Kolamba East set to spice up London’s dining scene with a taste of Sri Lanka

On the 6^th of August, London’s will welcome the opening of Kolamba East, the second restaurant venture by Eroshan and Aushi Meewella, the creative minds behind Kolamba in Soho. Situated on Blossom Street, Kolamba East promises to be a confluence of culture and cuisine, nestled at the crossroads of Spitalfields, Shoreditch, and the City.

Following a successful run since its inception in 2019, the Meewellas are set to replicate and evolve their homage to Sri Lankan home-cooking with Kolamba East. The restaurant aims to capture the essence of Colombo’s rich culinary diversity, reflecting the myriad communities that have shaped its gastronomic heritage. From the Sinhalese to the Tamil, and the Moor to the Malay, the menu is a celebration of the vibrant flavours and shared histories that define Sri Lankan cuisine.

Guests will be treated to an array of dishes that resonate with the Meewellas’ childhood memories and the island’s tradition of short eats – quick, flavorful bites. Expect offerings like Mas Paan, a bun filled with slow-cooked black pork curry, and Idli with Sambar, a duo of savoury dumplings paired with chutneys. The menu extends to larger plates such as Moor King Prawn String Hopper Biryani, recipe originating from the Ceylon Moor community and prepared with alternating layers of delicate steamed noodles and a rich king prawn curry, and Jaffna Lamb Shank, served in a rich and spicy tamarind sauce.

Kolamba East is not just about the food; it is a holistic dining experience that extends to its design and ambience. Housed within the Norton Folgate development, the 92-cover restaurant features interior design by Annie Harrison of FARE INC., in collaboration with Whitebox London, co-founded by the Meewellas. The design pays tribute to the Tropical Modernism movement and the work of Geoffrey Bawa, blending traditional Sri Lankan elements with contemporary aesthetics.

In addition to the dining space, Kolamba East has a dedicated bar area, offering cocktails crafted with Sri Lankan spirits and ingredients, alongside a curated wine list designed to complement the bold flavours of the menu.

Through Whitebox, Aushi has also worked closely with local artists and suppliers to champion emerging Sri Lankan talent and incorporate elements distinctive to the island, including batik fabrics by designer Sonali Dharmawardena, a diptych drawing of water buffalo by artist Pragreeth Manohansa, and bespoke dining chairs and lotus table lamps handcrafted by Colombo artisans.

Food Desk
Photo: Anton Rodriguez

For further information and reservations, visit Kolamba’s website here.