Colombo Mediterranean Restaurant

Tired from exploring Independence Square, I was drawn to SONO Colombo’s architecture—a white-and-red Mediterranean-style building with windows framing the square’s white monument and lawns. Sunlight filtered through shutters onto wooden tables, and the air smelled "polished." Hoping for a stunning Mediterranean meal, I left a little : the vibe’s Instagram-worthy, the chef’s easy on the eyes, but the food? Let’s just say "looks carried it"🏛️ 🌿 Ambiance: A "Viewing Deck" Over Independence Square—Building Shines Brighter Than Food The restaurant’s architecture is a true standout: The whole building screams Mediterranean charm—white walls, arched doorways, bougainvillea creeping up corners, rattan chairs by the entrance. It feels plucked from a Greek island; Window seats are "golden tickets": Look up to see Independence Square’s iconic white structure, down to people feeding pigeons. At dusk, sunlight gilds plates—even a bread basket photo looks magazine-ready; Interior is understated chic: Gray concrete walls with abstract art, rough-hewn wooden tables, staff in white shirts and black aprons—"effortless elegance." Sitting here, you’d expect "this meal won’t be cheap." For photos or coffee, it’s 10/10. But as a restaurant? Taste matters most. 🥖 Pre-Meal Bites: The Free Bread Basket—The Only Highlight Amuse bouche and a bread basket arrived first—small mercies in this meal: The basket held baguette and whole-grain bread, crusts slightly charred, insides soft. Served with low-salt butter, it melted on warm bread, milky and mild—even plain, it worked; The amuse bouche was a tiny sip of cold tomato soup, bright and tangy, like a breath of fresh air. I got my hopes up for mains… but this was the peak😂 🍴 Dishes: Good-Looking, But Taste Makes You Want to "Skip Ahead" The menu blends Mediterranean flavors, with prices to match (grilled octopus 3900 LKR≈¥90, pork chop 6250 LKR≈¥140). (Unfortunately), the taste doesn’t justify it: Grilled Octopus: Warning! The octopus itself is tender with a nice chew, but seasoning misses the mark—no Mediterranean "garlic + lemon" here, just piles of local chili, sharp and overpowering, drowning out the octopus’ freshness. One bite, and I reached for iced water. Non-spice lovers, steer clear; Grilled Pork Chop: Shockingly low value! It looks large, but it’s mostly bone—edible meat is a thin slice, overcooked and dry. Staff admitted, "Better to get Tender Grilled Pork Spareribs"—same price, way more meat. Even they know this one’s a dud; A nearby table had seafood pasta, which looked sauce-rich, but a friend tasted it and said "tastes like instant noodles with ketchup." (It seems) (misses) aren’t accidental. 💸 Price & Service: 10% Service Charge, Google Reviews Get Discounts—But It’s Not Worth It Only 10% service charge (no extra taxes) makes it "transparent" by Colombo standards, but poor value sinks it: Two mains + two drinks cost ~¥400—we left hungry and underwhelmed. Compare to other Colombo spots at this price point? Not even close; Service is fine: Plates cleared quickly, staff explain dishes, and mention "5-star Google reviews get 10% off." But bad food can’t be saved by discounts; The chef is indeed cute (my friend stared), but you can’t eat looks😂 Leaving, sunset painted Independence Square pink—photos turned out great, but my empty stomach felt let down. This restaurant’s a "polished shell," leaning on vibe and location while forgetting a restaurant’s core: making people happy to eat. Looking for post-Square eats? Skip this. Try local spots nearby—at least you’ll leave full and satisfied～ #ColomboEats #MediterraneanFood #IndependenceSquare #SriLankaTravel #RestaurantReview