Authentic flavours
The mix kottu has been praised for tasting like home, with spices that reminded one reviewer of Sri Lanka.
Cafe Taprobane - International City Branch (Dubai)
International City
Cafe Taprobane is a Sri Lankan restaurant in International City serving familiar dishes such as kottu, rice and curry, hoppers, sambols and island-style drinks. Reviews especially point to the mix kottu and other traditional dishes for their home-style flavours.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
219 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Kottu choices
The menu includes varied kottu options, including cheese kottu, nai miris chicken kottu and Dayya kottu.
Family friendly
One review describes the restaurant as clean and family friendly after trying the chef’s special, Nasiguran and chicken fried rice.
Large servings
A portion of spicy food for four was reported to be much bigger than expected.
Group dining
A chicken biriyani savan ordered for 10 people was described as having a perfect portion and complementary side dishes.
Calm setting
Some diners find the restaurant calm, comfortable and suitable for a relaxed meal or meeting friends.
What to Eat at Cafe Taprobane - International City Branch (Dubai) 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 - International City Branch (Dubai), 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.
These items at Cafe Taprobane - International City Branch (Dubai) got the most positive mentions in user reviews. Check them out!
Food 3
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Dayya kottu Net +2
“We had a great dinner with our family, food also delicious and i recommend daiya kottu. Its so good.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had a great dinner with our family, food also delicious and i recommend daiya kottu. Its so good.”March 2026
“Don’t miss the Sunday Special Lampraise – pure perfection in a banana leaf – or the hearty Double Panittu Rice and Dayya Kottu.”August 2025
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Double panittu rice Net +2
“We had double panittu. Taste of sri lanka with spicy sea food and tasty egg fried rice.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We had double panittu. Taste of sri lanka with spicy sea food and tasty egg fried rice.”October 2025
“Don’t miss the Sunday Special Lampraise – pure perfection in a banana leaf – or the hearty Double Panittu Rice and Dayya Kottu.”August 2025
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Sunday special lampraise Net +2
“I ordered the Lumprice and it was absolutely delicious rich in flavor and perfectly prepared.”
Positive 2Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I ordered the Lumprice and it was absolutely delicious rich in flavor and perfectly prepared.”August 2025
“Don’t miss the Sunday Special Lampraise – pure perfection in a banana leaf – or the hearty Double Panittu Rice and Dayya Kottu.”August 2025
Honorable mentions (13)
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Chicken biriyani savan Net +1
“We ordered a chicken biriyani savan for 10 people, and it was excellent. The portion size was perfect, the taste was rich and aromatic, and the side dishes complemented it really well!!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“We ordered a chicken biriyani savan for 10 people, and it was excellent. The portion size was perfect, the taste was rich and aromatic, and the side dishes complemented it really well!!”December 2025
-
Chicken fried rice Net +1
“Restaurant is clean and family friendly, we tried chefs special, Nasiguran, chicken fried rice , all are so good , so yummy. Best sri lankan taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Restaurant is clean and family friendly, we tried chefs special, Nasiguran, chicken fried rice , all are so good , so yummy. Best sri lankan taste.”June 2026
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Hoppers Net +1
“The food is bursting with authentic flavors — from perfectly spiced curries to fresh hoppers and mouth-watering sambols.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The food is bursting with authentic flavors — from perfectly spiced curries to fresh hoppers and mouth-watering sambols.”August 2025
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Kalawan thachchiya Net +1
“The Taprobane Kulla, Kalawan Thachchiya, and Kapirinna Sawan are full of bold, authentic flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Taprobane Kulla, Kalawan Thachchiya, and Kapirinna Sawan are full of bold, authentic flavors.”August 2025
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Kapirinna sawan Net +1
“The Taprobane Kulla, Kalawan Thachchiya, and Kapirinna Sawan are full of bold, authentic flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Taprobane Kulla, Kalawan Thachchiya, and Kapirinna Sawan are full of bold, authentic flavors.”August 2025
-
Mix kottu Net +1
“I just wanted to say the mix kottu was really amazing 🫶🏼 It tasted exactly like the food I used to have when I was in my home. The flavors, the spices, everything was perfect 👌🏼”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I just wanted to say the mix kottu was really amazing 🫶🏼 It tasted exactly like the food I used to have when I was in my home. The flavors, the spices, everything was perfect 👌🏼”July 2026
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Nai miris chicken kottu Net +1
“I love their food. Especially try their nai miris chicken kottu if you're in for spicy food!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“I love their food. Especially try their nai miris chicken kottu if you're in for spicy food!”May 2026
-
Nasiguran Net +1
“Restaurant is clean and family friendly, we tried chefs special, Nasiguran, chicken fried rice , all are so good , so yummy. Best sri lankan taste.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Restaurant is clean and family friendly, we tried chefs special, Nasiguran, chicken fried rice , all are so good , so yummy. Best sri lankan taste.”June 2026
-
Normal kottu Net +1
“Food was amazing, tired normal kottu and spicy kottu both. At the time mouth watering, but nest day wash room watering, haha but good taste”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was amazing, tired normal kottu and spicy kottu both. At the time mouth watering, but nest day wash room watering, haha but good taste”December 2025
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Spicy kottu Net +1
“Food was amazing, tired normal kottu and spicy kottu both. At the time mouth watering, but nest day wash room watering, haha but good taste”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“Food was amazing, tired normal kottu and spicy kottu both. At the time mouth watering, but nest day wash room watering, haha but good taste”December 2025
-
Taprobane kulla Net +1
“The Taprobane Kulla, Kalawan Thachchiya, and Kapirinna Sawan are full of bold, authentic flavors.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“The Taprobane Kulla, Kalawan Thachchiya, and Kapirinna Sawan are full of bold, authentic flavors.”August 2025
-
Taprobane sanniya Net +1
“You should never miss Taprobane Sanniya! one of my favorite dishes in this cafe! Love the taste.. Best in town!”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“You should never miss Taprobane Sanniya! one of my favorite dishes in this cafe! Love the taste.. Best in town!”August 2025
-
Wattalappam Net +1
“For dessert, we ordered wattalappam, and it tasted just like the homemade version my mum cooks—so authentic and comforting.”
Positive 1Negative 0
Review excerpts
“For dessert, we ordered wattalappam, and it tasted just like the homemade version my mum cooks—so authentic and comforting.”November 2025
What to Avoid (5)
Food 5
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Cake Net −1
“But only one thing we not satisfied is cake. Better give another cake rather than that.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“But only one thing we not satisfied is cake. Better give another cake rather than that.”October 2025
-
Chef’s special seafood rice dish Net −1
“We had dinner at this restaurant last night and ordered the chef’s special seafood rice dish, but it was very disappointing. The dish had too much sauce, and the seafood was not properly cooked.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We had dinner at this restaurant last night and ordered the chef’s special seafood rice dish, but it was very disappointing. The dish had too much sauce, and the seafood was not properly cooked.”May 2026
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Rice and curry Net −1
“I recently ordered rice and curry from this restaurant, and I was quite disappointed with the portion size. The quantity provided was too small and not sufficient for one person. The curries were also served in very limited amounts, which made the overall meal unsatisfying.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“I recently ordered rice and curry from this restaurant, and I was quite disappointed with the portion size. The quantity provided was too small and not sufficient for one person. The curries were also served in very limited amounts, which made the overall meal unsatisfying.”May 2026
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Roti Net −1
“The roti was not cooked properly, and the gravy was extremely oily.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“The roti was not cooked properly, and the gravy was extremely oily.”June 2026
-
Seafood mix rice Net −1
“We ordered the seafood mix rice, but the crab and prawns tasted completely rotten and smelled bad.”
Positive 0Negative 1
Critical review excerpts
“We ordered the seafood mix rice, but the crab and prawns tasted completely rotten and smelled bad.”May 2026
Tips for a Better Visit
Allow time. Build in extra time for dining; several reviews report waits of an hour or more, even when the restaurant was not crowded.
Ask about spice. If you do not want very hot food, specify your preferred spice level when ordering, especially for takeaway.
Check delivery. For delivery, confirm item availability and check the order on arrival; one customer received neither two wattalappam nor a fish bun.
Plan parking. Allow time to find parking around the residential area, where a reviewer reported congestion and no designated spaces.
Try kottu. Kottu is a useful starting point, with reviews specifically calling out mix kottu and nai miris chicken kottu.
Plan the visit
Practical details
France P22 - Shop No. 07
Warsan First - France Cluster, Dubai
| Mon | 7:30 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Tue | 7:30 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Wed | 7:30 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Thu | 7:30 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Fri | 7:30 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sat | 7:30 AM – 2:00 AM |
| Sun | 7:30 AM – 2:00 AM |
Common Concerns
Long waits
Several diners reported waiting around an hour or longer, including one table that waited over 1 hour and 15 minutes without receiving food.
Delivery delays
Delivery service has been criticised for late arrival, missing items and no status updates unless customers call repeatedly.
Food consistency
Reviews include complaints about an undercooked seafood dish, undercooked chicken, excessive sauce and stale food.
Spice levels
One online order was described as extremely spicy, with the reviewer saying the heat should be requested rather than assumed.
Parking hassle
Parking can be difficult in the congested residential setting, with no designated parking mentioned by one reviewer.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Cafe Taprobane is a Sri Lankan restaurant in International City that appeals most when you are after familiar, strongly seasoned comfort food. Kottu is a clear starting point: reviewers mention mix kottu, cheese kottu and nai miris chicken kottu, while the Sunday Special Lampraise and wattalappam give diners other distinctly Sri Lankan options. The food can be excellent and convincingly home-style.
One diner said the mix kottu tasted exactly like food from home, while another found the wattalappam as comforting as a homemade version. Reviews also describe the setting as clean, calm and family friendly, and a chicken biriyani savan for 10 people was praised for its portion and side dishes. Service is the main reason to plan carefully.
Multiple customers waited an hour or more for dine-in food, and one delivery took two hours with missing items and no proactive update. Food quality has also been uneven in some recent reviews, including complaints about oily gravy, undercooked seafood or chicken, stale food and excessive spice. Ask about preparation time and spice level before ordering, particularly for delivery.
Parking around the residential location can be difficult. Prices are often described as fair; one group of seven reported spending under 400 AED.
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