The Portuguese called it Ilha das Vacas, the Dutch called it Delft, and the locals call it Neduntivu. Located in the Palk Strait, southwest of Jaffna, Delft is a relatively undiscovered tourist…
Jade Restaurant has been around for a few years now. Serving up a range of delicious Sri Lankanized Chinese fare, their menu is all improved and affordable.
Ridi Vihara means silver temple. It was built by King Dutugemunu on the site of a great silver ore deposit. That silver was used for the Ruwanwelisaya stupa in Anuradhapura, but the temple here is…
Buba Restaurant and Beach Club is one of Colombo's older beach hangouts. They've got pretty secluded part of Mt.Lavinia beach to themselves, seafood is decent plus its mostly BYOB ;).
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…
The ultimate Colombo street sweet.
There is a coastal road from Colombo to Negombo which, while not especially fast, is really quite scenic and worth a drive. It begins as you take the bridge out of Mattakuliya and proceed along the…
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…
Paradise Road is a vital if expensive shop for tourists, expats and well-heeled locals alike. They have a great selection of candles, textiles, cutlery, home furnishings, statues, preserves, etc.
Uyana is a little shop of Lauries Road which is somewhat randomly open. You can't buy any of the cool stuff (CDs, pipes, fake Rolex watches) but they do sell a good selection of rolling papers and…
Barefoot Cafe is the best place to hang out in Colombo. It's a chilled place to meet or make friends, see art, hear music, eat good food and drink affordable beer.
Located in the outskirts of Colombo, Attidiya Bird Sanctuary is a small land (may be the only place near Colombo) for the birds and other animals to take refuge in. I was surprised at the biodiversity which…
An old favourite, Wijaya Beach continues to serve up fresh seafood, excellent pizza and a sun-dappled ocean view.
Min Han (or Ming Han) is one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. It's cheap, super tasty and the waiter Wijapayala orders for you.
Once you get there (following our tips), the experience is awesome. Not to be missed. Nothing beats a tense Sri Lanka cricket game, and the show is good even when Sri Lanka isn't playing.
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…
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.
Royal Thai is a great celebratory option. With delicious food and impeccable service, it's definitely one of Colombo's reigning dining royalty.
The Gallery Cafe is one of those perpetually hip spots in Colombo. The ambience is one of a kind and the food is consistently good, but it will leave a dent in your wallet.
One of the best views anywhere in the city or the region, in an incredibly under-rated colonial property.
