Gourmet Galle, the island’s signature food festival, is set to return from 26 January to 1 February 2026 with a fresh and immersive format. Against the stunning backdrop of Sri Lanka’s southern coast, this week-long celebration promises to bring together visionary chefs, carefully crafted menus, and indulgent experiences that honour the country’s rich culinary heritage.
I never considered myself a big fan of desserts. I couldn’t care less where we went for sweets and always went along with whatever spot others picked. But these 5 places flipped a switch. Now I’m dragging friends to these specific dessert spots because they made me fall in love with sweets. Here are my top picks for desserts in Colombo. (All of these dessert preferences I’ve listed below are subjective. Just a list based on personal experiences.)
Colombo is filled with eateries, cafes, street food and star-class restaurants of mouth-watering cuisine. One among the latest entry of South Indian franchises of repute is the Erode Amman Mess (EAM), situated at Galle Road, Bambalapitiya.
For the longest time, to me, BBQ was just marinated, grilled meat with some salad on the side at a cousin’s birthday. Don’t get me wrong, those BBQ meals were amazing. But I didn’t know what BBQ was supposed to taste like until I tried real BBQ. Now I judge every BBQ place I try out based on two things: 1) Does it make me involuntarily close my eyes on first bite? 2) Would I order just for myself instead of sharing? The answer is yes and yes for
How do our food experts cook and eat? This week, Shehana – the founder of Curry O’ Clock, bringing Sri Lankan flavours to the Netherlands, takes our Q&A!
Chocoholics was founded with the aim of introducing world-class chocolate to Sri Lanka. With four different outlets, premium Belgian chocolate is now within reach for anyone in the country. Amidst the bustling street of Duplication Road lies one of their largest branches. Here, we were greeted and served by friendly and hardworking staff.
I didn’t choose the brunch life. The brunch life chose me. But there was a time when I used to stress about picking a good brunch spot to eat. Those days are over. After countless mediocre meals and a few truly transcendent ones, I’ve cracked the code. These are the places that never let me down, the five spots I return to when I want to guarantee good food and good vibes.
How do our food experts cook & eat? This week, chef Sudeera – the man behind the famous Lost Flavours of Ceylon series, takes our Q&A!
Let me start by saying this ‘I’m not a food critic’, just someone who really, really loves dumplings. After years of spontaneous dumpling hunting, I’ve formed some strong, very personal opinions on where to find the best ones. Taste is subjective, of course. But if you’re craving delicious dumplings, maybe you can start with these. Here are my totally biased, completely unsponsored top five picks.
Aqua Pazza may be relatively new to Colombo’s restaurant scene, but it walks in with the quiet confidence of a place that knows exactly who it is. The interiors are sleek and sculptural, with warm lighting, curved European furniture, and tableware so chic I found myself running my fingers along the bread basket. It’s modern, yes, but never sterile. The kind of space where you want to linger, preferably with good company and a lot of food. Fun fac
Behind the viral TikToks, the smoky jungle grills, and the clay pots bubbling with spice, there’s a young man who’s not just cooking—he’s storytelling. He’s wild, yes—but also wonderfully grounded, ridiculously humble, and very much a family guy. And maybe that’sthe real secret ingredient behind the brilliance of his food.
In 2020, while the world was locked down, one Sri Lankan IT professional discovered an unexpected passion—decorated cookies. What started as a lockdown experiment became Tutu’s Kookies, a brilliant cookie business blending art, flavour, and serious tech-like precision. We sat down with the founder to chat about his unexpected and delicious career pivot.
As the iconic London Grill at Cinnamon Grand Colombo marks its golden jubilee, it isn’t just a celebration of five decades of fine dining—it’s the beginning of an exciting new era. Kicking off the 50-year milestone in true style is internationally acclaimed chef Phillip Davenport, known for his bold fusion of global flavours and precision-led technique.
If you have settled into knowing The Chinwag as one of Colombo’s best hole-in-the-wall joints for juicy, flavour-packed dumplings (I’m thinking of you, Thai-style creamy curried prawn dumplings), they have surprised their customers by leaning into the Sri Lankan fusion side of their menu with an All-You-Can-Eat Curry Night.
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.
How do our food experts cook and eat? This week, food blogger of @synamonstick, Sarangi, takes our Q&A!
Celebrated chef-restaurateur Dharshan Munidasa brings his world-renowned Ministry of Crab to Melbourne, marking its 10th international location. The journey began with a pop-up at Crown Melbourne, which sparked a deeper collaboration with local Sri Lankan restaurateurs Harsha Kumarasingha and Jayantha Warnakula. That union led to something far more permanent: a vibrant new home on Flinders Lane. Set among Melbourne’s most exciting culinary addres
Sri Lanka’s highest restaurant, Blue Orbit offers diners a sky-high, one-of-a-kind dining experience at an elevation of 750 feet above ground. The first and only revolving restaurant in the country, Blue Orbit is located at the 26th floor of the Lotus Tower – the tallest structure in South Asia.
Barbeque Nation, one of Asia’s most celebrated and pioneering casual dining chains, officially made its Sri Lankan debut with the opening of its first-ever outlet at Level 2 of Colombo City Centre. Making Sri Lanka the fifth country outside of India in its expansive range of 200 plus outlets in India, UAE, Malaysia and Oman, the launch had former Sri Lankan Skipper Aravinda de Silva as chief guest. This launch marks a significant milestone in th
Tucked inside the historic Dutch Hospital, Ceylon Curry Club has become one of Colombo’s go-to restaurants for Sri Lankan cuisine with a refined, contemporary twist. A member of the Citrus Group, the restaurant first opened its doors back in 2021 and is known for their ability to bring local flavours and traditional cooking styles to the table with a modern take. More recently, the restaurant made headlines for being invited (for the second time,
At just 21 years old, Nitara Fernando has already carved a niche in Colombo’s bustling café scene with The Daily Bread by Nitara, a cosy spot on 5th Lane known for its heartwarming comfort food. What began as a humble online venture during the pandemic in 2020 has blossomed into a thriving café, where signature dishes like her family’s beloved beef lasagna and decadent double chocolate brownies keep customers coming back for more.
Some chefs train in culinary schools. Others learn through years of apprenticeships in professional kitchens. And then there are those, like Mansa, who absorb the craft by simply watching, by standing at the elbow of someone who knows food in a way that can’t be taught.
Colombo’s restaurant and nightlife scene just got an exciting new addition with the launch of Chill Colombo, an upscale restaurant, bar, and café located at The Mall at Port City Colombo. This two-storey restaurant brings a fresh energy to the city, offering an elevated culinary and nightlife experience, blending local and international flavours in an atmosphere of contemporary elegance.
How do our food experts cook & eat? This week, the founder of Calorie Counter, celebrating its 10th year anniversary, Duaine Peiris takes our Q&A!
A slice of Bali arrives in Colombo as Hilton Colombo Residencies hosts its Balinese Food Festival from 7 to 21 February 2025 to journey to the heart of Bali. The Festival, curated by Chefs Ed and Ray from Hilton Bali Resort, is an exclusive buffet that showcases the bold, vibrant and aromatic flavours of Balinese cuisine with slow-cooked stews, grilled meats, indulgent desserts and free-flow of house cocktails and mocktails.
Sitting down with Yu Mei Kumarasinghe, I was immediately drawn to the sight of her expertly folding delicate sheets of dough with practised ease. Each fold and each pinch spoke of passion, patience, and years of experience. As the owner of Mei’s Jiaozi, Yu Mei has built a reputation for bringing dumplings to life, leaving a lasting impression on her customers. As the dumplings gently simmered in the water, she shared the story of how it all began
Award-winning TV chef and broadcaster Andi Oliver has enjoyed a rich and varied career rooted in food and music. She has been a judge, contributor, and presenter on various BBC food programmes. Andi first rose to fame in 1981 as the frontwoman of the band Rip Rig and Panic alongside Neneh Cherry. She later hosted numerous TV music shows, festivals, and programmes, performing at prestigious venues such as The Royal Albert Hall and the West End.
There’s something about Kandy’s crisp evening air that makes a good meal even better. Maybe it’s the mist rolling over the hills, the cool breeze carrying the scent of rain, or just the way the city slows down after dusk. Either way, Hideout Lounge Kandy proved to be the perfect place to settle in for a night of good food, great company, and a little indulgence.
Born in Kenya to Indian parents, Ravinder Bhogal is an award-winning journalist, author, chef and restaurateur. Ravinder’s acclaimed restaurant, Jikoni, in Marylebone, is inspired by her mixed heritage, and the UK’s diverse immigrant culture. Her ‘no borders kitchen’ celebrates the narrative of those who have the ache for what they left behind, yet wonder about their new landscape.
This January, Hilton Colombo’s Graze Kitchen kicks off the year with a ‘Timeless Taste of India’ where guests are invited to indulge in India’s vibrant and diverse flavours at its exclusive showcase of Indian cuisine at the buffet, available every day until 19th January 2025.
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