guide

Spotting Blue Whales in Mirissa with Chaminda Whale Watching

The whale watching tour in Mirissa Start time: 6:30am Duration: 3-5 hours depending on sightings

Highlights Yamu Guide

The Rise of Plant-Based Diets: Benefits and Challenges

By Shamrina Carim In recent years, plant-based diets have surged in popularity, drawing attention for

Highlights Yamu Guide