Colombo By Ayubowan in Calderdale

If you're seeking authentic Sri Lankan cuisine in Halifax, Colombo is an excellent choice. The food is delicious, and the service is great. Be sure to reserve your table in advance before heading there.

Only given atmosphere 4 stars as we went on a Thursday night and we were the only diners. Obviously pleasant enough for us but we were the atmosphere. With that said, the food was absolutely fantastic. One vegan and one meat eater and a menu that caters well for both. An unusually varied vegan dessert selection. And all of the food was so nice. I cannot understand why it wasn’t busier but then, the whole city centre was a bit dead and everywhere appeared pretty empty. Anyway, I don’t come to Halifax often but I’ll be returning here for sure.

Nice staff , Nice Food , Very Cheap recommended

We had a lovely meal here. Great service and a fabulous menu of delicious dishes. This is a hidden gem of a restuarant and I hope more people come and check it out!

We were there for a meal on Wednesday evening, food was fresh, very reasonable and tasted great. Staff were very friendly and attentive, I would highly recommend and will definitely be going again when I return to Halifax. A real gem of a place.

What a wonderful find! Not somewhere you’d stumble across, but well worth a trip. Delicious food, lovely decor, great service. Go go go!

The food was awful. Evetything burnt and deep fried in old oil.

My wife is Vegan so we popped here as it looked to have some good Vegan options. We were not disappointed the food was excellent if we are ever in Halifax again we will definitely go back and try some of the other options 👍

We really enjoyed our meal. Really tasty authentic food that's different to what you can find elsewhere in town. Definitely a recommendation to go and see for yourself. We ended up having starters, main and dessert as it was so nice so it cost a bit more than we would normally do. Worth it though

First visit and won't be my last. An absolute hidden gem. Food was excellent.

Very friendly staff, delicious food and good portions. It was very quiet when we visited but we were in a group so it didn't spoil our evening.

Having visited Sri Lanka earlier in the year we craved something to remind us of our trip. This didn't disappoint. Tasty curry and a great Kotthu took us straight back!

Lovely authentic food, such an underrated place. It's definitely worth a try, especially if you are a fan of spicy food!

A lovely little gem of a restaurant. We went with a Groupon voucher to check out Sri Lankan food, and it was delicious. Not the best location for a pretty restaurant, but once inside the decor and food really excelled. Reasonably prices menu and lots of unusual choices, everything we had was delicious. We will be back!

Had a delicious meal with my friend Paul on Wednesday evening for the two-for-one deal. Was quiet, a little gem. It's a bit hidden away but the food was really delicious. We shared our starters, main meal and sweets with a bottle of wine. Will definitely will be back with all our friends.

FOOD IS TRULY AMAZING!............ If i could afford i'd eat here every day! We will most definitely be going back! Very pleasant and helpful staff too. We went on a Thursday tea time so slightly quiet in terms of 'atmosphere' but the food made up for this!

We decided to grab a Groupon deal to explore some new grub, and let me tell you, it totally hit the spot! What stood out the most was how they catered to my onion aversion, whipping up something off-menu that was absolutely delicious. The place had a charming, snug vibe that I adored, and the staff were super friendly and accommodating. Definitely worth checking out!

Went for dinner on a Thursday night. The food was all amazing, the taste was unbelievable with great portion sizes at a very reasonable price. The restaurant is on a quiet street, service was excellent. I’ll definitely return

Went early Sunday evening and was fairly quiet. Great food! The guy that took our order was really good, talking us through the menu and recommending what might suit us. He was spot on with all his suggestions for us. They had run out of a few ingredients, such as tuna, but there were plenty of great options. Would highly recommend this place and will definitely be going again :)

Visited this place for our anniversary. We selected it because we had visited Sri Lanka a few years ago and loved the place, food, people etc. we actually obtained a groupon voucher. That said we’ll be going back real soon. The food was sublime. One bite in and we were transported back to Sri Lanka.

Very tasty food and friendly staff. Labelled Gluten free as well.

Sorry definitely would not recommend

Lovely variety of interesting dishes. Went with a small group of friends and was able to try all sorts of things. Really enjoyed the nasi goram and kothtu in particular.

Overall excellent. Very unique authentic taste, lovely atmosphere in the middle of a town corner, very worth for the money spent. You should definitely try this place and Sri Lankan taste

First time here. Peaceful location in centre of Halifax. Lots of parking close by. extensive menu featuring some unusual dishes as well as the favorites. Great service and the prices reasonable. Mutton curry spicy but not hot and meat tender.

What a great find! We had a fantastic meal at Colombo last night. Although I've often eaten South Indian food, it was my first time eating Srilankan food and it was an enlightening experience. Great new flavours, great service...a really enjoyable experience. We'll be back there again soon and we'll be enthusiastically promoting Colombo to our Calderdale friends.

Not open 5pm drove 45 minutes to get here

Lovely place - very pleasant staff. Good menu.....the food is amazing....AMAZING!! It was quiet in terms of other diners - granted Thursday tea time but we will be back and won't hesitate to recommend to others

Always enjoy it here would definitely recommend! :)

Really delicious food, lovely atmosphere and friendly staff. Recommend highly for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, a lovely reminder of our trip a few years ago.

Some of the nicest food we've ever had! Sensational flavours - absolute gem of a place

Menu is all allergen labelled up! Vegans and GF rejoice, there's plenty of options for you and they're scrumptious. Everything is perfectly plated and portions are the perfect size. Lots of different flavours in each mouthful-jackfruit devil was a particular highlight. Would recommend the coconut pancakes (vegan) as a sweet finisher to whatever wonderful dish you pick off the menu. Apple and cinnamon roll (also vegan) was also highly rated by the party. Decor is stylish and not over the top, service is attentive.

Fantastic. Lovely staff. Warm, friendly and so welcoming. Authentic Sri Lankan food which was really delicious. Great value food and drinks Most definitely worth a visit. We’ll be back for sure

If you're looking to embark on a flavorful adventure and savor the best of Sri Lankan cuisine, the Colombo by Ayubowan restaurant is an absolute gem. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu. This restaurant is a true delight for food enthusiasts and anyone looking for a taste of Sri Lanka's rich culinary heritage.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at the Sri Lankan Food Restaurant, and it was an unforgettable culinary experience. From the moment I walked in, I was transported to the vibrant streets of Sri Lanka, thanks to the warm ambiance and friendly staff.

Booked for the vegan buffet. Arrived and they said there weren't enough bookings, so didn't put the buffet on, but we could still have it served at our table. Sounded great. They then came back to say I hadn't booked which I had the email to say I had. Food came out quickly. We had to ask what everything was. Starters were nice. Mains came and kept coming. Lots of food. It was nice but too much. We asked if we could box it up but we were told we couldn't. The puddings weren't great. The brownie was dry and the pancake tasted stodgy and undercooked. We ordered to Americans to then be told they didn't have that but we could have cappuccino or latte, after already being told they only had cows milk at a vegan buffet. Overall the experience was just too surreal to ever go back. The food was a mix of chinese and india with added coconut flavours. I would prefer to go to an Indian restaurant.

Food absolutely gorgeous. Service great. Everyone enjoyed their food and took the leftovers home

Food was lovely,bit quiet but maybe busier at weekend

Travelled a fair way to this venue to find it was closed. Visited on 30th September 2023 @ 18:00 hours. Can you not update website with accurate information.

As other reviews say a bit out of town but minutes only , the decor was authentic to the street food places abroad Been to srilanka and was so was excited to try again the cuisine but this was equal or better than I had there 👌 Nothing disappointed the Dahl was breathtaking as were every platter we ordered Visit and keep this gem going Thank u

Having spent 6 weeks in Sri Lanka I like to think I tried a wide range of food. This restaurant did not disappoint, in fact I’d argue it’s better than everything I tried in Lanka! The sharing platter a great idea to try 3 dishes for cheap and each one were class ( we got two platters!) the devil dishes fantastic and the curries. This place should be busier than it is but it’s about out of town in a random place.. I hope they can get a review out of the local papers because it would be a real shame to see it go. Former chef telling you amazing, very well presented food and a lovely venue.

Not sure if the owner likes asian customers. He starts with non-welcoming note to say “no table’s for nxt 3 hrs, take away will be 4 hrs etc “ …easier if he puts that on his website so asians can visit the alternatives. Pricey anyway and we found thai style is nearby and very accommodating with excellent quality food

Wow. Amazing food. Fresh and tasty and lovely food. Go check

Super tasty food and really warm and friendly service. Decent, reasonably priced cocktails and lots of great vegan/veggie/gluten free options.

Having been before with friends a few months ago, we decided to pop back early on Friday evening as we were in the area. Once again, the food was excellent - well-prepared dishes with carefully balanced flavours and spices. I'd particularly recommend the red beef curry with roti, but to be honest every dish we've had has been superb. It takes real skill to season and flavour a dish so that every nuance can be savoured; compliments to the whole team.

Absolutely top notch food! Lovely staff too and cool decor

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Colombo by Ayubowan Halifax, and it was truly an exceptional experience. The food was a delightful celebration of flavors and spices, transporting me to the vibrant streets of Sri Lanka. Each dish was expertly crafted, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of the country. Moreover, the service was impeccable, with attentive staff who were knowledgeable about the menu and eager to accommodate any dietary preferences. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone seeking a memorable culinary journey through Sri Lanka.

Hidden gem of a place! Fantastic food, great staff. Lovely cocktails.

This Sri Lankan restaurant is a hidden gem that delivers an exceptional dining experience. The food is an absolute revelation, bursting with authentic flavors and perfectly balanced spices. The service is top-notch, with a knowledgeable and attentive staff. The cozy ambiance creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. A must-visit for anyone seeking the true taste of Sri Lanka.

This Sri Lankan restaurant is a hidden gem that delivers an exceptional dining experience. The food is an absolute revelation, bursting with authentic flavors and perfectly balanced spices. The service is top-notch, with a knowledgeable and attentive staff. The cozy ambiance creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. A must-visit for anyone seeking the true taste of Sri Lanka.

Nice Evening with Team Avocet Hardware!!!

We booked to come yesterday as it was vegan buffet, my grandson is vegan. We were greeted warmly, after looking at the menu we saw we could have had anything of it but we stuck with the vegan buffet. 2 different rices, small roti, I think 3 currys, pakoras and another starter I can't name but very tasty, something like crisps too, fruit and sweet cheesecake and other cakes for dessert. Quite rustic furniture and tables for 2 or booths for 4, also a bigger table for bigger parties. Staff polite and pleasant, they filled up the tureens often so plenty of food. They do the vegan buffet the last Sunday of the month and a normal buffet I think second sunday of the month, but check. Reasonable £17.95 eat all you want, £7.95 for children under 12. worth a visit

Took my better half here for a birthday meal amd we had a fabulous time. Only one member of staff serving but she was friendly and efficient. The ambience was nice and the decor, whilst it looks like it was done on a bit of a budget, was pleasant . Service was pretty quick and the food was really flavourful and tasty. Good size portions and pretty well priced. Definitely will visit again and recommend anyone to give it a go for something a little different.

Booked a meal for 2 for Saturday night, had a wonderful meal.

Not ar all authentic. My partner of many years is Sri Lankan. This food was boring and not even close to the real thing. I spend much time in SL so feel justified in my review. No native drinks, no curry leaves in the food and chilli levels you would expect from a high Street chain. Sorry, never again.

Lovely food and a bit different we willll definitely be re visiting , great service and at a good price.

Booked tonight 22nd April for anniversary. Got a email hour before to say it cancelled. Automated email no explanation nothing. Ruined our night

Unique little spot. Tastey food at decent prices with good service. Will return.

Gorgeous food. Service a little slow but we didn't mind that. It was new and busy!!

Great place to eat, nice food and a good atmosphere.

Nice enough but very pricey for what you get in some cases. I normally only leave glowing reviews, but £9 prawn starter had just a handful of small prawns, likewise the Abulla with prawn curry, there were perhaps 5-6 prawns with the rest being rice and few small sambol for £19. £3 for raita which was just standard kebab shop mint sauce, not a chunk of cucumber in sight was outrageous. Good to find a Sri Lankan place finally this side of Galle Fort, but consider going for the lunch deal or monthly buffet for hopefully better value. Sorry but don't think we'll be back.

Lovely food, good decor and great service - we really enjoyed!

Fantastic restaurant with plenty of choices for vegans and vegetarians. They also do a vegan buffet on a monthly basis. Food was delicious. Will be back. Only downside was it was a little cool in the restaurant, so don't visit in just a t-shirt.

Very nice relaxing atmosphere with nice selection of drinks and very flavourful Sri lankan cuisine. Friendly staff. Must visit.

Excellent. Lovely food and great service at a really good price. Fab vegan options!

Awesome, food was amazing can't wait to come back. I strongly recommend!!!!

Went here yesterday for my wife's birthday with the family. It was my second time visiting the restaurant as the first time I went with my father-in-law and he loved the food but didn't enjoy the cold customer service we thought we would give it a second chance as on the day the staff member may not have been in the mood to speak for whatever reason. The food was spot-on and very rich in flavor so really liked the different flavors that I never experienced with traditional Indian food before I know it was Sri Lanka food which is different from Indian food but very similar but cooked in a different way. The only issue I had is the waiter, he needs to work more on his customer service skills and try to be more welcoming. As we walked in we asked for a high chair and the waiter simply replied "yes it's over there" Normally I would expect a waiter to come and bring it to your table, but not expect me to do this myself with 3 other children beside me. As we ordered the food there seem to be no conversation with the waiter just focusing on what we wanted to eat he wasn't really bothered about anything else. Okay, I understand the restaurant may just of had just the one waiter serving the whole restaurant so may not had time for small talk. But what really got me was as we paid the bill there was no thank you or goodbye or even hope you enjoyed your food. With so many choices of restaurants in the local area, it's just not about the quality of the food no more you need to offer customer service as well. I recommend you attend a customer service course to see if you can improve your skillset in this field. Unfortunately, we will be attending your restaurant no more even though you had great food.

Nice place went on groupon deal food was 10 out of 10 .The waiter didn't stop he was friendly and efficient. Would go again needs more awareness it's a hidden gem and not far out of town it is walkable .we will be back.

This place is incredible. The food is so different to anything else we've had before, perfectly cooked, perfectly spiced and the service was excellent. We'll definitely be back the next time we come to Halifax

Second visit and just as good as the first. Lovely space (a little out of the centre), helpful staff and lovely food. Great egg hoppers and sambols are absolutely authentic, as are the curries. A wider range of veg dishes would make it even better.

Great food, Great service,Friendly staff and the place was fantastic. Spend a lovely time over there!!❤️

Great place to have Sri Lankan foods. Good customer service.

Great little restaurant, best curry and the breads are amazing, staff lovely, been a few times already

Lovely food, lovely people, easy to get to and great prices. We will definitely go back :)

Went this evening 06/01/23 with my girlfriend. This place had popped up on my girlfriend’s Facebook, as we were looking for somewhere to eat. Normally we’d pick Italian, Indian or Mexican cuisine never ever picked Sri Lankan. Well it was outstanding. We go to Prashad on Leeds Rd and although Colombo is not as well polished as Prashad, it is certainly a very good restaurant. The flavours in the dishes are exceptional, the service is good, its good value for money, and the dishes are presented very well. They have 2 for £10 on cocktails up until 7pm daily which is good also. If your looking for something different or have never tried Sri Lankan cuisine before be sure to give this place a try you won’t be disappointed.

Great food, Great service and the place was awesome. Had a great lunch with my wife ❤️❤️

The vegan options were fantastic and the food was lovely. Also had an allergy sufferer in our party and the staff dealt with this with no issues at all. Staff very welcoming and attentive.

Fantastic atmosphere, fantastic food and wonderful staff.

Exceptional Sri Lankan food, staff and ambiance! Having spent a lot of time in Sri Lanka, we have been searching for a Sri Lankan restaurant back home and we found it in Halifax! We were so excited to enjoy those unique, authentic flavours again and were not disappointed. We tried many small dishes as is the traditional way in Sri Lanka, all delicious. Egg hoppers were wonderful, served with coconut sambol. We had the most delicious rice we have ever had, Kaju Bath. We enjoyed two vegetarian dishes, beetroot curry and spinach & lentil curry, and three meat dishes, garlic chili chicken curry, Jalthra mutton curry and chicken kothtu, all were extremely delicious and perfectly spiced. We finished off with wattalappam, a traditional Sri Lankan dessert which we have had many times before, but here they serve it warm with ice cream which made it even more delicious. They also serve alcohol, which was an unexpected treat. The restaurant is very clean and well decorated with Sri Lankan masks, playing Sri Lankan music which created a wonderful ambiance. The staff were super friendly and helpful, it was just like being back in Sri Lanka and it was lovely to talk to them about their homeland which we love so very much. Thank you Clifford and Probu for giving us a wonderful experience, see you again soon. Bohoma istuti! (Thank you very much!)

Came across this restaurant by accident on Google maps, and as we enjoy trying different foods from around the world we thought we'd give it a try as it's very close to where we live and I have to say we were very impressed. Ok we had a bit of a wait, as it was Saturday evening and very busy but it was well worth waiting for, the food was delicious, the staff were lovely and came to chat with us, thought the prices were very reasonable too. We will definitely go back and would recommend it to family and friends. They are Halal too just in case you need to know

Absolutely delicious food and impeccable service. Will go here again soon!

Had an excellent meal for 3 of us yesterday tea-time. Waiter JJ(?) was very helpful in explaining the menu, met Prabath(?) the very charming Sri Lankan chef also very helpful in making our choices. Great service, great food and ended up with a takeaway for later! Thank you guys for a lovely experience - we'll be back!!

Good Service and excellent food

Friendly staff, very helpful to choose a dish. Child friendly, very chilled atmosphere. Definitely worth a try!

Second visit. Even better than the first. Food is flavourful and tasty. Service superb. Everything was delicious, but the sambal is to die for! Can't wait to go back, but might have to have a cheeky delivery in the meantime.

First time at this restaurant with friends. Already booked again for next week. Food was excellent and reminiscent of many lovely times spent in Sri Lanka. Authentic, beatifuuly cooked food with excellent good value prices. Great variety of vegetarian and vegan food too. Excellent service. Definitely worth a visit.

What a little gem of a place! Visited last night with friends and loved it! Lovely place, really authentic Sri Lankan food, beautifully cooked and presented. Friendly service and even met the chef. Opened a month ago, go now before you can’t get a table!

Great food and hospitality, looked after us all really well

Excellent food. Authentic Sri Lankan food, with very friendly and helpful staff.

Over priced and tasteless food . A disgrace for Srilankan food

Very bad food and extremely costly. It's not Srilankan food at all.

We went as a group of 21 for father's day. The food and atmosphere was lovely. Great service. I should have asked for names but was too busy keeping our loud group in check! But both of you there attending to us were fab and patient! We will definitely be coming again. 😊

Had a lovely family meal today, at this new restaurant in Halifax. Fantastic meal and lovely warm welcome. We will definitely return.