Rio Ice Cream. Jaffna's famous ice cream parlour, with a
truck on Marine Drive, also has a large shiny store in Negombo.
Rio holds a kitschy sort of place in Colombo hearts. With an abundance of excellent ice cream options in the city -
Il Gelato,
Carino's,
Baskin Robbins - Rio's truckload of synthetically sweetened scoops is unlikely to be your first choice. However, there's just something about Rio that everyone loves and our loyal endearment towards that cool centre of respite in the burning Jaffna heat has carried over to its Wellawatte and Negombo outlets.
In Negombo, where you have less ice creamy options (although an Il Gelato is opening up soon), Rio stands as a pleasure dome filled with cool, brightly coloured confections. After a long day on the beach, the gaudily decorated shop with its bauble-adorned ceiling and lurid lights can be surprisingly welcome. Generous, creamy scoops of sweet vanilla, drizzled with a sticky strawberry sauce lie in an icy refrigerator alongside dazzlingly violet globes of blueberry. There's a bright, poppy vibe to Rio's and its wares. The colours, bright and synthetic, pack that saccharine kick of sugar you'd expect - but again, it's surprisingly not unpleasant. While this isn't the kind of ice cream you should be eating often, it's a fun hit of sugar and childhood fairground memories packed into a stout sundae glass.
We like Rio's. There's something charming and kitschy about the place, and you should definitely stop by if you're in Negombo. While the ice cream won't have the artisinal flair of Il Gelato or Carino's, it's cheerful, feel good stuff. Well, until after you've eaten it.
TIP
Most ice creams are super affordable - huge sundaes are around Rs. 200 and normal scoops are around Rs. 80.
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Dilshani
this is a best place and worth for the money
Ram
Tried from the truck on Marine Drive. Worth the price.Tastes different, good and large scoops of ice cream.
Anyone near wellawatha must try!
Sabeena
Please note that my home telephone number has been entered into the website of Rio Ice cream Negombo. Please remove it I am being disturbed night and day.
Anonymous
Come to Negombo.
I volunteer to show you ALL the places in NEGOMBO that deserve to be reviewed. :)