Sri Lanka’s Hidden Fusion Gem 🌍

Wandering down International Buddhist Centre Rd in Colombo, we were drawn to a white building tucked among greenery—turns out, it’s a hidden gem that’s both a hotel and restaurant! The owner, a Chinese-Sri Lankan (mixed heritage) who’s lived in the US, greeted us with a smile and simple Chinese: “Sit anywhere,” as warm as welcoming friends. Instantly, the stiffness melted away, and it felt like stepping into a secluded boutique star restaurant✨ 🌊 Ambiance: Courtyard on the 1st Floor, Sea Views on the Rooftop—Romance in Greenery We were hooked by the vibe from the start: The 1st-floor courtyard is full of tropical plants, frangipani trees in bloom, petals falling on wooden tables. Sunlight filters through leaves into dappled spots, and eating to the sound of crickets feels like dining in an “urban oasis”; We headed to the rooftop on our second visit—pushing open the door, sea breeze ruffled our hair, and windows framed a slice of blue (the Indian Ocean in the distance!). At dusk, the sun dyed the sea gold-red, even the salad on the plate seemed to glow📸; The owner said, “This used to be a private house, kept the old courtyard when turning it into a hotel”—no wonder it feels “homey and relaxed,” far from stuffy restaurants. Even waiters squat to recommend, “Today’s fish is extra fresh.” 🍽️ Two Visits, Zero Regrets: Plating Like Art, Taste Matching the Hype We tried “unfamiliar cuisines” both times, and every dish made us want to post: First visit: Mediterranean vibes “Lemon olive oil grilled sea bass” stole the show—skin crispy, flesh tender enough to flake with a fork. Drizzled olive oil mixed with lemon, no fishy smell. Served with roasted bell peppers and rosemary, it felt like bottling Mediterranean sunshine on a plate; The “quinoa salad” was even better: purple cabbage shredded into little flowers, avocado sliced like a moon, pumpkin seeds crunching “crack.” The vinaigrette, a secret recipe from the owner’s mom, balances sweet-tart with a hint of turmeric—“Chinese-Sri Lankan fusion,” he said～ “Thai green curry prawns” redefined expectations: coconut curry thick enough to coat the spoon, milder than local curries, no harsh kick. Prawns deveined, flesh springy. The owner added Sichuan peppercorns for a “gentle spice”—layers of flavor we couldn’t stop eating; Dessert “mango coconut sago” looked like a tiny garden: sago piled into a hill, mango slices rolled into roses, toasted coconut sprinkled over. One spoonful, mango sweetness + coconut creaminess + sago silkiness melted into a tropical breeze🥭 🦟 Friendly Reminder: Romance comes with mosquitoes! The courtyard greenery is lovely, but hides “little troublemakers”—dining on the 1st floor the first time, we were too busy admiring frangipani to notice the mosquito army. By the end, we’d ended up with 3 big mosquito bites (the owner quickly brought repellent, laughing, “A ‘souvenir’ from the garden”). Spray repellent at night—don’t let red bumps ruin the mood! 💰 Worth Every Penny: Stay here for ultimate convenience Prices are mid-to-upper range, ~¥120+ per person (depends on what you order). But if traveling, book their hotel🏨: Rooms are minimalist, windows opening to courtyard greenery—woken by birdsong in the morning; 3 minutes from the coastal train tracks—easy rides to Galle or Colombo city; Tuk-tuks handle all sightseeing trips, and the owner helps bargain—total “one-stop lazy travel.” Leaving, the owner walked us out: “Next time, book the rooftop room—better sea views.” Glancing back at the white building in twilight, greenery swaying in the breeze, we got why we returned: the deliciousness here isn’t just in the food, but in that “dining at a friend’s house” comfort. Visiting Colombo and want “global flavors + sea views”? Rush here. It’s worth every cent🌊 #SriLankaFood #FusionEats #ColomboDining #TravelStay #GlobalFlavors