News / Restaurants
Family bringing ‘a feast of Sri Lankan dishes’ to Bristol
The hope of a family team about to open a new restaurant is to put an “exciting” spin on Sri Lankan food in our city.
Sambol is the new permanent premises of outdoor mobile catering company Ceylon and Beyond, established in 2021 and has since spread its love for Sri Lankan cuisine at weddings, festivals and other events.
“We’ve worked hard and started a small business from scratch, and over the years people have started to really like us,” says co-owner Harsha Rajarathne, who runs the business with brother Isuru Rajarathne and Isuru’s partner Maddy Crammond.
“Finally, we thought it was time to start a restaurant, although it’s risky.”
View this post on Instagram
Using spices exported from Sri Lanka, the team wants to replicate the style of dishes that the aunties and Grandma of Harsha and Isuru cooked during their childhood in the South Asian island.
On offer at Sambol will be a range of small plates, such as curries, rice and roti, sambas, sides, desserts, plus herbal teas and cocktails.
Specific dishes include Negombo prawn curry, smoked goat curry, mutton rolls, turmeric and coconut toddy-poached cassava and homemade parathas.
“We want people to come inside Sambol and dine like they are eating with their family,” said Harsha, who is the chef. “We want it to be similar to how people eat in Sri Lanka: a feast of different dishes.”
“Hopefully, people will come in, have a good chat and have some great food and cocktails,” added Maddy.
Ceylon & Beyond offers authentic Sri Lankan food, such as street snacks and curry bowls, with many vegan and vegetarian options – photo: Ceylon & Beyond
Discussing the shift from street food to a bricks-and-mortar restaurant, Maddy explained it’s “nerve-racking” but exciting to see it all come together.
“Opening a restaurant has been on our agenda for a while because festival and event work is so seasonal—busy in summer, then quiet over winter.
“Having something that’s more consistent year-round is a big priority for us.”
“In a fixed location, customers can find us anytime and we can offer a tailored dining experience.”
Sambol is opening on East Street – photo: Betty Woolerton
Sambol, which will continue to run its catering business, joins a growing list of notable Sri Lankan restaurants in the city, from Nadu on Stokes Croft to Kottu Hut in Redland.
Maddy added: “Sri Lankan restaurants in Bristol are blazing the way and familiarising people with the cuisine.
“But for us, we’re excited to put our spin on it and do things that people haven’t tried before and hopefully will enjoy…
“It’s scary, but Bristol is really supportive as a city and also open to trying diverse food types, so we hope people will get behind us.”
Sambol is set to open on Wednesday on 61 East Street in Bedminster, which was most recently cafe and bistro Lucky Strike.
Main photo: Betty Woolerton
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
