Must-Try Foods In Jami UlAlfar Mosque (Red Mosque) (Colombo) For Tourists 2026 - 2027

Food History of Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque), Colombo, Sri Lanka

The Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque, also known as the Red Mosque, is a historic mosque located in the heart of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Although the mosque itself is primarily a religious site, it sits at the center of Pettah, which is one of the busiest commercial areas in Colombo. The intersection of culture and trade in Pettah has led to a fusion of culinary traditions in the vicinity. Food around the mosque has been influenced by the Muslim community's rich culinary traditions. These include specialties during Ramadan, the assortment of halal foods, and the blend of Arab, Malay, Indian, and Moor influences seen in the dishes available around the area.

Must Try Top 10 Food Dishes in Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque), Colombo, Sri Lanka

• Kottu (Non-Veg) - A beloved Sri Lankan street food made with godhamba roti (a type of flatbread), vegetables, and your choice of meat, usually chicken or seafood, mixed and chopped on a hot plate.
• Hoppers (Veg) - A type of pancake made from fermented rice flour and coconut milk, often served with spicy sambol or curry. Egg hoppers add a fried egg to the center.
• Faluda (Veg) - A sweet, creamy cold beverage that combines milk with ingredients like rose syrup, vermicelli, and basil seeds, often topped with a scoop of ice cream.
• Lamprais (Non-Veg) - A Dutch Burgher-influenced dish, lamprais includes rice baked in a banana leaf with a mix of meat curry, frikkadels (savoury meatballs), and seeni sambal (sweet onion relish).
• Fish Ambul Thiyal (Non-Veg) - A sour fish curry, where the fish is cut into cubes, sautéed, and then simmered in a blend of spices including black pepper, cinnamon, and turmeric with a tangy touch of dried goraka fruit.
• Pol Sambol (Veg) - A coconut relish made with grated coconut, chili peppers, onions, lime juice, and Maldive fish for flavor (though it can be made vegetarian without the fish).
• Watalappan (Veg) - A rich dessert of Malay origin, similar to a custard, made with coconut milk, jaggery, cashew nuts, and spices like cardamom, cloves, and nutmeg.
• String Hoppers (Veg) - These are steamed rice flour noodles served with curry and coconut sambol, a perfect breakfast or dinner dish.
• Chicken Curry (Non-Veg) - A staple in Sri Lankan cuisine, with a blend of local spices like curry leaves, lemongrass, and pandan leaves enhancing the rich flavor.
• Vegetable Roti (Veg) - A snack made from flour dough filled with spiced vegetables, folded into a square, and grilled on a hot plate.

Top Famous Restaurants in Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque), Colombo, Sri Lanka

• Hotel De Pilawoos
  Address: No. 417 Galle Rd, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
  Famous Food: Chicken Cheese Kottu (Non-Veg)
• Java Lounge
  Address: No. 135 Jawatta Rd, Colombo 00500, Sri Lanka
  Famous Food: Various Blends of Coffee and Snacks (Veg/Non-Veg options available)
• The Mango Tree
  Address: No. 82 Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 00700, Sri Lanka
  Famous Food: Biryani (Chicken or Seafood - Non-Veg)
• Nuga Gama at Cinnamon Grand Colombo
  Address: 77 Galle Rd, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
  Famous Food: Traditional Sri Lankan Buffet (Veg/Non-Veg options available)
• Palmyrah at Renuka City Hotel
  Address: 328 Galle Rd, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
  Famous Food: Jaffna Style Prawn Curry (Non-Veg)

Exploring the area around Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque will provide a flavorful journey through the culinary traditions of Colombo. It is an ideal way to taste the cultural melting pot that this part of the city represents, with a wide selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights that reflect the diverse community of the region.