Colombo Thai Foodđ¸
Tired from exploring Colomboâs Independence Square, I wandered into Mayâs Table around the cornerânever expecting to fall for this little building. White walls and red windows peek through greenery; downstairs is the red-brick former Governorâs office, and the 2nd-floor terrace glimpses the squareâs lawns and spires. Even locals love it for wedding photos. I planned to grab a quick Thai meal, but was wowed by the welcome drink and left with a phone full of âpretending to be in Bangkokâ shotsđšđ đż Thai Charm by a Historic Building: Vibe Steals the Show The restaurant isnât super visible, but follow the signs to âIndependence Squareâ and look for the bungalow tangled with bougainvillea next to the âFormer Governorâs Officeâ marker. The ground-floor courtyard has an old banyan tree, its branches sprawling wide. Light filters through leaves onto flagstonesâwedding couples pose under it, white dresses against green shadows, looking straight out of a movie; The 2nd floor is prime viewing: rattan tables on the terrace, with views of Independence Squareâs white monument and the old buildingâs red-tiled roofs. At dusk, sunlight gilds the tablewareâsip a drink and zone out, more relaxing than sightseeing; Interior is minimalist Thai style, with Bangkok street art on walls. AC hits just rightâstep in after the square, and the heat melts awayď˝ đš Welcome Drink Wins First: Lemongrass Lime Refreshment A free welcome drink arrives as you sitâiced lemongrass lime in a little glass. Stick in a straw, and the faint lemongrass aroma hits first. Sour-sweet and crisp, itâs like sipping Southeast Asian breeze, instantly quenching post-walk thirst. This alone bumps up the restaurantâs ratingđ đśď¸ Dishes: âLocalized Thaiâ for Chinese Palates, Spice Adjustable The menu is in Chinese, English, and Thaiâno confusion. Tried classics, and overall, itâs âsafe but not stunningâ: Chicken satay: Char-grilled chicken chunks on bamboo sticks, with thick, sweet peanut sauce. Tender meat, good plain or dippedâjust portions are small; Beef curry: Yellow curry with rich coconut milk, beef stewed tender enough to chew easily. Potatoes soak up the sauce, creamy and flavorful. Minor flaw: slightly salty (likely localized), but pairs well with rice; Tom yum soup: Mild spice, great for non-spicy lovers. Shrimp, mushrooms, and kaffir lime in the brothâsour-spicy with coconut warmth. Shrimp arenât huge, though; Staff say spice can be adjustedâask for âmore spicyâ for authentic Thai heat. Watched locals order green papaya salad and pad thaiâlooked good, worth a try next timeđ đ Practical Tips: Location: 5-minute walk from Independence Square. Search âMayâs Tableâ on Google Mapsânavigation works; Best time: After 4 PM to avoid midday heat and catch sunset on the 2nd floor; Cost: ÂĽ60-100 per person, moderate for Colombo; Nearby: Post-meal, feed pigeons at Independence Square or walk 10 mins to the National Museum. Leaving, the wedding shoot ended, and the couple smiled goodbye. Glancing back at Mayâs Tableâs 2nd floor, sunset gilded the roof. Suddenly, I thought: Sometimes a restaurantâs point isnât just foodâitâs a rest stop for tired travels, plus a few unexpectedly nice photos. Craving Thai near Independence Square? This oneâs safeâat least the welcome drink and 2nd-floor view wonât let you downď˝â¨ #Colombo #IndependenceSquare #ThaiFood #ColomboEats #SriLankaTravel