Sri Lankan flavour
Rice and curry, kiribath, hoppers and kottu are repeatedly praised for tasting authentically Sri Lankan.
Cafe Taprobane
Al Nahda
Cafe Taprobane is a family restaurant in Al Nahda centred on Sri Lankan cuisine, with Indian and Arabic dishes also described by the business. Reviewers particularly come for rice and curry, kottu, hoppers and other familiar Sri Lankan favourites, available for dine-in, takeaway and delivery.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
600 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Large portions
Portions are a strong point, from a cheese chicken kottu called one of the biggest tried in Dubai to buckets feeding more people than expected.
Delivery packing
Some delivery orders arrive hot and fresh in safe, clean containers, with reviewers also noting good packing.
Menu variety
Beyond Sri Lankan staples, reviewers mention Thai cashew rice, seafood noodles and other dishes across a broad menu.
Outdoor seating
The business has outdoor seating, giving groups another dine-in option when the small indoor area is full.
Warm service
Several reviews describe friendly, attentive service and welcoming hospitality, including during busy periods.
What to Eat at Cafe Taprobane How we choose these items We use AI to find praise and criticism of specific foods and drinks in a selection of Google reviews. For Cafe Taprobane, this list is based on 50 reviews, not every review of the restaurant. The score is positive reviews minus negative reviews. For example, two positive reviews and one negative review give +1. Each review counts once per item; neutral comments do not change the score. A zero score is not a positive recommendation. “Only neutral feedback” means there are no positive or negative votes. “Mixed feedback” means equal numbers of positive and negative votes. The quotes are examples of what people said, not every comment we counted. We use different reviews where we can. We normally show up to 10 foods and 5 drinks with non-negative scores. Items with the same score stay together. If a tied group would go past the limit, that group and the lower non-negative scores go into Honorable mentions. If an overflowing positive top tie would leave the list empty, we show up to 10 items from that tie and keep the rest in Honorable mentions. Foods and drinks with a negative score are under What to Avoid. Use this as a guide to what reviewers liked, not a guarantee that you will like it too.
Foods and drinks mentioned in reviews of Cafe Taprobane, ranked by positive reviews minus negative reviews. Zero-score items have no net positive feedback; their labels distinguish neutral-only from mixed feedback.
Food 10
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Biriyani Net +1
“This is one of the best Sri Lankan restaurant usually we go and we order through online as well we have tried half of the menu actually more than their double panittuwa ,biriyani ,rice and curry those all are my favorites .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This is one of the best Sri Lankan restaurant usually we go and we order through online as well we have tried half of the menu actually more than their double panittuwa ,biriyani ,rice and curry those all are my favorites .”July 2026
-
Boiled jak ( තම්බපු කොස් ) Net +1
“Boiled jak ( තම්බපු කොස් ) was my all time favorite since childhood and fullfilled my craving after 8 long years without seing a කොස් මදුලක්.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Boiled jak ( තම්බපු කොස් ) was my all time favorite since childhood and fullfilled my craving after 8 long years without seing a කොස් මදුලක්.”July 2026
-
Cheese chicken kotthu Net +1
“First of all thank you for the lovely cheese chicken kotthu generous portion. I would say the biggest portion in dubai from a sri lankan restaurant i have tried yet.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“First of all thank you for the lovely cheese chicken kotthu generous portion. I would say the biggest portion in dubai from a sri lankan restaurant i have tried yet.”April 2025
-
Chopsuey Net +1
“My family and I visited Thabrobane during the weekend. We are highly satisfied with their food, as we tried chopsuey and mixed meat rice buckets. The food is reasonably priced, and the staff is very supportive.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My family and I visited Thabrobane during the weekend. We are highly satisfied with their food, as we tried chopsuey and mixed meat rice buckets. The food is reasonably priced, and the staff is very supportive.”May 2025
-
Daily sri lankan rice and curry Net +1
“And their daily Sri Lankan rice and curry is super delicious and very satisfying.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“And their daily Sri Lankan rice and curry is super delicious and very satisfying.”April 2026
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Daiya kottu Net +1
“Love real Sri Lankan taste? 🇱🇰 Try Daiya Kottu & Sri Lankan Tea! Highly recommended! Big portion, great value, and everything is made fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Love real Sri Lankan taste? 🇱🇰 Try Daiya Kottu & Sri Lankan Tea! Highly recommended! Big portion, great value, and everything is made fresh.”March 2026
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Double panittuwa Net +1
“This is one of the best Sri Lankan restaurant usually we go and we order through online as well we have tried half of the menu actually more than their double panittuwa ,biriyani ,rice and curry those all are my favorites .”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“This is one of the best Sri Lankan restaurant usually we go and we order through online as well we have tried half of the menu actually more than their double panittuwa ,biriyani ,rice and curry those all are my favorites .”July 2026
-
Fried rice Net +1
“You can taste the Kottu, Noodles and Fried Rice as in Sri Lanka..”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You can taste the Kottu, Noodles and Fried Rice as in Sri Lanka..”June 2025
-
Garlic rice Net +1
“I had the pleasure of enjoying this incredible meal served on a fresh banana leaf — a generous spread of fragrant garlic rice paired beautifully with a rich, colorful mix of seafood, tender chicken, and a variety of fresh, crunchy vegetables in a perfectly spiced sauce. The seafood was wonderfully fresh and cooked just right, blending so well with the aromatic garlic rice.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I had the pleasure of enjoying this incredible meal served on a fresh banana leaf — a generous spread of fragrant garlic rice paired beautifully with a rich, colorful mix of seafood, tender chicken, and a variety of fresh, crunchy vegetables in a perfectly spiced sauce. The seafood was wonderfully fresh and cooked just right, blending so well with the aromatic garlic rice.”August 2025
-
Hoppers (appa) Net +1
“Their hoppers (appa) are fresh, soft in the center, and crispy on the edges, served with tasty sambol and curry.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Their hoppers (appa) are fresh, soft in the center, and crispy on the edges, served with tasty sambol and curry.”February 2026
Honorable mentions (13)
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Kiribath Net +1
“My absolute favorite is the kiribath – it tastes so real and traditional. You honestly can’t find this kind of authentic kiribath anywhere else in this area. For me, it even feels better than homemade… that’s how much I loved it.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My absolute favorite is the kiribath – it tastes so real and traditional. You honestly can’t find this kind of authentic kiribath anywhere else in this area. For me, it even feels better than homemade… that’s how much I loved it.”April 2026
-
Kottu roti Net +1
“The kottu roti is prepared fresh and packed with flavor – just like back home in Sri Lanka.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The kottu roti is prepared fresh and packed with flavor – just like back home in Sri Lanka.”February 2026
-
Mixed meat rice buckets Net +1
“My family and I visited Thabrobane during the weekend. We are highly satisfied with their food, as we tried chopsuey and mixed meat rice buckets. The food is reasonably priced, and the staff is very supportive.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“My family and I visited Thabrobane during the weekend. We are highly satisfied with their food, as we tried chopsuey and mixed meat rice buckets. The food is reasonably priced, and the staff is very supportive.”May 2025
-
Mixed rice sanniya Net +1
“We tried the Mixed Rice Sanniya and oh my… it was absolutely delicious! 🤤”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We tried the Mixed Rice Sanniya and oh my… it was absolutely delicious! 🤤”August 2025
-
Red string hoppers with kirimaalu curry Net +1
“Recently we ordered red string hoppers with kirimaalu curry and the food was delicious and perfect.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Recently we ordered red string hoppers with kirimaalu curry and the food was delicious and perfect.”July 2026
-
Seafood noodles Net +1
“However, the seafood noodles were enjoyable and deserve an 8/10.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“However, the seafood noodles were enjoyable and deserve an 8/10.”October 2025
-
Special mix rice Net +1
“The highlight was their special mix rice, which was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and packed with a delicious variety of ingredients. The portion size was generous, and the presentation made it even more inviting.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The highlight was their special mix rice, which was flavorful, perfectly cooked, and packed with a delicious variety of ingredients. The portion size was generous, and the presentation made it even more inviting.”December 2024
-
Sri lankan rice and curry Net +1
“Sri Lankan rice and curry Really it even feels better than homemade i loved it🥹❤️”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Sri Lankan rice and curry Really it even feels better than homemade i loved it🥹❤️”July 2026
-
Thai cashew rice Net +1
“Best in Town! Recently i tried their Thai Cashew Rice. it was super delicious.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Best in Town! Recently i tried their Thai Cashew Rice. it was super delicious.”March 2025
-
Watalappam Net +1
“Don't Forget to Eat there Watalappam, It's perfect.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Don't Forget to Eat there Watalappam, It's perfect.”March 2025
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Yellow rice menu Net +1
“The yellow rice menu is also amazing, full of flavor and perfectly done.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The yellow rice menu is also amazing, full of flavor and perfectly done.”April 2026
-
කොස් combo Net +1
“කොස් combo... I dont have a picture to post here. Bcz i ate the order before i think to take a pic unlike women 😒.. Overall experience is amazing, and the food is worth every dime.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“කොස් combo... I dont have a picture to post here. Bcz i ate the order before i think to take a pic unlike women 😒.. Overall experience is amazing, and the food is worth every dime.”July 2026
-
Cutlet Net 0
Only neutral feedback
“Beef and cutlet was okay.”
Positive 0Negative 0Neutral 1
Drinks 1
-
Sri lankan tea Net +1
“Love real Sri Lankan taste? 🇱🇰 Try Daiya Kottu & Sri Lankan Tea! Highly recommended! Big portion, great value, and everything is made fresh.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Love real Sri Lankan taste? 🇱🇰 Try Daiya Kottu & Sri Lankan Tea! Highly recommended! Big portion, great value, and everything is made fresh.”March 2026
What to Avoid (12)
Food 11
-
Brinjol moju Net −1
“Brinjol moju is bitter taste.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Brinjol moju is bitter taste.”June 2025
-
Cheese chicken kothu Net −1
“The most shocking part was the food. After a long wait, we received the cheese chicken kothu only to realize the chef had completely forgotten to add the roti. It was just vegetables, cheese, and watery milk — no roti at all. That is unacceptable for such a basic dish.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The most shocking part was the food. After a long wait, we received the cheese chicken kothu only to realize the chef had completely forgotten to add the roti. It was just vegetables, cheese, and watery milk — no roti at all. That is unacceptable for such a basic dish.”February 2026
-
Chef's special seafood rice Net −1
“We ordered the Chef's Special seafood rice, expecting a premium dish, but unfortunately, most of the seafood had a very unpleasant smell and did not taste fresh.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered the Chef's Special seafood rice, expecting a premium dish, but unfortunately, most of the seafood had a very unpleasant smell and did not taste fresh.”May 2026
-
Chicken spring roll Net −1
“I ordered a chicken spring roll, and it seemed like a ready-made item, yet I was charged AED 6 for it. In many Sri Lankan restaurants, similar rolls cost around AED 3. I don't mind paying higher prices if the food quality is good, but in this case the taste was far below expectations.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I ordered a chicken spring roll, and it seemed like a ready-made item, yet I was charged AED 6 for it. In many Sri Lankan restaurants, similar rolls cost around AED 3. I don't mind paying higher prices if the food quality is good, but in this case the taste was far below expectations.”June 2026
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Fruit salad Net −1
“For dessert, we ordered the fruit salad, which was excessively sweet and inedible.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“For dessert, we ordered the fruit salad, which was excessively sweet and inedible.”October 2025
-
Kaprinna sawan Net −1
“One of your staff members recommended the Kaprinna Sawan. Unfortunately, the noodles seemed spoiled and had an unpleasant smell. My son even vomited after returning home.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“One of your staff members recommended the Kaprinna Sawan. Unfortunately, the noodles seemed spoiled and had an unpleasant smell. My son even vomited after returning home.”May 2026
-
Lamprais Net −1
“Ordered Lamprais ( which is rice wrapped with banana leaf). What actually came was rice in plastic box with a leaf piece ridiculously 😂😂😂. Before order i called the restaurant and confirmed whether its available. How ever after sending the photo restaurant lady saying banana leaves are finished.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Ordered Lamprais ( which is rice wrapped with banana leaf). What actually came was rice in plastic box with a leaf piece ridiculously 😂😂😂. Before order i called the restaurant and confirmed whether its available. How ever after sending the photo restaurant lady saying banana leaves are finished.”June 2025
-
Nestomalt Net −1
“After a long time I tried Nestomalt but it was really bad.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“After a long time I tried Nestomalt but it was really bad.”April 2026
-
Parata Net −1
“Recently I had ordered some Parata and the quality was not good at all. Though it was warm the Parata was very hard and dry. This was the 2nd time I experienced the same and that too after complaining and requesting to make it fresh.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“Recently I had ordered some Parata and the quality was not good at all. Though it was warm the Parata was very hard and dry. This was the 2nd time I experienced the same and that too after complaining and requesting to make it fresh.”April 2026
-
Sri lankan biriyani Net −1
“As for the food, the Sri Lankan biriyani was quite disappointing and difficult to rate positively.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“As for the food, the Sri Lankan biriyani was quite disappointing and difficult to rate positively.”October 2025
-
Wattalappam Net −1
“For dessert, only seven wattalappam portions were available. The taste and quality were disappointing, and the portions were very small. (a portion of a Half sized of yogurt cup.)Atleast it even didn't have sugar taste.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“For dessert, only seven wattalappam portions were available. The taste and quality were disappointing, and the portions were very small. (a portion of a Half sized of yogurt cup.)Atleast it even didn't have sugar taste.”May 2026
Drinks 1
-
Lime mojito Net −1
“The lime mojito also lacked flavor — we’ve had much better versions elsewhere.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The lime mojito also lacked flavor — we’ve had much better versions elsewhere.”October 2025
Tips for a Better Visit
Confirm prices. Ask for current prices before ordering; one reviewer said the menu card still showed old prices and changes were revealed only at payment.
Allow time. Avoid visiting when you are in a hurry. Waiting has been a recurring complaint, including a reported two-hour delivery.
Check availability. For group bookings, confirm dishes and portions in advance; one seafood-only rice request could not be accommodated on arrival.
Plan parking. Parking nearby can be difficult, and limited seating may make a larger group harder to accommodate.
Try kiribath. Kiribath is a standout choice if you want a traditional Sri Lankan dish; one reviewer compared it favourably with homemade.
Check add-ons. If ordering a single coconut roti, ask whether katta sambol is included, as one reviewer was told it came only with a combo.
Plan the visit
Practical details
13th St - opp. Shaklan Supermarket
Al Nahda First - Al Nahda, Dubai
| Mon | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sat | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Delivery delays
Delivery performance is uneven: one order took over two hours, while another was never delivered after a follow-up.
Food inconsistency
Reviews include complaints about hard parata, excessive spiciness, an unpleasant-smelling seafood rice dish and a kottu missing its roti.
Long waits
Dine-in and takeaway customers report extended waits, including a review that advises allowing more than an hour for food.
Tight seating
The indoor seating is described as very limited or cramped, which can make family dining less comfortable.
Price changes
One reviewer said the menu had not been updated with new prices before the bill, creating an unwelcome surprise.
Customer-reported prices
These are customer-reported mentions, not a current price list. Prices may have changed.
AED 6
chicken spring roll
“I ordered a chicken spring roll, and it seemed like a ready-made item, yet I was charged AED 6 for it”Google review · June 2026
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Cafe Taprobane is a family restaurant in Al Nahda centred on Sri Lankan food, with Indian and Arabic cuisine also described by the business. The Sri Lankan side is the clear draw: reviewers return for rice and curry, kottu roti, kiribath and hoppers. It suits diners looking for familiar flavours, generous portions or food to share.
The strongest dish-specific feedback is for rice and curry that tastes homemade, kiribath with a traditional flavour, and fresh hoppers that are soft in the centre and crisp at the edges. The cheese chicken kottu has also been described as one of the biggest portions tried in Dubai. Delivery can work well too: red string hoppers with kirimaalu curry arrived hot in clean containers.
Dine-in, outdoor seating, takeaway and delivery are available, although the indoor room is small. The important caveat is inconsistency. Some customers report long waits, including delivery taking over two hours or never arriving, while others received food quickly.
Complaints also cover missing items, hard parata, excessive spiciness and an unpleasant-smelling seafood rice dish. Parking can be difficult, seating cramped, and menu prices may not be updated, so confirm availability, current prices and expected waiting time before ordering for a group.