GUIDEBOOK TO COLOMBO
EATING OUT
You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out - whether it's a quick bite you're looking for, or a treat in the city. Most places also accept delivery orders - check them out on Ubereats.
For a quick bite, The Commons, Brew by Dilmah, or The Cricket Club (further down the road) would be convenient.
If you’d like to taste the famous Sri Lankan egg hoppers, take a short walk to Cafe on the 5th (Fifth Lane) - they serve them on most nights for dinner.
A few ‘must have’s’ a la Sri Lankan style:
Kiribath (rice cooked in coconut milk)
String hoppers
Pol sambol (raw or lightly fried scraped coconut salad) - comes in shades of yellow and orange, depending on the level of spice
Seeni sambol (caramelised onion usually with dried fish chips) - the darker the better
Katta sambol (diced raw onion pounded with dried chilli flakes - not for the faint-hearted)
Ambul thiyal (slow-cooked preserved fish)
Lumpais (Dutch Burgher preparation of rice & curry wrapped and steamed in banana leaf)
Pol roti (flat bread with scraped coconut)
For an expensive treat, try out Ministry of Crab at the Old Dutch Hospital, Colombo Fort - they never disappoint!
Some vegetarian options:
THE COMMONS CAFE http://thecommonscolombo.com/
Less than a 100m from us, is this cozy cafe that serves something for every mood and level of hunger. The Commons is our friendly neighbourhood hangout, famous for 'Harpo's pizzas' and 'Rotti Cart'. Big on portion size, flavour, and value for money.
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Commons Coffee House
39 A Flower RdTHE COMMONS CAFE http://thecommonscolombo.com/
Less than a 100m from us, is this cozy cafe that serves something for every mood and level of hunger. The Commons is our friendly neighbourhood hangout, famous for 'Harpo's pizzas' and 'Rotti Cart'. Big on portion size, flavour, and value for money.
BREW 1867 by Dilmah https://flowerroad.brew1867.com/
For a freshly brewed cuppa, head two-doors down to this charming cafe that offers takeaway services.
"1867 was the year that Ceylon Coffee gave way to Ceylon Tea, over a century later both are nostalgically reunited at Brew 1867 by Dilmah for the best of both worlds." (source: Brew1867 website)
Brew 1867 by Dilmah – Flower Road
57/1 Sir Ernest de Silva MawathaBREW 1867 by Dilmah https://flowerroad.brew1867.com/
For a freshly brewed cuppa, head two-doors down to this charming cafe that offers takeaway services.
"1867 was the year that Ceylon Coffee gave way to Ceylon Tea, over a century later both are nostalgically reunited at Brew 1867 by Dilmah for the best of both worlds." (source: Brew1867 website)
Try the savoury menu of snacks and pastries which are refreshingly Sri Lankan. Their Rice & Curry is spicy, but that's what makes it authentic!
Cutlis Patis
Flower RoadTry the savoury menu of snacks and pastries which are refreshingly Sri Lankan. Their Rice & Curry is spicy, but that's what makes it authentic!
A family-friendly cafe that serves something for everyone. A great place to try out the popular Sri Lankan hopper - a crispy crepe with or without egg. Pairs especially well with pol sambol or seeni sambol :)
14 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Café on the 5th
108 5th LnA family-friendly cafe that serves something for everyone. A great place to try out the popular Sri Lankan hopper - a crispy crepe with or without egg. Pairs especially well with pol sambol or seeni sambol :)
The Embazzy
76/1 Flower RoadThe Embazzy is to the right of the Landrover showroom which is across the road from us.
HAIR - BEAUTY - WELLNESS
Here are some places that are really conveniently located for the essentials in life!
Chopping Block
43 Maitland Crescenthttps://g.co/kgs/VigbCk
Kess
10 Rosmead Placehttps://www.kessofficial.com/contact-us/
Ramani Fernando Salons
32 Elibank Roadhttp://ramanifernando.com/salon-finder/
Ramzi's Salon
http://www.ramzirahaman.lk/salon/contact.php
Rumours Salon
Doctor Colvin R de Silva Mawathahttp://www.rumours.lk/contact/
Siddhalepa Spa
No 106/4 Wijerama MawathaAyurveda Treatment
The Cutting Station
65/3A Kirula Rdhttp://thecuttingstation.lk/contact-us/
TONI&GUY Sri Lanka
65b R.G. Senanayake Mawathahttps://toniandguysl.com/booking/
WHITE By Spa Ceylon
14 Ward PlAyurveda Spa
GROCERIES - SUPERMARKETS
Arpico Super Centre
69 හයිඩ් පාක් කෝනර්https://arpicosupercentre.com
Keells Super
199 Union Plwww.keellssuper.com
Raheema Hotel
44 Thurstan RoadGroceries - it's well stocked and just around the corner.
Saaraketha Organics
3 Ward Placewww.saaraketha.com (for fruits and veggies)
SPAR Supermarket Union Place
297 Doctor Colvin R de Silva Mawathawww.spar.lk
Consejos para la ciudad
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
THREE-WHEELED TUK-TUKS
The cheapest and most convenient are the three wheeled tuk-tuks. You can easily get one passing by from most parts of the city - most are metered and we’d recommend these to avoid extortion.
They are also on Uber and the local version PickMe.
Facilidad para moverse por la casa
OUT OF CITY TRIPS AND AIRPORT PICKUP
The airport is 40min to 1hr, traffic dependent. There are taxi booths at the end of the Airport Arrivals Terminal. Uber or the local version PickMe can also be used, including for out of city trips.
To pre-arrange transport, ask us for the contact for Chaminda who takes airport and out of city trip hires.
Book train tickets in advance especially if you want the Observation Deck in First Class. The Govt website is "seatreservation" "railway" "gov" "lk"
Book out of city bus seats on the Govt site "sltb" "eseat" "lk" or "busseat" "lk"
Board at Kollupitiya (nearest) or Colombo Fort.
Qué debes empacar
CONNECTIVITY
POWER SUPPLY
Sri Lanka operates on a 230v power voltage and 50Hz.
We use Type G plugs which have three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern.
AVAILABLE ON REQUEST:
Universal power socket adaptors
Multi-plug extension cords
We have a 40Kva standby generator with automatic change-over to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
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COLOMBO FORT
Here’s a link to Colombo Fort’s interesting history: https://www.facebook.com/I-Love-Colombo-Fort-310195825749575
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Our favourite places to shop for something local:
Barefoot, Paradise Road, and Lakpahana are all just around the corner from us. A word of warning: be prepared to spend more time than you'd planned at these shops that are well-stocked with colourful and totally Sri Lankan items from home decor, gift items, to table linen and more.
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Go to Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo 7 for an evening stroll
Viharamahadevi Park (formerly Victoria Park) is a public park located in Cinnamon Gardens, situated in front of the colonial-era Town Hall.
It was built by the British colonial administration and is the oldest and largest park of Colombo. The park was originally named "Victoria Park" after Queen Victoria but on July 18, 1958 was renamed after Queen Viharamahadevi, the mother of King Dutugamunu.
During World War II it was occupied by the British Army with the Australian 17th Brigade based at Victoria Park. After the war the park was restored and opened to the public in 1951.
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Best Things to do in Colombo
1. Wander around Fort, the historic heart of Old Colombo
2. Get a feel for local life in the Pettah Bazaar
3. Hang out with locals on Galle Face Green
4. Sample some Street Food
5. Get a bird’s-eye view of the city from the Lotus Tower
6. Visit Gangaramaya Temple and the Seema Malakaya, Colombo’s most important shrine
7. Enjoy a night out at the Old Dutch Hospital
8. Take a leisurely walk through Viharamahadevi Park
9. Visit the Jami Ul-Alfar Masjid (the Red Mosque)
10. Step into history at the National Museum
11. Visit the Independence Memorial Hall
All this can be done in one day!
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Colombo's Night Life
What's your vibe? Chilled out, good music and a drink? Or “proper” all-night night out? Here are a few of our favourites:
1. Start at Sunset Blu for pre-drinks, head over to Kava Island Bar then to Industry (starts at 2AM) - (party option)
2. Sunset Blu > Cavali > Love Bar (party option)
3. Soul Beach (chilled out option)
4. Colombar > Botanik (chilled out option)
5. Park Street Mews > Warehouse by W15 just outside Park Street (chilled out option)
Search for these on online maps or book an Uber or PickMe. Enjoy!