Established in 1969, Seafish Restaurant and Pub is the oldest standalone seafood restaurant in Colombo. A local favourite, it’s not hard to see why the eatery has been a go-to place for seafood lovers in Sri Lanka for generations.
Words Nadhwa Mohamed Photographs Vishwathan Tharmagulasingam
Recently refurbished with a fresh new look, an updated menu, well-trained staff and a state-of-the-art kitchen, the Seafish Restaurant is better than ever. White tabletops bring out the bright colours of the food and the new blue decorative scheme creates a ‘water dining’ theme that perfectly complements the culinary delights on offer.
Opt for a table in the vast air-conditioned dining room or eat al fresco in the charming garden, a breezy setting for a dinner or party. Seafish has seating for 125 indoors and 50 outdoors, or can hold as many as 200 for cocktail parties. Three private dining areas are also available, ideal for intimate gatherings, family dinners or even small meetings.
The food, both local and international, is beautifully presented and comes in generous portions, offering fantastic value for money. Although most of the menu comprises seafood dishes, a selection of Chinese, Thai, vegetarian and meat dishes are also available. Health and calorie-conscious customers will find a range of healthy and low-carb options too, and the friendly waiters keep diners informed about seasonal specialities and promotions.
The seafood, brought in fresh from the day’s catch, includes lobster, lagoon and sea crab, jumbo and tiger prawns, oysters, mussels, cuttlefish, shark and varieties of freshwater, deep sea and reef fish. Customers are welcome to see the crabs live before making their selection.
Popular dishes include the Negombo prawn curry, served with roast paan, coconut sambol and butter, as well as the Ceylon Seafish ‘premium boat’, which has become the restaurant’s most photographed dish due to its size and impressive presentation. For customers in a rush, Seafish has a winning solution: a separate take-out menu featuring dishes that take just a few minutes to prepare, from snacks and salads to lunch and dinner specials.
Seafish Restaurant and Pub has been a well known and much loved name on the Colombo dining scene for nearly half a century
What’s more, even though the restaurant operates an à la carte service, traditional and western buffets can be arranged upon request.The professional kitchen team is led by Chef Kosala de Silva and they are happy to serve personalised dishes as well.
The restaurant and pub also features a walk-in wine cellar, holding up to 200 imported wines and spirits, where guests are free to browse and pick their own drinks. Otherwise, they can simply sit back and relax as knowledgeable staff members are always ready with suggestions and recommendations. Skillfully mixed cocktails and mocktails are also available.
Polite and friendly staff look after every detail of the dining experience under the watchful eye of director Pubudu Dassanayake. Walk-in guests are always welcome at the Seafish Restaurant, but they recommend that customers book tables in advance where possible, especially for large groups.
Seafish Restaurant and Pub has been a well known and much loved name on the Colombo dining scene for nearly half a century. Thanks to a combination of exemplary Sri Lankan hospitality and impeccable seafood dishes, it continues to impress today. For an unforgettable gastronomic experience, there’s nowhere better.
15 Sir Chittampalam A Gardiner Mawatha,
Colombo 2.
seafishcolombo.com
Tel: (+94 11) 232 6915
