Classic Colombo eat’s you shouldn’t Miss.

Ahh, Colombo! What a city of divergence, it is! From swanky apartments, shiny skyscrapers and grand colonial structures to bustling markets, jammed streets and multi-ethnic tapestry, Colombo is a place where contrast comes alive. It’s a commercial hub, a rich cultural mosaic and of course, a paradise for gastronomes at the same time. This city has some legendary restaurants; or better, culinary landmarks which have shaped its food culture since the early days. They are classic stops that have been around for decades and are integral parts of its culinary identity.

So as the first part of this article series, let us list ten such delicacies and the iconic restaurants where they are being prepared.

Chicken Biriyani – Raheema Hotel

Perched on the opposite side of Thurstan College, the good ol’ Raheema’s is home to a classic Sri Lankan-style Chicken Biriyani. Studded with green peas, vibrant Samba rice, curry leaves and all that glory from the spices, it is always served with a well-seasoned, fried chicken piece, gravy, mint-coconut chutney and onion sambol.

Chicken Biriyani – Buhari Hotel

Buhari Hotel in Maradana has been around since the 1940s and their sole focus has always been on crafting up platefuls of delicious biriyani; one that’s completely unique to them. Turmeric-infused, spice-packed rice, crispy, juicy roast chicken and condiments to keep it extra interesting.

Crab Curry – Mayura Hotel

Located amidst the sprawling Pettah market, this hole-in-the-wall type kade is known for its delicious rice and curry served on banana leaves. They have a process; you go and sit down, they lay out a fresh banana leaf in front of you, and then the staff will line up with big pots of rice and curries to serve you. The Crab Curry always hits the spot here, just like their incredible Mutton Curry.

Crab Curry – Yarl Eat House

Sharing a similar vibe to Mayura,
this little food joint in Wellawatte has one of the best Jaffna Crab curries in
the city. It’s luxuriously spicy, beautifully cooked to retain that meat inside
the shell, and goes well just about with anything; rice, pittu, paratha and
string hoppers.

Dosa – Ananda Bhavan

Smack dab in the middle of Borella junction, lies Ananda Bhavan, which offers a classic Saivar experience in the city, along with some fabulous dosa. They are made fresh, served warm and delicious as hell, especially with the Sambar that comes with it.

Dosa – Dhawalagiri Hotel

Dhawalagiri Hotel shares the Ananda Bhavan vibes. Located in the middle of Maradana junction, it is always jam-packed, all thanks to serving up affordable, vegetarian, Saivar-style dishes for over five decades. Dosas are extremely popular here, and you shouldn’t miss the fluffy, crispy Ulundu Vades as well.

Chicken Biriyani – Banana Leaf Restaurant

What a blessing it is to live in a city with many great biriyanis, noh? Cooked with a cocktail of spices, Banana Leaf Chicken Biriyani is served with a hefty piece of succulent, reddish-orange chicken generously glazed with Masala-flavoured, gravy-like medium. It’s no way near an authentic biriyani, but has a distinct, satisfying flavour that you don’t get from anywhere else.

Chicken Biriyani – Big Taste Biriyani (former Big Bite Biriyani in Mount Lavinia)

I don’t know what I like more; Big Taste’s usual biriyani or the one that comes with juicy charcoal BBQ chicken. Nonetheless, the rice here is so darn fluffy, and has a lovely masala note seeping through, while the chicken is delicate to the bite, beautifully pink and flavourful.

Lamprais – VOC Cafe

Ain’t nothing like a Lamprais from VOC Cafe! Lamprais, the pinnacle of Sri Lankan food is perhaps the most misinterpreted dish in our food culture. While many restaurants in the city simply try to pass rice & curry wrapped in a banana leaf as Lamprais, VOC Cafe in Colombo 04 continues to create its truly authentic kind; with meat-stock cooked rice, frikkadels, mixed meat curry, belachan, twice-cooked ash plantain curry, seeni sambol and brinjal pahi.

Cheese Kottu – Hotel de Plaza

Ah, the glorious Cheese Kottu! You cannot do a drunk night out in Colombo without finding your way to Hotel de Plaza in Kollupitiya towards the end of it. Immersed in cheese wedges and milk, this cheese kottu is fatty, rich and irresistibly indulgent. It’s the ultimate late-night comfort food that tastes even better with some cold Iced Milo on the side.

Any classic Colombo eats we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments so we can talk about them in the next piece.