
Barefoot Garden Cafe
A vibrant garden cafe, art gallery, bookshop, and boutique offering a unique cultural and culinary experience in Colombo.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

Barefoot Garden Cafe

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant garden cafe, art gallery, bookshop, and boutique offering a unique cultural and culinary experience in Colombo.
Sunday Jazz Sessions
Visit on Sundays for live jazz. Try the prawn dishes or sandwiches.
Book Ahead
Tables can get crowded during lunch hours; reservations are recommended.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Cafe
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+94 112 589 305
Address
704 Galle Rd, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Garden Ambiance & Art
A serene garden oasis with vibrant flowers, tall trees, and an adjoining art gallery offering a unique cultural escape.

Live Jazz Sundays
Enjoy live jazz performances every Sunday while savoring delicious food and drinks in a lively atmosphere.

Creative Culinary Delights
Savor flavorful salads, mouthwatering desserts, and signature dishes made with locally sourced ingredients.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Sunday Jazz Sessions
Visit on Sundays for live jazz. Try the prawn dishes or sandwiches.
Book Ahead
Tables can get crowded during lunch hours; reservations are recommended.
Explore the Boutique
Don't miss the fashion boutique with hand-woven textiles and unique souvenirs.
Savor Local Flavors
Enjoy salads and desserts made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Tips
from all over the internet
Sunday Jazz Sessions
Visit on Sundays for live jazz. Try the prawn dishes or sandwiches.
Book Ahead
Tables can get crowded during lunch hours; reservations are recommended.
Explore the Boutique
Don't miss the fashion boutique with hand-woven textiles and unique souvenirs.
Savor Local Flavors
Enjoy salads and desserts made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Barefoot Garden Cafe is lauded for its serene garden ambiance, making it a delightful escape from the city bustle. Diners praise the fresh, tasty food, the excellent coffee, and the unique multi-faceted experience that includes a gallery, bookshop, and boutique. While some find the prices slightly high, the overall atmosphere and quality of offerings generally justify the cost.
"This was such a serene and wonderful place to visit! Barefoot Garden Cafe had some delicious vegan options and a lovely area to sit and eat. I always say this about Sri Lanka - the hospitality and kindness there is amazing and nothing compares to it! Servers are so helpful and friendly! They also had a beautiful art gallery to visit, a cute book store that I bought a few great books from. I live in Canada and I saw on their website that you can arrange for international shipping so I will be buying more books, I love reading Sri Lankan literature. They also had a clothing, souvenir and fabrics store. Barefoot has my heart and I will be visiting there again when I come back to Sri Lanka."
Anuki K
"What a charming cafe, conveniently located just a stone's throw from the beach! You'll find a wonderful array of handmade and local treasures to explore here, which are beautiful even just to admire. The cafe itself is expertly designed, feeling like a private tropical escape. And the food? Comforting and incredibly tasty!"
C
"This place has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere with a strong cultural vibe. The food from the kitchen is tasty, and the overall ambiance is pleasant. The staff is friendly, the service is good, and the menu offers something for everyone at a fair price. If you're interested in art, you can also visit the Barefoot Gallery nearby. The place has a nice mix of classic and authentic charm. It's a good spot for anyone who appreciates art and a relaxed setting."
Sajith Rangama
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It's known for its beautiful garden ambiance, delicious food, coffee, live jazz on Sundays, and its integrated art gallery, bookshop, and boutique.
Yes, they often have live jazz performances on Sundays. It's best to call ahead to confirm.
Some diners mention that the food is on the more expensive side, but generally consider it warranted for the quality and experience.
Yes, Barefoot has a renowned boutique selling hand-woven textiles, clothing, and unique souvenirs.
Yes, the cafe offers delicious vegan options.
Absolutely! It's a great spot for brunch, lunch, or a relaxing coffee break in a beautiful setting.
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Barefoot Garden Cafe is one of the favourite brunch spots and hang-out places among tourists and locals alike, situated in a stone-paved open courtyard, surrounded by a lush and leafy frangipani garden. This spot offers more than just food: diners will find an excellent bookshop with a surprisingly wide selection of Sri Lankan authors and books on Sri Lanka; an exquisite fashion boutique, showcasing hand-woven textiles; and a spectacular art gallery, where cultural events such as film screenings, art and photography exhibitions, concerts and poetry readings take place on a regular basis. On Sundays, guests can enjoy jazz whilst feasting on tasty sandwiches and great falafel bites, or more hefty prawn dishes and pork curries.
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Located in the courtyard of the splendid Barefoot gallery, this casual but stylish cafe serves sandwiches, salads and daily specials that usually include…
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Barefoot Garden Coffee shop is among the favourite brunch spots and hang-out places among locals and travellers alike, located in a stone-paved open courtyard, surrounded by an affluent and leafy frangipani garden. This area provides more than just food: restaurants will find an excellent bookshop with a surprisingly broad selection of Sri Lankan authors and books on Sri Lanka; an exquisite fashion store is showcasing hand-woven fabrics; and a magnificent art gallery, where cultural occasions such as film screenings, art and photography exhibits, shows and poetry readings occur regularly. On Sundays, visitors can enjoy jazz whilst feasting on tasty sandwiches and terrific falafel bites or more large prawn meals and pork curries.
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Situated in the heart of cosmopolitan Colombo and within a hop, step and jump from Marine Drive is the charming setting of Barefoot Garden Café. Replete with tasteful décor that makes excellent use of vibrant hues across its entirety, the Café is a ‘must’ should you wish to unwind and bask in the glory of a laidback setting that will begin to grow on you the longer you remain. Considered an ideal hangout to meet friends, spend quality time with family or simply while away the hours all by yourself, the Café is known for its live music gigs, tasty bar food and serene environment.
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Hidden away in Colombo 03 is the very special Barefoot Garden Cafe. It’s been around since the 90s and over time has grown to become a watering hole for admirers of the arts. The property consists of the retail shop in front, which houses all things handloom from the famous Barefoot brand itself, the outdoor cafe area where you can sip on a cold glass of wine while munching on some yummy food, and the art gallery which showcases some stunning pieces done by local artists.
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A Colombo institution, Barefoot’s joyous garden cafe is a sprawling oasis hidden under the canopies of various tropical and bird-filled trees. Once happily refreshed on Thambili (king coconut water) or Ceylon mandarin juice, and satiated on delicious dishes (we like the Sri Lankan breakfast), there’s a gorgeous little gallery space to meander through and a fab bookshop selling an interesting selection of top reads by brilliant Sri Lankan authors. Address: 704 Galle Road
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Exploring our city can cook up a mean appetite and if the hunger pangs call, take a short tuk-tuk ride to the Barefoot Garden Cafe. A quiet getaway carefully tucked amidst the hustle and bustle that is Colombo, you could spend a few hours catching up some reading, exploring the oldest contemporary art gallery adjoining the space, sip into a cool glass of wine accompanied by their legendary black pork curry at lunchtime. A live jazz band performs on Sundays.
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For a taste of Sri Lanka’s unique culture, head to Barefoot Café. Established by artist Barbara Sansoni, this iconic institution has been promoting handloom textiles, books, art, and music since 1964. After going through the gorgeous displays of silk rugs, quilts and other textiles, you’ll find a beautiful hidden garden in the back, filled with rustic tables and tropical flowers where you can sit down and enjoy a lovely cappuccino.
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Save your souvenir shopping for the day you visit Barefoot, established by Sri Lanka-born artist Barbara Sansoni in 1964. The only way to reach this courtyard cafe is to pass through a vast emporium of rainbow-hued cotton, silk and wool placemats and rugs, tablecloths and quilt covers, soft toys and shirts, all ethically hand-made by women outside the city. There's also an art gallery, a bookstore and live jazz on Sundays.
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Moreover, Colombo, one of the world’s most tourist-friendly cities, houses many standalone bars and pubs like Loft Lounge Bar, Barefoot Garden Cafe, Koha Surf Lounge, Ceysands Disco, Rodeo Club and many more. If you want to try your luck, head to one of the most popular casinos: Bally’s Casino, Bellagio Casino, Casino Marina Colombo, Continental Club, Stardust Casino, the Ritz Club or MGM Colombo.
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Last but certainly not least is Barefoot Café which has become a Colombo institution. Set across from a small and welcoming art gallery and attached to a shop selling local crafts and clothes, Barefoot Café is beloved by locals and tourists alike. The menu consists largely of salads, sandwiches and other lighter lunch bites, but there’s also rice and curry and special hot dishes each day.
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Hearty portions and wholesome café-style western meals; simple straightforward menu. Food is plated and delivered with certain panache in an attractive outdoor environment of the popular boutique, Barefoot, another building of Bawa influence with bright and colourful interiors. Excellent themed entertainment available, particularly over the weekends and Jazz Sundays are a crowd-puller.
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If there’s an iconic place that’s been a favorite of both locals and tourists for decades, it is Barefoot cafe. The garden cafe is attached to, perhaps, the most famous souvenir shop in Colombo — Barefoot. So you kill two birds with one stone: shop for handloom fabrics, locally made cosmetics and books by Sri Lankan authors, then chill in the garden with a glass of ginger beer.
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The Barefoot Garden is set in such a stunning backdrop that no one should miss out on this place. All the dinning and winning happens around the trees, and the food served is lip smacking. The place has an in-house art gallery which features the work of local artisans.Add this beautiful place to your list and enjoy delectable food while overlooking a scenic garden view.
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The Barefoot Garden Cafe is one of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka for spending a memorable evening. Located in Colombo, the place has a calm atmosphere and serves a huge range of delicious food and drinks. Its main highlights include comfortable seating arrangements, music performances and evening quiz events.
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A Colombo icon, Barefoot tops many a traveller’s city itinerary. Browse the bookshop, stock up on stunning handloom clothing and homeware in beautiful tropical colours, then admire the gallery’s latest exhibition. Bags suitably brimming with mementos, grab a seat in the gorgeous courtyard café for a well-earned rest.
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Barefoot Garden Cafe in Colombo is a serene oasis nestled within a vibrant boutique. Established by artist Barbara Sansoni, it combines art, music, and cuisine in a lush garden setting. The cafe offers a Western-influenced menu, live jazz performances on Sundays, and an adjoining bookstore and art gallery.
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As the name suggests, this eatery is located in a relaxing garden setting within the premises of the Barefoot Gallery. Apart from its mouthwatering delicacies, the café is also known for the live jazz performances that happen here on Sundays and Colombo pub quizzes which are hosted on Wednesdays.
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This verdant garden paradise welcomes you as soon as you enter the café, fostering a calm and peaceful ambiance. The café has a lovely menu with several tasty, healthy selections produced with locally sourced products. With scrumptious salads and sandwiches, there’s something for every palate.
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Found in Colombo 3, right off Galle Road, The Barefoot Café receives nothing but praises from everyone who has visited. A mini oasis in Colombo providing good vibes and good food. It is also a major tourist hot spot and I have to agree, I cannot see a reason why no one would want to visit.
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A little oasis in the bustling capital, this is where to go for daytime drinks. The Barefoot complex includes The Barefoot Gallery, a noted art exhibition space, as well as a store selling clothing and souvenirs, and a bookstore. Barefoot is also well known for its Sunday jazz.
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The architect Amila de Mel planned this masterpiece inside the city. This one of the dusky atmospheres where you can spend a peaceful evening. In addition to the stroll that you can take, you have an art gallery, an outdoor patio and a few other shops with souvenirs.
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This popular spot for live music in Sri Lanka offers a unique blend of music, food, and drinks that make it a favorite among locals and tourists alike. This place is famous for many reasons some of which are:. Location: 704 Galle Rd, Colombo 00300, Sri Lanka
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The Barefoot Garden Cafe is a bohemian oasis in the heart of Colombo. With its laid-back vibe and colorful decor, this bar is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Enjoy a cold beer or a glass of wine while listening to live music or chatting with friends.
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Barefoot Garden Cafe is a great place for a light lunch and a break from the Sri Lankan sun. It’s set in a tree-lined courtyard and draws in a cool, traveler crowd. It serves up delicious quiches, falafel platters, sandwiches, and wraps.
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Location: 5km south of the city centre ( check Google Map here). I have been to a few cafes in the city, however, I find Barefoot standing out from all the city options. The main street door does not look very inviting, I must say.
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At Barefoot Garden Cafe, you can delight in the laidback atmosphere while enjoying tasty desserts. Choco Luv, on the other hand, is famous for its milkshakes. It is a true paradise for those of you who have a sweet tooth.
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Its name doesn't mean that all guests have to enter bare feet. It is a renowned cafe that is set amid the beguiling surroundings and has a soul-soothing ambiance. This cafe is widely visited by all age groups.
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Barefoot Garden Cafe: Known for its laid-back ambiance and live music performances, this café is a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Enjoy a refreshing drink and soak in the artistic vibes.
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Discover a serene oasis at Barefoot Garden Cafe, where delicious vegan options and a cozy atmosphere await!. Enjoy live jazz, art exhibits, and fantastic service for a perfect escape with friends.
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Located just a few steps from the ocean on Galle Road, Barefoot Garden Cafe doubles as a gallery showcasing some of the best local Sri Lankan art and hosting jazz performances every Sunday.
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It is really heart taking as all wining and dining here take place under the tree in this lovely location.
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The Barefoot Garden Café is an oasis in the heart of Colombo - an ideal venue to relax with friends.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit