After a hot day walking around Colombo, take a break from its bustling streets and sit back with a steaming cup of coffee. Whether you are looking for a cozy atmosphere, delicious pastries or simply a quality caffeine fix, here’s our guide to the best of Colombo’s cafes.
# Cup CafeThe charming Cup Cafe is one of Colombo’s best kept secrets, situated across from the bustling Odel shopping center. They offer a variety of sweet treats, cakes and international dishes such as burgers to go along with your choice of hot beverages.
# Barefoot Garden CafeThere’s hardly a more scenic spot to enjoy a cool drink or a warm coffee than Barefoot Garden Cafe, an oasis of calm in the middle of the busy city. The romantic cafe, surrounded by lush greenery, exudes a tranquil atmosphere and has a laid-back feel to it with its open constructions and simple decorations. The cafe serves a variety of hot and cold beverages and offers an extensive food menu featuring delights such as sandwiches, falafels, curries, pastas and desserts. The space also functions as an art gallery where visitors can marvel at the works of local artists. Take a seat in the garden patio and enjoy the warm breezes with a cup of quality coffee.
# Choco LuvServing all things chocolate, Choco Luv is best known for its signature milkshakes but also serves caffeinated beverages and teas. This cafe and chocolate shop is a true paradise for lovers of sweet delights and stocks many international brands such as Nutella, Kinder Chocolate or Ferrero Roche, which are difficult to find in the Sri Lankan capital. Soft yellow lights and comfortable leather sofas create a cozy atmosphere in which visitors can enjoy the extraordinary milkshake combinations or take their pick from the menu which features international and local dishes, from sandwiches to burgers, steaks, Nasi Goreng and kothu.
# Stirred CafeStirred Cafe is located on The Cinnamon Red rooftop and serves quality beverages as well as offering marvelous views over the city. The stylish space features minimalist decor with red and green accents. The cafe is open 24 hours a day and serves up a variety of tasty burgers, wraps and other delicious dishes. For those with a sweet tooth there are also numerous cakes and sweet bites on offer. Apart from flavorsome teas and good coffee, visitors can also opt for international wines and beers. Stirred Cafe is also a great spot to watch the sunset.
# Coco VerandaCoco Veranda remains one of Colombo’s most popular coffee shops and serves gourmet coffee of the highest quality. Its Filicori beans are imported all the way from Bologna and the drinks menu offers an extensive selection of beverages. The food menu consists of a range of snacks and main meals. Located at Ward Place, Coco Veranda’s space oozes comfort.
# T RepublicLocated in the dazzling Casa Colombo boutique hotel, T Republic is an outdoor café which offers a refuge from the heat and the hustle and bustle of Colombo. With a setting dominated by the Moorish mansion, towering trees and a pond, here visitors can lean back in comfortable antique couches and chairs and enjoy a wide selection of premium teas and coffees. The café also features a marvelous tapas menu which is best enjoyed during the happy hour, offering a buy-one-get-one-free option. You can let the day turn into night while relaxing in the shade of the lush greenery and switch from coffee to a glass of champagne or sparkling wine and marvel at the hanging fairy lights, which are lit as soon as the sun has set. T Republic, with its magical atmosphere, is one of the most unique hangout spots in the city.