Sri Lanka is known for its Koththu or Koththu Roti - if you haven't had it, they say, you haven't really experienced our food. Koththu is considered as the Sri Lankan equivalent of the hamburger, in terms of its popularity. It's a common dinner dish.
Koththu is made from Godhamba roti (a type of Sri Lankan roti) and vegetables, egg and/or meat, and spices; the bread is described as similar to parata. Koththu comes with Chicken, Beef, Fish, Prawn, Egg or just Vegetables. Locals also like their Koththu made out of "String hoppers" or noodles instead of typical "Roti". Cheese Koththu is a relatively new invention where you add cheese (Cheddar cheese / mozzarella Cheese / Cream Cheese) to the normal koththu and it's now a very popular order. Generally, the consumer chooses what and how much of the amount of ingredients are included if someone else is preparing.
Koththu has become a popular dish in North American cities such as Toronto, New York City and in some parts of England where Sri Lankans live.
We've put together some of the favorite spots in Colombo for your Kothu experience.
Please note:
A Kothu at a hawker stall will cost you only about Rs. 200 (US$1.5 / 99p) per plate.
However we do not recommend the foreign tourists to consume from Hawker stalls due to
lack of hygienic conditions and preparation conditions. At a decent restaurant a Koththu
will cost you from Rs. 600 (US$4 / £3) to Rs.1,800 (US$ 13 / £8).
Experience an authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, right in the heart of Colombo. It is a popular choice among the Sri Lankan food lovers in the country. If you want to taste Sri Lankan food, Upali's could be recommended without a second thought.
| Serving Cuisines | Sri Lankan / Sea Food / Asian |
| Price Range | Rs. 1,200 for two people (Approx. US$8 / £5) onwards |
| Opening Times | 11:30 AM – 11:00 PM daily |
| Facilities | Dine-In / Air-Conditioned / Serves Halal Food /Outdoor Dining / Credit-Cards / Take-Away / Family Friendly / Parking |
| Location | 65, C.W.W Kannangara Mawatha, Near Town Hall, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 07 |
| Tel | (071) 088-8666 (011) 269-5812 |
It is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance |
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The Commons is a coffee shop situated in the Cinnamon Gardens in Colombo. The Commons is famous for its Fast Food, Koththu, Desserts and Sweets. It is a very chilled out place for people of all ages.
| Serving Cuisines | Cafe / Fast Food / Kottu / Sweets / Continental / American |
| Price Range | Rs. 2,500 for two people (Approx. US$17 / £11) upwards |
| Opening Times | 7.30AM to 12 Midnight |
| Facilities | Dine-In / Outdoor Dining / Air-conditioned / Family Friendly / Wi-Fi / Take-Away / Credit-Cards / Parking Area |
| Location | 39 A, Flower Road, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 07 |
| Tel | (011) 486 9000 / (011) 269 4435 |
The place has the prime location at the entrance of the Independence Arcade behind the light fountains and truly deserves it. The fusion branding of Chef Dharshan Munidasa and Actress Jacqueline Fernandez echoes the fusion brand of delicious Sri Lankan dishes on the menu. A lot of value is placed on authenticity and presentation at the restaurant, where the concept of open kitchen is well implemented, as in, it's nice to be able to hear the kitchen working hard to prepare your food - The spices and chili are ground in front of you in the middle of the restaurant and the music combines with the antique furnishing and mood lighting of the place to create a soothing environment to eat.
| Serving Cuisines | Sri Lankan / Koththu / Hoppers |
| Price Range | Rs. 3,500 for two people (Approx. US$24 / £16) upwards |
| Opening Times | Lunch 12 Noon to 2.30 PM daily Dinner 6 PM to 10.30 PM daily |
| Facilities | Dine-In / Outdoor Dining / Air-conditioned / Family Friendly / Wi-Fi / Bar/ Live Performances / Take-Away / Credit-Cards / Parking Area |
| Location | Arcade Independence Square, 30, Cinnamon Gardens, Colombo 07 |
| Tel | (011) 2670722 / (011) 2670822 |
It is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance |
|
Cinnamon red is one of the new city hotels in Colombo. The hotel has a Café "stirred" (7th floor), Restaurant "Flavoured" (8th floor) and a rooftop bar "Cloud Red". It is a great hotel which provides top-notch cuisine. The food they serve is impeccable as can be expected from a restaurant at a hotel from Cinnamon Hotel Group Red, and the ambiance was quite professional and well-suited for a company dinner. The staff is quite friendly and helpful. Also check out the graffitis by local talent.
| Serving Cuisines | Sri Lankan / Koththu / Continental / International |
| Price Range | Rs. 3,000 for two people (Approx. US$20 / £13) upwards |
| Opening Times | Stirred the café : 7.00AM – 12 Noon daily Flavoured restaurant : 6.30AM – 10.30PM daily Cloud Red the roof top bar : 5.00PM – 12 Midnight daily |
| Facilities | Dine-In / Outdoor Dining / Air-conditioned / Family Friendly / Wi-Fi / Bar/ Smoking Area / Credit-Cards / Parking Area |
| Location | 59, Ananda Coomaraswamy Mawatha, Kollupitiya, Colombo 03 |
| Tel | 011 2145175 |
The title translates to Banyan Village. The tagline is "Back to our Roots". The restaurant is situated in the rear garden of the hotel with its own wooden gate entrance. There is a wide variety of Sri Lankan food, authentically prepared by local experts dressed in village garb, in a village setting with the city nowhere in sight. The food tastes home-cooked and is fresh and tasty. Nuga Gama is extremely popular with foreign tourists.
| Serving Cuisines | Authentic Sri Lankan / Sea Food |
| Price Range | Rs. 4,500 for two people (Approx. US$31 / £21) upwards |
| Opening Times | Mon – Fri : 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM Sat & Sun : Lunch 12 Noon – 2.30 PM & Dinner : 7:00 PM – 10:30 PM |
| Facilities | Dine-In / Outdoor Dining /Credit-Cards / Family Friendly / Wi-Fi / / Live Performances / Serves Alcohol / Smoking Area / Parking |
| Location | Cinnamon Grand Kollupitiya, Colombo 03 |
| Tel | (011) 2497468 / (011) 243-7437 / (011) 232-0001 |
It is highly recommended to make a reservation in advance |
|
This restaurant is owned by one of Sri Lanka's leading catering companies, Tasty Caterers. It serves short eats patisserie-style, and also serves pasta, Mongolian barbecue, Sri Lankan favorites, lunch packets and a very limited a la carte menu. This place is actually quite decent and the food is certainly delicious. The ambiance of the place was very chilled out and relaxing. This is a really nice restaurant situated in the heart of busy & noisy Colombo, yet somehow manages to provide a very calm peaceful outdoor experience. It is even more beautiful at night with the unique lighting provided by the lanterns hanging over the tables making your dinner experience all the more memorable one. They are well known for prompt service and pocket friendly.
| Serving Cuisines | Sri Lankan / Fast Food / Koththu / Hoppers |
| Price Range | Rs. 1,000 for two people (Approx. US$7 / £5) upwards |
| Opening Times | 6.30AM to 11.00PM daily |
| Facilities | Dine-In / Outdoor Dining / Air-conditioned / Family Friendly / Wi-Fi /Take-Away / Smoking Area / Credit-Cards / Parking Area |
| Location | 108, 5th Lane, Kollupitiya, Colombo 03 |
| Tel | (011) 2573765 |
