Cover Café Colombo offers a true taste of Sri Lankan cuisine fronted with Malaysian hospitality and heart (Photo: Café Colombo)
Café Colombo offers a true taste of Sri Lankan cuisine fronted with Malaysian hospitality and heart (Photo: Café Colombo)
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From aromatic curries and seafood feasts to indulgent appams and traditional Lamprais, Café Colombo offers a true taste of Sri Lankan cuisine fronted with Malaysian hospitality
Perched within Kuala Lumpur’s bustling The Exchange TRX amidst several bars, restaurants and cafés, Café Colombo beckons discerning food lovers with a promise of authentic Sri Lankan fare. This new culinary hotspot isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a vibrant celebration of the island nation’s rich heritage and flavours, infused with Malaysian warmth.
The experience begins with the setting—a tranquil yet elegant homage to the charm of colonial-era Ceylon. From the intricate details in its décor to the gentle hum of conversation, the ambience sets the tone for a sensory journey that merges nostalgia with elegance.
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Whether it’s a brunch date with friends or a festive dinner feast with the family—if Sri Lankan fare is what you crave, this casual dining eatery should be your next port of call. An inviting haven of post-Colonial charm amidst the modern backdrop of The Exchange TRX, Café Colombo’s cuisine is lovingly developed with time-honoured recipes passed down from many generations, artfully prepared with spices imported from Sri Lanka’s rich grounds.
Above Pulled crab tacos at Café Colombo
Above The Onde Onde and Gula Melaka lattes are a sweet respite in between spicy mouthfuls
Pulled crab tacos at Café Colombo
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Café Colombo’s culinary repertoire is an ode to Sri Lanka’s storied gastronomy. Start your meal with the pulled crab taco—a crunchy, flavourful fusion that marries island spices with an international twist. For a spicier start, opt for the Baduma-style calamari rings, tempered in rich coconut curry and hot butter to produce a crunch that packs a punch.
A tip for those who need help putting out the fire from all this spice—order a glass or two of cinnamon iced lemon tea. For a quick caffeine fix, the restaurant’s indulgent gula melaka latte offers another sweet respite in between spicy mouthfuls.
Above Biryani rice comes in mutton, fish, chicken, prawn, vegetarian and lamb shank variations
Biryani rice comes in mutton, fish, chicken, prawn, vegetarian and lamb shank variations
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It’s impossible not to go all out when it comes to Sri Lankan cuisine. There’s something vividly celebratory about Café Colombo’s rich mutton biryani, concealed artfully in clay pots and accompanied with mint sambal and an onion salad. For days when you feel extra special, the lamb shank biryani will not disappoint.
You can enjoy these same decadent flavours with the popular lamb shank curry, a dish that epitomises slow-cooked perfection. On weekends, be sure you don’t miss out on the Lamprais, a Dutch Burgher rice delicacy wrapped in banana leaf and served with a rich medley of curries and frikkadels (Dutch meatballs).
Above The Lamb Shank curry is a slow-cooked favourite
The Lamb Shank curry is a slow-cooked favourite
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Seafood lovers will find themselves spoiled for choice. The grilled seafood boat—a generous platter of lobster, jumbo prawns, baked fish, and more—is a showstopper, perfect for sharing.
Alternatively, the king prawns in Lankan-style curry and mud crab Jaffna curry offer a bold yet refined take on classic seafood dishes. Vegetarians are equally well looked after, with offerings like the fragrant cashew curry and the vibrant eggplant salad, crafted from a cherished family recipe.
If you’re unsure of what to try first and prefer a medley of options, the Thali platter (pictured above) is a fantastic choice, presented with five side dishes including tomato rasam, gotukola (a coconut and cucumber salad) and other accompaniments paired with your beverage of choice—decadent Bru coffee or lightly spiced masala chai.
Above Sweet appam made with fermented flour, jaggery sugar and soft coconut custard
Above Lamprais is a Dutch Burgher delicacy of rice and a medley of curries wrapped in banana leaf
Sweet appam made with fermented flour, jaggery sugar and soft coconut custard
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No visit is complete without sampling Café Colombo’s appams. Whether plain, filled with egg, or decadently sweetened with jaggery and coconut custard, these hoppers steal the show. For a truly indulgent way to finish your meal, the Truffle Appam Sundae—adorned with French truffles, gold sprinkles, and Madagascar vanilla ice cream—is pure decadence on a plate.
On weekends, Cafe Colombo transforms into a culinary theatre with live appam stations—a spectacle of skill and tradition. The restaurant also offers appam- and paratha-making workshops for those who prefer a fun, interactive element to their dining experience.
Cafe Colombo IOI
Lot LG-242,
IOI City Mall, Lbh IRC, IOI Resort,
62502 Sepang, Putrajaya
T: 03-8959 3219
Cafe Colombo TRX
L2T.08.0 & L2T.09.0,
Level 2, Dining Terrace,
The Exchange TRX,Tun Razak Exchange,
55188 Kuala Lumpur
T: 012-763 1596
Visit cafecolombo.com to make online reservations or learn more.
Credits
Images: Café Colombo
Previously contributing to Esquire Malaysia, Expat Lifestyle and Newsweek, Tania oversees digital stories across Tatler’s key content pillars, also leading the Front & Female platform exploring issues and topics affecting women today.
