Sri Lankan breakfast
String hoppers were soft and fresh, while the hot, flaky paratha reminded one reviewer of a homemade Sri Lankan breakfast.
Chaiwala Colombo
Oud Metha
Chaiwala Colombo is a Sri Lankan cafe in Oud Metha centred on chai, tea and homestyle-style dishes. Reviews point to its string hoppers and paratha at breakfast, along with flavourful kottu and a warm Colombo-inspired atmosphere.
Reputation Score
4.3
★★★★☆
167 ratings
Source: Google Maps
The Good Stuff
Kottu choice
The menu includes several kottu options; reviewers specifically praised the chicken, normal and mixed versions.
Chai variety
Customers mention tandoori, saffron, fresh milk, masala, cardamom and Zafrani chai, giving tea drinkers plenty to explore.
Colombo atmosphere
The vintage theme and roadside-eatery styling recreate a nostalgic Colombo street-food feel in Dubai.
Friendly service
Several reviews describe the team as welcoming and attentive, with quick service noted during breakfast.
RTA parking
One reviewer noted that RTA parking is available nearby, which is useful for a quick Oud Metha stop.
Tips for a Better Visit
Start with breakfast. For a first visit, consider string hoppers and hot paratha; both were specifically praised as fresh breakfast choices.
Check chai spice. If ordering tandoori chai, ask about the spice level first because one reviewer found it undrinkably spicy.
Plan seating. Expect a small indoor seating area with no outside seating, so plan accordingly if visiting with a group.
Use RTA parking. RTA parking was noted by a customer, making it a useful option when driving to the cafe.
Try mixed kottu. Mixed kottu is a good starting point for Sri Lankan flavours; one Sri Lankan reviewer said it tasted like home.
Order chai snacks. For a lighter visit, pair chai with chicken samosas, which one reviewer found flavourful without being too spicy.
Plan the visit
Practical details
10th street - 17A Oud Metha Rd
Oud Metha, Dubai
| Mon | 7:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Tue | 7:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Wed | 7:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Thu | 7:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Fri | 7:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Sat | 7:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
| Sun | 7:00 AM – 12:30 AM |
Popular Mentions
Roast Paan Sandwich
The Roast Paan Sandwich stood out to one visitor for its Colombo street-food flavour.
Fish cutlets
Fish cutlets appear as a popular tea-time snack, with some reviewers calling them tasty and another finding them too salty.
Chicken samosas
Chicken samosas are recommended as a mildly spiced, flavourful snack with chai.
Common Concerns
Chai inconsistency
Tandoori chai spice levels can vary sharply; one order was reportedly too spicy to drink.
Small seating
The indoor sitting area is small, and there is no outdoor seating.
Limited access
A review reports that the cafe has no wheelchair access.
Price concerns
Some customers consider the prices high, particularly when comparing them with the taste or portion size.
DXB
LOCAL
LOCAL
The Bottom Line
Chaiwala Colombo is a small Sri Lankan cafe in Oud Metha where the main draw is a combination of chai, tea and familiar Sri Lankan food. You can come for breakfast string hoppers and paratha, try chicken or mixed kottu, or order snacks such as fish cutlets and chicken samosas. The cafe also has distinctive drinks, including tandoori chai and lime mint juice.
The setting adds something beyond the food. Reviews describe a calm, vintage-themed room, while one visitor said the roadside-eatery styling brought back memories of Colombo. Staff are commonly described as friendly and attentive, and breakfast service was reported as quick.
RTA parking is available, according to one customer. There are practical limitations: the indoor seating area is small, there is no outside seating, and one review reports no wheelchair access. Pricing also divides opinion, with some customers calling it high.
Food quality is not completely consistent. Kottu, rice and curry, chai and several snacks receive strong praise, but other reviewers found the isso wade tasteless, Maggi over-salted, or the submarine unlike the Sri Lankan version they expected. If you order tandoori chai, check the spice level first; one customer found the variation extreme.