Devika Salomon

Colombo

This spot is a local gem for dosa, paratta, kottu, idli, vadai, and other north Indian or Tamil dishes. It wont take any advantage of a wannabe lifestyle place, - it's authentic, raw and relaxed.

The restaurant is simple and can seat around 50 guests. It is neither pompous nor ostentatious, but offers a simple, clean and cosy atmosphere with Arabic-inspired décor. It takes me back to the old history of Palestine. 


Every Saturday after 9AM at the race course, the Good Market brings together social enterprises, cooperatives, responsible businesses, voluntary initiatives, networks, and changemakers that prioritise people and planet over profit. With enterprises working across sections including farming, fashion, health and education, the market involves restaurants, retail outlets, co-working spaces, ecovillages, artists and advocacy groups. What I love about the Good Market is the idea that we create the world we live in. We make decisions every day that affect our health, our loved ones, our community, and our environment. 

Golden Needle is an absolute gem for anyone looking for high-quality kurtis, traditional clothing, scarves and shalwars. The collection perfectly combines soft cotton fabrics and modern designs, making every piece comfortable and stylish. When I am invited to a party, whether I wear it in the West or the Global South, I can score points with modest styles or even lavish outfits. It is run exclusively by women.

925 is building a multidisciplinary space for Colombo to expand on the existing cultural offers and merge art, music and food in an ever evolving community project. I love the vibes that merge together in the cultural sphere. Whether it's music, art, readings or hearings, there's an extraordinary place for it. 

A space for queers, electronic, tech and experimental music enthusiasts about music, love, creativity and politics. It holds fundraisers for Rohingya refugees living in Sri Lanka and supports LGBTQI+ solidarity & other minorities. I am always grateful and feel comfortable in this environment. 

Fusion14 is a trailblazing fashion company rooted in the essence of batik craftsmanship. As a female-run business, I love to support the cultural backgrounds behind batik, beside they blend the ancient tradition of how colours are mixed with the modern, more abstract world in terms of form and proportions. 

A local, young family-owned business designed with lots of love, detail and care. It offers everything your heart desires, from wonderful ramen to homemade syrups, sweets, hojicha latte, pumpkin chai and brunch dishes. There is also a small area for children so that parents can devote themselves to the culinary delights without any worries. If you leave the shop feeling overjoyed, you can even buy small local lifestyle products in their shop.

Devika Salomon's Guide To Ethical & Independent Spots in Colombo

New York City 

Cafe con Libros (coffee with books) is an intersectional Feminist community bookstore and coffee shop. Through their choice of books, programming and great coffee, they endeavour to create a vibrant community space where everyone; specifically female-identified folx, feel centered, affirmed and celebrated.

LICHEN NYC is location in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn. It’s a design shop that’s helping to democratize design and proselytize more under-the-radar participants. Founded by Jared Blake and Ed Be the two have curated an exceptional archive of accessible vintage and contemporary furniture.

Brooklyn Blooms was planted in 2017 in the neighbourhood of Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn with a mission to serve it’s neighbourhood and the surrounding communities with uniquely curated blooms while maintaining sustainable practices.

Harlem's 1st 100 percent African American owned craft beer bar. Their mission is to invest in their local community, to offer great beers "made by us and for us" and expand access and enjoy good times together, in their own way.

Brooklyn Clay Industries is a ceramics studio that holds pottery classes and workshops. The owner Reuben King, a native of Dominica, grew up with pottery-making as a time-honored tradition that he wishes to share and inspire creativity.

Byas & Leon is a heavy hitting local spot with distinct taste. They specialize in sustainable fashion & craftsmanship, while also serving as an Afro Caribbean cultural hub.

Founded by friends Shelby Macklin and Banna Nega in 2015, Glazed NYC is a community-based lifestyle brand focused on providing high quality, classic accessories that bridge the gap between function and glamour.

Designed in Brooklyn and handcrafted sustainably with artisans spanning Nairobi to NY, these shoes give anyone who wears them an extra spring in their step.

A little more mainstream but they're all about Black excellence.

Owned and run by Telsha Anderson, this beautiful store is completely designed to cater to the women-identifying community in NYC. It also has fabulous clothes.

Brooklyn's Best fried chicken! They are doing delivery or you can stroll down and pick up.

Bed Vyne is an independent brewery, cocktail bar and liquor store in Bed-Stuy, BV feels more like a family cookout than your standard bar.

A social and wellness club designed to celebrate people of colour, online and in real life. It's one of the first coworking and social spaces curated by young people of color for other young people of color.



Make Manifest is a retail and community space in the heart Bed-stuy Brooklyn. Designed to insure growth of local & independent businesses. The artistic platform strives for economic equity and an environmental consciousness.

A well stocked wine shop determined to give Brooklyn quality wine at a quality price.

Joloff Restaurant has become a local go to for Senegalese flavours made in Brooklyn.

Cafe Rue Dix explores West African and French heritage through its food, drinks and decor.

Haitian-American café and cocktail bar, CAFE ERZULIE, partnered with an existing flower shop so that both local businesses could flourish.

Ode to Babel is a small bar and lounge in Prospect Heights that has a become a true neighbourhood space.

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