Upali's by Nawaloka
65 C W W Kannangara Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka
Cuisine:Sri Lankan
- Dine-in
{{item.title}}
In short
A café and restaurant in Geoffrey Bawa's former town office in Colombo 3, converted by Paradise Road in 1998. International and Sri Lankan dishes on open patios suit architecture fans and relaxed lunches.
The Gallery Café is a café and restaurant at 2 Alfred House Gardens in Colombo 3, set in the former town office of architect Geoffrey Bawa. Shanth Fernando of the Paradise Road design brand converted it in 1998. It serves international and Sri Lankan dishes on open patios and suits anyone interested in Bawa's architecture or a long, quiet lunch.
The building is off Alfred House Road, between Galle Road and Duplication Road. Most visitors arrive by tuk-tuk or taxi.
Bawa is the architect most associated with modern Sri Lankan design, and he approved the conversion of his office before he died in 2003. Diners sit on a series of open patios around courtyards and pools, framed by white walls and the clean lines of his design. The art gallery inside shows exhibitions by local artists, and there is a Paradise Road shop on site for homeware and gifts. Since it opened, the café has been a regular meeting place for Colombo society.
The menu of grills, seafood and international dishes has changed little over the years and covers several price points. Desserts are the strongest part of it, especially those sweetened with jaggery, the local palm sugar, which gives familiar Western sweets a Sri Lankan flavour. Time Out lists a spend of about Rs 3,000 per person, plus taxes and charges.
The café opens daily from 10:00 to midnight. Call +94 11 258 2162 to book.
A late lunch is the best time to come. The courtyards are calm and the afternoon light shows off the architecture, and there is time to look round the gallery and shop before leaving.
The café belongs to the Paradise Road group, which also runs Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo, Paradise Road Café and design stores in Colombo 3 and Colombo 7, so a visit pairs easily with shopping at the other addresses.
Sources: Paradise Road. Facts checked November 2026.
–/5
No reviews yet
Been to The Gallery Café? Your review helps other diners choose.
OpenSun - 10:00–24:00
- Monday10:00–24:00
- Tuesday10:00–24:00
- Wednesday10:00–24:00
- Thursday10:00–24:00
- Friday10:00–24:00
- Saturday10:00–24:00
- Sunday10:00–24:00
Dine-in
Payment options
Payment options not listed yet.