By Panchali Illankoon

As a travel consultant of 10 years, Naura Aufer has journeyed across the world, but there’s something about Turkey that always draws her back- the warm Turkish hospitality, the blend of the East and West, the history and culture and of course, the utterly delightful Turkish cuisine. 

Back in Colombo, she found herself asking where she could enjoy a cup of Turkish coffee or a spicy Sujuk. The answer was nowhere. Colombo, for all its endless dining enthusiasm, had somehow missed the boat on authentic Turkish cuisine. 

So, Naura opened Chayhane, a Turkish café tucked neatly into a spaciously converted garage in 27th Lane, Inner Flower Road. The name Chayhane originates from the Turkish word “çayhane” and means ‘A Room for Tea’, symbolizing a welcoming space for connection and relaxation, which is exactly what the café in Colombo seeks to be. 

A seasoned travel consultant and mother, Naura built Chayhane from the ground up, designing the space herself, curating the menu, and running the café. In an otherwise busy road, Chayhane remains secluded and private with brick partitions, mosaic tiling, mirror walls and rugs imported from Tukey with indoor-outdoor seating for whichever mood takes you. As a cozy café and a family dining space, Chayhane is meant to feel like a private, calming escape, and it succeeds. 

DRINKS

The drinks menu at Chayhane has a familiar lineup of hot and cold coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, as well as a juice bar for those who want something fresh and refreshing. But the real stars here, and what you may as well try if you made the trip to a Turkish café, are the authentic Turkish Coffee and Tea. 

Turkish Coffee is not just a beverage; it’s an experience. Brewed slowly over low heat in a ‘cezve’ (a small, long handled pot specifically designed to make Turkish coffee), the coffee is thick, dark and rich with a slightly gritty taste. It’s a bold drink, one we enjoyed with a side of their house-made Turkish delight on the side to balance the bitter with the sweet. 

FOOD 

The menu is authentically Turkish and in general, unfamiliar for the most part (how exciting!). Familiar words such as Shakshuka, Falafel and Kebab Skewers jump out amidst dishes with names the likes of Tantuni, Sujuk, Pogaca and Kaskaval.  You can either discreetly google your way through the menu or ask the staff, who make excellent recommendations. 

We began with the viral Anna Paul Turkish Pasta dish, one of the popular dishes at Chayhane as most know it as the ‘Viral Anna Paul Recipe’ on TikTok. It’s a pasta made with spiced ground beef or chicken served with a garlic labneh and chilly butter drizzle. It’s a simple dish, elevated by the seasoning of the ground meat and garlic yoghurt. 

The Beef Arayes (a.k.a meat stuffed pita pockets) was delicious. Tender, Turkish spice-marinated beef tucked into soft, pillowy house-made grilled pita bread pockets served with crispy fries and a fresh salad, it was the kind of dish you eat at lunch and still daydream about at dinner. 

The (only) dish I could confidently order off the menu was their Shakshuka which Naura recommended we try with the authentic Turkish beef Sujuk. Sujuk is a dry, heavily spiced and cured sausage that has a bold flavour due to the garlic and spices. Added to Shakshuka, the result is a hearty and soulful dish that we mopped up with pita bread. 

We also recommend trying out some of their add-on’s such as their Pogaca bread, flaky potato Börek, Kashkaval cheese and fresh simit bread just for the experience of trying something new. 

For dessert, Chayhane has their own Turkish Delight, Tahini Halva, Baklava, Kunafeh and Pistachio cream desserts. We tried their Basque Cheesecake with Pistachio Cream which was luxuriously rich as both the cheesecake and the pistachio cream topping was dense and indulgent. 

OVERALL

Overall, we thought that in a city that likes to think it’s seen and tasted it all, Chayhane offers something confidently new and different to the gastronomy scene in Colombo. It’s a great spot for a hearty meal or a chat over coffee and dessert. 

Address: 27th Lane, Inner Flower Rd, Colombo 00300
Contact: 074 142 8667
Opening Hours: 11AM-11PM 

Pictures by Pradeep Dilrukshana