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Sri Lanka has caught a British traveller’s fancy for a variety of reasons – it is cultural, it is scenic, it is modern and it is humble. The long train rides through lovely coastal villages and expansive farms, the wild forests hiding away rare species of animals and birds and the rich cuisine of Sri Lanka are just a few of the enticing offerings of the country that a British traveller will like. But what will make a Briton fall in love with Sri Lanka are its rolling tea estates, producing some of the finest quality tea in the world. Because nothing makes a Briton feel more at home like a cup of nicely brewed tea, we thought of listing top five places in Colombo where you can head for high tea.
The English Cake Company
One of the best places to enjoy high tea in Sri Lanka, the English Cake Company enjoys a huge popularity in Colombo. Guests are required to make a choice of four grilled sandwiches from an assortment, followed by a selection of cakes and tarts, and finally drinks. The English Cake Company is known to dish out nothing but excellence in all four departments and it lets you have all this goodness just at Rs.990. The bonus is that you can take away leftovers so that you can have your cake and eat it too!
The Kingsbury
Priced at Rs 1999, the Kingsbury high tea falls on the higher end of the price spectrum, but is worth every penny spent. The selection of food is diverse and ranges from Thai-style Cuttlefish with sweet chilli sauce, Tandoori Chicken, Mutton Kofta, Chicken Shawarma to Deep-fried Crab, Veggie Puff and Beef Lasagna. In the dessert department; pastries, cakes, tarts, waffles, scones, ice cream and pudding line up to impress the guests. The ambiance is casual and well-suited for a great evening.
UGA Residency Rare
The high tea at UGA Residency Rare has a lot going for it, but its strength, as it should, lies in its tea, especially the cinnamon and vanilla flavours. The three-course spread presents guests with options like lamb stew, oysters as well as a Jack Daniel’s ice cream. But if there’s one thing you can’t leave their premises without trying, it is their scones packed with generous amounts of jam and cream. A high tea experience at UGA Residency Rare will require you to shell out Rs 1500, but you won’t regret it at all.
Mount Lavinia Hotel
The high tea hosted by Mount Lavinia Hotel has a major draw for those looking for best value for their money. Priced only at Rs.1400, the high tea here has a well curated menu of the savoury and the sweet. The guests get to choose from around five types of savoury dishes and around seven types of sweets in addition to a choice of tea, coffee or iced coffee. Their soft and rich scones are much loved as also their creamy tarts. Since the dessert is their stronghold, guests with a sweet-tooth will enjoy the whole experience more. Their beautiful terrace setting just binds all elements together for the benefit of the guests.
Cinnamon Lakeside
The quality of food served at the Cinnamon Lakeside high tea is exemplary. Priced at Rs. 1760 for two people, the menu finds ample representation by both sweet and savoury dishes. Some of their most-scrumptious items include mini chicken burgers, pastries and tuna sandwiches as well as strawberry tarts and red velvet cream-cheese cake.