Cafe Colombia — Restaurant in Dhaka Metropolitan

A Taste of South America in Dhaka's Heart

Nestled in the heart of Gulshan, Cafe Colombia offers a delightful escape from the bustling city life with its vibrant atmosphere and authentic South American flavors. My recent visit there left me feeling both satisfied and eager to return.

The Ambiance:

Walking into Cafe Colombia is like stepping into a warm and inviting haven. The vibrant colors, decorative tiles, and lively music immediately transport you to the heart of South America. The cafe is spacious and airy, with both indoor and outdoor seating options to cater to different preferences. The outdoor seating area is particularly charming, offering a glimpse into the leafy streets of Gulshan.

The Food and Drinks:

Cafe Colombia's menu boasts a diverse selection of Colombian dishes, ranging from traditional favorites like Bandeja Paisa and Empanadas to lighter options like salads and sandwiches. I opted for the Bandeja Paisa, a national dish of Colombia known for its generous portions and variety of flavors. The dish was beautifully presented, featuring tender grilled steak, savory chorizo, sweet plantains, fluffy rice, and a refreshing salad. Each component was seasoned perfectly, and the combination of flavors was truly delicious.

For drinks, I opted for a Colombian cappuccino, a special Colombian beverage which is a a bit bitter than normal cappuccino. Actually, I like my coffee bitter so I enjoyed that.

The Service:

The service at Cafe Colombia was impeccable. The staff were friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They were happy to answer any questions I had and offered recommendations based on my preferences. They even provided me with a brief overview of Colombian cuisine, which added to the overall dining experience.

Value for Money:

Cafe Colombia offers excellent value for money. The portions are generous, the ingredients are fresh and high-quality, and the prices are very reasonable. I felt that the quality of the food and service far exceeded the price point.

Overall:

Cafe Colombia is a fantastic addition to Dhaka's culinary scene. It offers a unique and authentic South American experience, complete with delicious food, vibrant atmosphere, and excellent service. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or simply looking for a new dining experience, Cafe Colombia is definitely worth a visit.

Personal Rating: 4.5...

"I went for the last Sahri with two others, and it was a mixed experience. We ordered one tea for my friend, who only wanted that, while the rest of us went for the Sehri platter as per the server's suggestion. They mentioned that other food items would take longer since they were focused on the sahri platter, which included Thai-style chicken curry (with beef and shrimp options), garlic butter sautéed veggies, okra cooked in coconut milk, barwa baigan, salad, and rice priced around ৳695 or roughly $7-$8 per serving. The Thai chicken, though unlimited, lacked spice and tasted bland. We sampled the okra and brinjal curry with our fingertips and noticed they seemed to have been cooked much earlier, stored in the fridge, and served lukewarm. My friend had to remind them three times about his tea, and the food items of the platter were served randomly. The servers were generally nice but seemed under pressure, perhaps due to lack of training during the moderately busy rush hour. Honestly, I didn’t expect a Thai-Bengali mixed platter from a cafe in the heart of Gulshan. When we ordered, I anticipated good food since the cafe was attempting an unusual fusion, but it seemed like it didn't work out as well as we thought. I know I should have researched more beforehand, but it was Sahri time, and the nearby 'true' and 'original' cafes were crowded. I'm quite disappointed, and while they offered a free drink sensing it, that doesn’t quite cut it in this competitive time. I won't be going back, even though the place is nicely decorated and offers a panoramic view of the semi-haunted Navana Tower and the ruins of the late...

Had a weekend family breakfast trip to Cafe Columbia. We were greeted by the lovely staff who offered us seats inside and out. They truly did do a good job in service, however the lack of available staff when we required something mid-meal along with the inexperience of a staff member did drop the ratings down. A few dishes were served without the necessary side items such as butter for the Pancakes and Jam for the Croissants.

When it comes to the food we were happily surprised by how good their Croissants and Waffles were. Paired with good side items, they really did stand out. We followed that by pancakes which were decent, not too great but simply nice with the "maple syrup" (tasted too close to honey). The downgrade was definitely the full English breakfast. With very small portions in terms of meat and the egg still a little too runny to be considered an omelette along with the potatoes and mushrooms that did not go with the breakfast theme at all. Definitely not worth the price compared to the croissants and waffles which I do recommend. We also ordered the smoked chicken sandwich and the grilled chicken sandwich, both of which lacked flavor with the grilled one being slightly worse. Over all, the food is decent, nothing too over par but certainly has a few standout items.

The ambiance was great and the staff were a delight. Is it a go to place for breakfast? No. But is it a decent place for a once-in-a-blue-moon...