Kolamba East - Sri Lankan Restaurant Liverpool Street

4.7 ( 182 reviews )
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12 Blossom St, London E1 6PL, United Kingdom
+44 20 3435 7174
Kolamba East, located near Liverpool Street, offers a vibrant taste of Sri Lanka that has captured the hearts of diners. Customer reviews consistently highlight the restaurant's remarkable flavors and generous portions. Many patrons rave about standout dishes like the Whole Rib Jaggery Beef and the Hot Butter Soft Shell Crab, both praised for their bold spices and authentic preparation that stays true to Sri Lankan culinary traditions. Guests appreciate the inviting atmosphere, which balances modern decor with a relaxed vibe—ideal for intimate dinners or celebratory outings. The service, while occasionally noted as slow during busy times, generally garners positive feedback, with staff being attentive and knowledgeable. Cocktails also receive acclaim, particularly the Mezcalita and Arrack Old Fashioned, which pair beautifully with the rich flavors of the meals. Many reviewers acknowledge the reasonable pricing, making Kolamba East an excellent choice for both casual diners and those looking to celebrate special occasions, as exemplified by Desi Tulloch's delightful birthday experience. Though some desserts may not have impressed as much as the savory dishes, the overall dining experience at Kolamba East is one of eclectic and comforting tastes that transports diners straight to Sri Lanka, making it a must-visit for Asian cuisine enthusiasts in London.

Amenities and More

  • Service options
    • Offers delivery
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Serves great dessert
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Serves dessert
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has toilet
  • Atmosphere
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards

Reviews For Kolamba East - Sri Lankan Restaurant Liverpool Street

Chiu Cathie
Jun 3,2025
Food was excellent - my picks are the whole rib jaggery beef and hot butter soft shell crab. Big flavours - as a Sri Lankan restaurant, I love how they’re not shy about the spicy element, which a lot Asian restaurants tend to alter due to the local preference. Coconut sorbet was a pleasant surprise as well - massive scoop and you can taste fresh coconut out of it! Service was bit slow, probably because we are seated at the corner (blind spot)!
Desi Tulloch
May 19,2025
My husband and our couple friends surprised me by taking me to Kolamba East near Liverpool Street for my birthday. I’ve been to Sri Lanka on holiday before, but I had never been to a Sri Lankan restaurant in London until now. I still remember the delicious food from our trip—and this restaurant definitely didn’t let me down. What an amazing meal! The prices were reasonable, and we didn’t feel overcharged. I felt relaxed and comfortable, without the pressure of having to leave after two hours like in many other restaurants. This is one of the most decent dining experiences I’ve had in London. The flavours, presentation, and service were superb. I truly enjoyed my birthday celebration and am already making plans to visit the Kolamba restaurant in Soho next!
Shaun Ratnam
May 15,2025
Went for the tasting menu for 2. The food was delicious, the service was great and there was so much food to enjoy. Well worth the money and would highly recommend. Lamb chops are insane!
Claudio Weeraratne
May 4,2025
Really tasty food, charming venue and lovely service. The mezcal cocktail was really good. The soft shell crab, the jageree beef, the string hoppers were my favourite dishes. The dessert (payasam) was the only big disappointment. Definitely to forget....!
Pete Mistry
Mar 26,2025
Hugely impressed with Kolamba East! Absolutely blown away by the flavours in the food; we ordered the 'Favourites' Tasting menu and the team kindly replaced the Jaffna Lamb Shank with the whole rib Jaggery Rib upon request. Every dish was wonderful; the roasted Pineapple a real surprise and the sea bream perfectly cooked. The service was excellent and we were well looked after, the decor of the restaurant is beautiful and makes for a wonderfully comfortable but modern environment. I'd highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for something a little different to the usual fare from the Asian sub-continent - i'll definitely be going back.
Florencia Mateos
Mar 11,2025
First time trying the delicious, spicy and vibrant flavors of Sri Lanka’s cuisine. The sea bream and charred coconut chicken were great! The rice pudding desert was a smooth and mild sweet treat to finish the meal.
Claire Hall
Mar 9,2025
Delicious, nicely spiced food - not really hot but pleasingly seasoned for flavour, presented in a beautiful way in gorgeous surroundings. I had the lunch menu (3courses for 30) and would say the portions were hearty and I felt quite full before the dessert arrived. I have eaten South Indian food before but wasn’t familiar with all the dishes on the menu so would have found images helpful, though descriptions were given on request it’s not the same to get the tastebuds tingling.
Miguel M. Avalos
Feb 25,2025
A high end Sri Lankan restaurant- strikes a good balance between authenticity, and the atmosphere of a good restaurant in central London. Food was so tasty, and they have so many good options that you can easily share. Dishes are carefully served in nice presentations. Atmosphere is great, reinforced by a carefully decorated place that feels fresh, and elegant. The restaurant is located on a hidden street, which is nice as it is away from the noise of Shoreditch. Lastly, the cocktail selection is excellent, with some of the top expected options, blended with Sri Lankan ingredients. Don’t miss the old fashion with Arrack, or my favourite Pol Mezcalita.

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