Café vibes and a taste of Vietnamese and Mexican
View(s):By Shanali Fernando
In our continuing foodie series this month we explore the freshness and signature balance of savoury-sweet-sour in Vietnamese cuisine, as well as the kaleidoscope of colours and textures and incredible depth of flavour of Mexican food.
Coffee Craft
Eating healthy is not hard in Vietnam since the food is most often prepared with fresh ingredients and accompanied by a side of veggies and herbs. Combining café vibes and Vietnamese restaurant food, tucked away on a busy street of Colombo is Coffee Craft, an authentic Vietnamese bistro.
Settling down in Sri Lanka Anh Nguyen said she was always on the lookout for places where she could enjoy some good Vietnamese food in a more casual environment rather than a proper sit-down restaurant.” I had a lot of help from the locals when we started at this place, it is one thing I love about Sri Lanka,” she said smiling.
Coffee Craft offers all-day dining with a range of noodle, bread and rice dishes, a noteworthy coffee selection, and a newly added western breakfast menu.
Coffee Craft recommends:
Condensed Milk Coffee- a strong dripped Vietnamese coffee, with sweet condensed milk, a bold treat to sip on! Traditionally a cold drink but can be a hot one as well.
Egg coffee- a strong cold or hot coffee topped with rich frothy egg cream.
Banh Mi Chao - you could say this is the Vietnamese version of the big breakfast.
Goi Cuon- fresh prawns and succulent chicken wrapped in delicate rice paper accompanied by crispy veggies and zesty peanut dipping sauce.
Pho Tron - noodle salad with fresh vegetables and your choice of protein dressed in a tangy sauce.
Located at No. 55, St Anthony’s Mawatha, Colombo 3.
Open from 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Tel: 076 222 8888
Follow them on @the.coffee.craft
Taco Shack
Adding tacos to your list of must-have fast foods is Taco Shack. “I want to make tacos accessible to everyone, give more options than just burgers and pizza when they are looking for something fast, something convenient and that tastes good,” said Shihaan Vandort speaking about his venture that first started as a cloud kitchen during COVID.
Having experienced the quality of service of famous food chains during the time he spent in the USA, Shihaan strives to maintain high standards of food and service. Taco Shack is the ideal spot to grab a quick bite on a busy weekday or to wind down on the weekends with some friends.
Taco Shack offers a range of tacos with chicken, beef, seafood, or veg options to choose from as well as Mexican must-haves like nachos, burritos, quesadillas, and classic sauces and dips like chipotle, guacamole and salsas.
Taco Shack recommends:
Spicy Beef/ Chicken Taco- slow-cooked protein of your choice topped with cheese, onions and cilantro on crispy tacos.
Spicy Polos Taco- for the ultimate Sri Lankan vegetarian option.
Grilled Chicken Quesadilla- a great option for kids.
Mexican Street Corn Nachos/Fries- topped with sweet corn, herbs and a generous drizzle of sauce.
Located at No. 35, De Fonseka Road, Colombo 5
Open from Tuesday to Sunday
11 a.m.-10.30 p.m.
Tel: 011 255 1556
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