BLACK CAT. This hip cafe occupies the ground floor of a 1920s-era mansion in upmarket Cinnamon Gardens,the Mosman/Toorak of Colombo.
BLACK CAT
This hip cafe occupies the ground floor of a 1920s-era mansion in upmarket Cinnamon Gardens,the Mosman/Toorak of Colombo,which was recently transformed into a B&B. Upstairs are five high-ceilinged minimalist rooms. Downstairs,the cafe is all retro velvet couches and young freelancers working on laptops at wooden tables or on the sunny,tiled terrace. Black Cat's drawcards are its hip and healthy breakfast menu,which includes a smashed avocado-and-poached egg dish called The Downpayment (for a very Gen Y-friendly 900 rupees,about $8),and the artisanal Temple Grounds coffee;they even do flat whites. Seeblackcatcolombo.com
T-LOUNGE BY DILMAH
Credit:MaLaKa Mp
Sri Lanka's best-known tea brand has two"t-Lounges"in Colombo and several more internationally. Situated in the historic Fort district,the Chatham Street lounge is an inviting space with comfy leather chairs as well as bar seating,friendly waiters in candy-striped waistcoats and quotes from Dilmah founder Merrill J Fernando printed on the exposed brick walls. Your tea arrives in a pot with a timer to ensure the perfect strength and the inventive menu includes tea mocktails,bubble teas,tea faludas (rosewater-flavoured Sri Lankan sundaes) and"tea with a touch of kitsch"– single region Ceylon tea served with hot,frothy condensed milk infused with cinnamon,ginger,cardamom and lemongrass. There's also comfort food such as pies and pizzas,toasties and tea-infused dishes. Earl Grey chocolate ice-cream,anyone? Seedilmaht-lounge.com/sri-lanka
CAFE KUMBUK
Credit:TAVISH GUNASENA
Sharing a colonnaded building with Prana Lounge yoga studio,Kumbuk is popular with Colombo's expat Lululemon set. It's light and airy with white walls,high ceilings,plants galore and communal wooden tables,and the menu is a wholefood song sheet of local,seasonal and organic dishes (vegans welcome);even the coffee is locally grown and roasted. When it's too hot for coffee,or tea,there are iced options such as the Kumbuk Colada,a fruit smoothie made with coconut milk,coconut ice-cream,sea salt and toasted coconut flakes,served with a sustainable stainless-steel straw. Out the back is a gift shop selling yoga wear,handicrafts and linen shirts. Seecafekumbuk.com
GALLE FACE HOTEL