• Iftar buffet served during Ramadan from 6 to 7 p.m.
• Dinner buffet at Ports of Call from 7 p.m. onwards

Ports of Call at the Taj Samudra has always been a lovely space for relaxed indulgence, well-known for its sumptuous buffet spreads and warm, inviting ambience.

Iftar buffet

These days, given the Ramadan fasting period, there’s an additional feast on with the iftar buffet being served from 6 to 7 p.m.

It’s a lovely place to break one’s fast – spacious and quiet – and the iftar buffet features some irresistible and traditional items that have been thoughtfully created.

The mutton kanji is the clear winner and I always find myself enjoying not one but two bowls of this, while the special oriental lamb rice, the Turkish delight, and the faluda are personal favourites too.

The iftar buffet is priced at a very reasonable Rs. 4,500 nett and while it comes to a close by 7 p.m., the dinner buffet at Ports of Call is served thereon, so staying on for the full dining experience is highly recommended. The combined buffet is priced at Rs. 7,700 nett.

An impressive spread

The Ports of Call dinner buffet offers quite an impressive spread and I’d advise going on a Friday, when the action stations are in full force.

There are soups (usually two kinds), an array of breads, starters that range from salads and sushi (one veg and one non-veg option) to smoked meats and cheese, and mains that include Western, Sri Lankan, Indian, and Italian dishes, to name a few.

While the seafood and meat action station takes place on Fridays, through the week there are pasta and hopper stations, with the latter being a must-visit. 

There are places that don’t make hoppers quite right, but at Ports of Call they are perfectly done in terms of taste and crispiness and served, of course, with the traditional accompaniments of lunu miris, seeni sambol, and katta sambol.

Delicious dishes

Ports of Call certainly does not scrimp on the meats and seafood – there’s everything here and it’s all done well. Personal favourites include the delicious soft-shell crab, Sri Lankan-style beef curry, and the spicy tempered cuttlefish and prawns.

Vegetarians will not be pressed for choice either, with quite a wide range of dishes available, from paprika roasted potatoes and mixed vegetables in black pepper sauce to Indian-style cauliflower, banana flower, and paneer dishes, to name just a few and, of course, Sri Lankan-style veggies too.

The dessert selection features around 20 dishes and includes everything from cakes, puddings, mousse, and fruits, ensuring one is spoilt for choice. My favourite was the coffee mousse, while the tres leches cake came a close second, followed by the jaggery pudding.

Overall, it’s a thoroughly enjoyable dining experience, and my photos hardly do it justice. Stop by Ports of Call – especially on a Friday – and you’re guaranteed to leave full and happy!