By Rihaab Mowlana / Pics - Nisal Baduge

The Restaurant That Finally Put an End to My Steak Era of Suffering

Colombo has tested me in many ways, but nothing bruised my spirit quite like the hunt for a decent steak. I spent years searching for a place that could give me a cut of meat that did not demand upper-body strength. Every few months, I would try a new restaurant, walk in with optimism, and walk out with a sore arm and a mood that needed recovery time. I slowly accepted the possibility that maybe this city simply was not built for great steak. I even considered adjusting my expectations and settling for good enough. Maybe Colombo was not meant to be a steak city. Then I walked into Belle Colombo and realised the city was simply holding out on me.

I start with the Mushroom and Truffle Soup. It is creamy and earthy and carries the aroma of truffle in a way that feels confident but not showy. It has the voice of someone who knows what they are doing. The Seared Tuna Tataki continues this quiet charm. The slices are tender and glossy and sit on cucumber, edamame, and greens that feel bright and fresh. The ginger sesame dressing gives it a lift that makes you pay attention. The Brie and Walnut Salad follows with creamy Brie, toasted walnuts, crisp beans and pear and cherry tomatoes, all brought to life with a sharp passion fruit vinaigrette. It feels familiar but dressed up nicely.

Then come the Crispy Stuffed Boneless Wings, which deserve awards and applause. They are crisp on the outside and filled with a smooth mousse that melts in the mouth. The gochujang glaze hits that perfect point where sweet meets spicy, and suddenly you realise you have already planned your next visit.

But everything before this is just the opening act because Belle Colombo is a steakhouse at heart. A real one. A confident one. A place that finally made me stop bracing myself before cutting into a piece of meat.

I ordered all three of my steaks medium rare, and for the first time in my entire steak-eating life in Sri Lanka, I did not have to send anything back for being overdone. I tried the US Prime Sirloin, the Brazilian Rib Eye and the Australian Filet Mignon because restraint is unnecessary when you find a restaurant that treats meat with respect. The US Prime Sirloin is bold and juicy, and full of character. The mushroom sauce works with it rather than smothering it. The Brazilian rib-eye has a richer, slightly gamier flavour, and the marbling makes every bite feel warm and indulgent. The Australian Filet Mignon is the softest of the three, with a delicacy that actually made me stop talking mid-sentence. Each steak is aged properly and flame-seared with intention. You can feel it in the tenderness, and you can taste it in the depth of flavour. For once in Colombo, the knife glides instead of fights.

And this is where Belle Colombo separates itself from the rest. The quality of the meat is not an accident. It is not a lucky shipment or a one-off good day in the kitchen. It is the result of someone who knows exactly what he is sourcing and exactly how he wants it treated. Oshan Raju built his career on supplying premium meats to five-star hotels and high-end restaurants through Maybury Fine Foods and O-deli Gourmet Store. He understands air freight timing, fat ratios, ageing periods and the tiny differences between corn fed, grain-fed fed and grass-fed. Belle Colombo is his first restaurant, and you can taste years of that expertise in every cut. The freshness, the flavour, the texture, all of it reflects someone who knows his meats down to their stories of origin. The kitchen is also open to preparing dishes that are not on the menu, which is a rare luxury in Colombo, although you should give them at least a day’s notice so they can do it properly.

The add-ons are solid. The Truffle Mash is the standout with its silky finish and deserves its own round of applause. It is unbelievably smooth with a buttery richness that carries the perfume of truffle in a way that feels luxurious but never heavy. It is the kind of side dish you keep returning to long after you promised yourself you were done. The Steak Fries and Tangy Corn Ribs do their job well. The sauces are a whole world of their own with classics, European-inspired flavours and global influences. The team guides you through the options, and the suggestions feel considered rather than automatic. 

If you lean plant forward or simply want something that holds its own next to the meat, the Harissa Roasted Cauliflower Steak deserves attention. It arrives as a thick cut slab of cauliflower roasted until the edges caramelise and the centre turns silky. The smoky harissa sits beautifully against the coconut turmeric emulsion, and the apricot and nut dukkah adds sweetness and crunch. The cilantro oil brings colour and freshness, and the greens on the side keep everything bright. You can add grilled chicken or seared prawns if you want a protein boost, but I had it as it was, and it felt complete. It is one of those dishes that reminds you that vegetables can be just as dramatic as meat when a kitchen knows how to treat them.

The Burger is dramatic and unapologetic. The gourmet patty sits with aged cheddar, truffle aioli, balsamic onion jam and onion rings. The bezel bun holds everything firmly, and the rocket leaves give a peppery lift that balances the richness. It is messy and beautiful and completely worth it. The team is also introducing a new lineup of gourmet burgers very soon, and I am already excited to go back and try them because if this first one is any indication, Colombo is about to get something special. 

Dessert seals the deal. The Midnight Mocha Tiramisu has the perfect balance of espresso-soaked sponge and mascarpone. The La Belle Basque cheesecake arrives with a caramelised top that cracks gently and a creamy centre that settles softly on the palate.

Everything here is halal, and the restaurant does not serve pork. More importantly, everything here feels thoughtful. Nothing is careless. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is done for the sake of performance.

Belle Colombo also hosts a Chef’s Table series that offers an intimate, curated dining experience where the kitchen gets to show off its technique and creativity. It is the kind of experience that makes you appreciate how much discipline and imagination go into every plate.

Belle Colombo did not just give me a steak I liked. It gave me a steak I trusted. It gave me a restaurant that understands flavour and respects ingredients and never forgets the diner. It gave me closure after years of disappointment, and honestly, that feels like the biggest win of all.