Waffles Wonderland

The one and only:

Demi Hewamanna

Finally the wait for the one in a million waffles prom and special deals is over, because now Colombo has its very own Waffles restaurant open 365 days of the year at the most convenient place located down Staple street.

The peach and cream waffles

Spicy Chicken waffle

As I made my way through Staple street got down from the van and walked into the restaurant, I immediately got a warm welcome with smiles all around from co-founder of Tropical Tonic Smoothie Bar and Waffles bar Nadeeka Mihindukulasuriya.

As I took a seat and sat down, I felt quiet a charm in the restaurant with its balancing colour on the walls and paintings to add more light and life to the restaurant. As Nihal Mihindukulasuriya (owner and Nadeeka’s husband) was busy with some young customers, Nadeeka explained to me about the whole story of the Waffle bar.

As I waited for one of the restaurant’s special smoothie Berry and Berry, Nadeeka said that they began this business 6 years ago (June 2004) in Kohuwela as a Take Away counter only. But being only a take away, the place was packed everyday as people kept coming on and on again to taste true and authentic homemade waffles. They opened up at Staple street six months back and the customers haven’t stopped coming and some even come from Battaramulla and far off places just to taste their waffles.

I remember it very well, as some years ago, when I was taken to that place by my friend who was also a crazy waffles fan, and taking my first bite that I couldn’t resist, I know the reason now for customers coming back for more.

Banana and chocolate waffle

Nihal whipping up a waffle. Pictures by Rukmal Gamage

“I wanted to open a shop for people to eat waffles at any time of the day”, Nadeeka said with a smile. The only place people used to go and eat waffles at were at hotels and at special promotions that come once a year. Most people cannot afford to go to eat waffles at a hotel and looking at the prices Tropical Tonic has, anyone and everyone can afford it and I can assure that.

As soon as my drink Berry and Berry came, I put down my pen and took my sip. At the first taste itself I could taste all the main ingredients: Strawberry, Blueberry, Yogurt and Banana, and it was simply great. The best smoothie I tasted so far in my life.

The Waffle bar begins its day at 10.00am and ends at 9.00pm, depending on the occasion as well, as they are all ready to cater to you as well and give a waffling time with great waffles that can fill a stomach for a whole day.

Some of the tasty waffles that get tongues waggling is (my favourite so far) was the chicken with cheese waffle. When I took my first bite, it was simply perfect. Everything was done to perfection: the chicken was done just fine along with the cheese that was spread in a light manner to keep the flavour of all the spices in there. And one plate is sure to fill your appetite but that doesn’t give a reason to stop ordering more and that is why some customers never give up coming back here.

Nadeeka states that it took her one year to get the batter right for a perfect waffle.

“There is one German lady, who sends her driver every morning with the same order. The reason being is that she said that these waffles taste just like the ones she had in her country”, Nadeeka added. Their customers range from old, young, working and studying. They have a loyal customer base and they like to thank them as because of their word of mouth, their restaurant grew from the moment of inception.

Some of these customers are from HSBC, media who are in and around the corner of Braybrooke Place. “What we want is to have this as an after hour hang out spot,” MD, PR Manager and Operations Manager Steven Pieres said. I want to have this as the most happening place in Colombo and give it a retro (70’s) theme with psychedelic pictures, retro music with a touch of jazz and chill out.

My influence on this place actually came from watching Michaelangelo’s (character from hit comic series Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) crazy and weird taste and love for Pizza, he said laughingly.

This is a central location, parking is not an issue and there are many hip and happening plans and new flavours that will come out to the public soon.

We are going to bring out Burger waffles where the bun is going to be a waffle, Steven stated.

Everything is home made, from the fruits that are cut and chopped to the amazing sauces that bathe some of the waffles. And this is a restaurant for everyone. Their food is totally halal and they have a vegetarian menu for all the vegetarians out there.

To the people who are always on the go and don’t have time to whip a breakfast at home, then this is an ideal place. You can call them and place your order and on your way to you designated area can pick it up and go or even get it delivered to where ever you are in the Colombo vicinity.