Sri Lanka

Colombo

Devika Salomon

With long stretches of beach, abundant green places, constant warmth and some of the best cuisine in the world, Colombo has long been a popular destination for travellers. Unfortunately, tourism from the west has had negative effects on local livelihoods, with digital nomads flocking to expat-owned surf schools and yoga retreats. “Unfortunately, this often happens without valid visas or without paying taxes, just as locals are not paid accurately or involved in the businesses,” says Devika Saloman, a graphic designer and illustrator who is also the founder of 

, which works to protect women, children and marginalised groups from GBV. With white, richer tourists entering the country and creating their own self-serving communities that retracts from local life, tourism just reflects Colombo long struggle to break free from colonial hierarchies.“For me, these are the same patterns as back then with the English, the Portuguese or the Dutch, just made more Instagram-friendly.”

Despite the ongoing problems with tourism, Devika describes shift in how locals are inhabiting interesting places previously monopolised by economic migrants. “This makes me extremely happy and touches me deeply. In the past, there were hardly any PoC people there.”

For her, Colombo is a lively city where recommended restaurants and shops aren’t solely food in certain neighbourhoods but peppered across the of the capital. “The distances between districts within the city are all about an hour. You can always find hidden gems in every district, but this also means that you have to be organised if you only have a short time in the city.”

Below she recommends her top spots to visit to support independent local businesses during your stay.

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.

KIKU Colombo

Related Guides