When arriving in Sri Lanka, or on your way out, take a day or two and do some shopping in Colombo. Get some jewellery for your mom, natural skin products for your sister, a sarong for your uncle and much more!
Barefoot Garden Cafe and Shop
The breezy Barefoot Garden Cafe on Galle Road in Bambalapitiya is a favourite in Colombo. Barefoot’s main production consists of handwoven silk and cotton clothing made in classic Sri Lankan styles with some interesting twists. The shop also has a great book section with plenty of literature about Sri Lanka, for both kids and adults. There is also a lovely assortment of jewellery, toys, and home supplies.
Barefoot Garden Cafe and Shop, 704, Galle Rd, Colombo 0112 589 305
Paradise Road
Another amazing shop for special home products is Paradise Road. Apart from gorgeous minimalistic house linen, their hand-painted mugs and plates are a favourite. Their canvas bags printed with the Sinhala alphabet and woven pillow covers are also beautiful. On the second floor, you’ll find a room filled with only white dinner plates and bowls.
Paradise Road, 213 Srimath Anagarika Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 0112 686 043
Good Market
The Good Market is the best shop in the city as it sells all sorts of organic products, from snacks, to produce and skin and hair treatments. All products are sourced locally and follow strict organic guidelines. Every Saturday, the Good Market sets up a pop-up market at the Colombo Racecourse with lots of vendors, such as small business owners, that sell handmade products from all over the island.
Good Market, 14 Philip Gunawardena Mawatha, Colombo 077 020 8642
TEAELI Tea Experience
The newest tea experience in Sri Lanka is called TEAELI. Handcrafted blends, like the innovative After Dinner Mint or the Almond Truffle, can be taken home in little jars that are measured and packed on the spot. All jars are signed by the Brew Master who prepares your package. The TEAELI Loose Leaf Tea Bar at Park Street Gourmet has everything you need to make that perfect cup of tea. If you are looking for a more in-depth Tea Experience, TEAELI offers tea tastings and master brewing classes for groups of at least two people. For an unforgettable experience, tea lovers can be flown via helicopter to a tea estate in the highlands for a tea tasting feast. Contact TEALI for more information.
Park Street Gourmet, 33b Park Street, Colombo 02, Colombo 0114 333 505
Dilmah T-Lounge
Dilmah is one of the most famous teas in Sri Lanka and they have a couple of shops in Colombo where they sell all of their tea varieties. From the classic English Breakfast to Earl Grey, Dilmah offers an extensive collection of loose leaf tea and pyramid tea bags. Not only do they have the largest selection of teas in Colombo, they also sell books published by the Dilmah foundation. You can find books about Sri Lankan birds, butterflies and more. The gift boxes are perfect for taking back home, along with their special coloured sand clocks to make the perfect tea.
Dilmah T-Lounge, Chatham St, Colombo 0112 447 168
The Design Collective
Contemporary fashion designers in Colombo are an ever-growing group of talented artists and they are coming together to open boutiques where they can show off their creations. Not only is the Design Collective a retail space that showcases designers from Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, it is also a creative space to experience art and design.
The Design Collective, 28 Stratford Ave, Colombo 0112 596 329
Indi & Co
Indi & Co is the newest installment of collective shops by fashion designers. Contemporary designer Indi opened ICO as a place to showcase her designs, as well as other designers from Sri Lanka. Find unique pieces and special edition collections at Indi & Co.
Indi & Co, 15 Havelock Place, Colombo 077 111 8707
Kemara
Natural skin care and hair products are easy to find in Sri Lanka. Ayurvedic treatments are part of the island’s culture and Kemara has taken that into account in order to create a range of wonderful body care products.
Kemara, No. 14 Reid avenue, Colombo 0112 696 498
Jewel Arena
There are hundreds of gem shops in Colombo and Jewel Arena is one of the best. With a large collection of jewellery that comes in many different styles, you can be sure that all the gems are mined in Sri Lanka and turned into beautiful pieces to take back home.
Jewel Arena, No. 16, Flower Road, Colombo 0115 934 300