Colombo - Sri Lanka - page 145

A product of Sri Lanka's best tea producer, Dilmah, this gem of a cafe is in an annex to the
hugely successful Old Dutch Hospital. The interior compliments the restored colonial ex-
terior. The walls are lined with books about Sri Lanka and tea, while the menu has a range
of tasty snacks like crepes, sandwiches and desserts, plus cocktails.
Pagoda Tea Room BAKERY
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 232 5252;105 Chatham St, Col 1;mains Rs 200-300; 9am-8pm)
Hungry like the wolf? Duran Duran filmed its classic 1980s video for that very song in this
venerable establishment opened in 1884 (sadly, there are no monkeys or snake charmers at
Pagoda these days). Although rice and curry is on the menu, the main focus is inexpensive
pastries.
Heladiv Tea Club CAFE
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 575 3377;Old Dutch Hospital, Col 1;mains Rs 600-1500; 9am-mid-
night; )
Tapas standards, spicy local nibbles, burgers, salads and much more are served at this good
casual cafe. Choose from fine teas (the peach iced tea is plummy) or settle back on the
porch with a cocktail.
Ministry of Crab SEAFOOD
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 234 2722; www.ministryofcrab.com ;Old Dutch Hospital , Col 1;mains Rs
800-4000; 6-11pm Mon-Fri, noon-11pm Sat & Sun; )
Crabs are a major income earner for Sri Lanka's fishing industry but most are exported.
This high-profile restaurant (two owners are former captains of the Sri Lanka cricket team
plus there's famous chef Dharshan Munidasa) rectifies this loss by celebrating the crusta-
ceans in variations ranging from Singaporean chilli crab to locally spiced crab curry.
A couple can easily drop Rs 10,000 on a truly superb meal.
Curry Leaf SRI LANKAN
( MAP GOOGLE MAP ; 249 2492;Hilton Colombo, 2 Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha, Col 1;
buffet from Rs 2500; 7pm-midnight)