2025 Sep 24
“A Middle Eastern feast served with an island twist”
Right by Galle Road, opposite the Diliganz Fashion Store, you’ll find Baharat, a standout in the bustling fusion food court. It’s the place to go for an authentic taste of Arabian flavours with a Sri Lankan twist. With its communal wooden benches and an open kitchen, the space feels a bit like a lively bazaar. The atmosphere can get wonderfully chaotic when it’s busy, making it the ideal spot for uncensored conversations and a bit of unpretentious fun with your friends or family.
Mains
Tandoori Chicken Biryani – LKR 1,650 (5/5)
Baharat’s Tandoori Chicken Biryani is a delightful and generous meal that more than lives up to its price. The quarter-size portion, meant for one, is a substantial and satisfying serving. The dish arrives beautifully presented, topped with a sprinkle of fresh coriander and fried onions, with a large piece of tandoori chicken and a side of cooling cucumber raita.
The true star of the show is the rice. This extra-long-grain rice is fluffy and soft and its aromatic spices make it flavourful enough to be enjoyed on its own. The way their tandoori chicken, which is not the softest, blends seamlessly with the other ingredients shows nothing but the brilliance of the chefs at Baharat. The subtle sweetness from the fried onions and the tangy, crunchy finish from the raita’s cucumber pieces are the perfect finishing touches to this dish. This is a dish that deserves a solid five-star rating and is a definite must-try.
Peri Peri Kabsah – LKR 1,850 (4.5/5)
From the moment the Peri Peri Kabsah is served, its vibrant red colour promises a bold and unforgettable experience. This daring fusion of African-Portuguese spices and Arabian flavours is a true feast for the senses, topped with fresh coriander, crisp fried onions, and a whole, expertly grilled chicken leg. While the striking hue might suggest an overpowering heat, the spice is masterfully balanced, delivering a rich, aromatic flavour without an unbearable burn.
The chicken is the highlight, marinated in a signature peri-peri blend and then flame-grilled to a flawless, crispy finish on the outside, which gives way to a wonderfully tender and juicy inside. The fragrant, extra-long-grain basmati rice, infused with a fiery sauce, serves as a perfect backdrop that carries the flavours beautifully. For those who crave an extra kick, the real fire comes from the accompanying signature sizzled curd sauce, a bold, tangy contrast that perfectly balances the heat, which takes the entire dish to another level.
When enjoyed together, the textures and tastes are brilliant, though the dish can be a little too oily. Still, for anyone looking to challenge their palate and spice tolerance, this is a dish you simply have to try.
Mandi Lahm – LKR 1,990 (4/5)
Baharat is known for the best mandi in town, and their Mandi Lahm lives up to that reputation, exceeding all expectations. The dish is brought to the table topped with fresh coriander, fried onions, and a vibrant green chilli, with a generous piece of mutton and a spicy tomato chutney and a cucumber and tomato salad on the side.
From the texture perspective, this is a masterpiece. The extra-long grain basmati rice is incredibly fluffy, while the mutton is smoked, soft, and so tender it simply falls away from the bone. The flavour is rich and deep, making it a dish you can enjoy on its own. The side salad of fresh, crunchy cucumber and tomato cubes provides a perfect, refreshing counterpoint. The spicy chutney, the tender mutton, the fluffy rice, and the fresh salad create a harmonious flavour profile and the dish truly reaches perfection when all the elements are blended together. It’s a dish that truly deserves all the praise it gets.
Ambience
Baharat easily stands out in the bustling fusion food court. You’ll spot it right away by its bright white sign with bold capital letters. The open kitchen invites diners to witness their meals being prepared, which also adds a lively energy to the whole experience. Inside, the space is bathed in a warm, golden glow from the lantern-style lighting, which complements the rustic feel of the wooden tables and benches. The menu boards displayed on the side of the store are a thoughtful touch, allowing you to browse and decide what you want at your own pace. While the sun can make things a bit warm during the day, the natural breeze of the evening provides a perfect, relaxed setting for a leisurely meal.
