Colombo is a buzzing place for shopping, nightlife, award-winning cuisine and a luxurious and business stay hotel scene. It’s practically bursting with city life for the movers and shakers in the local neighbourhoods but also travelers looking to experience that signature Sri Lankan hospitality. Scenes from Galle Face junction come to mind as you drive into the seaside crossroad where Taj Samudra, Kingsbury hotel, Inn on the Green pub and Bavarian German restaurant all swim into view. But the commercial city has some banging sweet spots for your dessert cravings in some other elegant locations in residential Colombo 7 - like a cocktail bar in a colonial-style mansion - as well as no-frills type drive-throughs, sometimes in the places you’d least expect - a chic streetside boutique. Don’t miss these personal favorites of ours when you come to Sri Lanka. We got ‘em all in the WKNDTRP app.

Red Bar (inside Paradise Road Tintagel Colombo)

Remember that colonial-style mansion we mentioned? Yeah this is it. The bar gets its name from the bright crimson walls that juxtapose against the shiny black hardwood floorboards and finishing touches on the tasteful décor and furnishings. The Baroque style mirror in the forefront of the elegant high bar stooled bar creates a upscale old-school French ambience with vintage candelabras and millions of wine bottles arranged in a cellar door fashion behind the bar. But let’s get into desserts. Why would you even come here? The cocktails are exquisite. Handcrafted daiquiris and martinis galore. But the dessert menu in our opinion is underrated and is somewhat of a best kept secret. The best desserts are the alcohol infused ones, makes sense since you order it from the bar. A classic dessert here is the Via Paradiso made with layers of meringue, coffee liqueur soaked sponge cake, tiramisu cream and chocolate ganache topped with black cherries.

Butter Boutique

Rosmead Place is a famous street for the French ambassador’s office, Vietnam restaurant, Tintagel Colombo and of course the location in Colombo where you can get some of the best Tres Leches Cake. But what is Tres Leches? The dessert is originally from Mexico and its made with three milks giving it its popular name. This sweet treat obsession is made from evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream. And Butter Boutique’s version is spectacular, super decadent, rich and creamy. Don’t take our word for it! Check it out for yourself.

Gerard Mendis chocolatier

This is the one-stop-shop during Valentine’s Day especially but then again for any occasion really. They’re famous for their lush blueberry cheesecake that was after all crafted by a professional pastry chef. So you can bet the filling, base and blueberry compote on top is going to be heavenly. They easily also steal the spotlight for the best baked cheesecake in the whole of Colombo. Of course the selection of chocolate boxes are equally exquisite. So can you really pass them up?

Coffee Stop (inside Cinnamon Grand)

From 7.00 a.m. to 12.00 midnight Cinnamon Grand’s coffee lounge is busy serving up some of the most delicious snacks and desserts to satisfy your cravings in between your Colombo street mall shopping jaunts, an after dinner sweet tooth or night out clubbing. Behind the serving glass there is a selection of croissants, muffins, cookies, sweets, chocolates, cheesecakes and fruit tarts stuffed with yummy preserves.