Tipped to be Sri Lanka’s dining capital Colombo is home to not only the country’s finest restaurants but also some of its most eclectic eateries. With new restaurants mushrooming with each passing year finding the best dining hubs in the bustling metropolis can seem daunting to the uninitiated. Whether you are stopping by for a quick shopping spree of spending a week in the sunny capital here are some not-to -miss highlights in Colombo’s restaurant scene.

 

SCARLET ROOM at Colombo Courtyard

Image Credit: Colombo Courtyard

1. Stay in a Convenient Base Hotel

 

The best way to experience the finest dining venues in the Sri Lankan capital is to base oneself in a resort or hotel in the heart of the city. The best restaurants in Colombo are concentrated in and around Galle Road and Colpetty and rests in the immediate vicinity offer visitors not only easy access to some of the top eateries in town but short commute times as well. Whether you are based at the Colombo Courtyard city hotel or a seaside hotel in Mt.Lavinia will have a big impact on the variety of restaurants you can wine and dine in as the types of eateries in each precinct are distinctly different. If you are uncertain of the location of your hotel regard its placement in the city map with popular restaurant rating sites in the country so as to gauge the distance to the best restaurants in Colombo.

 

2. Hit the Local Cuisine Hotspots

 

Some of Colombo’s most coveted restaurants include those that serve authentic Sri Lankan cuisine or local favourites with a modernist twist. Among these, The Gallery Cafe is popular among locals and expats not only for its charming interiors designed by Geoffrey Bawa but also the variety of local dishes on its eclectic menu. The venue’s Kankun sauté and prawn curry are big hits while the Curry Leaf also offers its own brand of Sri Lankan fare with its crispy hoppers, spicy kottu roti and string hoppers.

 

3. Explore Colombo’s Take on International Fare

 

Next up explore the city’s take on continental and contemporary international fare at Italian restaurants the likes of the Scarlet Room. With world renowned Chef Jean Pierre at the helm, the romantic setting of the Scarlet Room makes it ideal for couples and young travellers in search of an elegant dining venue. The restaurant is best known for its scrumptious dessert selections while Grape Expectations is arguably the best wine bar and tapas hub in town. Don’t forget to try the Spanish appetisers and cocktails at the locale which is known for its extensive collection of vintages. Fans of Swiss cuisine, on the other hand, can head to Colombo’s premier Swiss restaurant Chesa Swiss for some fondue and other Alpine favourites.

 

4. Don’t Forget the Seafood Hubs

 

Seafood lovers will not be disappointed with the speciality seafood restaurants littering Colombo as the island nation’s finest seafood joints are also found in the city. Beach Wadiya is a firm favourite among Colombo’s seafood lovers and is a veritable institution frequented by members of England’s royal family no less.

 

5. Scour the Café Scene

 

Colombo’s café scene has much to write home about with a wide range of interesting and engaging food hubs popping up each year. The Cricket Club Café maybe one of the oldest in the city but it is also one of the most visited lunch and dinner hotspots in the city. With cricket paraphernalia littering its confines this well-known sports club is not only for fans of the gentleman’s game but foodies from around the world. Whight & Co. is another fantastic café in the capital overlooking the beach. The menu is complete with bistro and café staples as well as a variety of freshly brewed coffee beverages.