Culture Colombo — Restaurant in Colombo

Culture Colombo is the latest restaurant in town creating quite the buzz. People have been raving about their great interior and their bamboo biriyani, especially. So we headed over to check out what the hype was all about.

Ambience

All the positive comments we heard about the interior of Culture Colombo had our interests piqued, but seeing the place in person made us appreciate how lovely it was a lot more! Culture Colombo aims to give diners the Walawwa experience, and they have successfully paved way for that with their well thought out planning and decorating of their space. From the striking mural walls, the tasteful incorporation of color to certain walls, they have beautifully merged vintage with modern. So Kudos to the team for pulling it off!

Drinks

Considering that Sri Lankan food typically fills you up easily, we opted for the King Coconut Lime (Rs. 250) juice. They had achieved a satisfactory balance between the King Coconut and the lime, with just the right amount of sweetness. As expected, the drink was a great accompaniment to the meal. The staff also suggested we try their Homemade Ginger Beer (Rs. 300). This too we loved, especially because it pairs really well with local food. Will recommend.

Food

Since we heard such good things about the Bamboo Biriyani, that's what we tried first. We tried their Chicken Bamboo Biriyani (Rs. 795), which makes for quite the theatrical value as it’s served. As is typical, the biriyani was served with raita, homemade chutney and masala curry. The biriyani, however, did not live upto the hype. We found it quite bland not leaving much to be desired. While presentation is important, ultimately, taste trumps all.

Considering Culture Colombo focused on local cuisine, it would be remiss if we didn't order a Rice and Curry (Rs. 375). It comprised red or white rice, vegetable curries, salad or mallung, sinhala achcharu/Malay pickle/lime pickle. This is a vegetarian option, so meat will have to be ordered separately. Unsurprisingly, the rice and curry was quite good - the curries (dhal and beetroot), the mallung and the achcharu were all quite tasty. Paired with the meat we ordered separately (more on that below), it was a hearty yet tasty meal.

We ordered Kukulmas Kaluwata Uyala (Rs. 450), Maalu Ambulthiyal (Rs. 550) and Hot Butter Dallo (Rs. 650). The chicken curry was good, but could have been better taste wise, lacking in the flavour department. The ambulthiyal however was packed with flavour. Our absolutely favorite was the Hot Butter Dallo which was fantastic! From the taste to the texture, it was hands down the standout dish at Culture Colombo.

A part of the chef's special range included the Mati Walande Dry Curry. Of that list, we tried the Prawn Dry Curry Bowl (Rs. 2350 - half bowl for 2 people) paired with a carb of your choice. We picked the roast paan. The prawn curry was served in a clay pot, and another of our favourites here at Culture Colombo. Full of flavour and spice, it was the perfect end to the meal!

Although the food didn't blow our minds, it was satisfactory enough to warrant a return visit. Besides, considering that they just started, there's always room for improvement. Service was amazing! The staff were attentive and had a positive attitude, answering our questions with patience and generally were very helpful. The ambience was great and we loved it. The prices too were quite reasonable. Don't hesitate to use your hands - after all, rice and curry especially is best enjoyed eaten this way. They have a clean area to wash the hands, a little away from the toilets, which we appreciated.

What I recommended: Hot Butter Dallo, Prawn Dry Curry Bowl and Homemade Ginger Beer

Would I go again? Since we dropped by during their teething period, we hope they will be able to iron out the minor faults in some of their dishes. So will definitely go back. Especially for the dallo!

Notes: They also have a business lunch. All prices are subjected to service charge and applicable...

Update on my previous review. After the review below I was contacted by Culture Colombo management to discuss my experience. They were very concerned and very apologetic. My husband and I were invited to dine in which we did last night (wed 28th May). I am so pleased that we did and that we didn't let out past experience cloud our judgement. We were not disappointed this time. Starter: Vegetable Cutlets perfect in every way. Generous portion Mains: I had the Chicken black curry & yellow rice. One of the best curries I have had. The chicken was tender, the gravy in abundance with just the right amount of heat. The yellow rice also perfectly cooked. My husband had the Pittu with prawns. He loved it. Generous portion and yummy sides.

To finish: We will definitely go back & take any overseas guest with us. We will recommend Culture Colombo to others wanting an authentic Sri Lankan meal. Congratulations to the management & staff on their genuine display of care about what happened and their professionalism on following up. This is a business that cares about their customers. Thank you. Wendy & Anil

Disappointed, after my first experience ordering via Uber Eats we decided to order again on Saturday night. We repeated our order of chicken kottu and chicken biryani as they were so good the last time. Sadly this was not the case on Saturday. The chicken in the kottu was either burnt or from some other dish. It was dry and also had lots of small bones. My husbands biryani was not up to scratch, it had tamarind paste chunks obviously not cooked through properly and tamarind seeds. Whilst I acknowledge this restaurant is busy on weekends that should not mean that the quality of the food suffers for home deliveries. Not sure I’ll order again. I welcome comments from the...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Culture Colombo, and I must say it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The moment you step inside, you’re greeted with a warm ambiance that perfectly blends modern elegance with subtle traditional touches. The decor is tasteful, creating a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere ideal for both casual meals and special occasions.

What truly sets Culture Colombo apart is the quality of the food. Each dish we ordered was a masterpiece — fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Their menu offers an excellent variety of Sri Lankan and fusion cuisine, catering to diverse tastes. The spices were perfectly balanced, bringing out authentic flavors without overpowering the palate. I highly recommend their signature curry and seafood dishes; they were absolutely divine.

Equally impressive was the service. The staff were attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, always ready with recommendations and happy to accommodate dietary preferences. They made sure we were comfortable throughout the meal without being intrusive.

Another highlight was the attention to detail — from the perfectly curated music to the immaculate presentation of each course. It’s clear that the team at Culture Colombo takes great pride in delivering a memorable dining experience.

Overall, Culture Colombo exceeded all expectations. Whether you’re a local or a visitor looking for a high-quality dining experience in Colombo, this place should be at the top of your list. I...