Beira House Guidebook
Food scene
Our favourite restaurants around Colombo - from neighbourhood holes in the wall to the best dining experiences.
Excellent fusion restaurant inspired by Sri Lankan flavours. Close to Beira House, a great option to introduce yourself to Sri Lankan flavours.
Rare at Residence
20 Park StExcellent fusion restaurant inspired by Sri Lankan flavours. Close to Beira House, a great option to introduce yourself to Sri Lankan flavours.
Superb option for authentic Lankan food - but note that it is very local. The lunch time buffet has some lovely local vegetables - their pork rice and curry is a neighbourhood staple. For dinner try out their kottu, pittu, string hoppers, and other local fare. The food is spicy but excellent. Run by a family - Praneetha has been a local favourite for years.
Praneetha Foods - ගමේ බත් කඩේ
201 Muhandiram's RdSuperb option for authentic Lankan food - but note that it is very local. The lunch time buffet has some lovely local vegetables - their pork rice and curry is a neighbourhood staple. For dinner try out their kottu, pittu, string hoppers, and other local fare. The food is spicy but excellent. Run by a family - Praneetha has been a local favourite for years.
Walking distance from the Beira House. Excellent option for dinner or brunch in a tastefully decorated space. Also some great cocktails.
Table by Taru
20 Alvis TerraceWalking distance from the Beira House. Excellent option for dinner or brunch in a tastefully decorated space. Also some great cocktails.
Sea food restaurant at the Cinnamon Grand hotel. Pick your choice and have the chefs prepare it in Sri Lankan, Thai, or continental style.
The Lagoon
77 A2Sea food restaurant at the Cinnamon Grand hotel. Pick your choice and have the chefs prepare it in Sri Lankan, Thai, or continental style.
Excellent South East Asian cuisine and great gin cocktails at this restaurant on Park street - close to the Beira House.
Monsoon Colombo
50 පාක් වීදියExcellent South East Asian cuisine and great gin cocktails at this restaurant on Park street - close to the Beira House.
Our favourite Thai restaurant in Colombo, Dao is more a wayside eatery in the tradition of Bangkok street food. Run by Mrs. Dao, the food is wonderfully authentic and delicious. Be sure to try the Chu Chi Fish.
Dao Krua Thai.
10 Palm GroveOur favourite Thai restaurant in Colombo, Dao is more a wayside eatery in the tradition of Bangkok street food. Run by Mrs. Dao, the food is wonderfully authentic and delicious. Be sure to try the Chu Chi Fish.
Kuuraku Japanese Restaurant
48B Park StreetJapanese restaurant on Park street close to the Beira House.
Best experienced for Sunday lunch and a beer with live jazz. Good selection of fusion cuisine. Bonus art gallery on premises and quiz night on wednesdays.
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Barefoot Garden Cafe
704 Galle RdBest experienced for Sunday lunch and a beer with live jazz. Good selection of fusion cuisine. Bonus art gallery on premises and quiz night on wednesdays.
Simple outdoor restaurant with good hoppers and Mongolian BBQ (a glorified fried rice - a Lankan favourite).
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Café on the 5th
108 5th LnSimple outdoor restaurant with good hoppers and Mongolian BBQ (a glorified fried rice - a Lankan favourite).
The official club of the Dutch Burghers of Sri Lanka. The VOC café on the premises has an excellent selection of burgher fare including lamprais (get there by 12 for early lunch before they run out), home made ginger beer, and beef smore.
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The Dutch Burgher Union of Ceylon
114 Reid AveThe official club of the Dutch Burghers of Sri Lanka. The VOC café on the premises has an excellent selection of burgher fare including lamprais (get there by 12 for early lunch before they run out), home made ginger beer, and beef smore.
Herali Restaurant
65 Perahera MawathaLocal rice and curry option down the road from the Beira House.
Elevate Restaurant and Bar
Union PlaceHigh end restaurant and bar
Chiminiya
Perahera MawathaLocal rice and curry option down the road from the Beira House.
Upali's by Nawaloka
65 Dr CWW Kannangara MawathaA go to option for newcomers to Lankan cuisine.
Nihonbashi
11 Galle Face TerraceBest Japanese in Colombo - book the wine room for a couple’s dinner.
Bowl'd
36a Sea View AvePoké bowls! Fresh and tasty.
Sri Lankan food restaurant at Cinnamon Grand hotel - a good option for new comers to the country.
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Nuga Gama
77 Galle RdSri Lankan food restaurant at Cinnamon Grand hotel - a good option for new comers to the country.
Brilliant al fresco Italian restaurant along with its better known Giovanni’s pizzas. Try the Gnochchi Bolognaise.
Cafe Rafaella
145 Thimbirigasyaya RoadBrilliant al fresco Italian restaurant along with its better known Giovanni’s pizzas. Try the Gnochchi Bolognaise.
Culture Colombo
25 Kensington GardenGood intro to Sri Lankan food. Try the Negombo crabs and Jaffna Prawns.
A favourite bustling local Chinese eatery. Frequented by Colpetty’s growing Chinese community as well as long standing residents.
Ming Han Chinese Restaurant
No.14 Deanston PlA favourite bustling local Chinese eatery. Frequented by Colpetty’s growing Chinese community as well as long standing residents.
One of the best options for Lankan biryani. The masala chicken biryani is a local favourite.
New Banana Leaf Restaurant
720 Galle RdOne of the best options for Lankan biryani. The masala chicken biryani is a local favourite.
Kang's Kitchen
28/1 Horton PlExcellent Korean restaurant in a homely atmosphere.
Excellent Vietnamese cuisine at an understated restaurant in a convenient location.
Pho Vietnam- Vietnamese Restaurant
71 Rosmead PlaceExcellent Vietnamese cuisine at an understated restaurant in a convenient location.
Authentic Chinese cuisine in a sparkling new restaurant. Splash some big bucks and get a karaoke room as a bonus.
The Emperor's Den
418 R. A. De Mel MawathaAuthentic Chinese cuisine in a sparkling new restaurant. Splash some big bucks and get a karaoke room as a bonus.
Aluthkade Streetfood
Abdul Hameed StreetSri Lankan street food - only for the hardy stomach.
Dolci Falasteen
Good middle eastern cuisine
Lebanan Chef Arabic Food
More middle eastern cuisine
Whenever you are traveling around Sri Lanka, keep an eye out for the hela bojun hala outlets around the country (Dambulla, Galle, Ranna, Kandy, Battaramulla, Nittambuwa). These are run by women and serve the best traditional local food and drinks. Hela bojun hala promotes women’s entrepreneurship and local produce at affordable prices - what more could you ask?
Hela Bojun Hala Battaramulla
Whenever you are traveling around Sri Lanka, keep an eye out for the hela bojun hala outlets around the country (Dambulla, Galle, Ranna, Kandy, Battaramulla, Nittambuwa). These are run by women and serve the best traditional local food and drinks. Hela bojun hala promotes women’s entrepreneurship and local produce at affordable prices - what more could you ask?
All the way in Hiriketiya a really gem with unique Sri Lankan flavours and a Smokey touch. Wonderful cocktails as well.
Smoke & Bitters
All the way in Hiriketiya a really gem with unique Sri Lankan flavours and a Smokey touch. Wonderful cocktails as well.
The London Grill
Fine dining, steak, nice ambience.
KAILASA The Street Food Café
A collective of street food outlets with a loud, busy atmosphere
Cafés & Breakfast
Department of Coffee
10A Philip Gunawardena MawathaExcellent coffee and good breakfast, centrally located.
The Grind Coffeehouse
505/1 Union PlSmall, cute, and excellent option for coffee and breakfast.
Seed Cafe
60 Horton PlGreat location, excellent coffee, healthy food and drinks.
Cafe Kumbuk
Independence AvenueLovely breakfast spot in a great location - also pet friendly.
Lake View Ink
A good option for nearby morning coffee
Great deli for sandwiches and coffee. Excellent tapas and wine bar at night next door (El Barrio)
Apéro
Great deli for sandwiches and coffee. Excellent tapas and wine bar at night next door (El Barrio)
Barista - Nawam Mawatha
Good option for nearby coffee
Japanese influenced café- great coffee and food. Turns into a lovely cocktail bar at night with some superb Japanese inspired food as well.
KIKU Colombo
Layards RoadJapanese influenced café- great coffee and food. Turns into a lovely cocktail bar at night with some superb Japanese inspired food as well.
The Brown Bean
104 Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala MawathaExcellent coffee and light breakfast options.
Outstanding option for South Indian breakfast. Excellent thosai, poori, and don’t miss their coffee.
Sri Suryas Hotel
255 Sea StOutstanding option for South Indian breakfast. Excellent thosai, poori, and don’t miss their coffee.
CAFE NUGA
52 Rosmead PlaceHealthy food and coffee
Café 1959
Good coffee and try their excellent lemon meringue pie.
Location of the first scene of Duran Duran’s Hungry Like the Wolf music video. And great iced coffee.
Pagoda Tea Room
NO 88 Chatham StLocation of the first scene of Duran Duran’s Hungry Like the Wolf music video. And great iced coffee.
Brown Sugar
Good coffee, doughnuts, and doubles up for pizza at night
The t-Lounge by Dilmah
Chatham StreetCafé but for tea - innovative menu of tea based drinks and food.
Some exotic coffees including an excellent Vietnamese cold drip. Charming space on the vibrant Stratford avenue stretch.
Pages & Coffee
8 Stratford AveSome exotic coffees including an excellent Vietnamese cold drip. Charming space on the vibrant Stratford avenue stretch.
One of the best ice cream options in Colombo (and Galle Fort). Run by friends of ours. Puttalam Sea Salt flavour is a must.
Isle Of gelato
One of the best ice cream options in Colombo (and Galle Fort). Run by friends of ours. Puttalam Sea Salt flavour is a must.
Brew 1867 by Dilmah – Nawam Mawatha
57/1 Sir Ernest de Silva MawathaA tea café by Dilmah - close to the Beira House.
Kaffi Colombo
A good breakfast option close to the Beira House in Crescat mall.
Monkeybean Cafe
16 Sellamuttu AvenueNice cafe albeit a bit further away
The Grind Coffeehouse
505/1 Union PlGood coffee and breakfast
The Traveling Bruncher
Good breakfast close to the Beira house
Bars
Our go to tipple spots in Colombo from dive bars to fancy roof top glitz.
Uncle's
48c Park StreetBar serving Sri Lankan inspired cocktails on Park Street close to the Beira House.
Fun speakeasy style bar that spills into a busy club on weekend nights. Creative cocktails and great nibbles.
Ask For Fern
Fun speakeasy style bar that spills into a busy club on weekend nights. Creative cocktails and great nibbles.
Firebeach
No. 02 Colombo - Galle Main RoadBeachside bar and grill. Popular so should book in advance.
The Bar on the Top is the rooftop bar at Granbell hotel in Marine drive Colpetty. Great views and decent cocktails. Also a Japanese restaurant on the same property.
Granbell Hotel Colombo
Marine DriveThe Bar on the Top is the rooftop bar at Granbell hotel in Marine drive Colpetty. Great views and decent cocktails. Also a Japanese restaurant on the same property.
Butlers
33b Park StreetA new bar on park street close to the Beira House
Beach side bar and Brazilian restaurant in the heart of Colombo. Great location and fun vibe - gets quite busy on weekends.
King of the Mambo
Galle RoadBeach side bar and Brazilian restaurant in the heart of Colombo. Great location and fun vibe - gets quite busy on weekends.
ColomBar
117 Colombo - Batticaloa HwyExcellent live music on Wednesday and Fridays - great local drinks and snacks.
The Love Bar
Bar and club (on weekends) with eccentric fun decor and vibe.
The Chiller Room
32B Sir Mohomad Macan Markar MawathaClub where the cool kids go.
Playtrix Sports Bar and Grill
137 Sir James Pieris MawathaSports bar close to the Beira House at Colombo City Centre
SunsetBlu
Lotus RoadBusy on the weekends - popular hangout for the young and flashy.
Excellent bar in the Dutch Hospital area - great food as well. Recently opened a café on the same location.
The Re.Pub.Lk
57 Hospital StExcellent bar in the Dutch Hospital area - great food as well. Recently opened a café on the same location.
Botanik Rooftop Bistro & Bar
7 Hospital StGreat location and views, fancy cocktails, live music some nights.
In on the Green
2 Galle RdLive music and a fun vibe on a Friday night.
Café Français
48 Park StFrench food and bar at this restaurant on Park street, close to the Beira House.
Sopranos
29 Maitland CresColombo’s favourite Karaoke. Loud, crowd, and raucous.
Rhythm and Blues
R. A. De Mel MawathaOne of Colombo’s oldest nightclubs.
Beachside restaurant in Colombo. Great location at Dehiwala - a suburb of the city. Excellent choice for sundowners and fresh seafood.
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Barracuda Sea Food & Grill
No 41/2 Wasala RoadBeachside restaurant in Colombo. Great location at Dehiwala - a suburb of the city. Excellent choice for sundowners and fresh seafood.
The Negombo beach bar strip is a fun weekend night out just outside Colombo. Rodeo is one of the best among a number of options including serendib, Toro pub, Lords, and many others.
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Rodeo Pub & Restaurant
35 Poruthota RdThe Negombo beach bar strip is a fun weekend night out just outside Colombo. Rodeo is one of the best among a number of options including serendib, Toro pub, Lords, and many others.
Randoli RNB
88 Kirula RdA favourite dive bar
New Colonial Hotel
75 Olcott MawathaA dive bar in Colombo Fort
Shrimp Daddy's Bar
53 Ananda Coomaraswamy MawathaGood cocktails above a shrimp themed restaurant - close to the Beira House.
The Joint Pub and Grill
A nook in Fort with live music, out door area, and grungy little bar.
Vaeni sea restaurant & Bar
Sri Kathiresan StreetDive bar with excellent food in Pettah
Markets
Full time and pop up markets to buy knick-knacks, food, and other goodies
The good market has a permanent shop at Independence Avenue but even better is the open air market every Saturday from 8a.m till late afternoon (go early). They have everything from food to organic veges and various locally sourced crafts and goodies.
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Good Market
14 Independence AveThe good market has a permanent shop at Independence Avenue but even better is the open air market every Saturday from 8a.m till late afternoon (go early). They have everything from food to organic veges and various locally sourced crafts and goodies.
The neighbourhood public market within walking distance of the Beira House. Lots of fruits, veges, and a fun albeit chaotic, messy vibe.
Kollupitiya Market
The neighbourhood public market within walking distance of the Beira House. Lots of fruits, veges, and a fun albeit chaotic, messy vibe.
The Pettah market is the heartbeat of the Colombo trading scene and informal economy. Loads of wholesale and retail traders - but worth a visit to feel the energy of the city. Also home to lots of historic and iconic buildings such as the Dutch Museum, Old Town Hall, Kayman’s gate, and lots of kovils and the iconic Jami Ul Alfar mosque.
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Pettah Market
Keyzer StreetThe Pettah market is the heartbeat of the Colombo trading scene and informal economy. Loads of wholesale and retail traders - but worth a visit to feel the energy of the city. Also home to lots of historic and iconic buildings such as the Dutch Museum, Old Town Hall, Kayman’s gate, and lots of kovils and the iconic Jami Ul Alfar mosque.
Wonderful collection of second hand books being sold on this street for generations - some real gems to be found.
Maradana Street Book Shops
McCallum RoadWonderful collection of second hand books being sold on this street for generations - some real gems to be found.
Design collective is a store that hosts a number of independent designers in Sri Lanka. Based on Stratford Avenue which is a great visit with lots of shops, restaurants, and cafés.
The Design Collective
6 Stratford AveDesign collective is a store that hosts a number of independent designers in Sri Lanka. Based on Stratford Avenue which is a great visit with lots of shops, restaurants, and cafés.
Urban Island
181 Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala MawathaA shop that sells products from the Academy of Design, a Colombo based design school.
Local artisans store for fabric, clothes, and other local designs.
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Selyn (Fair Trade)
102 Fife RdLocal artisans store for fabric, clothes, and other local designs.
Art
A taste of Sri Lanka’s contemporary and not so contemporary art scene.
Wonderful collection of some of Sri Lanka’s best art of the 20th century. Featuring several pieces from the Group of ‘43 the gallery includes paintings by George Keyt, Ivan Peiris, Richard Gabriel, Lionel Wendt, and Justin Deraniyagala, among others.
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Sapumal Foundation
32 Barnes PlWonderful collection of some of Sri Lanka’s best art of the 20th century. Featuring several pieces from the Group of ‘43 the gallery includes paintings by George Keyt, Ivan Peiris, Richard Gabriel, Lionel Wendt, and Justin Deraniyagala, among others.
Bawa is one of Asia’s finest architects and a founder of the tropical modernism style - well worth a visit to number 11 for an introduction to Bawa’s architecture while in Colombo.
Number 11 - Geoffery Bawa’s Home
Bagatalle RoadBawa is one of Asia’s finest architects and a founder of the tropical modernism style - well worth a visit to number 11 for an introduction to Bawa’s architecture while in Colombo.
Art gallery showcasing modern Sri Lankan work. Location has changed to Crescat Boulevard - close to the Beira House. The curated tours are particularly excellent - details can be found on their website https://mmca-srilanka.org/
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Sri Lanka
89 Lauries RdArt gallery showcasing modern Sri Lankan work. Location has changed to Crescat Boulevard - close to the Beira House. The curated tours are particularly excellent - details can be found on their website https://mmca-srilanka.org/
Theertha Gallery is one of the best spaces to see cutting edge contemporary Sri Lankan art. There are regular exhibitions by some of the best contemporary artists in the country and some visiting exhibits as well. It is a modest space which is managed on a not for profit basis by the artists themselves and therefore a great way to support Sri Lankan art directly.
Theertha Red Dot Gallery
සේනානායක මාවතTheertha Gallery is one of the best spaces to see cutting edge contemporary Sri Lankan art. There are regular exhibitions by some of the best contemporary artists in the country and some visiting exhibits as well. It is a modest space which is managed on a not for profit basis by the artists themselves and therefore a great way to support Sri Lankan art directly.
Malls
High end shopping malls with global and local brands
Colombo’s best mall with lots of shopping, dining, and movies
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One Galle Face verslunarmiðstöð
1A Center RoadColombo’s best mall with lots of shopping, dining, and movies
Colombo City Centre
137 Sir James Pieris MawathaHigh end mall close to the Beira House
Havelock City Mall
Brand new mall, a bit away from the Beira House but popular among locals
Crescat Boulevard Mall
89 Colombo - Galle Main RdA small shopping mall close to the Beira House
One of Colombo’s older malls with some new sections and a cinema hall next door
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Liberty Plaza
300 R. A. De Mel MawathaOne of Colombo’s older malls with some new sections and a cinema hall next door
Unity Plaza
20 A2An older mall popular for electronics
Sightseeing
This temple on the outskirts of Colombo has some of the finest temple art in the country. Look out for the localised depiction of Queen Victoria in the image house. Request permission from the chief monk to access some of the image houses in the temple.
Sri Subodharama Raja Maha Viharaya
This temple on the outskirts of Colombo has some of the finest temple art in the country. Look out for the localised depiction of Queen Victoria in the image house. Request permission from the chief monk to access some of the image houses in the temple.
The image house in this temple has frescoes drawn by George Keyt, one of Sri Lanka’s finest artists. Request permission from the chief monk to see the art work.
Gothami Viharaya
a Gothami RdThe image house in this temple has frescoes drawn by George Keyt, one of Sri Lanka’s finest artists. Request permission from the chief monk to see the art work.
Commonwealth War Graves Colombo-Jawatta
Torrington AvenueA step back into history - if you can brave the location.
Rautt moska
228 2nd Cross StreetThe famous red mosque in Pettah
Seema Malakaya
Sir James Pieris MawathaAround the corner from the Beira House
A bit of a distance but some wonderful temple art and history
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Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
A bit of a distance but some wonderful temple art and history
Dutch Museum
Prince StreetA nice stop on a visit to Pettah
The Old Town Hall Building
A good stop on a visit to Pettah
A local favourite for sunset. Try the street food (isso wadey), bumbai motai (Lankan candy floss), and fly a kite.
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Galle Face Green
56 Colombo - Galle Main RdA local favourite for sunset. Try the street food (isso wadey), bumbai motai (Lankan candy floss), and fly a kite.