Torta Cafe | Restaurant Review

Satisfy your sweet tooth cravings with these torta-ly delectable desserts!

Baking is a passion that few have but when they do have it, man oh man, it is a treat for your tastebuds and that is exactly what Torta Cafe is about. What started as a home baker’s passion has turned into a small dessert nook, in the heart of Colombo.

Torta Cafe is currently run by Mrs S Thushyanthran and Mr Shanthan, their concept being to embody a cute dessert shop and it is a dessert lover’s dream. They have elevated the classic flavours we all know and love, making it a ‘happy place for cakeaholics’ as their tagline so appropriately reads. It also doubles as a place to catch up on some reading as they have a variety of books to choose from and you can even play some board games, of which they have an extensive collection. 

Here’s what we tried!

CAKES

Carrot Cake – LKR 1,450 (5/5)

Trust me, I have never tried carrot cake in my life because the thought of carrot in a cake didn’t entice me at all. So, this being my first time, I was pleasantly surprised at how good it is. The cake itself is moist and light, despite looking dense. It’s packed full of nutty pecan flavour, and you can taste the spice mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger in every bite. This pairs well with the rich, fluffy cream cheese frosting, also topped with nuts, emphasising the cake’s earthy flavour. While you can see small pieces of carrot, you can’t necessarily taste it, which I liked.

Choco Torta – LKR 1,300 (4/5)

Consisting of four distinct layers of chocolate sponge cake stacked with chocolate mousse in between, this torta is a sight for sore eyes. The soft, moist chocolate sponge leans towards dark chocolate, so it isn’t too sweet, and neither is the silky chocolate mousse. It’s glazed with chocolate whipped cream, giving the perfect finish to this already gorgeous torta. Together, it tastes like eating a good dark chocolate and is perfect for those who prefer a less sugary cake. That being said, the dark chocolate could be more prominent to provide that richer undertone we all love in smooth dark chocolate, given its amount of chocolate elements.

Fun Fetti – LKR 1,350 (4/5) 

Just like its name, this cake is whimsical and fun in appearance. The vanilla sponge cake is so soft and buttery that it melts in your mouth, with hints of vanilla essence throughout. It is exactly what you look for in a vanilla sponge cake. The pink frosting and colourful sprinkles baked through adds to the cake’s colour and fun aspect, bringing a bit of nostalgia reminiscent of cakes you had as a kid. However, it is a bit simple in taste and could use more oomph in its frosting, but hey, that’s just a personal preference.

DESSERT 

Latin Tres Leches – LKR 1,850 (4.5/5)

Presented in a cocktail glass with whipped cream smoothened over the top, it looks so perfect that you don’t feel like making a dent in it. But once you do, it’s an explosion of cake and milk. The sponge cake is soaked in three types of milk, which adds to the milky flavour profile. The cake melts in your mouth, creating a heavenly combination.

Brownie Nutella Trifle – LKR 1,750 (5/5)

Plated in a glass tumbler, this dessert looks delicious from the start but doesn’t prepare you for the flavour bomb that follows the first spoonful. The trifle has three distinct layers: rich Nutella chocolate mousse, less sweet brownie cubes to balance the mousse, and a topping of whipped cream drizzled with chocolate sauce. Together, it creates the perfect mouthful of Nutella goodness. Make sure you dig right to the bottom to get a taste of all three layers and the Nutella at the base. 

DRINKS

Green Apple Margarita Mojito – LKR 1,650 (5/5) 

Refreshing, cooling, and revitalising are what come to mind from the first sip. The apple is definitely front and centre in this flavour profile. Mint leaves and lime slices add to the refreshing element of this green concoction. It tastes like an apple-flavoured Sprite with a minty finish, perfect for this tropical weather.

Strawberry Cheese Cake Frappuccino – LKR 1,850 (5/5) 

This is best described as drinking a strawberry cheesecake from a glass. The strawberry syrup not only gives it a stunning colour but re-infuses the strawberry flavour into this already flavour-packed drink. It consists of creamy vanilla soft serve and a big dollop of whipped cream as a garnish. When mixed together, it is exactly what you want a cheesecake to taste like: sweet and smooth.  It is also finished off with digestive biscuit crumbs, adding a bit of texture to this otherwise smooth drink.

AMBIENCE 

As you step in you just know your sweet tooth is going to be satisfied and this is largely due to their interior decor. It looks like a mini Willy Wonka shop with its pastel pink and blue walls being the first thing you notice. Against that are a variety of pink, blue and floral tea sets displayed in gold lined shelves which gives it a touch of elegance and this is reiterated by the elongated bulbs hanging from the ceiling, under which their beautiful cakes are displayed. 

A floral patterned wallpaper adorns the other side against which the wooden furniture decorated with pink and blue cushions helps tie into the pastel colour scheme. The windows and walls have cute drawings of desserts which gives it a funky vibe. It is the perfect place to get some cake and forget about your worries for a while.