Colombo Social — Restaurant in Sydney

Each time I've been to Colombo Social, I try and have something different to make sure I experience all the different flavours.

Most of the dishes are made to share and even though some of the portion sizes are a bit small (depending on how many people you have to share with), the flavours are amazing! It really does taste like home cooking and as we were seated at the bench overlooking the kitchen, you could see the care that the chefs were putting into every dish.

We started off with the Saganaki which literally melted in the mouth, the cinnamon infused treacle was delish! Then followed the “Sri Lankan Chiko Roll”….Goat Pan Rolls. I can’t describe how more-ish these were and seriously would have been happy if the meal ended then 😉

For mains we shared the Barramundi Curry and Amma’s Dhal…their most famous dish. They were both amazing and usually the spices overwhelm the flavour of the Barra but not in this case. Tasted very fresh and was gone in seconds! My partner didn’t really like the Dhal which was fine by me….meant I had it all to myself 🐷

The staff here are just awesome. You can see by watching them just how well they get on with each other. In the kitchen, staff were being shown the ropes and taught with care and attention. I honestly don’t think anyone there thought they were at “work.” It genuinely looked like they care for each other and have each other’s back. That for me is just another reason why I like this restaurant so much.

On another note, I really like Colombo Social’s ethos too. They provide employment, training and support to asylum seekers and recently arrived migrants who may not have otherwise had these opportunities. Such a wonderful enterprise to be able to provide this as not only does it make them feel welcome in their new home here in Australia, but it also infuses the restaurant with so many cultures and experiences that really does show.

My recommendation is to just see for yourself. Make sure you book though as they get...

Colombo Social is a vibrant restaurant in Enmore showcasing quality modern Sri Lankan cuisine with complex flavours.

The traditional home style food reminds us of the food we ate in Sri Lanka and we found it was great to share amongst our group.

We love that it’s also a social enterprise supporting asylum seekers and refugees, providing employment, training and support. They’ve teamed up with Settlement Services International, a refugee support agency, to help it recruit asylum seekers and refugees to work at the restaurant.

Restaurant is headed by Peter Jones-Best and and Shaun Christie-David, (born in Australia to Sri Lankan parents). The head chef is Head chef Chamara Pathiranage is from Colombo in Sri Lankan, incorporating flavours from his home in preparing beautiful modern dishes here.

We shared the lamb marrow pan roll, a crispy outer coating like an old school chicko roll $14. We loved their Roti tacos ($12) - Soft Shell Crab, Mango Salsa, Fried Curry Leaf, Pol Sambol, Spicy Mayo (DF). A good mixture of textures and spice, a super tasty starter.

The Egg Hoppers - (GF, Vegetarian) are nice little taster in partnership with the sambol mix. We opted for the mixed sambol plate for $15 Pol Sambol, Seeni Sambol, Mango salsa, pineapple acharu, beetroot sambol and dried white chilli. Great variety and flavours. These were crazy delicious.

The fish curry was a light curry with a coconut base and soft flaky fish. The “railway curry” which said goat, ours was actually beef brisket curry. We were a little frightened and warned it was super spicy and wasn’t too bad at all.

Saffron rice for $6 which is good value for the Aged Basmati Rice, Saffron, Raisins, Cashews (Vegan, Nuts)

There’s also a range of banquets at $50 or $60 pp and even better, for every guest who enjoys an Amma’s Table Banquet Menu they will donate a meal to an Asylum Seeker in need.

It is certainly worth a visit and it’s popular for good reason. Make...

Avoid! Unfortunately there is not option for minus stars. Food is beyond average and the service even worse.

I recently had a very awful experience at Colombo social.

I was there with a family and friends. Some of whom had not seen each other in 7 years.

We were very happy to be in each other’s company. Each person had ordered one drink and were told on attempting to order a second that the whole table was being cut off.

I have never experienced anything like it. After one drink a table of responsible adults enjoying each others company are rudely told they are being cut off.

I have an RSA and I know how it works and what is required for licensing. At no point was a single person even close to intoxicated. It felt very much like we were being silenced for enjoying each other’s company.

Surely happy people is an attractive thing to have to encourage other people to dine with Colombo social. Apparently not!

To add insult to injury the food was really bad. I’ve been to Sri Lanka I am fully aware of the cuisine and this really wasn’t hitting.

We promptly took ourselves to another establishment to recoup our evening and spend our hard earned money in a more deserving establishment.

AND THE BAD BEHAVIOUR CONTINUES...

We are very friendly sweet people and Colombo social's response regarding safety is quiet frankly insulting! There is no acknowledgement of their unnecessary behaviour nor the mention of a discount provided to the entire table to account for their insulting behaviour as well as assurances that they would speak to the manager about what had taken place.

All it takes is some acknowledgement of wrong doing and assurances that they won't treat people like that again. Newtown is full of amazing restaurants with amazing customer service and staff. Why risk going to Colombo social to experience this sort of treatment and very average food. Do yourself a favour and go else where!

VERY VERY...