PLATES — Restaurant in Colombo

Plates Restaurant provides the WORST dinning experience ever. The standards at this restaurant and cinammon grand in general have drastically dropped over the years. Its not what it used to be anymore.

Food:

The food was absolutely disspointing. It all tasted bland or undercooked. The sushi was so dry and not fresh. The menu was overly flooded with sea food that was solely raw or not marinated properly. People could get food poisoning because of this. We expected a multicusine buffet but it was only Sri Lankan and a small western menu available on a Friday night for dinner. The so called "Japanese Corner" did Not do justice for Japanese food. It was below average. Bottom line is, the food sucked. This is the kind of food people with minor dinning experience would find good. This is not for experienced diners with mature taste pallettes. I give it a 2/10.

The staff:

The staff looks unprofessional and lacks experience in etiquette and also they all looked hectic and overworked. You must wait for one of them to come to you for hours. They do not pay attention to detail. And you see the female staff just flirting off with random dodgy looking customers. The rest are just wandering off or having a gossip. I give them a 2/10.

The atmosphere and the people:

Firstly they messed up our reservation. And then we could see how PACKED the whole place was. It was like a free food place for charity. The people that come to this restaurant are classless. Zero dress sense and they look like they arrived off a shanty. This is not discrimination this is the truth. So many horney couples come here and very less families. When comparing to most foreigners who are dressed well and well groomed, our Sri Lankans fall way behind and we have alot of work to do in that end. Grooming skills Zero. It really tarnishes the atmosphere and brings down the vibe when you see roudy looking Sri Lankans just walk in looking like they just got out of bed. Giving this a 1/10.

Suggestion: this restaurant should introduce a standard dress code so people will stop walking in flip flops with their unshaved armpits hanging out. Disgusting sight.

The singer:

Simply, she is a pretty girl but someone should do this girl a favor and let her kindly know she CANNOT sing! The whole time we were there no one was paying attention to her singing cuz she was out of tune the whole time. And this contributed to killing the atmosphere even further. Plates resturant cannot even afford to pay a good professional band and bring em in when they earn millions per day from charging per person 7500/=. Shame on them to bring down a barely experienced singer who severely lacks vocal training. Her singing I give it a 3/10.

Overall, Cianmmon grand have become a place that exuberates a hook up looking culture and it does not attract the crowds it used to attract before. It's reputation will continue to decline with time if they don't up their game. The buffet culture has become a common market gimmick for so called influencers on YouTube and it's attracting a weird crowd and not a decent one.

Will we go there again? This was the last time we stepped into that place. An utter waste of money just to eat below average cheaply made food with bad service and a atmosphere that looks like a free...

PLATES is a vibrant all-day dining restaurant known for its diverse buffet offerings and à la carte selections. Located within Cinnamon Grand Colombo, PLATES provides a refined yet inviting atmosphere, making it a popular choice for business meetings, family gatherings, and casual dining. The restaurant features a contemporary and elegant interior with spacious seating arrangements. Large windows allow natural light to brighten the space during the day, while warm lighting creates a cozy ambiance in the evening. The open kitchen concept adds a dynamic touch, allowing diners to see skilled chefs preparing meals. The layout is designed for comfort, making it ideal for both small and large groups. PLATES is well known for its extensive buffet, which showcases a mix of local Sri Lankan, Asian, Middle Eastern, and Western cuisines. The breakfast spread includes a variety of fresh fruits, baked goods, Sri Lankan staples like hoppers and pol roti, as well as international favorites such as pancakes and eggs made to order. For lunch and dinner, the buffet stations offer an array of appetizers, salads, hot dishes, and live cooking stations where chefs prepare customized pasta, grills, and seafood. The dessert section is equally impressive, featuring cakes, pastries, and traditional Sri Lankan sweets. The à la carte menu provides an excellent selection of international dishes, ensuring that guests who prefer a more customized dining experience have plenty of options. The beverage menu includes fresh juices, specialty coffees, wines, and cocktails, complementing the meals perfectly. Cinnamon Grand is known for its excellent hospitality, and PLATES lives up to this reputation. The staff is courteous, attentive, and efficient, ensuring that guests have a pleasant dining experience. Service is generally prompt, even during peak hours, with staff members readily available to assist with special dietary requests or recommendations. While PLATES is a premium dining venue, the quality of food, variety, and overall experience justify the price. The buffet is particularly good value, considering the range of cuisines and the freshness of ingredients. Discounts and special promotions are occasionally available, making it even more appealing for regular diners. PLATES is an excellent choice for those looking for a high-quality dining experience in Colombo. Whether you're in the mood for an indulgent buffet or a carefully curated à la carte meal, the restaurant delivers on both taste and service. It’s well-suited for business meetings, family outings, and special occasions, offering a combination of great food, elegant ambiance, and warm...

My wife and two children visited Plates at around 3:00pm on a Friday afternoon. First I had to ask if they were open and was told there was no buffet but we could order A La carte. The only people dining in the restaurant was us and one other gentleman by himself so I was a little concerned if the food was going to be good. That concern soon disappeared as I took my first bite. My wife ordered a Chicken Kothu, I ordered “Rice and Curry” off the menu and asked for the Mutton one and my daughters decided to split a club sandwich. We also ordered a few soft drinks and one fruit drink. The water they serve by default is filtered Cinnamon Grand water which was fine. The mutton rice and curry I ordered came with sides of beet root, dhal, beans, stir fried cabbage and an onion pickle as well as one papadam. It was fantastic, I’m actually sad that I didn’t discover this place earlier in our trip since we have been here since early December and only have a week left. My wife said the Kothu was excellent as well and no complaints from the kids on the club sandwich with fries. The entire bill came to slightly over Rs11,000 which is around USD $30. We could definitely never get a meal in the USA like this for anywhere near $30. We all said we will come back to Plates again and maybe try their buffet before we leave. The waiter who served us was also very nice and answered all our questions. He recommended the mutton rice and curry to me which was great so I was happy with his service. If you are in Colombo and you don’t make it to the buffet here, try the a la carte option, we...