We recently hung out with a vegan friend of ours for two days straight, and only then did we realise how difficult it is to get food; other than just some vegetable curry, that is vegan-friendly in Sri Lanka. So in honour of them, we’ve put together a list of some vegan and vegan-friendly cafés and restaurants in Colombo that not only serve the traditional rice and curry, but some other unique options as well, that we hope anyone that’s hoping to be more health conscious will enjoy!
Milk and Honey Café
Located down Horton Place, this quaint little café is hard to miss – with its bright orange tones, and muted whites to represent the name, the exterior of the café has definitely caught your eye if you’ve been on Horton Place.
As the name suggests, the café specialises in desserts and other sweet treats. Even if you’re not vegan, and are looking for a more health conscious option – their desserts are your go-to. We had a brownie from the café once, and we were blissfully unaware that it was vegan, until we had greedily scarfed down the whole thing and was told by our friend who bought it for us that it was actually vegan. We generally have a very big sweeth tooth and would’ve thought we’d be able to tell when something was vegan, but Milk and Honey Café desserts transcend key ingredients and bring out unexpected flavours.
Contact: (011) 2 696 256
Lucuma Vegan Café
This is a newly opened café down Cambridge Terrace and the interior is super cute! The food is also incredibly Instagram friendly and upon first glance, one could mistake it for food from a five star hotel for how well it’s plated.
They have a large selection of desserts ready to go and a menu with main dishes and brunch items. Their menu has a few interesting items like a jackfruit burger and a chickpea frittata, and unlike some vegan restaurants, their food is priced quite reasonably and is affordable. Leaving aside the food, their customers have been raving about how amazing their coffee is – we tried it ourselves and were pleasantly surprised at how smooth it was; the bitterness of the coffee beans only added a nice kick.
They are open from Tuesday to Sunday, so head on over and try them out.
Instagram: @lucuma_vegan_cafe
Nuga Gama
Nuga Gama has been around for years now – they need no introduction. Hidden away amongst the trees in Cinnamon Grand, this village in the city serves up the best Sri Lankan rice and curry; so good that it tastes homemade. If you take the time to have a chat with the ladies that serve your food, you’d find how much love and effort they put into preparing the feast in front of your eyes.
If you’re vegan in Sri Lanka, rice and curry is certainly a big part of your diet, and we’re sure you’ve become experts at cooking it at home, but if you’d ever like to experience some culture, and peace, along with a plate of mouthwatering food, then Nuga Gama is the place to be.
Just remember to make a reservation before going so you can avoid disappointment.
Contact: (011) 2 497 468
Seed Café
Yet another hidden gem found on Horton Place; a look at the lane the café is in would never tell you that there’s a gorgeous, hippy-esque café – complete with beanbags and a swing nestled away. Although initially, it looks small, the café is actually quite big, you just have to navigate some twists and turns but the whole aesthetic and the way the tables are placed gives you a certain community dining feeling.
This café, mostly visited by yoga enthusiasts that visit the neighbouring Prana Lounge, serves mostly high-end vegan and vegetarian dishes that may not be found elsewhere.
Although the price point may be a bit steep, we promise you the taste more than makes up for it, and certain ingredients that they use are not commonly found and add a unique touch to your dish that you wouldn’t usually find on the market.
Instagram: @seedcafesl