Food Studio has enhanced its footprint at Colombo City Centre (CCC) by introducing an updated array of five culinary concepts at the Dining Gallery, signifying a significant milestone in the company’s expansion and the ongoing transformation of Colombo’s dining scene.
This new offering includes Primo, a familiar presence at the location, and Hotel Manoli, which is making its first appearance at CCC after operating at One Galle Face Mall (OGF). Additionally, the revamped Bamboo Boy joins two new concepts, Wide Eyes and Kimono. Collectively, these five brands will provide a richer dining experience for visitors at CCC, showcasing a variety of flavors and dining formats all in one venue.
The launch underscores Food Studio’s dedication to crafting dining experiences that prioritize quality, convenience, and diversity. The portfolio is designed to cater to modern consumers’ preferences, focusing on establishing robust, scalable food concepts with long-term viability. This initiative also bolsters CCC’s status as a leading lifestyle and retail hub in Colombo, catering to the needs of residents, professionals, families, and tourists seeking high-quality dining options in the city center.
Naveed Cader, Managing Director of Food Studio and Group CEO of Liberty Lands & Developments, commented, “CCC is the birthplace of Food Studio, and we believe it remains central to our ongoing development. Returning to The Dining Gallery with this lineup of five brands is not merely a relaunch; it represents an evolution, coinciding with Colombo’s readiness for such an offering. With Sri Lanka emerging as a popular tourist destination, it is essential for vibrant cities to provide outstanding dining experiences for both locals and tourists. This opening also aligns with our broader vision for Liberty Lands & Developments as we continue to invest in areas such as food and beverage, entertainment, hospitality, and select real estate ventures with strong long-term potential. Our aim is for every guest to appreciate the quality of the food and feel they received genuine value for their money. This is the promise of Food Studio, and these five brands lay the groundwork for our international aspirations.”
The timing of this launch is indicative of a revitalized momentum within Colombo’s food and beverage sector, as there is an increasing demand for curated dining experiences that deliver variety, convenience, and consistency. By uniting established, reimagined, and newly introduced concepts, Food Studio seeks to adapt to evolving consumer preferences while developing brands that can expand across various locations.
Nadeem Rajabdeen, CEO of Food Studio, stated, “Food Studio originated as a platform to gather authentic food concepts under one roof, and through this journey, we began creating our own brands. This has transitioned into a more refined focus on fewer concepts, executed with excellence and significant investment in the product and brand scalability. Each brand emerged from a unique inspiration, whether it be Primo’s dedication to quality bread and fillings, Hotel Manoli’s comforting Middle Eastern cuisine, Bamboo Boy’s Southeast Asian hawker-style offerings, Kimono’s vibrant Japanese identity, or Wide Eyes as our specialty coffee and patisserie brand. Returning to the original floor of Food Studio, albeit in a smaller footprint, with five brands built from scratch feels like a full circle moment. This also aligns with CCC’s vision for this floor to be a destination centered around entertainment and strong quick-service restaurant brands.”
The culinary direction of this new offering emphasizes variety, high-quality ingredients, and accessible creativity. Each concept is tailored to cater to different dining occasions, ranging from quick, flavorful meals to more leisurely shared experiences.
Jesse Aston, Culinary Director of Food Studio, explained, “The focus across all five concepts is to create food that is fun, approachable, and rooted in familiar flavors. With Bamboo Boy, we honed in on Southeast Asian cuisine, incorporating Malaysian, Singaporean, and Indonesian influences to craft comforting dishes that appeal to everyday tastes. Kimono draws from the playful aspects of Japanese culture, offering donburi, ramen, and sushi that are easy to mix and match. Hotel Manoli emphasizes Middle Eastern comfort food with fresh bowls and mezze, while Wide Eyes introduces authentic coffee culture, diverse brewing methods, and creative iced beverages. Across all five brands, our goal remains consistent: to provide dependable, everyday food that offers great value for money.”
Through this latest development at CCC’s Dining Gallery, Food Studio continues to play a pivotal role in the evolving dining landscape of Colombo, while reinforcing its ambition to create dining concepts that have the potential to expand beyond individual locations.
