Located in the heart of TRX, Café Colombo offers an immersive dining experience that celebrates Sri Lanka’s vibrant culinary history. The café blends colonial elegance with modern charm, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that sets the stage for a feast of authentic Sri Lankan flavors.
Café Colombo’s menu is a tribute to the island’s diverse cultural influences, showcasing traditional Sri Lankan dishes alongside unique culinary imprints from Portuguese, South Indian, Chinese, and Indonesian settlers. This fusion of cultures is expertly curated by Chef Eranga, who draws inspiration from his own heritage and the cherished memories of cooking alongside his grandmother and mother. His passion for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine shines through in every dish, with a careful balance of spices and herbs that evoke the island’s rich flavors.
Café Colombo’s offerings are not just meals; they are stories of a land where diverse cultures converged, leaving behind a unique and flavorful legacy. Whether you’re a seasoned lover of Sri Lankan cuisine or new to its flavors, Café Colombo promises an unforgettable dining experience that will leave you craving more.
Starting the meal with a twist, the Tacos Pulled Crab is a fusion dish that marries traditional Sri Lankan flavors with a modern taco presentation. The crab was fresh and tender, perfectly seasoned with a mix of spices that highlighted the natural sweetness of the seafood. The soft taco shell provided a delightful contrast, making each bite a burst of flavor. The Cashew Curry offered a milder option, featuring tender carrots and creamy cashew nuts in a mild coconut curry. The dish was delicate and fragrant, with the cashews adding a lovely texture and the coconut curry providing a soothing, creamy backdrop that was incredibly comforting. Next up were the Vegetable Cutlets, a crispy treat served with a tangy tomato-chilli dip. The cutlets were golden brown on the outside, revealing a soft, spiced vegetable filling that was both hearty and satisfying. The dip added a nice kick, complementing the subtle flavors of the cutlets without overpowering them.
Moving on to the mains, the Prawn Curry was a true representation of Negombo-style cooking. The prawns were cooked to perfection, infused with a medley of aromatic spices that created a rich and flavorful curry. The sauce had a velvety texture, perfect for soaking up with a side of rice or roti. For those who love a bit of heat, the Jaffna Curry Mud Crab is a must-try. The mud crab was generously portioned, with its sweet, succulent meat bathed in a fiery Jaffna curry. The spice level was bold but balanced, making it an exhilarating dish for adventurous palates. The Kochchi Chicken was a standout, with its creamy and smoky flavor profile. The chicken chunks were tender and juicy, coated in a rich sauce that had just the right amount of spice. The curry leaf chutney on the side was a delightful accompaniment, adding an earthy note that enhanced the dish’s overall depth.
The Briyani Chicken was a fragrant, flavorful affair, with perfectly cooked basmati rice layered with tender pieces of chicken and a medley of spices. Each bite was a harmonious blend of flavors, with the spiced chicken adding depth to the aromatic rice. It’s a dish that embodies the essence of Sri Lankan biryani. Available only on weekends, the Lamprais is a traditional Sri Lankan delicacy that is well worth the wait. A mixture of meat and curry wrapped and baked in banana leaf, this dish was a feast for the senses. The aroma that escaped as the leaf was unwrapped was simply intoxicating, and the combination of the tender meat with the richly spiced curry was a perfect marriage of flavors. For dessert, the Sweet Appam was a delightful end to the meal. The appam was soft and fluffy, with a slight crisp at the edges, filled with a luscious coconut custard sweetened with jaggery. The balance of sweetness and the creamy texture of the custard made it a comforting and satisfying dessert, leaving a lingering sweetness that was just right.
Café Colombo offers more than just a meal – it provides a taste of Sri Lanka’s diverse culinary heritage, with each dish telling its own story through the expert hands of Chef Eranga. Whether you’re a fan of bold flavors or looking for something more delicate, this café has something to offer everyone. A visit here is not just about food but about experiencing the rich tapestry of Sri Lankan cuisine.
