Colombo
Colombo
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Colombo
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crustaceans in variations ranging from Singa-
porean chilli crab to locally spiced crab curry.
A couple can easily drop Rs 10,000 on a
truly superb meal.Curry Leaf SR i lANKAN $$$
(Map p60; %249 2492; Hilton Colombo, 2 Sir Chit-
tampalam A gardiner Mawatha, Col 1; buffet from Rs
2500; h7pm-midnight) Tucked away in a love-
ly garden that has the motif of a Disney-fied
traditional village, the buffet here has a vast
range of Sri Lankan foods prepared with
top-quality ingredients.5 Kollupitiya, Slave Island &
Union Place
Old favourites can be found along Galle Rd.
Head east for restaurants and cafes along
quieter and often tree-lined streets. The back
streets of Union Island reward snackers.Green Cabin SR i lANKAN $
(Map p64; %258 8811; 453 galle Rd, Col 3; meals Rs
150-400; h7.30am-11.30pm) This local institu-
tion is famous for baked goods and an inex-
pensive array of rice and curry variations, all
served in a leafy dining area. The lunchtime
vegetarian buffet (Rs 280) is excellent value –
the mango curry, if it’s on, is very good.
For a snack, try the short meals from the
bakery area such as the deep-fried peppers.
At breakfast, hope they have string hoppers
(pancake tangles of steamed noodles).Burger’s King BUR gERS $
(Map p64; http://www.burgerskingsl.com; cnr Malay St &
Union Pl, Col 2; mains from Rs 200; h8am-11pm)
Don’t for one second confuse this Sale Is-
land institution with the bland worldwide
chain with the copycat name. The smiling
dudes behind the big windows here dish up
15 kinds of very tasty burgers (beef, chicken,
shrimp and vegie), plus kebabs and more.Carnival iCE CREAM $
(Map p64; 263 galle Rd, Col 3; cones under Rs 100;
h10am-9pm) Unchanged in decades, you don’t
visit Carnival for the ice cream (which is more
icy than creamy) but rather for the timeless
ice-cream-parlour surrounds. Still, where else
can you get a banana split for Rs 200? And
many do love the mint-chocolate chip.Keells SUPERMARKET $
(h8am-10pm) Western-style supermarket
popular for its large selection of imported
goods. Locations at Crescat Blvd (Map p64;
89 galle Rd, Crescat Blvd, Col 3) and Union Place(Map p64; 199 Union Pl, Col 2), the latter with a
big range of ready-meals.Barefoot Garden Cafe CAFE $$
(Map p64; %258 9305; 704 galle Rd, Col 3; meals
Rs 600-1200; h10am-11pm) Located in the
courtyard of the splendid Barefoot gallery,
this casual but stylish cafe serves sandwich-
es, salads and daily specials that usually
include Sri Lankan and Asian dishes. The
wine list is good and some nights there’s
special events like trivia contests or book
readings. On Sunday there’s live jazz.Park Street Mews CAFE $$
(Map p64; http://www.parkstreetmewsrestaurant.com;
50/1 Park Rd, Col 2; mains Rs 500-2200; h9am-
11pm; W) The namesake cafe of the smart
little lane of designer shops has a suitably hip
vibe with an industrial motif and pillows on
the concrete floor for lounging – along with
tables, chairs and more traditional seating.
The menu mixes burgers, salads and Asian
fare. Partiers will bless the restorative ‘morn-
ing after’ juice.Paradise Road
Gallery Cafe ASiAN FUSiON $$$
(Map p64; %258 2162; http://www.paradiseroad.lk;
2 Alfred House Rd, Col 3; mains Rs 500-1500;
h10am-midnight; W) The trim colonial bun-
galow that houses Shanth Fernando’s Gal-
lery Cafe used to be the office for Sri Lanka’s
most famous architect, Geoffrey Bawa. The
open-air dining area looks over an inti-
mate courtyard and reflecting pool. The Sri
Lankan–inspired dishes focus on fresh
ingredients and bold, clean flavours.
Curries made with black pork and prawns
are popular. There’s a huge range of luscious
cakes you can snack on through the day.5 Cinnamon Gardens
Stylish little cafes and more ambitious res-
taurants can be found along the genteel
streets of Colombo’s classiest district.oCeylon Tea Moments CAFE $
(Map p64; %269 5917; Phillip gunawardena Ma-
watha, Colombo Racecourse, Col 7; mains Rs 100-
500; h7am-11pm; a) One of the best of the
upscale tea emporiums sweeping Colombo,
this rather opulent cafe gets everything right.
Settle back into a plush armchair and pon-
der the glitter from the gold leaves hanging
overhead. Try a speciality tea drink like the
cinnamon tea shake while you ponder the