All day dining restaurants for a hearty feast

The atmosphere at Graze Kitchen at the Hilton Colombo is inspired by nature with organic sculptural features and warm natural earthen colour tones. One of the centrepieces of the contemporary design is the intriguing birds nest inspired chandelier. The restaurant has four distinct dining spaces that offer a diverse ambience with subtle mood lighting. The show kitchen experience, featuring nine specialty chefs, is the hallmark of the Graze Kitchen. This is headed by Chef Chamlie Waidyaratne under the guidance of Hilton Colombo’s Executive Chef Kazi Hassan. Talented young Sri Lankan sous chefs work with specialty chefs to provide consistent cuisine to diners. Al fresco dining on the deck is perfect for a quieter experience away from the culinary action. There are also two private dining rooms designed with a different style and features to suit the specific occasions. The show kitchen treats diners to an entertainingculinaryexperience,asthey select their own ingredients and watch chefs prepare their dishes to order. Chef Ong Yong at the Chinese show kitchen focuses on a selection of a different menu with traditional dishes with an  innovative twist. At the India section, Chefs Chandan Das and Anil Raturi both bring to life the best of North Indian cuisine. Chefs Nopparat Teerapong and Nathathai Thongsumrit prepare traditional Thai favourites, while Vietnamese specialties are expertly made by Chef Khac Huan. At the Japanese section, Chef Hikaru Takahashi dishes out Sushi and

Curry Leaf at Hilton Colombo boasts a wide array of local favourites. If you’re thinking of hitting the Colombo town in search of a truly home-grown feast, then rest assured you will find what you’re looking for at the Curry Leaf. You can select from varied preparations of rice and noodles, fresh hoppers made plain or with a hearty egg, string-hoppers of red or white flour, kottu roti chopped up then and there to your choice, or pittu, to name just a few. The plentiful seafood dishes include a variety of fish, cuttlefish, prawns and crabs. There is a range of vegetarian options as well. Among the luscious dessert spread are local sweetmeats, curd with treacle, and ice cream. Open for dinner seven days a week, the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet is an experience not to be missed as the Curry Leaf's expert chefs prepare the catch of the day.

Upon entering the Old Dutch Fort in Colombo, you encounter Harpo’s Colombo Fort Café right opposite the entrance. Open from 9am to 11pm, throughout 365 days, this café is a favoured dining spot by both Sri Lankans and foreigners equally. Within this neatly cobbled, colonial atmosphere, the Colombo Fort Café delights you with its al fresco style dining. While the breezy ambience setsdinersateaseandisespecially romantic under the night sky, the stylish earthen feel indoors is distinct and together with the artsy décor, it creates a charming and cozy setting, relished equally by a couple on a date or a group of friends. The open-style kitchen in the café offers a unique twist to the dining experience. Watch chefs skillfully prepare your meal and neatly present it on a plate. The mouth-watering aromas will ensure you have a hearty appetite. Choose from an array of delicious meals at the café; from the unique tapas dishes, famous Harpo’s thin crust pizzas to burgers and grills. The pizzas come in a choice of 26 flavours,in4sizes;Regular,Large, Family size and 22-inch Square pizzas as well. Exotic cuisine such as the Ceviches with its tangy, zesty flavour on fresh seafood and authentic Sri Lankan dishes such as Prawn Curry with Bread are also available. There is quite a delightful range of specials for breakfast, lunch and dinner too. This includes the English Breakfast, Sri Lankan Breakfast and CFC Breakfast; lunchtime treats as well as daily and weekly specials.

The Commons is a coffee shop/bistro with charisma and a popular common touch on Flower Road, Colombo 7. It has an environment to inspire intelligent conversation between like-minded souls. Its interior, with a few wooden tables spread around, accommodates cheerful cliques and the sound of their chatter paired with the blazing TV in the background, either showing a cricket match or playing catchy tunes, encourages the fun dynamic mood. The Commons Coffeehouse has created a vast menu with options of a kids menu, burgers, sandwiches, a Sri Lankan Menu, a local snacks cart and garden dining.

Deep in the heart of the Cinnamon Grand Hotel, the London Grill seems never to have changed since it was opened about 40 years ago as Sri Lanka’s first five-star restaurant in what was then the Lanka Oberoi Hotel. The décor resembles a baronial hall, complete with massive metal plates as part of the table set up. The food is consistently good, keeping to its theme of a grill restaurant but with innovative starters (stuffed oysters?) and tempting desserts. The service is as smooth as it should be for this standard of dining. You might want to wear your best for this unique and special place, unusual to find in Sri Lanka.   

Table One offers a range of local dishes inspired by the culinary practices of Sri Lanka. The gastronomical delights also echo the influences of the Middle Eastern, Malaysian and Indian traders who visited Ceylon as well as elements from the Portuguese, Dutch and British periods