100/10, Independence Avenue, Colombo 7
Open until 11:30 PM
Agra is another one of those rare fine dining Indian restaurants in Colombo. They're not cheap but we think their food is definitely worth the price.
Tucked in next to Independence Square, stepping into Agra is a lot like stepping into an Indian fairytale — at least in terms of ambience. Dimly lit with oriental music, Agra is a North Indian restaurant with pretty solid (albeit expensive) food.
Comprising of a large dining area which could easily host a large gathering, you get compartmentalized seating areas which are perfect for a cosy family meal, or even date night. It's actually dark, with warm yellow lighting and good airconditioning.
The waitstaff leaves you well alone (it's a bit hard to get their attention if they're not around, and there aren't many around), and are friendly, efficient, and helpful. There's plenty of privacy, especially during weekday lunch hours.
With a decidedly North Indian menu, the options vary between vegetarian, non-vegetarian, soups, naans and the likes. We opted for some classics — Butter Naan with a Chicken Hyderabadi curry, and a Mutton Biryani. Prices are quite steep with one naan clocking in at Rs. 250 and the chicken curry being Rs. 975. The biryani was Rs. 1,575.
Before that though, we started off with a jinga aur nimbu shorba (Rs. 575), which is a mouthful of a name for a soup with prawn, lemongrass and ginger. The aroma wafting off this was heavenly. It packed a punch too, what with the spices going beautifully together. It wasn't overpowering, nor did it have too much heat: it was just flavoursome. Plus there was a rather large portion of prawns swimming at the bottom too.
You'd never think that creamed spinach could ever taste that good until you try the Chicken Hyderabadi. Immensely flavoursome, don't let the green tint of the dish put you off regardless of how disturbing it is to see a meat dish look like a vegetable curry.
The naans complemented it, but they didn't justify the price tag.
Given how we loved the soup and the chicken, we were expecting great things of the mutton biryani. Alas, reality fell dramatically short of our expectations as the biryani wasn't fragrant, moist, flavoursome or anything that a biryani is supposed to be. Also, the mutton bits in it were dry and lacked flavour.
We got a Sweet Lassi (Rs. 550) and Masala Tea (Rs. 250) to assuage our thirst. The tea had a nice cardamommy flavour going on, but was vastly improved after adding a small dash of sugar. Also, there's enough tea in the pot for three cups, so we think that's pretty good value for money.
The Sweet Lassi on the other hand, was intensely sweet but very creamy and satisfying.
We really enjoyed our meal here, except for the biryani which was a let down. It's a great place for a quiet meeting (really quiet, given that we were the only diners there) or a date, except for when you want to get the waitstaff's attention because they tend to not be around when you need them. Add to that, the taxes and service charges are pretty high, so keep that in mind when you're ordering. Our total came to nealry 6000 rupees, which is a lot for what we had.
Agra is a North Indian restaurant with pretty solid (albeit expensive) food.
Agra is another one of those rare fine dining Indian restaurants in Colombo. They're not cheap but we think their food is definitely worth the price.
සිංහල කොළඹ නියම ඉන්දියන් රෙස්ටුරන්ට් හොයාගන්න ටිකක් විතර අමාරුයි. හැබැයි ඒ තියෙන කිහිපයෙන් එකක් තමයි අග්රා කියන්නේ.
Open until 11:30 PM
Cuisine
Price Range
Dish Types
Ratings Breakdown
5/5
One of the best places to have an Awesome Chicken Biriyani. It was just amazing
Good ambience and food but the prices are outrageously expensive for what's ordered. Ended up paying 2.5k per head for 2 mains and 2 veggie sides plus mineral water and a drink which by anyone's standards is a little on the steep side. I think maharaja offers the same if not better fare for a more reasonable price.
Went to Agra at the beginning of this month. Service was so horrible. It took them 10 minutes to notice us, even though we had made reservations ahead of time, and then it took more than 10 minutes to even look in our direction to take our order. We had gone there to celebrate a special occasion, and were disappointed, really, really disappointed, so we walked out. I will never go there again. Their service should be up to scratch since they charge so much.
One of the horrible place that i ever been. Poor service, very very high price (add around 10% tax for the final bill), poor food. nothing to say any positive thing. Never go there… only disappointment will remain…
Dear Agra, On July 10th I came here for my birthday dinner, despite everyone insisting we go to a fancier restaurant. I decided to go to Agra because as a frequent diner I know the food is good, and the best indian you can get in Colombo. However, on the 10th, we were so very disappointed with our meal and overall experience. To begin with, our usually very good waiter was in a terrible mood, and on that day the service was extremely poor. Drinks we ordered were not served for about 30 mins… until we called for it, and then they brought it. It was ready and waiting… The starters were not brought out initially, but with the main meal. When the food was brought out, it was served as if it was a huge inconvenience for the waiter, who was extremely grumpy… We asked him and another waiter for onion etc which was accepted but then ignored. It was the AMAZING door-man, whose name I couldn't get, who got it for us immediately, despite it not being his job. The food was atrocious. 1. The biriyani had no taste. 2. The Romali Rotti was cold 3. The naan was very crispy… and also cold 4. The Chicken Tikka Masala was just brown pasty curry… there was no onion no taste. it was terrible… 5. The Bindi dish, which I usually love, was also lacking in any taste. It is usually SO NICE, and I know this because I order it every single time i go there. Overall the food and the service was terrible. It used to the only reliable place in Colombo for good Indian food, but I believe they are having staff/management issues. The chef has definitely changed, and for the tasteless shit you now get, it is a total waste of money.
1/5
Niloo D
It's an absolute rip off. A meal for 8 pax was rs 35,000. The waiters add their own dishes to our order n refuse to refund. #agra Colombo
2/5
ASHANIJ
Rated 2/5
5/5
Hanzala_Samat
One of the best places to have an Awesome Chicken Biriyani. It was just amazing