The Supun Arcade on Galle Road is probably Colombo's cleanest and emptiest mall. It's actually eerie because the stores are fully stocked, computers, phones and (inexplicably) Chinese vases on the first floor;…
While it's not quite as charming as Maradana's second hand strip it's much better laid out and the books seems to be curated- classics at the back, pulp and pop towards the front and a box of…
Gandhara is more a high-end decor empire than a shop. Along with its off shoots and affiliates the store occupies an entire swathe of Stratfrod Avenue. Inside the many-floored, several-roomed…
If you ever need a giant calculator, or something more ordinary like blank CDs or printer cartridges, Unik Creations in Unity Plaza is a decent place. It's not necessarily cheap - a huge calculator costs Rs.…
Its a bit of a lucky a dip but sift through the dusty collections for long enough ask the enthusiastic vendors enough questions and after 30 mins scouring you're sure to find something you like.
The K-9 is, I think, Colombo's only attempt at a comprehensive pet store. They sell a whole bunch of pet related products like cages, leashes, chew toys, and, strangely, adult diapers (?). You…
For high-end but not unaffordable Sarees check out Aashkii. There are also dresses and random bits of home-wear available in the split level premise on top of Maitland Crescent though these…
The Full Stop has the highest quality stationery in Colombo, at the highest price. If you want regular paper or a few pens and exercise books, your local stationer or someplace like Sarasavi is…
A few minutes of browsing in Melache you'll see that local labels are no longer a laughing matter. There are some really lovely pieces in this shop and they are very well priced. Original and handmade creations…
Victorias Wines is clearly a posh place to buy your booze. This isn't where we'd go for the weekly Lion run, but if you want to buy a special gift or if you've got some rupee, this is good.
What does the inside of an Internet business look like? If you visit the office of BuyOnline.lk you can see. BuyOnline is a decent looking website that sells tablets, computers, cameras, etc.
Video International is the gold (or blue) standard for DVDs in Colombo. They have a good selection of foreign films in high quality, including Blu-Ray.
The Lover is a hugely popular local shop, selling an abundance of plastic and shiny jewelled goods. Earrings, bracelets, rings, phone bling, handbags, shoes...you name it. And they have over 50 branches across…
Anusha Handicrafts, outside Kollupitiya Market by Liberty Junction, is an odd place and something of an overwhelming experience, crammed as it is from floor to ceiling with teetering piles…
The Tree of Art, an almost unnoticeable little store selling a random collection of Barefoot/Paradise Road type items - ie. incense holders, candles, boxes, brass pots, etc. It's a sweet…
The Nelum Pokuna Art Street is Colombo's only or at least oldest 'street art' space: a long pavement stretch of paintings by local artists, opposite Viharamahadevi Park, frequented by art enthusiasts…
If you're ever at the Borella junction (Baseline and Cotta Road) you'll see the stairs leading down. These steps lead pedestrians under and across the road and have, over time, became home to a fair…
In the most unlikely place- a row of shabby kades on the turn off just before the Rowing Club, is the most magical little shop. Hewage’s Jewellers is the sort of shop…
Srina Palace is an unlikely little trove of treasures tucked away in various parts of the city. And it's one of those places, like House of Fashion, that's almost as heavily frequented by Colomboites as it…
The Cargills Food City on Staple Street is one of the city's best supermarkets. It was the chain's first outlet, and has been around since 1983. It's large and offers a wider variety of…
Ramani’s is a nice place and a good salon. It won't give you for money, but they're reliable and probably won’t ruin your hair. The staff – at the Nugegoda branch at least – are…
Chapters has a decent range of books, mostly fantasy and illustration, but what we really love about this bookshop is it's so much more than a store.
So where do you go to buy affordable cashew? Well, cashew isn't ever going to be cheap. But apparently the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation (SLCC) sells them at subsidised rates.
