Roger Gary
Tipped to be the island's dining Mecca Colombo is home to the best restaurants in the country. From five star diners to trendy but affordable cafes the city's top eateries are as follows.
Located down Galle Road in Colombo 4 Zaza is a true highlight among the countless restaurants in Bambalapitiya not only due to its chic interiors but also its frequently altering menu. As a restaurant and bar the venue is a tea lover's dream during the day and converts in to a stylish tapas hub as the sun goes down. Offering diners a wide range of local as well as continental menu items the glass cubed premises is also one of the top bars in the capital.
Occupying pride of place down Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha in the Colombo Fort area the Curry Leaf is not only one of the city's best venues to sample local delicacies but an exclusive dining venue for discerning pallets. Taking local favourites to new heights the venue is a must-dine highlight for visitors to the island nation as a wide array of local dishes are served at this trendy open-air eatery in Colombo. Often dubbed the best venue in the city to try Pittu, String Hoppers and Kottu the diner also allows diner to witness the mechanisms of preparing these time tested dishes.
Housed within what was once the office complex of globally celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa the Gallery Café first opened its door to the public in 1998. Regarded as one of the city's most tranquil and eclectic restaurants the venue combines fine dining with fine art in the space located in Alfred House Road. Located inside the Paradise Road compound diner can tour the gallery portion of the premises where works of local artists are regularly on show before entering the dining area where traditional dishes such as kankun sauté and prawn curry are served along with refreshing cocktails.
Tipped to be the best restaurant to experience Sri Lankan seafood at its best Beach Wadiya is a casual and friendly dining hub located down Marine Drive. Known for its large portions and affordable rates the restaurant is the best place to enjoy fresh seafood fare with family and friends. As a dining staple visited by celebrities local and international the relaxed and inviting atmosphere of the Beach Wadiya and its simple but diligent approach to preparing local favourites makes this seafood heartland a veritable institution in Colombo's dining scene.
Renowned as the island nation's only Swiss diner Chesa Swiss is another restaurant worth visiting in Colombo. Located in Deal Place, Colombo 3 the locale which is a preferred dinning hub for expats and European food lovers is the best place to sample authentic Swiss menu items in Sri Lanka. Serving everything from fondues to beloved Alpine favourites the laid back atmosphere of this popular eatery makes it a must-experience highlight for all Swiss food lovers.
A top-rated restaurant capitalizing on Sri Lanka's obsession with the gentleman's game and colonial nostalgia The Cricket Club Café is another dining powerhouse in Colombo. Managed by an expat Australian couple the restaurant with its cricket themed interiors serves fine dining experiences with a colonial flair. With its walls decorated with memorabilia and autographs of cricketing greats this charming restaurant is also one of the best places to enjoy a meal which watching a match. You can easily head to this dining hotspot while staying at one of the many hotels in the city such as the Colombo property of Citrus Leisure.
